Majzoub Rabab, Al Noaim Khalid, Alnaim Abdulrahman, Alabdulqader Muneera, Al Alawi Zainab, Ali Sayed, Ibnshamsah Abdulrazag, Alanazi Abdulaziz, Al Omair Aljawhara, Alaklabi Ahad, Alqhtani Kholud, Alaklabi Maha
Pediatrics Department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Family and Community Medicine Department, College of Medicine, King Faisal University, Al-Ahsa 31982, Saudi Arabia.
Healthcare (Basel). 2025 Aug 29;13(17):2152. doi: 10.3390/healthcare13172152.
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Childhood obesity is a growing public health concern globally, with significant physical and psychological implications. While numerous studies have linked obesity to poor mental health outcomes, cultural differences may influence this relationship. This study examines the association between childhood obesity and psychological well-being among Saudi children aged 8-12 years.
A cross-sectional case-control study was conducted in Al-Hofuf, Saudi Arabia. A total of 128 children were recruited, divided into a high-body-weight group ( = 64) and a healthy-weight group ( = 64). Psychological well-being was assessed using the Psychological Well-being Scale for Children (PWSC) and the Stirling Children's Well-being Scale (SCWS). Anthropometric measurements were recorded, and parental body mass index (kg/m) data were included. Data analysis was performed using SPSS 2023, employing chi-square tests and t-tests.
No statistically significant differences were found between the children's body mass index (kg/m) groups across most psychological well-being dimensions. However, a significant association was observed between maternal body mass index (kg/m) and children's PWSC scores (χ = 6.217, = 0.045), suggesting a potential influence of parental weight on child well-being. Additionally, a significant sex difference in SCWS scores was noted, with males displaying higher well-being levels than females (χ = 7.798, = 0.041). Family income and school grade showed no significant associations with psychological well-being.
Contrary to findings from Western studies, childhood obesity did not significantly impact psychological well-being in this Saudi sample. Cultural factors, parental influence, and age-related differences may contribute to these results. Further longitudinal and qualitative research is needed to explore these associations in greater depth.
背景/目的：儿童肥胖是全球日益严重的公共卫生问题，具有重大的生理和心理影响。虽然众多研究已将肥胖与不良心理健康结果联系起来，但文化差异可能会影响这种关系。本研究调查了沙特8至12岁儿童中儿童肥胖与心理健康之间的关联。
在沙特阿拉伯胡富夫进行了一项横断面病例对照研究。共招募了128名儿童，分为高体重组（n = 64）和健康体重组（n = 64）。使用儿童心理健康量表（PWSC）和斯特林儿童幸福感量表（SCWS）评估心理健康。记录人体测量数据，并纳入父母体重指数（kg/m²）数据。使用SPSS 2023进行数据分析，采用卡方检验和t检验。
在大多数心理健康维度上，儿童体重指数（kg/m²）组之间未发现统计学上的显著差异。然而，观察到母亲体重指数（kg/m²）与儿童PWSC得分之间存在显著关联（χ² = 6.217，p = 0.045），表明父母体重对儿童幸福感可能有影响。此外，注意到SCWS得分存在显著的性别差异，男性的幸福感水平高于女性（χ² = 7.798，p = 0.041）。家庭收入和学校年级与心理健康无显著关联。
与西方研究结果相反，在这个沙特样本中，儿童肥胖并未对心理健康产生显著影响。文化因素、父母影响和年龄相关差异可能导致了这些结果。需要进一步的纵向和定性研究来更深入地探索这些关联。
