Influence of psychological and familial factors on the maintenance of childhood obesity / Influencia de los factores psicológicos y familiares en el mantenimiento de la obesidad infantil

Abstract

In recent years, childhood obesity is considered one of the main health problems worldwide. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the psychological and familial factors associated with obesity in a group of children. Thirteen children with obesity, between 7 and 11 years old (eight boys and five girls), and 21 relatives (fathers/mothers/grandmothers), who were referred by the Pediatric Service of the Medical-Surgical Research Center, participated. The following variables were examined: eating habits, physical activity habits, body image, affective state, self-esteem, compensatory family affective relationships and potential attitudes that lead to psychological alterations in the family. The analysis was predominantly qualitative, through techniques such as the semi-structured interview with the child and the family, the psychographic analysis (free drawing and family drawing), as well as the Seven Figures of Collins. We conclude about the relevance of the influence in all the variables analyzed on childhood obesity. The need to implement psychological intervention programs addressing not only children, but also their families is imminent.Resumen En los últimos años la obesidad infantil es considerada uno de los principales problemas de salud a nivel mundial. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar los factores psicológicos y familiares asociados a la obesidad en un grupo de niños. Participaron 13 niños con obesidad, de entre 7 y 11 años de edad (ocho varones y cinco mujeres), y 21 familiares (padres/madres/abuelas), quienes fueron remitidos por el Servicio de Pediatría del Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgicas. Fueron examinadas las variables siguientes: hábitos de alimentación, hábitos de actividad física, imagen corporal, estado afectivo, autoestima, relaciones afectivas familiares compensatorias y actitudes potencialmente generadoras de alteraciones psicológicas en la familia. El análisis realizado fue predominantemente cualitativo, a través de técnicas como la entrevista semiestructurada al niño y a la familia, el análisis psicográfico (dibujo libre y de la familia), así como el empleo de las Siete Figuras de Collins. Se concluye acerca de la relevancia de la influencia de todas las variables analizadas sobre la obesidad infantil. Resulta inminente la necesidad de implementar programas de intervención psicológica que suponga el abordaje no solo de los niños, sino también de sus familiares.

Consequences of Low Sleep Duration in Anthropometric and Body Composition Parameters of Chilean Preschoolers

“…In the first 2 months of life, it has been previously shown that infants with a low sleep duration are those that suffer from more detrimental health-related consequences until 6 years old [33]. Thus, one may speculate about the potential role of parents/family in the sleep duration of children [34], since in the first stages of life, parents are the main ones responsible (i.e., at least environmentally) to regulate the sleep patterns (i.e., sleep duration, quality, etc. ); however, due to biological or other health reasons, the sleep patterns can be also conditioned in children.…”