GYNECOLOGICAL AND PSYCHOSOCIAL RISK FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH OBESITY IN ADOLESCENT GIRLS

Authors

  • Ammara Rauf Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Huma Riaz Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan
  • Hadia Nadeem Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.52567/trj.v6i03.129

Keywords:

adolescents, females, gynaecologic, obesity, overweight, quality of life

Abstract

Background: There has been an increase in childhood and adolescent obesity worldwide, which affects the girls resulting low self-esteem and depression and diminishes health- related quality of life. The overweight and obese teenage girls are more likely to have gynaecologic and obstetric complications during adolescence and later in life. Objective: To determine gynaecological and psychosocial risk factors associated with obesity in adolescent girls. Methods: A cross sectional study conducted at schools and colleges of Islamabad and Rawalpindi with a sample size of n=99. The participants were divided into two groups of which n=25 were obese adolescents (cases) and n=74 were non-obese adolescents (controls). The Data collection was done based on self-structured questionnaire from adolescent females aged 10 to 19 years in cases with BMI >27.5kg/m2 in controls 18.5 to 23kg/m2. The study duration was 6 months from (October- 2020 to March- 2021). Study was conducted in various school and colleges of Islamabad and Rawalpindi. To determine the association odds ratio (OR) was calculated. Results: The mean age of the cases was 16.2±2.10 years and 14.78±1.82 years for controls. The BMI of cases was 29.38±1.97 kg/m2 and a control was 18.06±2.88 kg/m2.  In gynaecological risk factors cases are more at risk to have excessive acne/pimple on face (Odds ratio: 3.484, p= 0.008), more likely to experience amenorrhea (OR: 4.504, p= 0.007) and more likely to have excessive facial/abdominal hair growth (OR: 3.600, p=0.014). For psychosocial risk factors the cases presented with a greater need/referral of a psychological evaluation (OR: 4.063, p=0.008) and feel social limitation or emotional disturbance (OR: 2.561, p=0.044). Conclusion: It was concluded that certain gynaecological and psychosocial determinants could be influenced by adolescent obesity leading to many complications and negative consequences on present and future health outcomes.

 

Author Biographies

Ammara Rauf, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Student

Huma Riaz, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Associate Professor/Head of Department DPT Girls 

Hadia Nadeem, Faculty of Rehabilitation and Allied Health Sciences (FRAHS) Riphah International University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Lecturer 

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Published

2022-09-30