[Depression and state of nutrition in schoolchildren from Sonora].

BACKGROUND

Pediatric obesity has become a problem of epidemic proportions, due to the inadequate and excessive consumption of food, sedentary lifestyle, and the restricted socio-economic development. This causes a major risk in health complications that have an effect on the psychological and social spheres of the child, which makes him endure such diseases as depression and anxiety. The aim of this study was to determine the association between depression and the nutritional status of schoolchildren from a family medicine unit in Sonora.

METHODS

Cross-sectional study performed during 2011 in 101 schoolchildren from Sonora. Kovacs test was applied to detect depressive symptoms; nutritional status was determined by weight and height; body mass index was calculated according to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) percentiles. The results were analyzed in SPSS version 18 using Mann-Whitney U and chi-square.

RESULTS

Of all the patients with depression, 19 were obese; the other 10 showed a normal nutrition status. Patients with low weight did not show depression. The odds ratio (OR) for depression in students with obesity was 3.16, 95 % CI = 1.13, 7.12.

CONCLUSIONS

The detection and management of depression should be considered in the treatment of obesity.