Obese kids can struggle emotionally
A new study based on Taranaki young people struggling with weight issues shows their quality of life is equivalent to kids diagnosed with cancer.
Researchers found a concerning level of emotional and behavioural problems, and say these findings highlight how important it is that obesity programmes involve psychologists.
The study highlighted that a large proportion of children and teens struggling with weight issues were also highly likely to be affected by psychological problems and therefore have a lower quality of life, Taranaki paediatrician and co-author of the study Dr Yvonne Anderson said.
‘‘However, it is important to note that these results come from a group that were seeking help with their weight, so these findings cannot be generalised to all who have obesity.’’
The study involved 233 participants aged from four to 16-years-old who had a body mass index in the clinically obese range, and many had weight-related health problems.
More than four in 10, or 44 per cent, of children in the study had scores indicating a high likelihood of emotional and behavioural problems, six times the rate typically found in young people and nearly three in 10, 28 per cent, had scores indicating a high likelihood of psychological difficulties serious enough to warrant intervention.
On average, the children’s quality of life was comparable to that for children and teens diagnosed with cancer, and lower than a comparison group of Taranaki children living with a chronic health condition, Type 1 diabetes, which requires daily testing and treatment, the study found.
The findings should serve as a reminder to work to reduce the stigma associated with obesity, Anderson said.
‘‘It is really important that we do not see obesity as a single condition. It has many contributing factors, can affect individuals in many ways, and undertaking respectful, non-judgmental, and individualised assessments is critical for any type of meaningful engagement.’’
Children from Taranaki’s obesity programme Whanau Pakari were assessed when they enrolled in the 12-month community based programme. Dr Kate Treves, who is the clinical psychologist on Whanau Pakari team, said the results were a huge help to those working with obese children.
‘‘It’s something that all services working in this area need to consider. It’s not simply about the physical activity. It’s not simply about the eating, but the psychological factors need to be taken into account as well.’’
While Whanau Pakari had a clinical psychologist as part of the team, not all services across New Zealand did, she said.
‘‘We know we need to be actively screening for psychological problems in this population and we need to be identifying children and families that have these issues and getting them help.’’
Almost three in 10 of the children in the study came from households in the most deprived household areas of Taranaki. Maori and Pakeha each made up 45 percent of the group, with the remaining 10 percent from other ethnicities.
Nationally, an estimated 85,000 children aged 2-14 years are obese, and about 4,500 in Taranaki, according to the New Zealand Health Survey. The study was a collaboration between the Liggins Institute based at the University of Auckland, Taranaki District Health Board and Sport Taranaki, with funding from the Health Research Council.