Self-perception Profiles among Preadolescent African American Girls as Related to Body Mass Index

Abstract

Childhood obesity is a public health risk reaching epidemic proportions, especially among African American girls. Interventions targeting health behaviors, such as improving dietary behaviors and physical activity levels, are available but the rise in the prevalence of obesity continues. Further research into the psychosocial mechanisms related to obesity-related behaviors, such as self-esteem and self-efficacy (Brown et al., 1998; Setiloane, 2004; Sherwood, Story, & Obarzanek, 2004) are needed to help refine interventions. PURPOSE: The purpose of the present study was to examine whether the psychosocial determinants of self-esteem, body image, self-concept of physical activity, self-efficacy for physical activity performance, and self-efficacy for healthy diet differentiated between 8- to 10-year-old African American girls who were at-risk for becoming overweight (BMI ≥ 85th percentile using CDC body mass index percentiles) (n = 173) and those who were not at-risk (n = 129). METHODS: This study included 303 African American girls participating in baseline assessments of a weight gain prevention intervention. Height and weight were measured by using standardized protocols and were converted into BMI percentiles representing BMI-for-age. Paper/pencil questionnaires were used to collect demographic information and psychosocial variables. RESULTS: Results indicated that the discriminant function differentiating the groups explained 38.1% of the total variance in this set of variables (Wilks' = .620, X2(df= 6) = 142.202, p = .000). Body image was the primary differentiator between the two groups. This was followed by social desirability which had a coefficient of .272, which is not nearly as large as the coefficient for body image (.968). The pattern of correlations between the variables and the function suggests that the dimension differentiating between the two groups is perception of body image and suggests a strong relationship between the girls' perception of their body images and their BMI percentile with the higher percentile having lower levels of body satisfaction. Other constructs were not significantly different between the overweight and not overweight groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results confirm the need to consider body image in the design of future interventions related to obesity in African American preadolescents but did not show sizable differences in self-esteem or self-concept variables between the overweight risk groups. However, it is important to recognize the role social desirability may play when considering psychosocial measures.