Childhood Obesity and Self‐Esteem

Abstract 98 Background: Although there is little doubt that childhood obesity may have detrimental consequences for childhood self-esteem, the prevalence and magnitude of this problem is controversial. In addition, the social and emotional effects of decreased self-esteem in obese children are unknown. Methods: 1,520 children, aged 9 to 10 years, born to mothers in the National Longitudinal Survey of Youth (NLSY) were studied. Comprehensive demographic data including race and family income were available in 97% of the cohort. Self-esteem was measured using Self-Perception Profile for Children (SPPC). Four-year follow-up SPPC scores were available in 79% of the children. Obesity was defined as a BMI greater than the 95th percentile for age and gender. Data were stratified by race and gender. The data were weighted to reflect a nationally representative sample of children. Results: Scholastic and global self-esteem scores were not significantly different among 9-10 year old obese and non-obese children. However, over the four year period, obese Hispanic females and obese while females showed significantly decreased levels of global self-esteem compared to non-obese Hispanic females (p < 0.05) and non-obese white females (p < 0.01), respectively. Mild decreases in self-esteem were also observed in obese boys compared to non-obese boys (p < 0.05). As a result, by 13-14 years old, significantly lower levels of self-esteem were observed in obese boys, obese Hispanic girls, and obese white girls compared to their non-obese counterparts. Decreasing levels of self-esteem in obese children were associated with significantly increased rates of sadness (p < 0.05), loneliness (p < 0.001), and nervousness (p < 0.01). In addition, obese children with decreasing levels of self-esteem over the four-year period were more likely to smoke (p < 0.05) and drink alcohol (p < 0.01). Conclusion: Obese children demonstrate significantly lower levels of self-esteem by early adolescence. In addition, obese children with decreasing levels of self-esteem demonstrate significant higher rates of sadness and loneliness, and are likely to engage in high-risk behaviors such as smoking or drinking. POSTER SESSION II Nutrition/Nutrition Support