Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 3, 2025

Assessment of Child Anthropometry in a Large Epidemiologic Study
Published on: February 2, 2017
Self-image, self-esteem and depression in children and adolescents with and without obesity
Alma A Sánchez-Rojas1, Arturo García-Galicia2, Eduardo Vázquez-Cruz3
1Family Medicine Unit 6, Instituto Mexicano del Seguro Social (IMSS).
Introduction:
In Mexico, the prevalence of childhood obesity is 35%, and it continues to increase.
Objective:
To determine the correlation between self-image, self-esteem and depression in children aged 8 to 14 years with and without obesity.
Methods:
Cross-sectional, comparative study of 295 children: 116 with overweight/obesity (group 1) and 179 with normal weight (group 2). Body mass index, scholarship, school achievement, school problems, socioeconomic status, self-image (current, desired), satisfaction, self-esteem and presence of depression were recorded. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's rho and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used; a p-value ≤ 0.05 was considered significant.
Results:
In group 1, 53.4% perceived themselves as with normal weight, and in 77.6%, the desired self-image was normal weight; 67.2% wanted to be slimmer; in 53.4%, self-esteem was high, and 75.9% had no depression. In group 2, current self-image was normal weight in 79.3%, and the desired self-image was normal weight in 85.5%; 35.2% wanted to be slimmer; self-esteem was high in 49.7% and 77.1% had no depression. Significant correlations were observed for self-esteem-depression (r = 0.228) and self-esteem-socioeconomic status (r = 0.130).
Conclusions:
Current self-image and body satisfaction are different with and without obesity. The relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms begins at school age.
Related Concept Videos
Self-Evaluation: Self-Enhancement and Self-Verification
Trait and State Self-Esteem
Self-Concept
Infancy and Emerging Recognition
During infancy, self-concept is virtually nonexistent. Babies do not distinguish themselves as separate entities and often mistake their...
Self-Discrepancy Theory
Self-Schemas
Ethnic Identity within a Larger Culture

