title: Obesity, self-esteem, and health locus of control in black youths during transition to adolescence.
abstract: Abstract   A three-year longitudinal study of 1,003 urban black children, ages nine through 12, explored the relationship between obesity, health locus of control, and self-esteem. Subjects were classified as obese or not-obese at two times, approximately two years apart. From Time 1 to Time 2, subjects were categorized as remaining the same, or either changing from obese to non-obese or non-obese to obese. Measures included the Children's Health Locus of Control scale (CHLC), the Rosenberg Self-Esteem scale (SE), and ponderosity (weight relative to height). SE and CHLC improved across the entire sample. Multiple regression analyses indicated that baseline self-esteem was associated with decreased ponderosity only for subjects who changed from obese to non-obese. Group differences imply that building self-esteem and acknowledging individual differences may facilitate treatment of adolescent obesity. Continued research is recommended.
authors.forename: R W
authors.initials: RW
authors.lastname: O'Brien
authors.forename: S A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Smith
authors.forename: P J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Bush
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Peleg