Can caregivers' mental disorders be associated with childhood obesogenic eating behavior? / Os transtornos mentais dos cuidadores podem estar associados a comportamentos alimentares obesogênicos na infância?

Abstract Objective: to assess the association between caregivers' mental disorders and schoolchildren's obesogenic eating behavior. Methods: cross-sectional study used a public school-based sample of children and their primary caregivers. Caregivers had to report depressive episodes or generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) during the Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Children's obesogenic eating behavior were assessed using food responsiveness (FR) and emotional overeating (EOE) subscales of the Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Bivariate analysis was conducted using the t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and adjusted linear regression model was used (including variables caregivers: sex, age, economic indicator, and schooling; schoolchildren: sex and nutritional status). Results: study includes 596 children-caregiver dyads (309 boys and 287 girls). Among caregivers, 24.7% had experienced current depressive episodes, 38.7% had past depressive episodes, and 17.2% had GAD. We observed, after adjusted analysis, that having a caregiver in a current depressive episode, increases schoolchildren's obesogenic behavior of, for FR at 0.235 points (β=0.235; CI95%=0.022-0.449;) and EOE at 0.337 points (β=0.337; CI95%=0.162-0.512). Conclusion: caregivers' current depressive episodes were associated with higher averages of obesogenic eating behavior (caregiver-reported), both in consuming palatable food without feeling hungry (FR) and in increasing food intake in response to negative emotions (EOE).

Resumo Objetivos: avaliar associação entre transtornos mentais do cuidador e comportamento alimentar obesogênico de escolares. Métodos: estudo transversal com amostra de crianças da rede pública de ensino e seu cuidador principal. Episódio depressivo atual e transtorno de ansiedade generalizada (TAG) do cuidador foi avaliado pela Mini-International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Comportamentos alimentares obesogênicos das crianças foi avaliado pelas subescalas resposta à comida (FR) e sobreingestão emocional (EOE) Children's Eating Behaviour Questionnaire (CEBQ). Análise bivariada foi realizada por meio de teste-T, ANOVA e correlação de Pearson. Modelo de regressão linear ajustado (incluiu variáveis cuidadores: sexo, idade, indicador econômico e escolaridade; escolares: sexo e estado nutricional). Resultados: foram avaliadas 596 díades crianças-cuidadores (309 meninos e 287 meninas). Entre os cuidadores, 24,7% apresentaram episódio depressivo atual, 38,7% episódio depressivo passado e 17,2% TAG. Observamos, após análise ajustada, que ter um cuidador em episódio depressivo atual aumenta o comportamento obesogênico dos escolares, em 0,235 pontos para FR (β=0,235; IC95%=0,022-0,449) e em 0,337 pontos para EOE (β=0,337; IC95%=0,162-0,512). Conclusão: episódio depressivo atual do cuidador foi associado a maiores médias de comportamentos alimentares obesogênicos dos escolares, tanto no consumo de alimentos palatáveis mesmo sem fome (FR) quanto aumento da ingestão alimentar em resposta a emoções negativas (EOE).

Effects of depression and excess body weight on cognition and functioning in young adults: A population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to assess the independent effects of depression and excess body weight (EBW) on cognition and functioning in a community sample of young adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional of 943 young adults. The diagnosis of a current depressive episode was performed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). Cognition and functioning were assessed using the Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA) and the Functional Assessment Short Test (FAST), respectively. The EBW was defined as BMI ≥ 25.0 kg/m2. The independent main effects of depression and EBW, as well as the analysis interaction were performed using two-way analysis of covariance (ANCOVA). RESULTS: The total sample comprised 943 adults, with 75 (8.0%) individuals diagnosed with a current depressive episode and 493 (52,6%) with EBW. Of the 75 subjects with depression, 40 were identified with EBW comorbidity. Subjects with depression and EBW comorbidity reported greater cognitive and functional impairment, as compared to individuals with depression without EBW. There was a significant interaction between depression and EBW on MoCA total (p<0.001) as well as FAST total (p=0.010), work (p=0.002), cognition (p=0.023), finances (p=0.032) and relationships domains (p=0.008). CONCLUSIONS: The adverse effects of depression and EBW are independent and cumulative with respect to cognition and functioning of individuals. The understanding of the complex interactions between cognition, functioning, EBW and depression are important for development of preventive and therapeutic strategies.

Emotional and behavioral problems: a school-based study in southern Brazil / Problemas emocionais e comportamentais: um estudo de base escolar no sul do Brasil

Abstract Introduction Mental health assessment in childhood needs to be carried out within a broader context that includes different factors. Objective To assess the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in schoolchildren and associated factors. Method A cross-sectional study was conducted with a school-based sample at 20 schools selected by systematic random sampling. Participants consisted of children aged 7-8 year old and their parents or primary caregivers. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to screen for the presence of emotional and behavioral problems in children. Results A total of 596 dyads were evaluated. The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems was 30.0% among boys and 28.2% among girls. Hyperactivity/inattention were more prevalent among boys (p=0.015). Belonging to economically disadvantaged strata increased the likelihood of emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren by 71% (p=0.001), while having parents or caregivers with mental disorder increased by 2.2 times that probability (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed a high prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren, as well as the influence of economic conditions and of the mental health of parents and caregivers on child mental health.

Resumo Introdução A avaliação da saúde mental na infância necessita ser realizada dentro de um contexto amplo que considere os diferentes fatores envolvidos. Objetivo Verificar a prevalência de problemas emocionais e comportamentais em escolares, bem como fatores associados. Método Estudo transversal, com amostra de base escolar em que foram selecionadas 20 escolas por amostragem aleatória sistemática. Participaram crianças com 7-8 anos e seus pais ou principais cuidadores. A presença de problemas emocionais e comportamentais nas crianças foi rastreada pelo Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Resultados Foram avaliadas 596 díades. A prevalência de problemas emocionais e comportamentais foi de 30,0% entre os meninos e 28,2% entre as meninas. Sintomas de hiperatividade/desatenção foram mais prevalentes entre meninos (p=0,015). Pertencer a camadas menos favorecidas economicamente aumentou em 71% a probabilidade de problemas emocionais e comportamentais entre os escolares (p=0,001), enquanto ter pais ou cuidadores com transtorno mental aumentou 2,2 vezes tal probabilidade (p<0,001). Conclusões: Nossos achados demonstram a elevada prevalência de problemas emocionais e comportamentais entre escolares, bem como a influência das condições econômicas e da saúde mental de pais e cuidadores sobre a saúde mental infantil.

Emotional and behavioral problems: a school-based study in southern Brazil.

INTRODUCTION: Mental health assessment in childhood needs to be carried out within a broader context that includes different factors. OBJECTIVE: To assess the prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems in schoolchildren and associated factors. METHOD: A cross-sectional study was conducted with a school-based sample at 20 schools selected by systematic random sampling. Participants consisted of children aged 7-8 year old and their parents or primary caregivers. The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) was used to screen for the presence of emotional and behavioral problems in children. RESULTS: A total of 596 dyads were evaluated. The prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems was 30.0% among boys and 28.2% among girls. Hyperactivity/inattention were more prevalent among boys (p=0.015). Belonging to economically disadvantaged strata increased the likelihood of emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren by 71% (p=0.001), while having parents or caregivers with mental disorder increased by 2.2 times that probability (p<0.001). Conclusion: Our findings showed a high prevalence of emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren, as well as the influence of economic conditions and of the mental health of parents and caregivers on child mental health.

Biological Rhythm Disruption Associated with Obesity in School Children.

BACKGROUND: Biological rhythm is the daily metabolic cycle of mammals that involves the sleep-wake cycles, hormone release, eating habits and digestion, body temperature, and other important bodily functions that are repeated daily. Thus, greater difficulty in maintaining the circadian rhythms may be involved in the increased risk of obesity. This study assessed the association between biological rhythm disruption and childhood obesity among school children. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study with 7-8-year-old school children enrolled in a public school in the city of Pelotas-RS. The sample was drawn through multistage sampling. The Biological Rhythms Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry-Kids (BRIAN-Kids) was used to assess the degree of difficulty maintaining the biological rhythm. BMI was calculated as weight/height2 (kg/m2). RESULTS: A total of 596 children and their caregivers participated in this study. The prevalence of obesity was 24% among school children, 28.9% for girls, and 19.4 for boys (p = 0.009). Obese children had greater difficulties in maintaining the biological rhythm compared to nonobese children (p = 0.007). Some of these difficulties included sleep (p = 0.008), overall activities (p = 0.027), social rhythm (p = 0.033), and eating (p = 0.032) pattern. CONCLUSION: Approximately one-quarter of children were obese. This finding was associated with the caregiver characteristics and some difficulties in maintaining the biological rhythm.

Emotional and behavioral problems in children of depressed mothers: a school-based study in Southern Brazil.

The present study aimed to verify the association between maternal depression and emotional and behavioral problems in school children in Pelotas, Southern Brazil, considering that maternal depression increases children's vulnerability for developing psychiatric disorders. This is a cross-sectional study with a school-based sample conducted between August 2015 and November 2016 and it is part of a major project entitled 'Healthy Childhood in Context: A Multidisciplinary Investigation'. Schoolchildren aged between 7 and 8 years and one of their respective parents or a primary caregiver were included in the study. Maternal depression was assessed using the Mini International Neuropsychiatric Interview (MINI). The presence of emotional and behavioral problems in children was verified by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) - parents version. Children of depressed mothers exhibited higher mean scores in all SDQ domains and in the total score when compared to children of non-depressed mothers. Lower socio-economic status was also associated with higher SDQ scores. Our results showed the effects of both maternal depression and poverty on children emotional and behavioral problems, which evidence the need for child mental health preventive care, and free quality assistance for both mothers and their children.

Biological rhythm and emotional and behavioral problems among schoolchildren in Southern Brazil.

Emotional and behavioral problems have been considered an indicative of mental disorder in children. Mental health problems affect 10-20% of children and adolescents living in low-income and middle-income countries. Evidence suggests that disruptions in the biological rhythm may be a primary cause of emotional and behavioral changes, which affects several psychological functions and moods. Thus, this study aimed at verifying the association between biological rhythm and emotional and behavioral problems in schoolchildren living in Southern Brazil. This is a cross-sectional study with a school-based sample conducted between August 2015 and November 2016. The presence of emotional and behavioral problems in children was verified by the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ), parents' version. This is a 25-item assessment questionnaire used to screen mental health problems in children and adolescents (from 4 to 17 years of age) in the last 6 months. The Biological Rhythm Interview of Assessment in Neuropsychiatry-Kids (BRIAN-K) was used to measure the degree of biological rhythm disruption. The BRIAN-K consists of 20 items; from among these, 17 items are added to generate a quantitative measure, with greater scores indicating more biological rhythm disruption. The final score can also be divided into four subscales: sleep, social rhythm, eating pattern and overall activities. A total of 609 children responded to the assessment instruments. With regard to parents or primary caregiver, 596 completed the assessment and 13 (2%) were not located or refused to participate in the study. Thus, 596 dyads were included in the analysis. Children with emotional and behavioral problems presented higher scores in all domains of BRIAN-K: sleep, social, activity, eating pattern and total score (p < 0.001). The following variables remained associated with emotional and behavioral problems after adjusted analysis: BRIAN-K total score (p < 0.001) and all subscales sleep (p < 0.001), social (p < 0.001), activity (p < 0.001) and eating pattern (p < 0.001). Children with emotional and behavioral problems presented higher biological rhythm disruption when compared with children without emotional and behavioral problems. Our study emphasizes the importance of biological rhythm and its influence on emotional and behavioral problems in schoolchildren. Early detection of any biological rhythm disruption may enhance further assessment of any eventual emotional and behavioral problem and even a psychopathology.

Biological Rhythm and Bipolar Disorder: Twelve-Month Follow-Up of a Randomized Clinical Trial.

The objective was to evaluate the effect of psychoeducation on biological rhythm and in the reduction of depressive, anxious, and manic symptoms at 12 months' follow-up. This was a randomized clinical trial with young adults aged 18 to 29 years, diagnosed with bipolar disorder. Biological rhythm was assessed with the Biological Rhythm Interview Assessment in Neuropsychiatry (BRIAN). Participants were randomized for combined intervention (psychoeducation plus medication) or treatment-as-usual (medication alone). The sample consisted of 61 patients (29 TAU; 32 combined intervention). Although it failed to separate by a marginal difference, the combined intervention seems to be more effective than TAU in relation to improvement of depressive symptoms at post-intervention (p = 0.074) and regulation of sleep/social domain at 6 months' follow-up (p = 0.057). Improvement of depressive symptoms as well as regulation of sleep and social activities are known to prevent episode onset and thus improve long-term outcomes.