COMPARING BEHAVIOURAL PROBLEMS AMONG OBESE AND NON-OBESE CHILDREN IN HOSPITAL RAJA PEREMPUAN ZAINAB II, KOTA BHARU

Abstract

INTRODUCTION
Childhood obesity is an increasing public health concern, both globally and in Malaysia. Beyond physical health risks, it has been associated with behavioural and psychological issues such as anxiety, depression, aggression, and low self-esteem. However, this association remains underexplored in the Malaysian context. This study aims to compare behavioural problems between obese and non-obese children at Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu, and assess their competency characteristics.

METHODOLOGY
A comparative cross-sectional study was conducted from September to December 2024 at the general paediatric clinic and ward of Hospital Raja Perempuan Zainab II, Kota Bharu. Participants were children aged 6–12 years, categorized as obese (BMI ≥95th percentile) or non-obese (BMI <95th percentile) using CDC BMI-for-age percentiles. Behavioural problems were assessed using the validated Child Behavior Checklist (CBCL/6–18), which measures internalizing, externalizing, and total behavioural problems. T-scores classified behavioural concerns as normal, borderline, or clinical range.

RESULT
A total of 85 participants (44 obese, 41 non-obese) completed the study. We found significant associations between BMI status and hobby participation (p = 0.016), number of friends (p = 0.001), and school performance (p = 0.010). However, we did not find any statistically significant differences in behavioural domains, including internalizing (p = 0.781), externalizing (p = 0.131), social (p = 0.344), thought (p = 0.108), attention (p = 0.341), and total problems (p = 0.085).

CONCLUSION
We did not find any significant behavioural differences between groups. However, with a study power of 52%, the results may reflect a limited sample size rather than an absence of association. We recommend larger-scale studies with refined methodologies.