RESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Obesity is becoming prevalent in Korean children. Because body image is becoming increasingly important, it is likely that obesity-induced stress has a significant effect on childhood depression. AIMS: To examine the correlation between obesity-induced stress and depressive symptoms in Korean elementary school students. METHODS: The study participants were 2,305 elementary school children and their parents in the districts of Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun and Bukjeju-gun on Jeju Island, Korea, who completed questionnaires involving demographic information, an obesity-induced stress scale and the Korean form of Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) from September to December 2006. RESULTS: After controlling for significant independent variables that are wellknown correlates of depressive symptoms in children (e.g. age, gender, residence, family monthly income, obesity status of both parents, family history of chronic illness, and time spent with mother), obesity-induced stress had an odds ratio of 1.128 (95% CI 1.111-1.146). CONCLUSIONS: Reducing the prevalence of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island will require special attention, particularly the development of coping strategies to resolve obesity-induced stress in various areas including school, family and society.
Asunto(s)
Comparación Transcultural , Depresión/etnología , Depresión/psicología , Obesidad/etnología , Obesidad/psicología , Estrés Psicológico/complicaciones , Imagen Corporal , Niño , Estudios Transversales , Depresión/diagnóstico , Femenino , Estado de Salud , Encuestas Epidemiológicas , Humanos , Corea (Geográfico) , Masculino , Obesidad/epidemiología , Oportunidad Relativa , Padres/psicología , Inventario de Personalidad/estadística & datos numéricos , Psicometría , Factores de Riesgo , Factores Sexuales , Factores SocioeconómicosRESUMEN
We investigated the prevalence and correlates of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island, Korea. The study participants were 2305 children enrolled in elementary schools in Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun, and Bukjeju-gun and their parents who completed questionnaires about sociodemographics, health habits, family relationship information, and the Korean form of the Kovac's children's depression inventory (CDI) in September to December 2005. Multiple logistic regression showed that higher age (OR = 1.259, 95% CI 1.098-1.445), short time spent developing a relationship with the mother (OR = 2.770, 95% CI 1.280-5.944), and a low level of body image satisfaction (OR = 3.397, 95% CI 1.823-6.330) were correlates of depressive symptoms in children. Our results suggest that the following are essential to prevent depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju, Korea: advanced education and social activity programs at home, in school, and in the community to help children have a positive self-image, and much time spent building a relationship with the mother.