Imbalance in Obesity and Mental Health Among "little Emperors" in China

Overview

Journal PLoS One

Specialties General Medicine
Science

Date 2019 Apr 11

PMID 30969962

Citations 2

Authors

Ziwen Peng

Zhongyan Zheng

Hongying Han

Chenjie Dong

Jingjing Liang

Jianping Lu

Zhen Wei

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Previous research has indicated that only children (i.e., those living with no siblings) have higher odds of obesity during childhood and young adulthood, compared with those living with siblings. However, little is known about whether the developing difference in overweight/obesity is accompanied by a difference in mental health (i.e., internalizing symptoms of depression and anxiety).

Methods: The subjects for this prospective study were a randomly generated cohort of 1348 high-school students in Guangzhou, China. Participants completed assessments of anthropometric indices, lipid profiles, family-based factors, lifestyle, and internalization of symptoms (including those of depression and anxiety).

Results: Compared to their peers with siblings, only children (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.68, 95% confidence interval [CI] [1.06, 2.65]) had significantly higher risk for obesity. However, only children with overweight/obesity had lower OR for depression at follow-up (aOR = 0.19, 95% CI [0.34, 0.86]), compared to individuals who were overweight/obese with siblings. This relationship was not significant for non-overweight individuals. No significant relationship between the number of siblings and anxiety at follow-up was observed, regardless of body mass index (BMI).

Conclusions: Although being an only child was significantly associated with overweight and obesity among adolescents in China, participants with history of overweight/obesity are less likely to experience symptoms of depression associated with being an only child.

Citing Articles

Obesity and Mental Health: A Longitudinal, Cross-Cultural Examination in Germany and China.

Lavallee K, Zhang X, Schneider S, Margraf J Front Psychol. 2021; 12:712567.

PMID: 34646201 PMC: 8504480. DOI: 10.3389/fpsyg.2021.712567.

Effectiveness of a Weight Loss Program Using Digital Health in Adolescents and Preadolescents.

Lei S, Medina Inojosa J, Kumar S, Lee A, Scott C, Lerman A Child Obes. 2021; 17(5):311-321.

PMID: 33826417 PMC: 8236388. DOI: 10.1089/chi.2020.0317.

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