The Impact of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) on Physical Development in Korean Adolescents

This study aimed to examine the impact of Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD) during adolescence on physical growth rates. Using raw data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey (2022), a total of 50,455 adolescents were analyzed. GAD was assessed using the GAD-7 scale, and classified with a score of 10 or higher. Low growth in height and weight was defined as below the 3rd percentile based on the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts for children and adolescents. Among all adolescents, 52.7% were classified as being at high risk for GAD. The prevalence was 45.4% in male students, and with the risk increasing with age. In male students, GAD was associated with a 1.29-fold increased risk of low height growth (95% CI=1.04-1.59, p=.021) and a 1.19-fold increased risk of low weight growth (95% CI=1.02-1.39, p=.027). These findings suggest that early detection and intervention for mental health issues, particularly among male students, are important not only for psychological well-being but also for supporting physical growth.