Relationships between behavioral problems and family environment among obese children aged 6-15 years / 中国学校卫生

ABSTRACT

Objective@#To investigate the relationships between behavioral problems and family environment in obese children aged 6-15 years to provide a dereference for the analysis of behavioral problems among obese children and the construction of their family environmet .@*Methods@#Family environment dimensions and behavioral problems were investigated among 2 376 obese children and 2 376 non-obese children with Family Environment Scale Symptoms Questionnaire and Achenbach Child Behavior Checklist. Data were analyzed by SPSS 17.0.@*Results@#The incidence of the behavioral problems in obese children (21.12%) was higher than that of non-obese children (15.53%)(χ2=24.93，P<0.01).The scores of Family Environment Scale Symptoms Questionnaire differed between obese children and nonobese children (Z=-2.44, -2.98, -3.38, P<0.05). Binary logistic regression results showed that for obese boys and girls aged 6 to 11 years, high maternal education levels(OR=0.78, 95%CI=0.69-0.88), family cohesion(OR=0.75, 95%CI=0.67-0.84) and less family conflicts(OR=0.81, 95%CI=0.75-0.87) were related to less behavioral problems; for obese boys and girls aged 12 to 15 years, family cohesion(OR=0.79, 95%CI=0.70-0.90) and less family conflicts(OR=0.78, 95%CI=0.71-0.86) were related to less behavioral problems.@*Conclusion@#Family cohesion and less family conflicts might help low the risk of behavioral problems among obese children. The role of family environment on behavioral problems should not be neglected in future mental health promotion and social work service for obese children.