International Journal of Home Science
2017, VOL. 3 ISSUE 3, PART B
A study of adolescent girls’ self-esteem in relationship with obesity
Author(s): Dr. Swati Bhadouria and Dr. Deepti Bhadoria
Abstract:
In recent years, obesity and overweight has become a major public-health concern worldwide, particularly among children and adolescents. The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has been rapidly increasing in the last three decades, reaching epidemic proportions (Phillippas & Clifford, 2005). Obese children and adolescents are at risk for significant health problems, but also face many psychological and social consequences, including low self-esteem and decreased psychological well-being. Adolescent constitute over 21.4% of the population in India. This period of life needs special attention because of the turmoil that an adolescent faces due to different stages of development, different circumstances, different needs and diverse problems. In view of the above the present study was conducted to examine whether obese and overweight adolescent girls differ from normal weight adolescent girls in terms of self-esteem. The sample adolescent girls was divided in three groups (i.e., obese, overweight and normal weight) and they were given measures of self-esteem. The body mass index of adolescent girls was determined on the basis of their height and weight. Findings of the present study revealed lower self-esteem among obese and overweight adolescent girls in comparison to their counterpart normal weight adolescent girls. Co relational analysis of data revealed negative relationship of body mass index (BMI) to self-esteem. Findings have suggested that there is need to improve self-esteem of adolescent girls which often decreases due to the perception of body weight by the adolescents themselves as well as due to the social and psychological factors affecting with obesity and overweight status. Information regarding the psychological impact of obesity on adolescents could lead to a better understanding of and sensitivity towards obese teenagers. This information could be used to have a positive impact on the lives of obese adolescents.
How to cite this article:
Dr. Swati Bhadouria, Dr. Deepti Bhadoria. A study of adolescent girls’ self-esteem in relationship with obesity. Int J Home Sci 2017;3(3):106-110.