Relevancia de los antecedentes de sobrepeso u obesidad y la disfuncionalidad familiar en el desarrollo de trastornos de conducta alimentaria en adolescentes atendidos en el Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño de Perú

Introduction: eating disorders (EDs) are psychiatric conditions that disrupt normal eating behavior, with anorexia nervosa (AN) and bulimia nervosa (BN) being the most prevalent types. Globally, approximately 22% of children and adolescents present with some form of EDs. Various studies have shown a relationship between family functioning, a history of overweight or obesity, and the development of EDs, suggesting shared biological, environmental, and social factors. Objective: to determine the association between a history of overweight or obesity and family dysfunction with the development of EDs in adolescents treated at the Adolescent Medicine Service of the Instituto Nacional de Salud del Niño (INSN) in Peru. Methods: a cross-sectional observational study was conducted among adolescents diagnosed with EDs. Medical records were reviewed to collect sociodemographic data, ED diagnosis, and history of overweight or obesity. Subsequently, a virtual questionnaire (FF-SIL Test) was administered via Google Forms to assess family functioning. Statistical analysis included descriptive statistics (frequencies, means, and standard deviations) and inferential statistics (Fisher’s exact test and Chi-square test), using SPSS software version 23. Results: a total of 105 adolescents with EDs were analyzed; 72.4% had a history of overweight or obesity, and 79% belonged to dysfunctional families. No statistically significant association was found between these variables. However, it was observed that 83.1% of adolescents from dysfunctional families were diagnosed with AN, while 78.9% of those from moderately dysfunctional families had BN. Additionally, among those with a history of overweight or obesity, 82.9% developed AN. Conclusion: no association was found between a history of overweight or obesity or family dysfunction and the development of EDs in adolescents treated at INSN in Peru.