Prevalence of obesity and mental health problems among school-going adolescents of Bhubaneswar, the capital city of Odisha-a mixed methods study

BACKGROUND: Childhood obesity and mental health problems are affecting a significant number of children and adolescents and continue to rise globally. This study aimed to assess the prevalence of obesity and mental health problems, among the school-going adolescents, find the association between them, and qualitatively understand the perceptions of teachers and parents regarding mental health problems and obesity. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A concurrent mixed-method study was conducted among six different government and private schools in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Three hundred and seventy-five students participated in the quantitative study, while three parents and six teachers took part in the qualitative study. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Questionnaire (RSQ) and the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire (SDQ) were administered to students. In-depth interviews (IDI) were conducted using an IDI guide, and codes, themes, and sub-themes were extracted from the interview transcripts. RESULTS: Smaller percentages were classified as overweight (8.5%) and obese (10.1%). Twenty-nine percent of students were found to have high SDQ scores, with peer problems being the most common issue, affecting nearly one-third of students, followed by emotional problems (22%), hyperactivity (20%), and conduct problems (18%). The qualitative research findings shed light on the complex relationship between a child's mental health, weight, and overall well-being within educational and familial contexts. CONCLUSION: The present study refuted the association between mental health and obesity among adolescents. While some findings aligned with previous research, others challenged existing theories, highlighting the need for future research, preferably a longitudinal study, and including student's perceptions.