Association between Bulimia Nervosa, Body Mass Index and Depression in Period of Puberty

Abstract

Background: Obesity is a condition in which fat accumulates to the extent of having adverse effects on health. Overweight and obesity cause serious problems to health and once a high body mass index (BMI) is an important risk factor for variety of chronic conditions. Obese children and adolescents are openly discriminated in their professional and academic lives, increasing the risk for the development of psychiatric conditions in this population, such as depression, anxiety disorders or eating behaviors.  Objective: The main purpose of this study was to investigate the association between bulimia nervosa, body mass index and depression symptoms in the period of puberty.Methods: The survey was conducted among 401 adolescents (229 boys and 172 girls), aged between 13-15 years, in secondary schools in Pristine, Republic of Kosovo using the Eating Attitudes Test – EAT-26 and the Children's Depression Inventory (CDI). At the same time we calculate the Body Mass Index (BMI): a parameter defines as the ration of human body weight and height. Results: Of the total number of students who filled survey (401) the highest percentage (57%) had BMI less than 18.5 kg/m² while 172 (43%) had BMI of 18.5-25kg/m². According to the EAT-26, 378 (95%) students had a EAT score indicating a possible diagnosis of bulimia nervosa. At the same time there was positive and significant relationships between body mass index, bulimic symptoms and depression at the level of p<.01.Conclusions: The current findings suggest that bulimic pathology is a great factor for depression among adolescents.

Keywords: Obesity, Body Mass Index, Depression, Treatment, Puberty.