Fat, plain, but not friendless: self-esteem and peer acceptance of obese pre-adolescent girls.

OBJECTIVES

Poor self-esteem is assumed, but not consistently found, in obese children and adolescents. The aims of this study were a detailed analysis of body weight influences on self-esteem and peer acceptance in pre-adolescent girls.

DESIGN

A cross-sectional comparison of girls in four weight (body mass index [BMI]) groups; underweight (< 10%), normal weight (10-85%), overweight (85-95%), and obese (> 95%).

MEASURES

Assessments of body weight and height, body shape preference, self-esteem and peer nominations of popularity and attractiveness were collected from 313 girls aged 9y.

RESULTS

Obese and overweight girls had significantly lower physical appearance and athletic competence self-esteem than their normal weight peers. Body weight had no impact on girls' rated importance of self-esteem domains. Heavier girls were significantly less likely to be peer nominated as pretty, but did not differ in their popularity.

CONCLUSIONS

Prior to adolescence, physical appearance rather than global self-esteem is affected by overweight, and popularity preserved. Further research is required into the mechanisms of peer influence, and its consequences, in obese and overweight young adolescents.