Related Experiment Videos
Self-concept measures and childhood obesity: a descriptive analysis
S Y Kimm1, C G Sweeney, J E Janosky
1Department of Clinical Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, School of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15261.
Journal of Developmental and Behavioral Pediatrics : JDBP
|February 1, 1991
Summary
Self-concept in obese children varies by race and gender. Nonwhite children reported lower self-esteem, with specific subgroups showing unique challenges on the Piers-Harris Children
Area of Science:
- Pediatric Psychology
- Childhood Obesity Research
- Developmental Psychology
Background:
- Self-concept is crucial for child development.
- Obesity in children can impact psychological well-being.
- Limited research exists on demographic influences on self-concept in pediatric obesity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the influence of age, race, gender, and obesity severity on self-concept in obese children.
- To identify specific subgroups of obese children with potentially lower self-esteem.
- To explore the utility of self-concept subscales in understanding this population.
Main Methods:
- Study involved 130 obese children from an outpatient obesity clinic.
- Piers-Harris (P-H) Children's Self-Concept Scale was administered.
- Data were analyzed to assess correlations between demographic factors and self-concept scores.
Main Results:
- Overall self-concept scores were within norms for the group.
- Nonwhite children exhibited the lowest self-esteem.
- Inverse association found between obesity severity and overall/intellectual self-concept in boys; girls scored lower on anxiety; younger white males scored lowest on popularity.
Conclusions:
- Self-concept measures in obese children are heterogeneous.
- Subscale analysis of the P-H scale offers deeper insights.
- P-H scale sensitivity may be enhanced for obesity and self-concept research.