Physician-diagnosed obesity in German 6- to 14-year-olds. Prevalence and comorbidity of internalising disorders, externalising disorders, and sleep disorders.

OBJECTIVE

This study analyses whether children with obesity have an increased risk of internalising disorders, externalising disorders, and sleep disorders compared to children without physician-diagnosed obesity.

METHOD

The study included 156,948 children aged between 6 and 14 years. We analysed data of a German national health insurance company concerning the rates of the physician-diagnosed ICD-10 disorders of obesity and psychiatric disorders.

RESULTS

Greater odds for externalising disorders (odds ratio (OR) = 1.64), internalising disorders (OR = 2.00), sleep disorders (OR = 1.87), and a stay in hospital (OR = 1.44) were found among children with physician-diagnosed obesity compared to children without physician-diagnosed obesity. The increased ORs were higher in girls with obesity compared to boys with obesity for externalising disorders (OR = 1.91 vs. 1.52) and internalising disorders (especially anxiety, OR = 2.15 vs. 1.43). According to age group, the increased OR was highest in young adolescents (12- to 14-year-olds) with obesity compared to younger children with obesity for internalising disorders (especially anxiety, OR = 2.32 vs. 1.59 and 1.43).

CONCLUSION

For obesity prevention and obesity intervention, it is important to understand comorbid health problems as well as potential interindividual influence factors (such as gender or age), both of which should be a focus in respective programmes.