ABSTRACT Introduction: Obesity is a health problem associated with varied morbidity and increasingly at earlier ages of life. The current document aims to present the results of a study about the habits associated with childhood obesity, to the extent, in addition, that the compensatory affective relationships and the attitudes that generate psychological alterations in the family are evaluated, depending on the presentation. of elements of the psychological intervention program aimed at managing obesity in a group of obese children who were part of the sample. Method: The sample consisted of 13 obese children and 21 relatives referred from the Pediatric consultation of the Medical-Surgical Research Center. The elaboration of the psychological intervention program was carried out in the first semester of 2019 and the derived experience of its application extends until the current moment. Results: A qualitative analysis is carried out, in which the results are presented from the observation of the trend of the variables in the group. The interview with the child and the family, the psychographic analysis and the Seven figures of Collins were applied. Psychological variables are examined. Discussion: The influence of the variables analyzed on childhood obesity is verified, taking into account the correspondence with the studies of researchers from Cuba and the world, which results in the validity and timeliness of the results, for the implementation of the program with Sessions for children and families.

RESUMEN Introducción: La obesidad es un problema de salud asociado a una morbilidad variada y cada vez en edades más tempranas de la vida. El documento actual tiene como objetivo exponer resultados de un estudio acerca de los hábitos asociados a la obesidad infantil, en la medida, además, en que se evalúan las relaciones afectivas compensatorias y las actitudes generadoras de alteraciones psicológicas en la familia, en función de la presentación de elementos del programa de intervención psicológica dirigido al manejo de la obesidad en un grupo de niños obesos que constituyeron parte de la muestra. Método: La muestra estuvo constituida por 13 niños obesos y 21 familiares remitidos de la consulta de Pediatría del Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgicas. La elaboración del programa intervención psicológica se realizó en el primer semestre de 2019 y la experiencia derivada su aplicación se extiende hasta el momento actual. Resultados: Se realiza un análisis cualitativo, en el que se exponen los resultados a partir de la observación de la tendencia de las variables en el grupo. Se aplicaron la entrevista al niño y a la familia, el análisis psicográfico y las Siete figuras de Collins. Se examinan variables psicológicas. Discusión: Se constata la influencia de las variables analizadas en la obesidad infantil, teniendo en cuenta la correspondencia con los estudios de investigadores de Cuba y el mundo, lo cual redunda en la validez y actualidad de los resultados, para la implementación del programa con sesiones dirigidas a los niños y familiares.

Abstract In recent years, childhood obesity is considered one of the main health problems worldwide. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the psychological and familial factors associated with obesity in a group of children. Thirteen children with obesity, between 7 and 11 years old (eight boys and five girls), and 21 relatives (fathers/mothers/ grandmothers), who were referred by the Pediatric Service of the Medical-Surgical Research Center, participated. The following variables were examined: eating habits, physical activity habits, body image, affective state, self-esteem, compensatory family affective relationships and potential attitudes that lead to psychological alterations in the family. The analysis was predominantly qualitative, through techniques such as the semi-structured interview with the child and the family, the psychographic analysis (free drawing and family drawing), as well as the Seven Figures of Collins. We conclude about the relevance of the influence in all the variables analyzed on childhood obesity. The need to implement psychological intervention programs addressing not only children, but also their families is imminent.

Resumen En los últimos años la obesidad infantil es considerada uno de los principales problemas de salud a nivel mundial. El objetivo principal de este estudio fue evaluar los factores psicológicos y familiares asociados a la obesidad en un grupo de niños. Participaron 13 niños con obesidad, de entre 7 y 11 años de edad (ocho varones y cinco mujeres), y 21 familiares (padres/madres/abuelas), quienes fueron remitidos por el Servicio de Pediatría del Centro de Investigaciones Médico-Quirúrgicas. Fueron examinadas las variables siguientes: hábitos de alimentación, hábitos de actividad física, imagen corporal, estado afectivo, autoestima, relaciones afectivas familiares compensatorias y actitudes potencialmente generadoras de alteraciones psicológicas en la familia. El análisis realizado fue predominantemente cualitativo, a través de técnicas como la entrevista semiestructurada al niño y a la familia, el análisis psicográfico (dibujo libre y de la familia), así como el empleo de las Siete Figuras de Collins. Se concluye acerca de la relevancia de la influencia de todas las variables analizadas sobre la obesidad infantil. Resulta inminente la necesidad de implementar programas de intervención psicológica que suponga el abordaje no solo de los niños, sino también de sus familiares.

INTRODUCTION: The global prevalence of obesity has reached alarming proportions. In Cuba, the rise in numbers of children who are overweight or obese, especially preschoolers and adolescents, is similar to that observed in developed countries. Beyond the physical risk factors, there is evidence that obesity has negative psychological, social, academic and economic effects. OBJECTIVE: Describe the psychological, behavioral and familial factors present in a group of obese children and adolescents in Cuba. METHODS: This is a qualitative cross-sectional study of 202 obese children and adolescents aged 3-18 years, with an average age of 9.9 years, seen at the Medical-Surgical Research Center (Havana) psychology service from January 2009 through December 2012. Techniques included interviews of patients and parents, projective drawings and the Rotter Incomplete Sentence Blank. RESULTS: Unhealthy eating habits were reported in 96% of obese children and adolescents, and sedentary lifestyles in 88.1%. Emotional state was affected in 80.2%, and in 72.3% there were family attitudes with potential to produce psychological disturbances in children. CONCLUSIONS: Psychological, behavioral, and familial factors known to foster development and perpetuation of obesity were observed in the majority of cases. This is a first diagnostic stage that will aid in design and implementation of a psychological intervention program for obese and overweight children and their families.