Citation
Perrin, E.; Boone, J.; Field, A.; Coyne-Beasley, T.; & Gordon-Larsen, P. (2010). Perception of overweight and self-esteem during adolescence. International Journal of Eating Disorders. vol. 43 (5) pp. 447-454 , PMCID: PMC2882505Abstract
Objective:To examine sex- and race/ethnicity-specific relationships between adolescents' self-esteem and weight perception.
Method:
Descriptive analysis and logistic regression of Wave II of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health (N = 6,427 males, 6,574 females; ages 11–21) examined associations between low self-esteem and perceived overweight within body mass index (BMI) percentile categories, controlling for sociodemographics and stratified by sex and race/ethnicity.
Results:
25.1% and 8% of normal weight females and males, respectively, perceived themselves as overweight, with variation by race/ethnicity. Low self-esteem was most strongly associated with misperceived overweight in moderate BMI percentile categories (males: OR = 2.34; 95% CI: 1.60–3.41; females: OR = 2.39; 95% CI: 1.82, 3.16). Odds of correctly perceived overweight were higher for low (versus high) self-esteem in white and black females but not males of any race/ethnicity.
Discussion:
Understanding subgroup differences by race/ethnicity in perceived overweight-self-esteem relationships may inform eating disorders' prevention strategies.
URL
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/eat.20710Reference Type
Journal ArticleJournal Title
International Journal of Eating DisordersAuthor(s)
Perrin, E.Boone, J.
Field, A.
Coyne-Beasley, T.
Gordon-Larsen, P.