ABSTRACT
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.
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.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: There were two objectives in this study 1) to investigate the psychosocial characteristics and mental health status of runaway adolescents, 2) to compare mental health status, family environments (family violence, parental conflict, parental alcohol drinking) by gender. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study done on 151 residents of a runaway adolescent shelter. This study was conducted from 12th May to 24th May 2003. Self-rating questionnaire used include demographic data, SCL-90-R, family adaptability cohesion evaluation scale III, conflict tactics scales 2 and children of alcoholics screening test. RESULTS: Most participants were single parent, with low education level. Adolescents in shelters scored significantly high on the somatization, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, psychoticism scales on the SCL-90-R. Female adolescent scored significantly higher on the obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility scales on the SCL-90-R. Male adolescents scored significantly higher statistically on the CAST. These results suggest that more systematized and individualized psychiatric intervention is necessary to help them during sheltered living. CONCLUSION: Runaway adolescent report significant level of psychopathology, family conflict, parental alcohol problem. These results suggest that more systematized, individualized psychiatric approach is necessary to help runaway adolescent in shelter.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Alcoholics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Education , Family Conflict , Homeless Youth , Hostility , Mass Screening , Mental Health , Parents , Psychopathology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Single Parent , Violence , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: There were two objectives in this study 1) to investigate the psychosocial characteristics and mental health status of runaway adolescents, 2) to compare mental health status, family environments (family violence, parental conflict, parental alcohol drinking) by gender. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study done on 151 residents of a runaway adolescent shelter. This study was conducted from 12th May to 24th May 2003. Self-rating questionnaire used include demographic data, SCL-90-R, family adaptability cohesion evaluation scale III, conflict tactics scales 2 and children of alcoholics screening test. RESULTS: Most participants were single parent, with low education level. Adolescents in shelters scored significantly high on the somatization, hostility, interpersonal sensitivity, paranoid ideation, psychoticism scales on the SCL-90-R. Female adolescent scored significantly higher on the obsessive-compulsive, interpersonal sensitivity, and hostility scales on the SCL-90-R. Male adolescents scored significantly higher statistically on the CAST. These results suggest that more systematized and individualized psychiatric intervention is necessary to help them during sheltered living. CONCLUSION: Runaway adolescent report significant level of psychopathology, family conflict, parental alcohol problem. These results suggest that more systematized, individualized psychiatric approach is necessary to help runaway adolescent in shelter.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Child , Humans , Alcoholics , Cross-Sectional Studies , Education , Family Conflict , Homeless Youth , Hostility , Mass Screening , Mental Health , Parents , Psychopathology , Surveys and Questionnaires , Single Parent , Violence , Weights and MeasuresABSTRACT
PURPOSE: To compare normal weight children with obese children in terms of family factors, eating habits, and sociocognitive factors. METHOD: This study compared 217 obese children with 231 normal standard weight children of 4th-6th graders from 7 elementary schools in Kangwon province. The study also surveyed 817 their parents using questionnaires in which familial factors, eating habits, and sociocognitive factors such as dietary self-efficacy, locus of control and self-esteem were included. RESULTS: Obese children had more obese family members, more family members with chronic metabolic disease, and lower breast-feeding rate than normal weight group. Dietary self-efficacy was positively correlated with eating habits and locus of control while no correlation was found with obesity index.. Self-esteem was negatively correlate with obesity index. Both the parents and the childrens eating habits showed significant positive correlation to the obesity index. CONCLUSION: These results implied familial factors, eating habits, and sociocognitive factors influenced childhood obesity. Thus, further research targeting to positive attitude toward familial dietary practices combined with significant sociocognitive factors, may lead to prevention and effective management of childhood obesity.