DClinPsy Portfolio Volume 1 of 3 - University of Hertfordshire ...

White et al (1999) suggested making modifications to the cut-offs to reflect lower rates of
depression among adolescents than among adults and higher rates of anxiety. For
screening, the higher cut-offs (10 for depression and 12 for anxiety) minimise the
probability of false positives. In clinical settings, the lower cut-offs (7 for depression and
9 for anxiety) minimise false negatives.
5) Background Information
The information sought included the number, age and gender of siblings, ethnicity, living
arrangements, learning sets at school for the subjects Maths, English and Science, family
history of obesity and of mental illness, use of non prescribed drugs and alcohol and
certain life experiences such as house/school moves, loss of a family member/friend
accidents, illnesses, bullying, hospitalisations and abuse.
These questions were asked in order to acquire information regarding the context of the
individuals. These factors were thought to have potential relevance for the interpretation
of the results.
BMI
In addition, a calculation of the Body Mass Index (BMI) was undertaken, which uses a
child’s weight and height as well as their age to indicate body fatness. BMI is considered
a reliable indicator of body fatness for most children and adolescents (Lask and Bryant-
Waugh, 2000). In this study the BMI was used to indicate body fatness and was
calculated using the Center for Disease Control and Prevention website. It is calculated
by dividing weight in Kg by square of length/height (m2). After BMI is calculated for
children and adolescence, the BMI number is plotted on the BMI-for-age growth charts
(for either girls or boys) to obtain a percentile ranking. Percentiles are the most
commonly used indicator to assess the size and growth patterns of individual children.
The percentile indicates the relative position of the child’s BMI number among children
of the same sex and age. The growth charts show the weight status categories used with
children and adolescence.
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