Professors and researchers at the Autonomous University of the State of Mexico (UAEM) are currently working on identifying a psychopathological profile for obese children and adolescents, with the aim of creating prevention and treatment strategies.
UAEM Medicine Department specialists Paola Flores Ocampo, Patricia Vieyra Reyes, Clementina Jiménez Garcés and Margarita Hernández González believe that obesity is a condition that accompanies a primary disease, both somatic and psychopathological. This stance has previously been reported in studies on adults, but never with children or adolescents.
The specialists, who wrote the investigation titled “Psychopathology of Children and Adolescents with Obesity,” presented their study at the 2016 First International Congress of Educational Research, organized by the UAEM Geography Department. The conference discussed basic concepts of obesity and its epidemiology.
Information obtained from databases of world and national health organizations, and research articles conducted between 2010 and 2013 in children and adolescents with obesity made it possible to know that these children and adolescents have an aggravated psychopathological disorder in comparison to those with normal weight.
In addition, they pointed out that sexual differences were observed in certain profiles.
University experts said that it is important to conduct these studies, as they help those with diseases obtain the necessary tools for their treatment. This is especially important in Mexico where obesity is a public health problem and among the leading causes of death, affecting adults, adolescents and children.
