Health UK (Commonwealth Union) – A recent longitudinal study led by the University College London (UCL) researchers reveals a connection between body dissatisfaction at the age of 11 and an elevated risk of depression by the age of 14. Published in The Lancet Psychiatry and supported by Wellcome, the study, based on 13,135 participants from the Millennium Cohort Study, a nationally representative birth cohort study of individuals born between 2000 and 2002, demonstrates that concerns about body image play a significant role in the link between body mass index (BMI) and depression in children, especially girls.
The research uncovered that a higher BMI at the age of seven was associated with increased depressive symptoms, such as low mood, loss of pleasure, and poor concentration, by age 14. Additionally, it was linked to greater body dissatisfaction at age 11. Notably, body dissatisfaction was identified as a key factor contributing to the connection between BMI at age seven and subsequent depressive symptoms, explaining 43% of the association. Moreover, these associations were found to be twice as prominent in girls compared to boys.
Dr. Francesca Solmi, the lead author from UCL Psychiatry, pointed out, that depression has become more common among young people, as have having an overweight BMI, and body dissatisfaction.
“Here we have found strong longitudinal evidence that a high BMI in childhood is linked with an increased risk of depressive symptoms multiple years later.
“But we were particularly interested in how much body dissatisfaction might be the driver of this link. We found strong evidence that being unhappy with one’s appearance is linked with increased depressive symptoms years later. Our findings suggest that any efforts to reduce weight in childhood need to consider their potential mental health impacts, so that we can avoid stigmatising weight and instead support children’s mental health and wellbeing.”
The study did not explore additional factors beyond body dissatisfaction that might elucidate why children with a high BMI are more prone to developing depressive symptoms. However, the researchers suggest that other pathways, whether biological (such as inflammation) or environmental (such as bullying), could contribute to explaining a portion of the observed association.
Emma Blundell, the first author and a trainee clinical psychologist at UCL Psychology & Language Sciences, indicated that many public health strategies aim to reduce weight in childhood. Primary school children are being educated about the significance of calories and exercise, and all young people in England are undergoing weight assessments at school to determine if weight loss efforts are necessary. While promoting a healthy diet and exercise is crucial, it is possible that some public health messages might be inadvertently encouraging feelings of guilt or shame.
She further indicated the significance of making sure that any interventions to lower BMI in childhood will not inadvertently elevate body dissatisfaction as well as harm to the mental health of children.
The researchers indicate that various approaches have been devised to address body image concerns during early adolescence. These include psychological interventions and media literacy training aimed at tackling issues such as self-esteem, social comparisons, and the impact of social media. However, additional research is deemed essential to enhance the effectiveness of interventions targeting body image concerns in young individuals.
Dr. Solmi emphasizes the significance of reducing body dissatisfaction in young people as a potential preventive measure against depression, especially in girls. This is particularly relevant during periods when social environments and peer relations exert a growing influence.
The collaborative study also engaged researchers from the UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, the UCL Institute of Epidemiology & Health Care, MRC Unit for Lifelong Health & Ageing at UCL, and Imperial College London. The Millennium Cohort Study, located at the UCL Centre for Longitudinal Studies within the IOE, UCL’s Faculty of Education & Society, contributed to the research.
