Associations Between Weight Status, Peer Victimization, and Mental Health in Clinically Referred Children: A Cross-Sectional Study.
To examine peer victimization, internalizing symptoms, and psychiatric disorders in underweight and obese clinically referred youth versus normal-weight peers.
Cross-sectional study of 161 children aged 7-17 (51 underweight, 57 normal-weight, 53 obese). Victimization was measured using the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, depressive and anxiety symptoms with the CDI and STAI-C trait, and psychiatric diagnoses with the K-SADS-PL.
Peer victimization and anxiety disorders were higher in underweight and obese than normal-weight children (p < .001 and p = .005, respectively). Trait anxiety symptoms were elevated in both groups (p < .001), whereas depressive symptoms did not differ. Victimized youth had higher rates of anxiety (p = .009) and depressive disorders (p = .001). In adjusted models, underweight predicted anxiety disorder (OR 5.03, p = .010), underweight (OR 4.19, p = .003) and obesity (OR 9.00, p < .001) predicted victimization, and victimization predicted depressive disorder (OR 3.03, p = .016).
Weight extremes in clinically referred children are linked to peer victimization and internalizing problems, supporting routine psychosocial screening in clinical practice.
Cross-sectional study of 161 children aged 7-17 (51 underweight, 57 normal-weight, 53 obese). Victimization was measured using the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, depressive and anxiety symptoms with the CDI and STAI-C trait, and psychiatric diagnoses with the K-SADS-PL.
Peer victimization and anxiety disorders were higher in underweight and obese than normal-weight children (p < .001 and p = .005, respectively). Trait anxiety symptoms were elevated in both groups (p < .001), whereas depressive symptoms did not differ. Victimized youth had higher rates of anxiety (p = .009) and depressive disorders (p = .001). In adjusted models, underweight predicted anxiety disorder (OR 5.03, p = .010), underweight (OR 4.19, p = .003) and obesity (OR 9.00, p < .001) predicted victimization, and victimization predicted depressive disorder (OR 3.03, p = .016).
Weight extremes in clinically referred children are linked to peer victimization and internalizing problems, supporting routine psychosocial screening in clinical practice.
Authors
Teke Teke, Durak Durak, Teke Teke, Ates Ates, Celebi Celebi, Congologlu Congologlu, Balamtekin Balamtekin
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