OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity is increasing at an alarming rate in China. The objective of this study is to analyze the causal effects of overweight and obesity on adolescent mental health.

METHODS: Using the baseline 2010 wave of the China Family Panel Survey (CFPS) dataset, we adopted an instrumental variable approach to deal with the endogeneity of BMI and explore the causal relationship between overweight and obesity and mental disorders of adolescents. The instrument we employ is the overweight and obesity ratio in the same community. Probit and Ordered probit models are used.

RESULTS: We use the Kessler Psychological Distress Scale (K6) to measure the levels of mental distress among adolescents aged 10-15 years old. We found that overweight and obesity significantly increased the probability of mental distress, especially severe mental distress. In addition, female adolescents and urban adolescents are generally more likely to suffer from mental distress due to overweight and obesity, and that overweight and obesity significantly increase the likelihood of suffering from severe mental distress among adolescents in eastern coastal regions, but overall mental health is less affected by obesity than in other regions.

CONCLUSIONS: We find overweight and obesity among adolescents can significantly affect their mental health.