Relating shape/weight based self-esteem, depression, and anxiety with weight and perceived physical health among young adults. Academic Article uri icon

abstract

  • Simultaneous contributions of self-esteem, depression, and anxiety to weight and perceived physical health in young adults is understudied. A diverse sample of 424 young adults completed measures of shape/weight based self-esteem, depression, anxiety, and perceived physical health. Height and weight were measured to calculate body mass index (BMI). Latent profile analysis was conducted to derive patterns of depression, anxiety, and shape/weight based self-esteem. Then, we examined the association of the profiles with weight status and perceived physical health. Three profiles emerged: (1) High Shape/Weight Influence (HSWI); (2) Low Shape/Weight, Depression, & Anxiety Influence (LSWDAI); and (3) High Depression & Anxiety Influence (HDAI). The HSWI profile had significantly higher BMI than the LSWDAI and HDAI profiles, and significantly lower perceived physical health than the LSWDAI profile. Over emphasis on shape/weight, regardless of depression and anxiety, is associated with elevated weight and negative internalized health views.

published proceedings

  • Body Image

altmetric score

  • 2.95

author list (cited authors)

  • Kamody, R. C., Thurston, I. B., Decker, K. M., Kaufman, C. C., Sonneville, K. R., & Richmond, T. K.

citation count

  • 17

complete list of authors

  • Kamody, Rebecca C||Thurston, Idia B||Decker, Kristina M||Kaufman, Caroline C||Sonneville, Kendrin R||Richmond, Tracy K

publication date

  • June 2018