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International Journal of Social Psychiatry
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Effects of Obesity and Obesity-Induced Stress On Depressive Symptoms in Korean Elementary School Children

Chul-Min Park

Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Moon-Doo Kim

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea, mdkim66{at}cheju.ac.kr

Seong-Chul Hong

Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Yeol Kim

Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Mi-Youl Hyun

Department of Nursing Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Young-Sook Kwak

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Chang-In Lee

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Min-Jeong Park

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Yun-Hee Jang

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Ji-Hyun Moon

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Eun-Mi Seok

Department of Neuropsychiatry and Institute of Medical Science, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Young-Ja Song

Department of Computer Engineering, NCSU Raleigh NC, 27695, USA

Hyeon Ju Kim

Department of Family Medicine, College of Medicine, Cheju National University, Cheju, Korea

Background: Obesity is becoming prevalent in Korean children. Because body image is becoming increasingly important, it is likely that obesity-induced stress has a significant effect on childhood depression.

Aims: To examine the correlation between obesity-induced stress and depressive symptoms in Korean elementary school students.

Methods: The study participants were 2,305 elementary school children and their parents in the districts of Jeju-si, Seogwipo-si, Namjeju-gun and Bukjeju-gun on Jeju Island, Korea, who completed questionnaires involving demographic information, an obesity-induced stress scale and the Korean form of Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) from September to December 2006.

Results: After controlling for significant independent variables that are wellknown correlates of depressive symptoms in children (e.g. age, gender, residence, family monthly income, obesity status of both parents, family history of chronic illness, and time spent with mother), obesity-induced stress had an odds ratio of 1.128 (95% CI 1.111—1.146).

Conclusions: Reducing the prevalence of depressive symptoms in elementary school children in Jeju Island will require special attention, particularly the development of coping strategies to resolve obesity-induced stress in various areas including school, family and society.

Key Words: Children's Depression Inventory (CDI) • depressive symptoms • obesity • obesity-induced stress • odds ratio

International Journal of Social Psychiatry, Vol. 55, No. 4, 322-335 (2009)
DOI: 10.1177/0020764008094646
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