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Association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight/obesity
Author(s) -
Boneberger Anja,
Von Kries Rüdiger,
MildeBusch Astrid,
Bolte Gabriele,
Rochat Mascha K.,
Rückinger Simon
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
acta pædiatrica
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.772
H-Index - 115
eISSN - 1651-2227
pISSN - 0803-5253
DOI - 10.1111/j.1651-2227.2009.01484.x
Subject(s) - overweight , medicine , obesity , odds ratio , confidence interval , confounding , logistic regression , psychosocial , demography , childhood obesity , body mass index , association (psychology) , psychological intervention , pediatrics , psychiatry , psychology , sociology , psychotherapist
Aims: To assess the association between peer relationship problems and childhood overweight and obesity. Methods: Data on 4718 preschool children were obtained at the obligatory school entry health examination in Bavaria. Parentally reported peer relationship problems (‘normal’, ‘borderline’ or ‘abnormal’) were assessed from the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire. Overweight and obesity were defined according to age‐ and gender‐specific BMI cut‐off points. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to control potential confounders. Results: The prevalence of overweight and obesity was higher among children with ‘borderline’ or ‘abnormal’ peer relationship problems compared to ‘normal’ children. The association of ‘abnormal’ peer relationship problems was still significant in the final logistic regression model for girls [odds ratio (OR) for overweight 2.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.4–3.0; OR for obesity 2.6; 95% CI: 1.3–5.0]. Among boys the adjusted odds ratio were lower and no longer significant. Conclusion: The significantly increased prevalence of overweight and obesity among preschool children with peer relationship problems could not be explained by confounding. It seems evident that there is a relevant co‐morbidity of peer relationship problems and obesity in pre‐school children pointing to the need of interventions focusing on both physical as well as psychosocial health.