Adolescent mental health is linked to future obesity

A recent study revealed that mental health in the early years of life is linked to obesity in teenagers.

The study found that better mental health and psychosocial well-being at age 11, but not 14, was associated with returning to overweight or obesity by age 17.

The researchers suggest that age 11 “may be a sensitive period where psychological well-being is linked to future body weight.”

The study, led by researchers at the University of Liverpool and the University of Maynooth and published in the journal Obesity, involved more than 8,000 young people.

Data were analyzed for 4,556 11-year-olds and 3,791 14-year-olds who were overweight or obese, and the group was then followed up at age 17.

Mental health was assessed using questions answered by children and their carers about issues such as self-esteem, life satisfaction, depressive symptoms, social support, satisfaction with appearance and cyberbullying.

Of those who were classified as overweight or obese at age 11 or 14, about 16 percent – 12 percent of 11-year-olds and 4 percent of 14-year-olds – were considered normal weight at age 17.

Dr I Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra, from the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, said: “This study is the first to show how mental health, particularly at age 11, plays an important role in explains why some children move to a mental health facility. healthy weight, but others still suffer from poor health Overweight and obesity at the age of 17 years.

He continued: “While we need more work to understand why early adolescence is crucial, we know that this time in a child’s life may see change, such as moving to secondary school, for example. “It may be important to include psychological support in the prevention and treatment of current obesity, especially during a sensitive period of life. “

Professor Eric Robinson, from the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, said: “We’ve known for some time that living with overweight and obesity is difficult, and these new findings are consistent with other emerging evidence that suggests that as a society, we need to do a much better job of supporting people.” People who suffer from obesity if we want to make significant progress in reducing obesity.”