1. The relationship between weight status and emotional and behavioral problems in Spanish preschool children.
- Author
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Pérez-Bonaventura I, Granero R, and Ezpeleta L
- Subjects
- Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity psychology, Body Mass Index, Child Behavior Disorders psychology, Child, Preschool, Cross-Sectional Studies, Female, Humans, Linear Models, Logistic Models, Longitudinal Studies, Male, Peer Group, Prospective Studies, Spain, Surveys and Questionnaires, Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity etiology, Child Behavior Disorders etiology, Overweight psychology, Problem Behavior psychology
- Abstract
Objective: To examine cross-sectional and longitudinal associations between behavioral problems and weight status, considering body mass index (BMI) z-scores and overweight status, in a community sample of preschoolers., Methods: The Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire and the Diagnostic Interview for Children and Adolescents were administered to 611 parents. Adjusted general linear models and binary logistic regressions were used., Results: Children who were overweight and had a higher BMI were at increased risk of peer problems and attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) symptoms. Prospective analyses showed that a higher BMI at the age of 3 years was predictive of peer problems at ages 4 and 5 years and hyperactivity and ADHD symptoms at the age of 4 years., Conclusion: This is the first study using a diagnostic-based instrument that shows a relationship between weight status and ADHD symptoms in preschoolers. Overweight children might benefit from screening for behavioral disorders and peer relationship problems., (© The Author 2014. Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of the Society of Pediatric Psychology. All rights reserved. For permissions, please e-mail: journals.permissions@oup.com.)
- Published
- 2015
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