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Childhood obesity and self-esteem
1Division of Pediatric Gastroenterology and Nutrition, University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, Robert Wood Johnson School of Medicine, New Brunswick, New Jersey, USA. strausrs@rwja.umdnj.edu
Pediatrics
|January 5, 2000
Summary
Childhood obesity is linked to declining self-esteem, particularly in Hispanic and white girls. Decreased self-esteem in obese children correlates with increased sadness, nervousness, and higher rates of smoking and alcohol consumption.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Health
- Psychology
- Public Health
Background:
- Childhood obesity's impact on self-esteem is debated, with unknown social and emotional effects.
- Previous research has not fully elucidated the long-term psychosocial consequences of pediatric obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationship between childhood obesity and self-esteem over time.
- To examine the social and emotional well-being of obese children compared to non-obese peers.
Main Methods:
- Longitudinal study of 1520 children (9-10 years old) from the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth.
- Self-esteem measured using the Self-Perception Profile for Children; obesity defined by BMI > 95th percentile.
- Follow-up questionnaires assessed emotional well-being, smoking, and alcohol use at 13-14 years of age.
Main Results:
- No significant difference in initial self-esteem between obese and non-obese children.
- Obese Hispanic and white females showed significant declines in self-esteem over 4 years.
- By adolescence, obese boys and girls (Hispanic and white) had lower self-esteem, linked to increased sadness, loneliness, nervousness, smoking, and alcohol use.
Conclusions:
- Obese Hispanic and white females experience significantly lower self-esteem in early adolescence.
- Declining self-esteem in obese children is associated with negative emotional outcomes and increased risk-taking behaviors.