Could obesity mediate psychopathology and suicidal ideation in adolescents? An Egyptian study

Introduction: Adolescence is a critical developmental phase characterized by intense physical and psychological changes. Physical changes and increased body weight are important preoccupations of adolescents and may predispose them to mental health consequences. Moreover, suicide is the third leading cause of death among adolescents. In Egypt, increasing rates of overweight and obesity in children and adolescents have become a public health concern. Numerous studies have investigated the causes of adolescent suicidal ideation. However, the relationship between obesity and suicidal ideation and behaviour is not well-understood, and conventional suicide risk factors do not adequately explain the associations observed. Aim of work: The current study aimed to examine the relationship between obesity and suicidal ideation in a sample of Egyptian adolescents as well as potential psychopathological mechanisms of this relationship. Patients and methods: Fifty adolescents with obesity (BMI≥95th percentile) and 50 healthy normal-weight adolescents were evaluated for body weight (kg), height (m) and BMI. Psychological assessment included Symptom Checklist 90 Revised, Beck Depression Inventory, Beck Anxiety Inventory, Beck Suicide Ideation Inventory, Body Shape Questionnaire and Rosenberg Self Esteem Scale. Results: There was a statistically significant difference between the two groups as regards depression and anxiety as measured by the Symptom Checklist 90 Revised, Beck Depressio...
Source: Middle East Current Psychiatry - Category: Psychiatry Tags: Original articles Source Type: research