Abnormal body mass index may be related to poor social function of female children by a propensity score matching analysis

Abstract

This study sought to estimate the association of children’s body mass index (BMI) with their social function in Shanghai China. A large population-based cross-sectional study based on a propensity score matching (PSM) analysis was conducted. BMI was compared according to social communication questionnaire (SCQ) classification, and then SCQ score was compared in terms of BMI grouping before and after PSM. A positive SCQ was considered to indicate poor social communication and a negative SCQ was then supposed to be normal. After 1:3 matching, a total of 7563 children aged 3–12 years were included in analysis. There were statistically significant positive correlation of BMI with SCQ scores for obese females of school age (R2 = 0.043, p < 0.001) and negative correlation of these two variables for school-aged females with malnutrition (R2 = 0.047, p = 0.027). In conclusion, BMI may be characterized as one of predictive factor for poor social function of these children.

Relationship of weight-adjusted waist index and developmental disabilities in children 6 to 17 years of age: a cross-sectional study

“…One study found that the Social Communication Questionnaire score of obese girls 6–12 years of age was higher than that of non-obese children, indicating that obese girls have poorer social function. An analysis suggested that this phenomenon may be related to physical self-awareness ( 54 , 55 ). Social norms have a important effect on the self-perception of children, and discrimination and repellence attributable to obesity may be involved in or even promote the development of DDs.…”