Relationship between eating habits, body mass index and risk of depression symptoms in schoolchildren

Abstract

Introduction: symptoms of depression are a determining factor for the consumption of unhealthy foods, that leads to the development of overweight and child obesity. Objetive: to identify the correlation between eating habits (EH), body mass index (BMI), and the risk of depression symptoms in schoolchildren. Methods: a cross-sectional, descriptive, and correlational study with a sample of 365 schoolchildren. Anthropometric measurements (weight, height, and waist circumference) were taken, and BMI was diagnosed. EH were evaluated with a food frequency consumption survey, and the risk of depression symptoms was assessed with the Kovacs Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). Results: it was found that 47.4 \% of schoolchildren have unhealthy EH, with a predominance in boys (26.6 \%). In terms of BMI, a combined prevalence overweight and obesity of 47.5 \% was found, with a higher tendency in boys (52.2 \%). Regarding the risk of depression symptoms, 74.2 \% were at low risk, with a higher prevalence in boys (42.5 \%), and 25.2 \% were at moderate-high risk, with a predominance in girls (17.2 \%). When relating habits to depression symptoms, a negative correlation was found (rho =-0.138; p = 0.009), meaning that higher depression risk is associated with less healthy habits. When comparing by sex, a negative correlation was found in girls (rho =-0.194; p = 0.009). Conclusion: although eating habits and body mass index showed a weak correlation, the trend suggests that with a higher depression risk, healthy eating habits decrease and the BMI increases.