Abstract
The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of social anxiety in obese children treated in a weight management clinic.
We hypothesized that social anxiety would positively correlate with obesity, and that “extremely obese” patients would have
significantly higher rates of social anxiety when compared to “obese” patients. Information was collected at a multidisciplinary
treatment clinic for obese youth during the first clinic visit. The social anxiety scale was administered (including parent-report
and self-report scales for both elementary and adolescent versions) and demographic data was obtained. Social anxiety was
found to be significantly positively correlated with BMI percentile. In addition, “extremely obese” patients had significantly
higher social anxiety scores than “obese” youth at least for elementary-age youth. Trends in gender differences and racial
differences in this obese pediatric clinical sample were consistent with results found in community samples. Social anxiety
and obesity were found to be positively correlated in this pediatric clinic-based population. For elementary-age patients,
“extremely obese” patients were at greater risk than “obese patients” for social anxiety and its various symptoms—fear of
negative evaluation, social avoidance/distress in new situations, and social avoidance/distress in general. Results for adolescents
were less clear. Clinical implications of these results were discussed. Limitations of this study, and directions for future
research were also discussed.
We hypothesized that social anxiety would positively correlate with obesity, and that “extremely obese” patients would have
significantly higher rates of social anxiety when compared to “obese” patients. Information was collected at a multidisciplinary
treatment clinic for obese youth during the first clinic visit. The social anxiety scale was administered (including parent-report
and self-report scales for both elementary and adolescent versions) and demographic data was obtained. Social anxiety was
found to be significantly positively correlated with BMI percentile. In addition, “extremely obese” patients had significantly
higher social anxiety scores than “obese” youth at least for elementary-age youth. Trends in gender differences and racial
differences in this obese pediatric clinical sample were consistent with results found in community samples. Social anxiety
and obesity were found to be positively correlated in this pediatric clinic-based population. For elementary-age patients,
“extremely obese” patients were at greater risk than “obese patients” for social anxiety and its various symptoms—fear of
negative evaluation, social avoidance/distress in new situations, and social avoidance/distress in general. Results for adolescents
were less clear. Clinical implications of these results were discussed. Limitations of this study, and directions for future
research were also discussed.
- Content Type Journal Article
- Pages 1-11
- DOI 10.1007/s10560-012-0274-0
- Authors
- Julia E. Thompson, Department of Psychology, Louisiana State University, Baton Rouge, LA, USA
- B. Allyson Phillips, UAMS Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 512-21, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA
- Andy McCracken, UAMS Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 512-21, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA
- Kenneth Thomas, Department of Psychiatry, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Little Rock, AR, USA
- Wendy L. Ward, UAMS Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, and Arkansas Children’s Hospital, University of Arkansas for Medical Sciences, 1 Children’s Way, Slot 512-21, Little Rock, AR 72202-3591, USA
- Journal Child and Adolescent Social Work Journal
- Online ISSN 1573-2797
- Print ISSN 0738-0151