Κατεύθυνση Ψυχική Υγεία Παιδιών και Εφήβων
Library of the School of Health Sciences

2019-04-01

2019

Papageorgiou Athina

Γεράσιμος Κολαΐτης, Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Αικατερίνη Παπανικολάου, Αναπληρώτρια Καθηγήτρια, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ
Δημήτριος Παρασκευής, Αναπληρωτής Καθηγητής, Ιατρική Σχολή, ΕΚΠΑ

Συναισθηματικές δυσκολίες, προβλήματα συμπεριφοράς και δείκτης μάζας σώματος σε σχέση με την αντίληψη της εικόνας σώματος σε εφηβικό πληθυσμό

Greek

Emotional difficulties, behavioral problems and Body Mass Index (BMI) in relation to body image perception in adolescents

The serious effects of obesity on the mental health of adolescents have been indicated by numerous studies. The main points highlighted are social adaptation difficulties and lack of self-image formation of the individual. The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Body Mass Index (BMI) concerning the issues of emotional difficulties, behavioral problems and body image perception. A total of 1,581 teenagers (737 boys, 844 girls, mean=13.1 years of age) participated in the survey. The BMI evaluation was based on a series of self-reporting questions about the height and the weight of participants. The "Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire" was used to investigate emotional and behavioral problems, whereas the "Body Image and Eating Distress" Questionnaire was used to investigate thoughts about body image and weight. The data collection was conducted in the framework of the transnational study titled Eurasian Child Mental Health Study (EACMHS), an intercultural transnational study of teenagers with the participation of 10 Asian and 7 European countries. Data were analyzed using multiple linear regressions. Higher BMI scores was a significant predictor of emotional difficulties (β=0.37, SE=0.13, p=0.004), behavioral problems (β=0.30, SE=0,11, p=0.004) and problems concerning student relationships with their peers (β=0.26, SE=0.10, p=0.010). Comparison by sex showed differences only in body image perception (β=0.030, SE=0.009, p=0.002). In conclusion, obesity seems to affect the psychosocial functioning of adolescents at various levels, contributing negatively to a period that is already considered quite critical for the teenager's emotional and behavioral maturation. However, the recognition of predisposing factors, such as family history of obesity and preexisting psychopathology, may contribute to the development of appropriate preventive and therapeutic interventions.

Health Sciences

Body image, Adolescence, Emotional problems, Behavioral problems, BMI

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https://pergamos.lib.uoa.gr/uoa/dl/object/2867300