Laura Pryor1, Mara Brendgen2, Michel Boivin3, Lise Dubois4, Christa Japel5, Bruno Falissard6, Richard E Tremblay7, Sylvana M Côté8. 1. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada; Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal and Laval University, Canada; Ste Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada. Electronic address: laura.pryor@inserm.fr. 2. Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal and Laval University, Canada; Ste Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada; Department of Psychology, University of Quebec in Montreal, Montreal, Canada. 3. Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal and Laval University, Canada; School of Psychology, Laval University, Quebec City, Canada; Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological, and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Russian Federation. 4. School of Epidemiology, Public Health and Preventive Medicine, University of Ottawa, Canada. 5. Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal and Laval University, Canada; Department of Special Education and Training, University of Quebec in Montreal, Canada. 6. CESP, Paris-Sud University, UVSQ, INSERM, Paris-Saclay University, Villejuif, France. 7. School of Public Health, Physiotherapy and Sports Science, University College Dublin, Ireland; Departments of Pediatrics and Psychology, University of Montreal, Canada. 8. Department of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Montreal, Canada; Research Unit on Children's Psychosocial Maladjustment, University of Montreal and Laval University, Canada; Ste Justine Hospital Research Center, Montreal, Canada; Institute of Genetic, Neurobiological, and Social Foundations of Child Development, Tomsk State University, Russian Federation; INSERM U1219, Bordeaux University, Bordeaux, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Overweight is associated with depression and anxiety among adults. It is unclear whether this association begins in childhood. Overweight among children is associated with a higher risk of peer victimization, and may mediate an association between overweight and internalizing symptoms. No study has tested this hypothesis in a longitudinal population-based sample using developmental trajectories of overweight in middle childhood. METHODS: Data was drawn from the population-based Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. A three-group trajectory model of overweight development (6-12 years) was previously identified using a semi-parametric group-based approach (n=1678): "early-onset" (11.0%), "late-onset" (16.6%) and "never overweight" (72.5%). Mediation models tested the link between overweight status and child-reported depression and anxiety at 13 years via peer victimization and body dissatisfaction. RESULTS: Children on an early-onset overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression (B=.318, 95% CI=.141;.496) and anxiety (B=.262, 95% CI=.09;.44) at 13 years. These direct associations were mediated by peer victimization and subsequent desire to be thinner. Children on a late-onset childhood overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression (B=.332, 95% CI=.187;.477) and anxiety (B=.215; 95% CI=.072;.358) at 13 years, mediated by the desire to be thinner. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to control for previous levels of body dissatisfaction. Our measure of peer victimization was not specific to weight-based teasing. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight during middle childhood increases risk of early adolescence internalizing symptoms. Peer victimization and body dissatisfaction are partly responsible for this link.
BACKGROUND: Overweight is associated with depression and anxiety among adults. It is unclear whether this association begins in childhood. Overweight among children is associated with a higher risk of peer victimization, and may mediate an association between overweight and internalizing symptoms. No study has tested this hypothesis in a longitudinal population-based sample using developmental trajectories of overweight in middle childhood. METHODS: Data was drawn from the population-based Quebec Longitudinal Study of Child Development. A three-group trajectory model of overweight development (6-12 years) was previously identified using a semi-parametric group-based approach (n=1678): "early-onset" (11.0%), "late-onset" (16.6%) and "never overweight" (72.5%). Mediation models tested the link between overweight status and child-reported depression and anxiety at 13 years via peer victimization and body dissatisfaction. RESULTS:Children on an early-onset overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression (B=.318, 95% CI=.141;.496) and anxiety (B=.262, 95% CI=.09;.44) at 13 years. These direct associations were mediated by peer victimization and subsequent desire to be thinner. Children on a late-onset childhood overweight trajectory were at increased risk for both depression (B=.332, 95% CI=.187;.477) and anxiety (B=.215; 95% CI=.072;.358) at 13 years, mediated by the desire to be thinner. LIMITATIONS: We were unable to control for previous levels of body dissatisfaction. Our measure of peer victimization was not specific to weight-based teasing. CONCLUSIONS: Overweight during middle childhood increases risk of early adolescence internalizing symptoms. Peer victimization and body dissatisfaction are partly responsible for this link.
Authors: Massimiliano Orri; Michel Boivin; Chelsea Chen; Marilyn N Ahun; Marie-Claude Geoffroy; Isabelle Ouellet-Morin; Richard E Tremblay; Sylvana M Côté Journal: Soc Psychiatry Psychiatr Epidemiol Date: 2020-11-13 Impact factor: 4.328
Authors: Édith Breton; Rachel Dufour; Sylvana M Côté; Lise Dubois; Frank Vitaro; Michel Boivin; Richard E Tremblay; Linda Booij Journal: J Eat Disord Date: 2022-06-20
Authors: Moonseong Heo; Camille C Jimenez; Jean Lim; Carmen R Isasi; Arthur E Blank; David W Lounsbury; Lynn Fredericks; Michelle Bouchard; Myles S Faith; Judith Wylie-Rosett Journal: BMC Pediatr Date: 2018-01-16 Impact factor: 2.125