title: Effects of obesity and obesity-induced stress on depressive symptoms in Korean elementary school children.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is becoming prevalent in Korean children. Because body image is becoming increasingly important, it is likely that obesity-induced stress has a significant effect on childhood depression.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To examine the correlation between obesity-induced stress and depressive symptoms in Korean elementary school students.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study participants were 2,305 elementary school children and their parents in the districts of Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun and Bukjeju-gun on Jeju Island, Korea, who completed questionnaires involving demographic information, an obesity-induced stress scale and the Korean form of Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) from September to December 2006.
  
  
  RESULTS
  After controlling for significant independent variables that are wellknown correlates of depressive symptoms in children (e.g. age, gender, residence, family monthly income, obesity status of both parents, family history of chronic illness, and time spent with mother), obesity-induced stress had an odds ratio of 1.128 (95% CI 1.111-1.146).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Reducing the prevalence of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island will require special attention, particularly the development of coping strategies to resolve obesity-induced stress in various areas including school, family and society.
authors: Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea.
authors: Chul-Min
authors: CM
authors: Park
authors: Moon-Doo
authors: MD
authors: Kim
authors: Seong-Chul
authors: SC
authors: Hong
authors: Yeol
authors: Y
authors: Kim
authors: Mi-Youl
authors: MY
authors: Hyun
authors: Young-Sook
authors: YS
authors: Kwak
authors: Chang-In
authors: CI
authors: Lee
authors: Min-Jeong
authors: MJ
authors: Park
authors: Yun-Hee
authors: YH
authors: Jang
authors: Ji-Hyun
authors: JH
authors: Moon
authors: Eun-Mi
authors: EM
authors: Seok
authors: Young-Ja
authors: YJ
authors: Song
authors: Hyeon Ju Kim
mesh_terms: D001828:Body Image; D002648:Child; D003431:Cross-Cultural Comparison; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003863:Depression / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D007723:Korea; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000208:ethnology* / Q000523:psychology*; D016017:Odds Ratio; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology; D010555:Personality Inventory / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012737:Sex Factors; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*