The Psychological Implications of Obesity in Adolescent High School Students

Abstract

This research project set to answer the questions: Are obese adolescents at risk for short-term and long-term physical health problems? Are obese adolescents at risk for increased depression, decreased self-esteem, increased suicidal thoughts and/or actions, increased peer victimization and detrimental effects to various psychosocial outcomes? A survey, which included The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and The Center for Epidemiological Studies Depression Scale for Children (CES-DC), was given to male and female students, ages 15-17, currently enrolled in a high school health class. The results of this research project were inconclusive, as this researcher was unable to conduct a comparison study between obese and normal weight students as all students that participated were either normal weight or underweight. However, the findings support the literature that was reviewed in that the importance of obesity as an epidemic, the physical health risks associated with obesity and the association of obesity with psychological aspects of mental health, i.e. depression, self-esteem, increased suicidal thoughts and/or actions, peer victimization and psychosocial outcomes in adolescents were all supported.