Qual o perfi l psicossocial dos adolescentes obesos? Um estudo comparativo

What is the psychosocial profi le of obese adolescents? A comparative study

Abstract

Objective: To draw up a psychosocial characterization of a group of Obese Adolescents, exploring whether their
psychosocial profi le differs from those of youngsters with Psychoaffective Disorders and Healthy Adolescents. Methods:
After a retrospective study, a questionnaire was completed by Obese Adolescents (BMI>p 85) (n = 148) with psychoaffective
disorders (n = 50) and Healthy Adolescents (n = 50) between 10 and 18 years old, from 2005 to 2010. Results: Among the
148 Obese Adolescents completing the questionnaire 23% did not see themselves as "fat"; 86% were concerned about their
health; 18% think their parents do not get on well together; and 32% would change their relationship with their parents.
For 44% of Obese Adolescents, school is not going well; 33% feel this is a problem; and 34% do not have a best friend.
About 1/3 of Obese Adolescents showed sleep disturbances and somatic complaints and 18% had had suicidal thoughts. In
this group 1% smoked, 3% had experimented with drugs and 11% drank alcohol. Obese Adolescents are more concerned
about their health than Adolescents with Psychoaffective Disorders and Healthy Adolescents; they are less concerned about poor parental relationships them Adolescents with Psychoaffective Disorders and more than Healthy Adolescents (p<0.05).
Conclusion: The psychosocial profi le of Obese Adolescents presents more dysfunctional aspects than that of their healthy
peers, with these dysfunctional areas very similar to those found among Adolescents with Psychoaffective Disorders.