Relations of self-esteem, obesity and peer bullying among middle school students in Turkey

Abstract

Abstract Obesity, peer bullying and self-esteem are important public health problems in adolescent age group in Turkey as well as in the world. This study aims to investigate bilateral and tripartite relations of obesity, peer bullying and self-esteem. The universe of this cross-sectional study was middle school students in Ankara; 1955 student were reached in 42 schools determined by systematic sample method. Data was collected under observation with the questionnaire including anthropometric measurements (BMI-z-score), self-esteem scale and peer bullying. Written permission was given by the Ethical Committee at the University. We reached 1955 students (975 girls; 877 boys). The average of age was 12.84±0.59. The prevalence of overweight was 15.0% and obesity 7.2%. The percentage of low self-esteem was found as 45.4%. Frequencies of physical bullying-bully subgroup was 36.7%, verbal 51.4% and emotional 35.2%; the percentages of bullying-victim subgroups were found as 41.9%, 49.7% and 19.5%, respectively. A strong relationship was between obesity and physical bullying-victim without grouping for self-esteem (p = 0.03). Obesity was associated with low self-esteem without physical or emotional bullying (p = 0.02; p = 0.03). Low self-esteem was related with all types of bullying (p < 0.001 all subgroups). Obesity was associated with verbal bullying-bully in high self-esteem and without grouping for self-esteem (p = 0.04; p = 0.02). The relationship was between obesity and physical bullying-bully in the low and high self-esteem subgroups (p = 0.02; p = 0.009), but this relation couldn't be demonstrated without grouping for self-esteem. Prevention of peer bullying, fighting with obesity are important topics to protect adolescent mental health, improve school health. More effective studies should be conducted in this field, intervention programs have holistic approach should be developed at countries levels and global level. Key messages The holistic approach always highlighted from Sustainable Development Goals to Astana has a great importance in improving physical, mental and social health of adolescent in schools. Obesity, peer bullying and self-esteem are important issues affecting physical, social and mental health in adolescence in whole world.