title: [Body image dissatisfaction as a mediator of the association between BMI, self-esteem and mental health in early adolescents: a multiple-group path analysis across gender].
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study was done to examine not only the relationships between body mass index (BMI), self-esteem, body image dissatisfaction (BID) and mental health, according to gender, but the mediating role of BID on mental health in relation to BMI and self-esteem among early adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  Data from 576 (296 boys and 280 girls) elementary school students in grades 5 to 6 were collected. A multiple-group path analysis was utilized to examine the relationships between BMI, self-esteem, BID and mental health by gender.
  
  
  RESULTS
  In the path analysis for all students, poor mental health was related directly to BID, while it was indirectly related to BMI and self-esteem. In the multiple-group path analysis of both genders, BID was found to have a significant direct and indirect effect on mental health for girls alone.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The findings suggested that BID should be examined early to prevent poor mental health in early adolescent girls. This study helps to elucidate the role of early adolescent BID on mental health and provides insight for further prevention and intervention programs in school and community mental health settings.
authors.affiliation: College of Nursing Science and East-West Nursing Research Institute, Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. mhjang@khu.ac.kr
authors.forename: Mi Heui
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Jang
authors.forename: Gyungjoo
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Lee
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D001828:Body Image; D015992:Body Mass Index; D002648:Child; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008603:Mental Health; D012649:Self Concept; D012737:Sex Factors; D013334:Students / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: Adolescent; Body image; Body mass index; Mental health; Self-esteem