Background Childhood obesity is stabilising in Ireland, but less so in children from disadvantaged backgrounds. There is also evidence for a relationship between psychosocial difficulties and obesity in youth, but findings are often mixed. This study aimed to describe the relationships between psychosocial difficulties, obesity, and disadvantage in a national cohort of children in Ireland. Methods Participants (n = 7275) were surveyed and measured at age nine and thirteen as part of the Growing Up in Ireland study (GUI). Psychosocial difficulties were measured using the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ). Disadvantage was represented by the education status of the primary caregiver. BMI was calculated using measured height and weight. Weight status categories were created using the UK 1990 Growth Data. Correlation analyses were used to examine the relationship between child BMI and SDQ scores. Associations between weight categories, psychosocial difficulties and education status were examined using Chi-square analysis. Results In children whose parents had secondary education, the obesity rate was 27.9%, compared to 24.7% in those with a college degree (p < 0.01). This relationship was also significant at age thirteen (<0.01). Furthermore, BMI was positively correlated with SDQ total score, (r=.107, p = 0.01) at age nine and at age thirteen (r=.089, p = 0.01). A significant association was also found between weight status categories and psychosocial difficulties at ages nine (p < 0.1), and thirteen (p < 0.1). Further findings will be reported following a preliminary longitudinal analysis. Conclusions Obesity is associated with psychosocial difficulties, as well as the education status of the primary caregiver, in a large sample of Irish children. These findings are important for understanding the relationship between childhood obesity and psychological health and have implications for the treatment of obesity in young people. Key messages There are higher rates of obesity in children whose parents do not have a college degree. Childhood obesity remains a serious public health issue, and is associated with psychosocial difficulties in an Irish cohort of children.

29 November, 2019

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