Mental disorders in obese children and adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To evaluate the type and frequency of psychiatric disorders in obese children and adolescents; to assess the correlation between psychopathology and severity of obesity; to explore the relationship between psychiatric disorders in obese children and obesity and psychopathology in their parents.


METHODS
One hundred fifty-five children referred and followed for obesity were evaluated (98 girls and 57 boys; age, 5 to 17 years). Psychiatric disorders were assessed through a standardized diagnostic interview schedule (K-SADS R) and self-report questionnaires completed by the child (STAIC Trait-anxiety and CDI for depression) or his (her) parents (CBCL or GHQ). These obese children were compared with insulin-dependent diabetic (IDDM) outpatient children (N = 171) on questionnaire data.


RESULTS
Eighty-eight obese children obtained a DSM-IV diagnosis, most often an anxiety disorder (N = 63). Psychological disorders were particularly pronounced in those obese children whose parents were disturbed. There was no correlation between severity of obesity in the child or his (her) parents and frequency of psychiatric disorders. Compared with diabetic children, they displayed significantly higher internalized and externalized questionnaire scores and poorer social skills.


CONCLUSIONS
These results highlight the importance of including a child psychiatric component in the treatment of obesity, which must engage the whole family.
Vila
Gilbert
G
Pediatric Department, Necker-Enfants Malades Hospital, Paris, France. cmp-tiphaine@wanadoo.fr
Zipper
Ewa
E
Dabbas
Myriam
M
Bertrand
Catherine
C
Robert
Jean Jacques
JJ
Ricour
Claude
C
Mouren-Siméoni
Marie Christine
MC
D000293:Adolescent; D000367:Age Factors; D001008:Anxiety Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D002665:Child Psychiatry; D016241:Child of Impaired Parents; D002675:Child, Preschool; D015897:Comorbidity; D003866:Depressive Disorder / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D039721:Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders; D005192:Family Health; D005196:Family Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000628:therapy; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000628:therapy; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory; D011569:Psychiatric Status Rating Scales; D012720:Severity of Illness Index; D012917:Social Adjustment; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires