Feeling fat rather than being fat may be associated with psychological well-being in young dutch adolescents.
OBJECTIVE
To contribute to a further exploration of the association of psychosocial well-being with overweight and weight perception among young Dutch adolescents.


METHODS
Data from the ongoing Rotterdam Youth Health Monitor were used from 1,923 9-10-year-olds and 3,841 12-13-year-olds. The association of mental health indicators with weight status based on self-report and measured height and weight was studied with logistic regression analyses in both age groups cross-sectionally. Additional longitudinal analyses were conducted among the 787 pupils for whom follow-up data were available. Interactions with gender and ethnic background were explored. Among the 12-13-year-olds, the role of weight perception was also studied.


RESULTS
We found that 9-10-year-old obese boys scored more favourably on social anxiety than nonoverweight boys. Among 12-13-year-olds body weight perception, rather than self-reported or measured weight status was associated with mental health indicators. Mental health indicators at age 9-10 years did not predict self-reported weight status at age 12-13 or change in weight status between 9-10 and 12-13 years, nor did weight status at age 9-10 years predict later mental health indicators or change in these indicators.


CONCLUSIONS
This study provides no evidence that overweight does coincide with less favorable psychological well-being in young adolescents. In 12-13-year-old adolescents, feeling overweight, rather than being overweight, appears to be important.
Jansen
Wilma
W
Department of Public Health, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands. jansenw@ggd.rotterdam.nl
van de Looij-Jansen
Petra M
PM
de Wilde
Erik J
EJ
Brug
Johannes
J
D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D000367:Age Factors; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D001835:Body Weight; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D009426:Netherlands; D009765:Obesity / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011336:Probability; D012042:Registries; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological