Self-esteem changes in children enrolled in weight management programs

The purpose of this study was to examine self-esteem changes in school aged children enrolled in weight management programs. The study group was comprised of 54 obese children ages 10-15 enrolled in a weight management program. The control group was comprised of 60 obese children who had never been enrolled in a weight management program. Each child was measured for body mass index (BMI) and weight. All the children filled out the Pier-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale at the beginning of the study and 12 weeks later following the study group's completion of the weight management program. The groups were similar in average age, weight, BMI, and self-concept score at the beginning of the study. At the end of the 12 weeks, there was no significant change in the average weight or BMI in either the study or control group. There was a significant decrease in the self-concept score in the study group but not in the control group. The greatest score changes came from the physical appearance subscale. Participation in weight management programs may put children at risk for lower self-esteem (self-concept) while producing limited weight loss results.