Mental health problems and overweight in a nationally representative sample of adolescents: effects of race and ethnicity.
OBJECTIVE
In this study we examined the relation between mental health problems and weight in a population-based study of youth aged 12 to 17 years and whether the association between mental health problems and weight is moderated by race and ethnicity.


METHODS
We used 2003 National Survey on Children's Health data. Logistic regression was used to arrive at adjusted odds ratios showing the relation between BMI and mental health problems.


RESULTS
Compared with their nonoverweight counterparts, both white and Hispanic youth who were overweight were significantly more likely to report depression or anxiety, feelings of worthlessness or inferiority, behavior problems, and bullying of others. Odds ratios relating mental health problems and BMI in black subjects were not statistically significant except for physician diagnosis of depression.


CONCLUSIONS
Our results suggest that, when addressing youth overweight status, mental health problems also need to be addressed. Given that the relationship between mental health problems and youth overweight differs according to race/ethnic group, public health programs that target overweight youth should be cognizant of potential comorbid mental health problems and that race/ethnicity may play a role in the relationship between mental health and overweight status.
BeLue
Rhonda
R
Departments of Health Policy and Administration, Penn State University, 604 Ford Building, University Park, PA 16802, USA. rzb10@psu.edu
Francis
Lori Ann
LA
Colaco
Brendon
B
D000293:Adolescent; D001741:Black or African American; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006630:Hispanic or Latino; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D001523:Mental Disorders / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology*; D050177:Overweight / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D044465:White People