Relationships between behavioral problems and family environment among obese children aged 6–15 years

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%) ( χ ² = 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.

Abstract

【摘要】 目的 探讨 6~15 岁肥胖儿童行为问题与家庭环境的关系, 为肥胖儿童行为问题分析及其家庭环境构建提 供研究证据。 方法 采用 Achenbach 儿童行为量表和家庭环境量表简氏中文版, 对北京市 2 376 名肥胖儿童 (肥胖组) 和 2 376 名体重正常儿童 (对照组) 进行调査。 结果 肥胖组儿童行为问题检出率 (21.12%) 髙于对照组儿童 (15.53%) ( χ ² = 24.93, P<0.01); 6~11 岁肥胖组女生、12~ 15 岁肥胖组男生、12~ 15 岁肥胖组女生的家庭环境总分均低于对照组 ( Z值分别 为 −2.44, −2.98, −3.38, P值均<0.05)。二分类 Logistic 回归分析显示, 对于 6~11 岁的肥胖儿童, 母亲教育程度髙 ( OR = 0.78, 95% CI = 0.69~0.88)、家庭凝聚力髙 ( OR = 0.75, 95% CI =0. 67–0.84) 和家庭冲突少 ( OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.75–0.87) 与行为问题的发生呈负性相关; 对于 12~15 岁的肥胖儿童, 家庭凝聚力强 ( OR = 0.79, 95% CI =0.70–0.90) 和家庭冲突少 ( OR = 0.78, 95% CI =0.71–0.86) 与行为问题的发生呈负性相关。 结论 未来的心理健康和社会工作服务中应关注家庭环 境对肥胖儿童行为问题的影响, 增强家庭凝聚力和减少家庭冲突可能有助于减少肥胖儿童行为问题的发生。