Psychological Impact on Overweight and Obese Among Adolescents Visited in a Tertiary Care Hospital, Dhaka

Background: The relationship between overweight/obesity and Psychological impact is quite complex. Many researchers believe that overweight/obesity has a direct impact on mental health and can lead to mental disorders. Mental illness is common during the period of adolescence. Overweight and obesity in adolescent’s present significant challenges to public health and have become major public health issues in recent decades in Bangladesh. This study needed as there was very few information of Psychological impact on overweight and obese among adolescents. Methodology: This cross sectional observational study was held in Bangladesh Shishu Hospital & Institute from 1st September 2023 to 29th February 2024. A total 84 participants were included in this study. Data were collected by SDQ questionnaire and demographic variables like age, sex and BMI were measured. Results: Among 84 participants 57% were male and 43% were female. Most of the respondents 63 (75%) were between the age of 10 to 14 years, 13 (15.5%) respondents were between the age of 15 to 17 years and 8 (9.5%) respondents were between the age of ≥ 18 years. Regarding Participant’s Education, 58.33% of respondents were in Junior Secondary, 28.57% were in Primary, 8.3% were in Higher Secondary and 4.76% were in Secondary education. According to the Parent’s Monthly Income, most of the parents 83.33% earn more than Forty Thousand Taka Per Month. Among 84 Participants, 58 (69%) were Overweight and 26 (31%) were Obese. Among Overweight participants 6(10.34%) were normal, 42 (72.41%) respondents had Emotional symptoms, 7 (12.07%) respondents had Conduct Problem, 2 (3.45%) respondents had Hyperactivity/Inattention and 1 (1.72%) respondents had Peer Relationship Problems. Among Obese participants 1 (3.85%) was normal, 17 (65.38%) respondents had Emotional symptoms, 5 (19.23%) respondents had Conduct Problem, 2 (7.69%) respondents had Hyperactivity/Inattention and 1 (3.85%) respondents had Peer Relationship Problems. Conclusion: This study have been conducted regarding the Psychological impact on overweight and obese among adolescents and found significant impact of both overweight and obesity but Obese adolescents face more psychological impact comparatively.