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Body weight, social competence, and cognitive functioning in survivors of childhood brain tumors
Author(s) -
Schulte Fiona,
Bartels Ute,
Bouffet Eric,
Janzen Laura,
Hamilton Jill,
Barrera Maru
Publication year - 2010
Publication title -
pediatric blood and cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.116
H-Index - 105
eISSN - 1545-5017
pISSN - 1545-5009
DOI - 10.1002/pbc.22543
Subject(s) - underweight , overweight , medicine , social competence , body mass index , cognition , population , competence (human resources) , clinical psychology , developmental psychology , psychology , psychiatry , social change , social psychology , environmental health , economics , economic growth
Background The purpose of the following article was to examine: (a) body mass index (BMI) in survivors of childhood brain tumors; (b) the association of BMI with social competence and cognitive functioning; and (c) congruency in reporting of survivors' social competence by the survivors, parents, and teachers. Procedure Fifty‐four survivors of childhood brain tumors (32 males) 8–18 years participated. BMI‐for‐age percentiles and BMI Z ‐scores (SDS) were calculated and survivors were categorized as underweight, normal, overweight, or obese, using established criteria. Informants completed measures of social competence and internalizing behaviors. Survivors also completed a test of self‐perception and cognitive functioning (IQ). Results Survivors were more underweight (15% vs. 4%), and less overweight (17% vs. 31%) than population norms ( χ 2 = 38.62, P < 0.001). Parents perceived lower social competence in survivors that were underweight, had lower verbal IQ, and higher internalizing behaviors ( P < 0.05). A significant interaction between BMI‐for‐age and IQ on self‐perception of close friendships suggested that survivors with lower weight and lower IQ perceived having fewer close friendships ( P < 0.05). Congruency among the three informants was moderate. Conclusions Survivors of childhood brain tumors are at increased risk for underweight. Underweight status is related to lower parent reported social competence and survivors' self‐perception of fewer close friendships in the presence of low IQ. Pediatr Blood Cancer. 2010;55:532–539. © 2010 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.