Anxiety disorders and major depressive disorders in 299 adolescents hospitalized for assessment of common obesity: A retrospective cohort study.

BACKGROUND

Obesity has major psychosocial impacts in adolescents. Anxiety and depression are the most common psychiatric conditions in adolescents suffering from obesity.

OBJECTIVES

To measure and discuss the prevalence of psychiatric disorders in adolescents hospitalized for biopsychosocial assessment of common obesity during multidisciplinary care.

METHODS

This retrospective monocentric study describes mental disorders over a decade (2012-2021) in 299 adolescents with obesity hospitalized for a global somatic and psychiatric assessment. Patients aged 11-18 were included. Sociodemographic data, psychiatric diagnosis, self-report questionnaires (CDI, Children's Depression Inventory, STAIC, State-Trait Anxiety Inventory for children, BES, Binge Eating Scale) were analyzed.

RESULTS

27,4 % of adolescents had an anxiety disorder (AD), 18,7 % had a major depressive disorder (MDD) and 49,2 % had no mental disorder. In multiple regression models, exposure to physical violence (p < 0.01), and the BES score (p < 0.05) were also associated with a risk of AD. Exposure to physical violence, year of admission and the BES score were risk factors for MDD (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Prevalence of mental disorders is high and increasing, confirming the psychological suffering in adolescent with obesity. Some present with incomplete clinical profiles. MDD and AD are associated with a personal history of violence and a high BES score, reflecting in some adolescents a phenomenon of compensatory binge eating.