UF researchers surveyed 96 overweight or obese children and their parents, comparing how bullying, depression and parents well-being related to each childs quality of life. The researchers looked at a combination of factors, namely health, emotional well-being, academic performance and social status.
Children whose parents were struggling or who reported more problems with peers tended to have a lower overall score for quality of life. Both bullying and parent distress were linked to more depressive symptoms in children, and these symptoms seemed to be related to poorer quality of life.
One of the pathways to poor quality of life seems to be childhood depression, Janicke said. If a parent is distressed, that seems to impact a childs symptoms of depression, which then impacts quality of life. Its the same with peer victimization. It impacts depression, which then impacts quality of life. And it seems to affect not just the emotional aspect of quality of life, but also their health status.
Talking about quality of life and problems such as bullying also helps clinicians encourage children to confront their weight problem, said Meg Zeller, an associate professor of pediatrics at the University of Cincinnati and a psychologist with the Cincinnati Childrens Hospital Medical Center. Often, fears of developing type 2 diabetes or cardiovascular disease dont motivate children, but factors such as bullying do, she said.
It gives a kid language to be able to talk about what it would mean to them to be able to make lifestyle changes, she said, adding that Janickes research helps advance researchers understanding of factors that affect a childs quality of life.
Addressing emotional and psychological issues is a key part of helping kids m
'"/>
Contact: Jill Pease
jpease@phhp.ufl.edu
352-273-5816
University of Florida
7-Aug-2007