Depression: A Co-Morbidity of Obesity in Pakistani Adolescents.

Background:-Obesity leads to co-morbidities has been established by studies. However obesity also leads to depression is little studied. This research was conducted to find out the association of obesity with depression in children. Methods:- A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted at four private sector schools of Karachi. A questionnaire to evaluate psychological state in children was prepared using criteria DSM-IV (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental disorders 4th edition). A total of four hundred and forty three students, randomly selected from grade 6 to grade 10 participated. Their height and weight was measured and BMI calculated. A two-way ANOVA test with statistical significance taken as p<0.05, was applied to determine the relationship between our covariates. Results:-24.83% students were underweight, 53.72% had normal BMI, 21.67% children were overweight and 2.03% were obese. Children who were either overweight or obese had more desire to eat and higher frequency of hunger (p<0.01).The confidence level and concentration on daily activities of overweight and obese children was significantly higher (p<0.01) as compared to lean students. According to bivariate Pearson Correlation test the ability to concentrate and confidence level showed negative correlation with both desire to eat and feeling of hunger. Higher desire to eat in overweight and obese children decreased sleeping hours while feeling of hunger did not affect sleeping pattern. Conclusion:-Obesity is associated with symptoms of depression. Adopting healthy dietary routine and a physically active life is necessary to reduce the prevalence of obesity thus decreasing depression and its adverse outcome.