Psychological health in preschool children with underweight, overweight or obesity: a regional cohort study

Abstract

ObjectiveTo examine if underweight (UW), overweight (OW) or obesity (OB), or body mass index (BMI) expressed as its SD score (BMI SDS), were associated with psychological difficulties in preschool children.DesignRegional cohort study.SettingOppland County, Norway.MethodsAt the routine school entry health assessment at 5–6 years of age, parents were invited to participate by local public health nurses. The parents completed questionnaires on sociodemographic, health and lifestyle factors of the child and the family, and on the child’s neurocognitive development. They assessed psychological health with the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Public health nurses measured weight and height on all eligible children and reported age, sex, height and weight anonymously for the children who declined to participate.ParticipantsWe obtained information on 1088 of 1895 (57%) eligible children. The proportion of UW, OW and OB was slightly higher among the children who declined.Main outcome measuresSDQ subscale and Total Difficulties Scores.ResultsThe mean SDQ scores and proportion of scores ≥the 90th percentile had a curvilinear pattern from UW through normal weight (NW), OW and OB with NW as nadir, but the pattern was only significant for the mean Emotional problems, Peer problems and Total SDQ Scales, and for the Total SDQ Score ≥the 90th percentile (TDS90). After adjusting for relevant social, developmental, health and behavioural characteristics, TDS90 was only significantly associated with UW in multiple logistic regression analyses, and only with the lowest quartile of BMI SDS in a linear spline regression analysis.ConclusionsThe study suggests that UW and low BMI, but not OW, OB or higher BMI, are independent risk factors for having psychological symptoms in preschool children.

Neurobiological developmental disorders in preschool girls are associated with obesity

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Studies by Donkor, Anderson, Cimino, and Mackenbach underscore the interconnectedness between abnormal weight and psychological issues during the time of measurement in young children. [4][5][6][7] Cimino also confirmed this association in their future years, with permanently

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“…17 The increased risk of being underweight in our population compared to the general population, is in line with previous studies, confirming the relation between underweight and psychological symptoms and eating behaviours, like emotional undereating, satiety responsiveness and fussiness of children. 4,18 Most of the tall children were also overweight. This is consistent with the theory of growth acceleration by increased levels of insulin and insulin-like growth factor-1 in children with obesity.…”

“…This study findings are clinically relevant, since the adverse effects of abnormal weight at physical and psychological wellbeing at moment of testing, as well for the future, are well-known. [4][5][6][7][8] These effects also influence the effect of the programs in special day-care, since overweight preschool children have a lower motor proficiency and more externalizing behaviour problems. 5,8 Our results emphasizes the need for BMI-screening in this population and incorporating an intervention program targeting abnormal weight in these children's treatment program.…”

Trends in body size and prevalence of underweight and overweight in 7–9 year old children from eastern Poland between 2006 and 2021

“…It is an important clinical and public health problem among children and adolescents associated with adverse health outcomes at all stages of human life and may reflect food poverty (Ieiri et al 2021), unhealthy eating habits (Rawal et al 2021), or an increased risk of many diseases. Underweight children and adolescents are more likely to suffer from infectious diseases (Goutines et al 2021), have reduced cognitive functions (Suryawan et al 2021), mental disorders (Donkor et al 2021;Zeiler et al 2021) and have low scores your health (Linardon et al 2021).…”

Emotional and Behavioural Problems among Preschool Children in Northeast Peninsular Malaysia: Parent Report Version

“…Compared to girls, most studies found boys to be more at risk of developing emotional and behavioural problems [ 14 , 15 , 16 ]. Many studies have highlighted socioeconomic status or household income as a significant factor associated with emotional and behavioural problems in preschool [ 17 , 18 , 19 ]. Lower household income frequently correlates with higher levels of socioeconomic stress and hardship, which can lead to a less caring and nurturing environment for children.…”