Perceived overweight/obesity, low resilience, and body size dissatisfaction among adolescents

Association between psychological resilience and body mass index in a community-based population: A cross-sectional study

Background and Objective

While earlier studies have focused on the relationship between stress and obesity, there was a gap in understanding the potential impact of positive psychological factors, such as resilience, on obesity. By investigating the role of psychological resilience with obesity, this study aimed to address this gap and tackle obesity through a positive psychological framework.

Methods

Participants consisted of 2445 community residents from Shenzhen, China, with a mean age of 41.09 ± 13.72 years, comprising 846 males and 1599 females. Psychological resilience was measured using the Brief Resilience Scale; gender, age, marital status, education level, smoking status, alcohol consumption, frequency of physical exercise, and perceived stress were considered potential confounding factors. The relationship between psychological resilience and body mass index (BMI) was examined through multiple linear regression and logistic regression analyses.

Results

The participants had an average psychological resilience score of 3.46 (standard deviation [SD] = 0.62) and an average BMI of 22.59 (SD = 3.35), with 104 individuals (4.3%) identified with obesity. In the fully adjusted multiple linear regression model, a higher psychological resilience score was associated with a higher BMI (β = 0.507, 95% CI:0.283, 0.731). In the logistic regression model, higher psychological resilience scores were linked to increased obesity risk, with a more significant association observed among males (odds ratio [OR] = 2.169, 95% CI:1.155, 4.073), while psychological resilience acted as a protective factor against underweight among females (OR = 0.528, 95% CI:0.376, 0.816).

Conclusion

The study demonstrated a significant link between higher psychological resilience and elevated BMI, emphasizing the complex relationship between psychological fortitude and weight management. Interventions targeting socioeconomic status, education, lifestyle habits, and physiological well-being might offer a promising strategy for enhancing psychological resilience and promoting healthier weight. Emphasizing self-efficacy and coping skills at the individual level could contribute to balanced weight and comprehensive health outcomes, addressing the global challenge of obesity.

The role of school functioning, physical activity, BMI, sex and age in building resilience among Ukrainian refugee children in Poland

The study aims to examine the relationship between school functioning, physical activity (PA), sex, Body Mass Index (BMI), age, and resilience in Ukrainian children who migrated to Poland due to the war. A cross-sectional study was conducted in 2022, focusing on 248 children aged 10-15 years. The findings suggest that school environment, including enjoyment of school and strong support from teachers, plays a significant role in building resilience in children. PA enhanced the resilience of girls, whereas a higher BMI negatively impacted it. A child-friendly school environment that encourages PA and provides social support could be a promising approach for the mental health of Ukrainian refugee children.

Improved psychosocial measures associated with physical activity may be explained by alterations in brain-gut microbiome signatures

Obesity contributes to physical comorbidities and mental health consequences. We explored whether physical activity could influence more than metabolic regulation and result in psychological benefits through the brain-gut microbiome (BGM) system in a population with high BMI. Fecal samples were obtained for 16 s rRNA profiling and fecal metabolomics, along with psychological and physical activity questionnaires. Whole brain resting-state functional MRI was acquired, and brain connectivity metrics were calculated. Higher physical activity was significantly associated with increased connectivity in inhibitory appetite control brain regions, while lower physical activity was associated with increased emotional regulation network connections. Higher physical activity was also associated with microbiome and metabolite signatures protective towards mental health and metabolic derangements. The greater resilience and coping, and lower levels of food addiction seen with higher physical activity, may be explained by BGM system differences. These novel findings provide an emphasis on the psychological and resilience benefits of physical activity, beyond metabolic regulation and these influences seem to be related to BGM interactions.

Examination of relationship factors between psychological resilience and social support in adolescent obesity

PURPOSE

Childhood obesity is one of the most severe public health problems, and psychiatric conditions have been associated with obesity. In this study, we aimed to investigate psychological resilience and possible related factors in adolescents with obesity.

METHOD

The study included 90 adolescents with obesity and 100 healthy adolescents of similar age. Data were collected using a sociodemographic information form, the Child and Youth Resilience Measure-28 (CYRM-28), and the Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support. Scale scores were compared by Pearson's correlation coefficient test with SPSS-23. Multiple linear regression was performed to describe the relationships between variables.

RESULTS

The adolescents participating in the study were similar in terms of age and gender. Psychological resilience and social support in the obesity group were lower than in the control group (p < 0.05). A negative relationship was found between body mass index (BMI) and resilience levels of adolescents with obesity, and a positive relationship was found between social support and resilience levels (p = 0.027 and p < 0.001, respectively). The perceived family and significant other social support subscale scores of adolescents in the obesity group were significantly lower than in the control group (p = 0.037 and p = 0.023, respectively). The most related variable with the CYRM-28 was the level of perceived social support: standardized β = 0.409; t(151) = 5.626; p < 0.001.

CONCLUSION

A higher BMI has a negative effect on psychological resilience, and family support tends to be lower in these cases. New studies are needed to clarify whether this result is one of the causes of obesity or one of its consequences.

Defining and Measuring Resilience in Children with a Chronic Disease: a Scoping Review

More than 25% of all children grow up with a chronic disease. They are at higher risk for developmental and psychosocial problems. However, children who function resiliently manage to adapt positively to these challenges. We aim to systematically review how resilience is defined and measured in children with a chronic disease. A search of PubMed, Cochrane, Embase, and PsycINFO was performed on December 9, 2022, using resilience, disease, and child/adolescent as search terms. Two reviewers independently screened articles for inclusion according to predefined criteria. Extraction domains included study characteristics, definition, and instruments assessing resilience outcomes, and resilience factors. Fifty-five out of 8766 articles were identified as relevant. In general, resilience was characterized as positive adaptation to adversity. The included studies assessed resilience by the outcomes of positive adaptation, or by resilience factors, or both. We categorized the assessed resilience outcomes into three groups: personal traits, psychosocial functioning, and disease-related outcomes. Moreover, myriad of resilience factors were measured, which were grouped into internal resilience factors (cognitive, social, and emotional competence factors), disease-related factors, and external factors (caregiver factors, social factors, and contextual factors). Our scoping review provides insight into the definitions and instruments used to measure resilience in children with a chronic disease. More knowledge is needed on which resilience factors are related to positive adaptation in specific illness-related challenges, which underlying mechanisms are responsible for this positive adaptation, and how these underlying mechanisms interact with one another.

Supplementary Information

The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s42844-023-00092-2.

Self-care model and body image in adults after a bariatric surgery

OBJECTIVE

the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

METHOD

this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. The variables of interest were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to develop a model using path analysis.

RESULT

a significant model was obtained with adequate goodness-of-fit indicators (chi-square χ2 (8) = 11.451, p = .177; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)= 0.000; goodness-of-fit index (GFI)= 0.965; comparative fit index (CFI)= 0.985; parsimonious normed fit index (PNFI)= 0.509, and Akaike information criterion (AIC)= 37.451). Self-efficacy (Zβ=0.294) and body image dissatisfaction (So= -0.376) were shown to influence self-care abilities while psychopathological symptoms influenced body dissatisfaction: obsessive-compulsive disorder (Zβ=0.370) and depression (Zβ=0.320).

CONCLUSION

adequate levels of self-efficacy and body satisfaction predict a high capacity for self-care.

Self-care model and body image in adults after a bariatric surgery

Objective:

the aim of the present article was to test a self-care model explained by the relationship between self-efficacy, body image, obsessive-compulsive disorder, and depression in people with bariatric surgery in the city of Tijuana, Baja California, Mexico.

Method:

this was a correlational cross-sectional study carried out between August and December 2020. Validated instruments were administered to 102 participants to measure their self-care capacity, general self-efficacy, psychopathological symptoms, and body image perception and satisfaction. The variables of interest were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Pearson and Spearman correlation coefficients were used to develop a model using path analysis.

Result:

a significant model was obtained with adequate goodness-of-fit indicators (chi-square χ² (8) = 11.451, p = .177; root mean square error of approximation (RMSEA)= 0.000; goodness-of-fit index (GFI)= 0.965; comparative fit index (CFI)= 0.985; parsimonious normed fit index (PNFI)= 0.509, and Akaike information criterion (AIC)= 37.451). Self-efficacy (Zβ=0.294) and body image dissatisfaction (So= -0.376) were shown to influence self-care abilities while psychopathological symptoms influenced body dissatisfaction: obsessive-compulsive disorder (Zβ=0.370) and depression (Zβ=0.320).

Conclusion:

adequate levels of self-efficacy and body satisfaction predict a high capacity for self-care.

Modelo de autocuidado e imagen corporal en adultos post-cirugía bariátrica

Resumen Objetivo: probar un modelo de autocuidado explicado por la relación entre autoeficacia, imagen corporal, obsesión-compulsión y depresión en personas con cirugía bariátrica de la ciudad de Tijuana, B.C. Método: estudio transversal correlacional realizado entre agosto y diciembre de 2020. Se aplicaron instrumentos validados a 102 participantes para medir su capacidad de autocuidado, autoeficacia general, síntomas psicopatológicos, percepción y satisfacción de la imagen corporal. Las variables de interés fueron analizadas mediante estadística descriptiva y correlaciones de Pearson y Spearman para finalmente elaborar un modelo mediante análisis de ruta (Path Analysis). Resultados: se obtuvo un modelo significativo con buenos indicadores de bondad de ajuste (chi-cuadrado χ 2 (8)= 11.451, p = .177; error de aproximación raíz-media-cuadrada (RMSEA)= 0.000; índice de bondad de ajuste (GFI)= 0.965; índice de ajuste comparativo (CFI)= 0.985; índice de ajuste normado parsimonioso (PNFI)= 0.509 y criterio de información de Akaike (AIC)= 37.451). Se demostró que la autoeficacia (Zβ= 0.294) y la insatisfacción de la imagen corporal (Zβ= -0.376) tienen un efecto sobre las capacidades de autocuidado mientras que los síntomas psicopatológicos influyen sobre la insatisfacción corporal: obsesión-compulsión (Zβ= 0.370) y depresión (Zβ= 0.320). Conclusión: los niveles adecuados de autoeficacia y satisfacción corporal predicen una alta capacidad de autocuidado.

Perceived academic stress and depressive symptoms among Chinese adolescents: A moderated mediation analysis of overweight status

BACKGROUND

Previous research has indicated the association of perceived stress with mental health problems. In China, Confucian collectivism and an exam-centered culture encourage parents to have high educational expectations that impose great pressure on their children's learning. However, limited research has focused on adolescents' perceptions of the negative consequences of academic stress stemming from their parents' educational expectations. This study addressed this research gap by examining the direct effect of adolescents' perceptions of academic stress on their depressive symptoms and the indirect effects of both parent-child communication and interaction. We further explored the pathway differences between overweight and non-overweight adolescents.

METHODS

By using a sample (n = 6,566) from the first two waves of the China Education Panel Survey, moderated mediation analysis was performed to simultaneously analyze the mediating roles of parent-children communication and parent-children interaction and the moderating role of adolescent overweight status.

RESULTS

Adolescents' perceived academic stress (W1) was positively associated with their depressive symptoms (W2). This association was partially mediated by both parent-child communication (W1) and parent-child interaction (W1). Moreover, adolescent overweight status significantly moderated the paths between the adolescents' perceived academic stress and their depressive symptoms, between their perceived academic stress and parent-child interaction, and the indirect relationship via parent-child interaction.

LIMITATIONS

Some measurement biases including self-reported, unverified, and single-item measures, alongside not considering all variations in controlled variables should be noted.

CONCLUSION

The study's findings identify the significant roles of parent-child communication and parent-children interaction in contemporary China and indicate overweight adolescents' susceptibility to stress.