Journal of Pediatric Psychology Advance Access originally published online on June 20, 2007
Journal of Pediatric Psychology 2007 32(10):1179-1195; doi:10.1093/jpepsy/jsm048
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The Effects of Weight Management Programs on Self-Esteem in Pediatric Overweight Populations
Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, FL, USA
All correspondence concerning this article should be addressed to David M. Janicke, Department of Clinical and Health Psychology, University of Florida, 101 South Newell Dr., Room #3151, Gainesville, FL 32610, USA. E-mail: djanicke{at}phhp.ufl.edu.
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Objective Review published findings on self-esteem and pediatric overweight, and changes in self-esteem subsequent to weight management programs. Methods We used PsycInfo and MedLine searches to identify peer-reviewed journal articles examining self-esteem changes following participation in weight management programs Results Data regarding the relationship between self-esteem and obesity is mixed. Factors that place overweight children "at-risk" for low self-esteem include early adolescence, female gender, identification with majority cultural standards of body shape, exposure to teasing and peer victimization, a history of greater parental control over feeding, and internal attributions about weight status. Data from intervention studies suggest positive effects on self-esteem across settings. Components related to self-esteem improvements include weight change, parent involvement, and group intervention format. Conclusions Well-designed, longitudinal studies using multidimensional measures of self-esteem, and following CONSORT guidelines are needed to confirm and expand these findings. Emphasis should be placed on examining mediators and moderators of self-esteem change.
Key words: children; self-esteem; weight management; obesity; overweight; treatment.
Received October 2, 2006; revision received April 29, 2007; accepted May 17, 2007