Citation

Zeller MH, Noll JG, Sarwer DB, Reiter-Purtill J, Rofey DL, Baughcum AE, Peugh J, Courcoulas AP, Michalsky MP, Jenkins TM, Becnel JN. J. Pediatr. Psychol. 2015; 40(7): 640-648.

Affiliation

Division of Behavioral Medicine and Clinical Psychology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Department of Human Development and Family Studies, The Pennsylvania State University, Center for Weight and Eating Disorders, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Pediatrics, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Division of General Surgery, University of Pittsburgh Medical Center, Department of Pediatric Surgery, Nationwide Children's Hospital, and Division of Pediatric General and Thoracic Surgery, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center.

Copyright

(Copyright © 2015, Oxford University Press)

DOI

10.1093/jpepsy/jsv011

PMID

25774054

Abstract

OBJECTIVE:  To characterize prevalence and correlates of child maltreatment (CM) in a clinical sample of adolescents with severe obesity.  METHOD:  Multicenter baseline data from 139 adolescents undergoing weight loss surgery (Mage = 16.9; 79.9% female, 66.2% White; Mbody mass index [BMI] = 51.5 kg/m(2)) and 83 nonsurgical comparisons (Mage = 16.1; 81.9% female, 54.2% White; MBMI = 46.9 kg/m(2)) documented self-reported CM (Childhood Trauma Questionnaire) and associations with psychopathology, quality of life, self-esteem and body image, high-risk behaviors, and family dysfunction.  RESULTS:  CM prevalence (females: 29%; males: 12%) was similar to national adolescent base rates. Emotional abuse was most prevalent. One in 10 females reported sexual abuse. For females, CM rates were higher in comparisons, yet correlates were similar for both cohorts: greater psychopathology, substance use, and family dysfunction, and lower quality of life.  CONCLUSION:  While a minority of adolescents with severe obesity reported a CM history, they carry greater psychosocial burden into the clinical setting.

Language: en