[A controlled study of food behavior and emotional manifestation in a population of obese female adolescents].
BACKGROUND
Obesity is a major Public Health problem in developed countries. It is frequently associated with psychological difficulties that may interfere with treatment.


METHODS
22 obese female adolescents, aged 13 to 19 years, and 24 age-matched female controls, were compared with regard to emotional pathology (anxiety, depression), eating behaviors, self-esteem, body image and parental history of depression. The evaluation was both categorical (DSM III-R criteria) and dimensional for depression and anxiety. It also included a self-esteem scale and questionnaires.


RESULTS
The obese adolescents had more depressive symptoms, more prevalent anxiety disorders, more frequent histories of parental depression, eating behaviors characterized by over-eating and/or restricted intake, lower self-esteem and dissatisfaction with their body image, leading to avoidance behaviors in some of them.


CONCLUSIONS
Psychological manifestations, although they are still insufficiently documented, especially in adolescents, may aggravate obesity and interfere with treatment.
Isnard-Mugnier
P
P
Service de Psychiatrie de l'Enfant et de l'Adolescent de l'Hôpital Necker-Enfants Malades, Paris.
Vila
G
G
Nollet-Clemencon
C
C
Vera
L
L
Rault
G
G
Mouren-Simeoni
M C
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000523:psychology; D001828:Body Image; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000523:psychology; D005247:Feeding Behavior; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D009765:Obesity / Q000523:psychology*; D010287:Parent-Child Relations; D012649:Self Concept
Etude contrôlée des conduites alimentaires et des manifestations émotionnelles dans une population d'adolescentes obèses.