Correlation of obesity and overweight with emotional-behavioral problems in primary school age girls in Tabriz, Iran

Obesity and overweight have shown an increasing trend in most developing countries. Childhood obesity would impose numerous health-related problems. This study was conducted to determine the correlation of obesity and overweight with emotional-behavioral problems in primary school age girls. In a cross-sectional study, 300 primary school girls [aged 7-11 years] were selected using a multi-staged sampling method, including randomized cluster and stratified method. For all students body mass index was measured and then based on BMI for age and sex, from each grade [1-5], 20 students were selected for each group of normal weight, overweight and obese. The emotional-behavioral problems were evaluated using child behavior checklist that consists of 113 items for childhood behavioral problems. Total behavioral problems were seen in 17%, 27%, and 2% in obese, overweight, and normal weight children, respectively. Internalizing problems [including Anxious/Depressed, Withdrawn, and Somatic Complaints] were seen in 11%, 15%, and 2% and externalizing problems [including Aggressive and Delinquent Behaviors] were observed in 8%, 17%, and 2% in obese, overweight, and normal weight children, respectively. The mean scores in all scales were higher in obese and overweight children in comparison with normal weight children and the emotional-behavioral problems had significant positive correlation with obesity and overweight [P<0.01]. Despite the cultural differences between east and west, yet there are similarities in the most of the emotional-behavioral problems related to overweight and obesity. Also, it seems that the risk of behavioral-emotional problems in overweight girls is more than in obese girls. Overweight and Obesity prevention may be a primary preventive step for these problems in children

[Level of activity, social and school competency in obese and overweight girls of elementary schools in Tabriz city]

The prevalence of overweight and obesity among children has dramatically increased in many developing countries. Childhood obesity affects various aspects of life, including academic achievement, social skills, quality of life and social competency .The purpose of this paper is to investigate the level of activity, school and social competency in obese and overweight children of elementary girls' schools in Tabriz city. This research is a comparative-cross sectional study .The sample was 300 students [7-11 years old] of girls elementary schools in Tabriz city, selected based on educational class grade and Body Mass Index [BMI] by random sampling in three groups including normal, overweight and obese groups. Data were collected by Child Behavior Check List that has a 20 items for assessing the activity, school and social competency of children in home, school and society. Data was analyzed by SPSS -Pc [version 11.5]. The results showed that normal group had greater scores on activity, social, school and total competence than overweight and obese groups, it means that normal group had a favorite level of competency than others groups. The results proposed reverse correlation between BMI and school and total competency [P<0.05]. However, BMI had not significant correlation with activity and social competency. The findings of this study indicated reversed correlation between BMI, school and total competency. So, prevention of obesity can prevent or decrease children's competency problems