Prevalence of overweight, obesity, and associated psychological problems in Qatari's female population

Abstract

Dissatisfaction with body weight and the use of unhealthy weight reduction practices have been reported among adolescents. It is important to conduct rigorous studies using large representative samples of female adolescents to assess accurately the frequency of dieting, overweight and eating disorders and accompanying attitudes. The aim of the present study was to examine the severity of dieting and its association with obesity, body satisfaction and psychological problems in female adolescents. A representative sample of 800 girls aged 14-19 years were approached during the period of October to December 2004, and 566 girls gave consent and participated in the study, thus giving a response rate of 70.8%. Self-reports were obtained from 566 teenage girls using the Adolescent Dieting Scale and the Self-Reporting Questionnaire (SRQ-20) for psychopathology. Subjects were classified into three categories: acceptable weight (BMI < 25 kg m(-2)); overweight (BMI 25-29.9 kg m(-2)); and obese (BMI > 30 kg m(-2)). The prevalence of overweight and obesity for female adolescents were 13.4% vs. 1.8%; 39.9% were intermediate dieters, and 8.3% were extreme dieters. Dieting was not associated with age but was significantly associated with body mass index (BMI) (P = 0.045). Extreme dieting was strongly associated with peer perception of respondent's figure (P < 0.001) and self-perception of figure (P = 0.016). Additionally, in adult Qatari population overweight and obesity for males were (34.4% vs. 34.6%) and for females were (33.0% vs. 45.3%). This is significantly higher than adolescent girls. (P < 0.01). The SRQ score was significantly highest in the extreme dieters group (P = 0.005). The extreme dieters get most of their education about dieting from school (14.0%) and TV (43.6%). The present study revealed strong evidence for the association between frequent dieting and overweight, body image dissatisfaction and psychological problems among adolescent females.

Fatores associados aos problemas de saúde mental em adolescentes

“…(2003) enfatizam que tal fato pode levar à inclusão de falsos positivos no estudo (indivíduos com transtornos transitórios), superestimando a prevalência de TPM nessa população. No entanto, o resultado de prevalência encontrado em outros trabalhos, variando de 20% a 30%, sugere que a SRQ-20, com os pontos de corte adotados, é um instrumento adequado para a utilização no estudo dos TPM nessa população (Bener & Tewfik, 2006;Oehlsschlaeger & cols., 2004).…”

“…Neste trabalho, assim como em outros estudos (Bener & Tewfik (2006); Loyaza & cols., 2001;Vitolo & cols, 2005), utiliza-se a categoria dos transtornos psiquiátricos menores (TPM) para o estudo dos problemas de saúde mental. Num limiar entre a saúde e a doença, esse construto caracteriza-se fundamentalmente por uma experiência subjetiva de mal-estar inespecífico, com repercussões fisiológicas e psicológicas.…”

“…Foram considerados casos aqueles do sexo masculino que foram positivos em sete ou mais itens, e oito ou mais para os do sexo feminino, conforme proposto pelo autor original. Esse instrumento já é bem estabelecido e amplamente utilizado em trabalhos internacionais e nacionais, inclusive com amostra adolescente (Bener & Tewfik, 2006;Feijó & cols, 1997;Oehlsschlaeger, Pinheiro, Horta, Gelatti & Sant'Tana, 2004). A avaliação psicométrica, efetuada a partir de dados de estudo piloto (210 adolescentes) e feita por meio de confiabilidade teste-reteste, apresentou ICC (Intraclass Correlation Coeficient) de 0,85 e alpha de Cronbach de 0,75.…”

Self-concept in overweight adolescents

“…[35][36][37][38][39][40][41][42][43][44] Studies using the Youth Self Report, SDQ, YEDE-Q, EES-C and SRQ-20 reported overweight male and female adolescents as having psychopathological symptoms, suffering more from mental disorders, and reporting body dissatisfaction and problems in psychosocial functioning. [45][46][47][48][49] The inadequate adjustment in sexual attitudes revealed by the overweight adolescent girls in our study could be a result of dissatisfaction with their bodies, resulting in feelings of unattractiveness in comparison with the cultural 'standards' imposed by Western society. 11,12,21,22,25 Adolescent girls are reported to be preoccupied with their body weight and body image.…”

Sistema de e-terapia inteligente. Un nuevo paradigma de psicoterapia asistida por ordenador

“…Las implicaciones en el estado de ánimo, los trastornos de la conducta alimentaria, la satisfacción corporal y los problemas psicológicos asociados, son algunas de las áreas afectadas por los problemas de obesidad. A esto es importante añadir un estilo de vida insano y sedentario que puede tener también importantes repercusiones en la calidad de vida de la persona (Bener & Tewfik, 2006).…”