Prevalence of childhood mental disorders in overweight and obese Spanish children: Identifying loss of control eating

The aim was to examine the prevalence of childhood mental disorders in overweight/obese pediatric sample and also to explore the relationship between these pathologies and loss of control eating (LOC). Another aim was to assess the association between psychopathology and severity of obesity. A total of 170 children from different Health Centers were evaluated (84 girls and 86 boys; aged 8 to 12 years). Childhood psychological problems were assessed through a standardized diagnostic interview schedule (K-SADS-R) and by questionnaires (STAIC for anxiety, CDI for depression and ChEAT for disordered eating). Loss of control eating episodes were evaluated through the diagnostic interview. Of the sample, 57.06% of overweight/obese children met a DSM-5 diagnosis, typically an anxiety disorder; and 33.53% of the overweight/obese children presented loss of control eating episodes. We found more pathologic eating attitudes (ChEAT) in children who presented LOC versus children who did not. Finally, the scores obtained in the STAIC correlated positively with z-BMI and a positive association was found between z-BMI and the presence of episodes of LOC. These results highlight the importance of including psychological component in the initial assessment and contribute to the understanding of LOC episodes, which are still underestimated in childhood obesity.