title: Psychological vulnerability among overweight/obese minority adolescents.
abstract: Depression is associated with obesity among adolescents, with racial/ethnic variability noted. Psychological correlates that may influence this relationship have not been adequately explored. The primary objective of this secondary analysis was to compare levels of stress, self-esteem, coping, social support, and depressive mood between normal weight and overweight/obese minority adolescents (as defined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards). Adolescents (n = 101) aged 14-18 years who were largely minority (87%) were recruited from two Midwestern-area high schools. Using a descriptive comparative design, individuals were grouped into normal weight (>5th to <85th percentile) and overweight/obese (≥ 85 th percentile) for comparison on measures. Self-reported levels of stress, coping, self-esteem, social support, depressive mood, and body mass index were obtained. Obese/overweight adolescents reported significantly lower self-esteem than did those with normal weight (p < .05). Although stress was a significant predictor of depressive mood in both groups (p < .001), low self-esteem was also a significant predictor of depressive mood in the overweight/obese group (p = .001). Strategies to manage stress and improve self-esteem may help alleviate depressive mood in high school adolescents.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing & Health Professions, Lewis University, Romeoville, IL 60556, USA. martynpa@lewisu.edu
authors.forename: Pamela A
authors.initials: PA
authors.lastname: Martyn-Nemeth
authors.forename: Sue
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Penckofer
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D000296:Adolescent Psychiatry; D001835:Body Weight; D003863:Depression / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008913:Minority Groups / Q000523:psychology*; D009765:Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D011594:Psychometrics; D012307:Risk Factors; D012649:Self Concept; D057566:Self Report; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology