Psychosocial Factors and Obesity in Adolescence: A Case-Control Study
Elisabeth K. Andrie,
Marina Melissourgou,
Alexandros Gryparis,
Elpis Vlachopapadopoulou,
Stephanos Michalacos,
Anais Renouf,
Theodoros N. Sergentanis,
Flora Bacopoulou,
Kyriaki Karavanaki,
Maria Tsolia,
Artemis Tsitsika
Affiliations
Elisabeth K. Andrie
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, Second Department of Pediatrics, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Marina Melissourgou
Department of Endocrinology & Metabolism—Diabetology Center, Korgialenio Benakio—Hellenic Red Cross General Hospital of Athens, 11526 Athens, Greece
Alexandros Gryparis
Department of Diabetes Mellitus and Metabolism, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aretaieion Hospital, 11528 Athens, Greece
Elpis Vlachopapadopoulou
Department of Endocrinology, Growth and Development, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Stephanos Michalacos
Department of Endocrinology, Growth and Development, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Anais Renouf
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, Second Department of Pediatrics, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Theodoros N. Sergentanis
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, Second Department of Pediatrics, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Flora Bacopoulou
Center for Adolescent Medicine and UNESCO Chair on Adolescent Health Care, First Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, Aghia Sophia Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Kyriaki Karavanaki
Diabetes and Metabolism Clinic, Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, 11527 Athens, Greece
Maria Tsolia
Second Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, 1527 Athens, Greece
Artemis Tsitsika
MSc Program “Strategies of Developmental and Adolescent Health”, Second Department of Pediatrics, P. & A. Kyriakou Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, National and Kapodistrian University of Athens, 11527 Athens, Greece
Introduction: The continuously increasing prevalence of childhood obesity is reaching epidemic proportions. Greece is among the countries with the highest childhood obesity prevalence rates. The present study aims to identify psychosocial factors associated with excess body weight of adolescents. Methods: This case-control study was conducted in Athens, Greece, and included 414 adolescents aged 11–18 years. Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and an anonymous self-completed questionnaire captured the psychosocial background, family environment, peer relations, and school environment. Results: Of the total sample of adolescents, 54.6% had normal body weight and 45.4% were overweight or obese. A multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the factors related to the presence of overweight/obesity were adolescents’ age (OR = 0.416, p p = 0.001), presence of melancholia (OR = 2.723, p = 0.016), participation in sports (OR = 0.088, p p = 0.005), and mother’s occupation (OR = 0.065, p < 0.001). Conclusion: Psychological problems, maternal occupation, the absence of physical activity, and poor school performance were associated with adolescent overweight/obesity. It is important that screening for the presence of psychosocial issues is included in childhood obesity policies and treatment.
