Quality of life and family function of parents of children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder

Background: Attention deficit hyperactivity disorder [ADHD] is a common paediatric neurodevelopmental disorder, with serious impacts on individuals, families and communities. It is associated with cognitive, behavioural, emotional, social and developmental disturbances and impaired academic achievement.

Aims: To describe quality of life [QOL] of parents of ADHD children and family function. To determine the relationship between QOL, family function and sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 125 parents of children with any type of ADHD who were selected by systematic random sampling. The study was conducted between May and December 2015 in the Outpatient Family Medicine Clinic at Suez Canal University Hospital. The World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief [WHOQOL-BREF] and Adaptability, Participation, Growth, Affection, Resolution [APGAR] questionnaires were used for data collection.

Results: Median physical, psychological and social domain scores were 12, and mean environmental domain score was 11.9. The median scores of perception of health and QOL of the parents were 3.0. Most of the families [79.2%] were dysfunctional. Statistically significant relationships were found between all domains and education; physical scores of QOL and gender, employment and income; psychological scores of QOL and residence; environmental scores of QOL and age, income and marital status. Dysfunctional families were likely to be affected by age, gender, physical and psychological domain scores of QOL of parents.

Conclusions: Parents of children with ADHD had average QOL. Most parents had dysfunctional families. Future family intervention studies are recommended

Assessment of knowledge, attitude and practice of adolescents towards obesity in the preparatory schools in Ismailia city - Egypt

Introduction: obesity among children and adolescents is rising for more than two decades, appears to have hit a plateau. Obesity increases the risk for serious health conditions that affect their present, future health and quality of life, including insulin-resistance type 2 diabetes, high blood pressure, abnormal blood lipid levels and low self-esteem. Over weight kids may be more likely to develop unhealthy dieting habits and eating disorders, such as anorexia nervosa and bulimia, and they may be more prone to depression and substance abuse. This study aimed to assess knowledge, attitude and practices of adolescents in preparatory schools in Ismailia city-Egypt

Subjects and methods: This is a school-based cross sectional study that was carried out on 608 adolescents in some of the preparatory schools in Ismailia city according to randomization. The methods that were used included questionnaires to assess: [1] personal history, [2] family socio-economic status, [3] knowledge of the child towards obesity, healthy diet and importance of sports, [4] attitude of the child regarding eating habits, [5] the child's physical activity, [6] the child's daily screens' watching hours, [7] psychological impact of obesity on both the obese child and his family. The BMI percentile of the studied adolescents was also measured

Results: more than three fourth [87.2%] of the studied population falls under the normal weight categorization while 7.7% of them are overweight and 5.1% are obese. Statistically significant relations were proved between obesity and: illiterate mothers, high mother's educational level, adolescent's attitude regarding eating habits, practice of sports and physical inactivity. Psychological consequences of obesity were evident among obese adolescents as in 33.3% of the subjects there was a severe effect of obesity on their psychological status

Conclusion: associated with changes in life style in recent years, obesity has been increased steadily among children and adolescents. In this cross sectional study; adolescent's attitude regarding eating habits and his/her practices regarding physical activity are highly affecting obesity. On the other hand, Obesity severely affects the psychological state of obese adolescents