Psychosocial difficulties, obesity and disadvantage in a cohort of Irish children

• Published in: European journal of public health 2019-11, Vol.29 (Supplement_4)
• Main Authors: Dow, M, Brinkley, A, O’Malley, G, Murrin, C
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Age; Caregivers; Categories; Chi-square test; Childhood; Childhood obesity; Children; Correlation analysis; Disadvantaged; Education; Graphical user interface; Mental health; Obesity; Parents; Parents & parenting; Public health; Secondary education; Weight; Young adults
• ISSN: 1101-1262; 1464-360X
• DOI: 10.1093/eurpub/ckz185.028

Abstract Background Childhood obesity is stabilising in Ireland, but less so in children from disadvantaged backgrounds. There is also evidence for a relationship between psychosocial difficulties and obesity in youth, but findings are often mixed. This study aimed to describe the relationships between psychosocial difficulties, obesity, and disadvantage in a national cohort of children in Ireland. Methods Participants (n = 7275) were surveyed and measured at age nine and thirteen as part of the Growing Up in Ireland study (GUI). Psychosocial difficulties were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Disadvantage was represented by the education status of the primary caregiver. BMI was calculated using measured height and weight. Weight status categories were created using the UK 1990 Growth Data. Correlation analyses were used to examine the relationship between child BMI and SDQ scores. Associations between weight categories, psychosocial difficulties and education status were examined using Chi-square analysis. Results In children whose parents had secondary education, the obesity rate was 27.9%, compared to 24.7% in those with a college degree (p < 0.01). This relationship was also significant at age thirteen (