Abstract
Objective. To evaluate the relationship between body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and changes in body mass index (BMI) and body fat in 40 obese African American (AA) preadolescent females, aged 7 to 12 years, participating in a weight-loss intervention. Methods. The 18-week intervention consisted of 2 phases: a 6-week eucaloric phase and a 12-week hypocaloric phase, in which all food was provided. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale adapted for use in AA populations assessed body dissatisfaction. Self-efficacy was assessed by the Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire and self-esteem by Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Total body fat and trunk fat were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results. Findings indicated that body dissatisfaction was positively associated with trunk fat at 6 weeks and BMI at the end of the intervention, and a higher BMI was associated with a larger perceived body figure, though these associations varied over the course of the study. Conclusions and Implications. Participation in a weight-loss intervention, which results in actual and perceived reductions in BMI and trunk fat, offers a capacity to improve the psychological status and well-being of obese preadolescent AA females.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 148-153 |
Number of pages | 6 |
Journal | Infant, Child, and Adolescent Nutrition |
Volume | 7 |
Issue number | 3 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Jun 6 2015 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- African Americans
- body fat distribution
- body image
- body mass index
- weight loss
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Food Science
- Nutrition and Dietetics
- Pediatrics, Perinatology, and Child Health