Effects of obesity and obesity-induced stress on depressive symptoms in Korean elementary school children.
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.
Park
Chul-Min
CM
Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea.
Kim
Moon-Doo
MD
Hong
Seong-Chul
SC
Kim
Yeol
Y
Hyun
Mi-Youl
MY
Kwak
Young-Sook
YS
Lee
Chang-In
CI
Park
Min-Jeong
MJ
Jang
Yun-Hee
YH
Moon
Ji-Hyun
JH
Seok
Eun-Mi
EM
Song
Young-Ja
YJ
Hyeon Ju Kim
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*