Les troubles alimentaires et leurs mécanismes psychopathologiques chez l’enfant et l’adolescent en situation d’obésité

Childhood obesity is a significant public health concern due to its adverse effects on both physical and mental health. It cannot dispense with a comprehensive psychiatric examination, particularly in the search for an eating behavior disorder. In this review article, we present, in the first part, eating disorders most specifically related to obesity (binge eating disorder, loss of control overeating, and night eating syndrome) as well as associated psychiatric comorbidities. In the second part, we examine specific factors (emotional eating, cognitive restriction, and social stigmatization) that may contribute to the emergence of eating disorders in young individuals with obesity. This psychopathological approach will facilitate a more comprehensive understanding of the complex issue of childhood obesity, potentially leading to more effective therapeutic and preventive strategies.