Childhood obesity and its association with the feeling of unhappiness and low levels of self-esteem in children of public schools

Abstract

overweight children are at increased risk for psychosocial disorders. the purpose of this research was to relate the condition of overweight and obesity to the levels of self-esteem and happiness in schoolchildren of public schools. a total of 364 schoolchildren (180 boys and 184 girls) were enrolled between eleven and 13 years old (12.44 ± 1.14 years old). Anthropometric measurements were performed and the levels of self-esteem and happiness were evaluated through the School Self-Esteem Test (APT). RESULS: school self-esteem was significantly higher in boys (p < 0.001); 55.49% (n = 204) of the students evaluated were overweight. Overweight and obese subjects had lower levels of self-esteem compared to normal weight children (p = 0.032). In addition, 43 students had very low self-esteem, and a relationship between very low and low self-esteem levels (n = 119) and the overweight and obesity was observed (p = 0.033). In relation to the question "Am I a happy person?", a greater proportion of students answered positively (n = 296). The negative response to the question was associated with weight excess (p = 0.042). overweight and obesity were related to low levels of self-esteem and happiness in schoolchildren. These results are alarming since self-esteem is one's appreciation of oneself and happiness is an index of subjective personal well-being and is a topic that concerns families and the entire education system.