Health indicators among middle and high school students in Val-de-Marne, France, in 2005: overweight, dental caries, and risk of depression

Objective: To identify the socioeconomic factors associated with overweight, risk of depression, or dental caries among adolescents. Method: In 2005, a representative sample (n=960) of middle and high school students in Val-de-Marne was selected. Anthropometric and oral health examinations were conducted, and a self-administered questionnaire was completed. Overweight and obesity were defined here according to international Body Mass Index thresholds; dental caries according to the CAO index (Caried, Absent, or Obturated); and risk of depression according to the ADRS (Adolescent Depression Rating Scale). Results: 17.0% of adolescents were overweight (including 3.1% who were obese), 43.6% had dental caries, and 18.3% were at risk for depression. The risk of being overweight increased if the mother did not have a high school diploma (ORa=1.6), if the parents were from the Maghreb (ORa=1.8), from an “other” country (outside Europe and the African continent) (ORa=1.8), or if they lived in a public housing neighborhood (ORa=2.1). The risk of tooth decay increased with age and if the parents were unemployed (ORa=2.7) or were from the Maghreb (ORa=2.0). The risk of depression was high among adolescents who felt that “in the family, there are problems buying food” (ORa=3.7) and those who felt unsafe in their neighborhood (ORa=1.5). Conclusion: The risks of being overweight and having dental caries were, in this study, more frequently associated with the mother’s educational level and the father’s country of origin than with the parents’ occupation. Difficult living conditions increased the risk of depression. (R.A.)

Author(s): Feur E, Labeyrie C, Boucher J, Eid A, Cabut S, Dib S, Castetbon K, Falissard B

Publishing year: 2007

Pages: 29-33

Weekly Epidemiological Bulletin, 2007, n° 4, p. 29-33

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