Psychosocial Concerns and Childhood Overweight in Pediatric Primary Care Clinics Serving Rural Appalachia.

<p>Objective: To examine the prevalence of psychosocial concerns presenting in 3 pediatric primary care clinics serving rural Appalachia. The association between pediatric weight status and psychosocial concerns was examined. Methods: Caregivers of children presenting in one of 3 pediatric primary care facilities completed a demographic questionnaire and the Pediatric Symptom Checklist. Results: Approximately 21.4% of children were identified as having a clinically significant behavioral health concern. Among children with available weight status data, ~53% of the children were identified as overweight. Children identified having significant behavioral concerns were more likely to have a lower weight status than those with nonsignificant behavioral concerns. Specifically, children with lower z-BMI tended to have more attention problems. Conclusions: Psychosocial concerns and childhood overweight are prevalent concerns in pediatric primary care serving rural residents. Further research is needed to understand the complex relationship between weight status and psychosocial concerns to development more effective prevention and intervention programs.</p>

Name thesis:degree_name

MA (Master of Arts)

Level thesis:degree_level

Thesis - unrestricted

Discipline thesis:degree_discipline

Psychology

Year dc:date.issued

2009

Author dc:creator

• Allen, Suzanne

• Pediatric Symptom Checklist
• Appalachia
• rural
• obesity
• childhood overweight
• primary care
• pediatrics
• psychosocial concerns
• Health Psychology
• Psychology
• Social and Behavioral Sciences

Statement dc:rights

• Copyright by the authors.

Repository record dc:identifier

https://dc.etsu.edu/etd/1882

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:dc.etsu.edu:etd-3234