The relationship between obesity, depressive symptoms and sleep duration in children and adolescents

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we aimed to investigate the relationship between symptoms of depression and sleep duration with anthropometric measurements in obese children and adolescents. Methods: Forty children and adolescents (25 girls) diagnosed with obesity were included. Sociodemographic and clinical data were obtained using the sociodemographic and clinical data form. Age, gender, height and weight values were recorded; body mass index (BMI), percentile and standard deviations (SDS) were calculated. Children’s Depression Inventory (CDI) was used to assess depression. The degree of obesity was classified according to the BMI values of the cases, the cases in class 1 and 2 were grouped as “subgroup 1”, and the cases in class 3 as “subgroup 2”. Groups were compared in terms of sociodemographic features, depression and sleep duration. Results: Mean age of the group was 12.8±2.6 years. There was a significant difference in patients with depression in terms of body weight, BMI, BMI-SDS and sleep duration compared to those without depression. CDI scores in subgroup 2 were significantly higher than subgroup 1. CDI scores were positively correlated with body weight, BMI and BMI-SDS and negatively correlated with sleep duration. Sleep duration was negatively correlated with body weight and BMI. Conclusion: Depressive symptoms and sleep duration may be associated with the severity of obesity in children. We consider that the assessment of depression and sleep disorders by a pediatric psychiatrist is important and useful in children with obesity.