Psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety, are common among obese children

Posted by .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Tuesday, July 06, 2004 10:58 am Email this article
Psychiatric disorders, especially anxiety, are common among obese children according to a study from Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital in Paris, France.

One hundred fifty-five obese children were evaluated (98 girls and 57 boys; age, 5 to 17 years).

Fifty-seven percent were diagnosed as having a psychiatric disorder, 72 percent of which had anxiety disorder.

Psychological disorders were more common in obese children whose parents were psychologically disturbed.

They also noted that the children had poorer social skills.

The authors of the study noted the importance of treating the psychological component of children who are obese.

REFERENCE

Vila G, Zipper E, Dabbas M, Bertrand C, Robert J, Ricour C, Mouren-Simeoni MC. Mental disorders in obese children and adolescents. Psychosom Med. 2004 May-Jun, 66(3):387-94.

Articles on the same subject can be found here:

• Childhood Obesity