Associations between overweight and mental health problems among adolescents, and the mediating role of victimization

BMC Public Health

Gusta G. Wachter¹  Vincent Busch¹  Marcel F. van der Wal¹  Cornelia Leontine van Vuuren²  René Veenstra³  Judith J. M. Rijnhart⁴  Mai J. M. Chinapaw⁵ 

[1] 0000 0000 9418 9094, grid.413928.5, Department of Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Healthcare Innovation, Public Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018 WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;0000 0000 9418 9094, grid.413928.5, Department of Epidemiology, Health Promotion and Healthcare Innovation, Public Health Service (GGD) Amsterdam, Nieuwe Achtergracht 100, 1018 WT, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;0000 0004 1754 9227, grid.12380.38, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, P.O. BOX 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;0000 0004 0407 1981, grid.4830.f, Department of Sociology, Faculty of Behavioral and Social Sciences, University of Groningen, Grote Kruisstraat 2/1, 9712 TS, Groningen, the Netherlands;0000 0004 0435 165X, grid.16872.3a, Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, location VU University Medical Center, P.O. BOX 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;0000 0004 1754 9227, grid.12380.38, Department of Public and Occupational Health, Amsterdam Public Health Research Institute, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, P.O. BOX 7057, 1007 MB, Amsterdam, the Netherlands;

关键词: Overweight;    Obesity;    Mental health problems;    Bullying victimization;    Youth;   

DOI  :  10.1186/s12889-019-6832-z

来源: publisher

【 摘 要 】

BackgroundEvidence has not been conclusive on whether adolescent overweight is associated with mental health, possibly caused by indirect, yet untested associations. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the association between overweight or obesity and mental health problems among adolescents, and to determine whether victimization plays a mediating role in these associations.MethodsSelf-reported data on mental health and victimization and objectively measured Body Mass Index data were used, using three cohorts (2010–2011 until 2012–2013) and an interval between the measurement waves of two years later. We performed a multi-level mediation analysis with a two-level structure to incorporate the clustering of the measurements within individuals. The study population consisted of 13,740 secondary school students, 13–14 years old at the first measurement moment, in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.ResultsCompared to their normal-weight peers, adolescents with overweight or obesity reported psychosocial problems and suicidal thoughts more often. Victimization was a significant mediator in the relationship between having overweight, and psychosocial problems (indirect effect OR: 2.3; 95% CI 1.5, 3.7 and direct effect OR: 1.4; 95% CI 1.2, 1.7) or suicidal thoughts (indirect effect OR: 2.1; 95% CI 1.4, 3.2 and direct effect OR: 1.3; 95% CI 1.1, 1.5). The associations between obesity, and psychosocial problems (indirect OR: 6.2; 95% CI 2.8, 14.7 and direct effect OR: 1.4; 95% CI 1.0, 2.0), or suicidal thoughts (indirect OR: 4.5; 95% CI 2.3, 9.1 and direct effect OR: 1.5; 95% CI 1.1, 2.0) were even stronger.ConclusionsOverweight and obesity were significantly associated with mental health problems in adolescents, and victimization played a mediating role in this association. Victimization and mental health should be integrated into prevention programs that address healthy weight development. Moreover, overweight should be given more attention in programs to prevent victimization and promote adolescent mental health.

【 授权许可】

CC BY