Associations Between Weight Status, Peer Victimization, and Mental Health in Clinically Referred Children: A Cross-Sectional Study
Journal of Pediatric Health Care, 2026 (SCI-Expanded, SSCI, Scopus)
- Yayın Türü: Makale / Tam Makale
- Basım Tarihi: 2026
- Doi Numarası: 10.1016/j.pedhc.2026.06.015
- Dergi Adı: Journal of Pediatric Health Care
- Derginin Tarandığı İndeksler: Science Citation Index Expanded (SCI-EXPANDED), Social Sciences Citation Index (SSCI), Scopus, CINAHL, EMBASE, MEDLINE
- Anahtar Kelimeler: anxiety, bullying, depression, Obesity, underweight
- Sağlık Bilimleri Üniversitesi Adresli: Evet
Özet
Introduction To examine peer victimization, internalizing symptoms, and psychiatric disorders in underweight and obese clinically referred youth versus normal-weight peers. Methods Cross-sectional study of 161 children aged 7–17 (51 underweight, 57 normal-weight, 53 obese). Victimization was measured using the Olweus Bully/Victim Questionnaire, depressive and anxiety symptoms with the CDI and STAI-C trait, and psychiatric diagnoses with the K-SADS-PL. Results Peer victimization and anxiety disorders were higher in underweight and obese than normal-weight children ( p < .001 and p = .005, respectively). Trait anxiety symptoms were elevated in both groups ( p < .001), whereas depressive symptoms did not differ. Victimized youth had higher rates of anxiety ( p = .009) and depressive disorders ( p = .001). In adjusted models, underweight predicted anxiety disorder (OR 5.03, p = .010), underweight (OR 4.19, p = .003) and obesity (OR 9.00, p < .001) predicted victimization, and victimization predicted depressive disorder (OR 3.03, p = .016). Discussion Weight extremes in clinically referred children are linked to peer victimization and internalizing problems, supporting routine psychosocial screening in clinical practice.