OBESITY AND ITS ASSOCIATION WITH SELF-ESTEEM, BEHAVIORAL PROBLEMS, MOOD DISORDER& ABNORMAL EATING ATTITUDE AMONG SCHOOL CHILDREN AGED 8-12 YEARS

Abstract

Obesity in children and adolescents represent the most frustrating and difficult to treat although the lay publics as well as health care providers have underestimated it as a disease. Many surveys indicated that obesity is one of the most common disorders of growth and nutrition affecting children allover the world. In addition, obesity represents a substantial health problem associated with a decreased quality of life as it is linked to numerous chronic diseases that leads to premature disability and mortality. However, the psychosocial hazards of obesity tend to be of greatest consequence for children and adolescents who may experience alienation, distorted peer relations, poor self-esteem, guilt, depression or altered body 1mage. This study aimed at determining the prevalence of obesity in school children aged 8-12 years and to assess obesity association with psychiatric disorders. The study conducted in two stages. The first stage was a cross-sectional study carried on 2190 students in Fayied schools. Students were exposed to brief questionnaire about socioeconomic characteristics of their families and measurements of weight, height, triceps skin fold thickness were done. The second stage was a case control study. The study population consisted of 179 obese and 179 normal weight children chosen from those detected in the first stage. The study groups were assessed by psychiatric scales for diagnosing depression, low self-esteem and abnormal eating attitude. Parents and teachers of the students answered Conner's scale for diagnosing hyperactivity.