Studies have found that having good mental health at age 11 reduces the risk of being overweight or obese at age 17.
Researchers from the University of Liverpool and Maynooth University published their findings in the journal Obesity, which surveyed more than 8,000 young people.
Researchers found that the age of 11 “may be a sensitive period when mental health status is related to future weight.”
Data from 4,556 11-year-olds and 3,791 14-year-olds who were considered overweight or obese were analyzed, and this group was followed up once they turned 17 years old.
Psychological well-being is ranked based on questions answered by children and their parents about issues such as self-esteem, happiness in life, depressive symptoms, social support, satisfaction with appearance, and online bullying. Ta.
The study found that better mental health and psychosocial well-being at age 11, but not 14, was associated with reversal of overweight or obesity by age 17. did.
Of those classified as overweight or obese at age 11 or 14, about 16% (12% at age 11 and 4% at age 14) were considered normal weight at age 17.
Dr I Gusti Ngurah Edi Putra, from the Institute of Population Health at the University of Liverpool, said: ‘Further research is needed to understand why early adolescence is such a critical period, but it is important to note that this is one of the following periods in a child’s life. I know it’s there,” he said. They may be going through a change, for example, going to high school. ”
Incorporating psychological support into current obesity prevention and treatment could be helpful, she said.
Professor Eric Robinson, also from the institute, said being overweight and obese is “psychologically difficult to bear”.
“If we are to make real progress in reducing obesity, we as a society need to do more to support people with obesity,” he added.
