Correlation of Obesity and Overweight with Emotional-Behavioral Problems in Primary School Age Girls in Tabriz, Iran

Objective: obesity and overweight have shown an increasing trend in most developing countries. childhood obesity would impose numerous health-related problems. this study was conducted to determine the correlation of obesity and overweight with emotional-behavioral problems in primary school age girls.methods: in a cross-sectional study, 300 primary school girls (aged 7-11 years) were selected using a multistaged sampling method, including randomized cluster and stratified method. for all students body mass index was measured and then based on bmi for age and sex, from each grade (1-5), 20 students were selected for each group of normal weight, overweight and obese. the emotional-behavioral problems were evaluated using child behavior checklist that consists of 113 items for childhood behavioral problems.findings: total behavioral problems were seen in 17%, 27%, and 2% in obese, overweight, and normal weight children, respectively. internalizing problems (including anxious/depressed, withdrawn, and somatic complaints) were seen in 11%, 15%, and 2% and externalizing problems (including aggressive and delinquent behaviors) were observed in 8%, 17%, and 2% in obese, overweight, and normal weight children, respectively. the mean scores in all scales were higher in obese and overweight children in comparison with normal weight children and the emotional-behavioral problems had significant positive correlation with obesity and overweight (p<0.01).conclusion: despite the cultural differences between east and west, yet there are similarities in the most of the emotional-behavioral problems related to overweight and obesity. also, it seems that the risk of behavioral-emotional problems in overweight girls is more than in obese girls. overweight and obesity prevention may be a primary preventive step for these problems in children