title: Anxiety, depression and self-esteem levels in obese children: a case-control study.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Obesity is a global health problem affecting all age groups. Childhood obesity, which may cause chronic diseases including diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular disease and cancer, etc., deserves more attention. However, few studies highlight the association between childhood obesity and psychological diseases. In the present study, we aimed to evaluate the psychological condition in obese children.
  
  
  METHODS
  One hundred and sixty-seven obese (body mass index (BMI) >95th percentile) and 200 normal weight children (BMI between 5th and 85th percentile) aged 9-16 years were enrolled into this case-control study. In order to assess the self-concept, anxiety and depression levels: the Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS), state and trait anxiety inventory for children (STAI-C) and the children depression inventory (CDI) were administered both obese and control groups.
  
  
  RESULTS
  There were significant differences among obese and control groups in terms of the total score of PHCSCS [55 (22-69) versus 65 (57-74)], STAI-C [37 (20-55) versus 28 (20-42)], and CDI [12 (4-39)] versus [8 (3-19)]; respectively (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001). We also found statistically significant differences among groups in all of the subscales parameters of PHCSCS (p<0.001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Our results indicate that obese children may experience psychiatric disorders more than normal-weight peers.
authors.forename: Seda
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Topçu
authors.forename: Filiz Şimşek
authors.initials: FŞ
authors.lastname: Orhon
authors.forename: Meltem
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tayfun
authors.forename: Seyit Ahmet
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Uçaktürk
authors.forename: Fatma
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Demirel
mesh_terms: D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D001828:Body Image; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D002648:Child; D003863:Depression / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009765:Obesity / Q000150:complications* / Q000503:physiopathology / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept