The self-concept of obese adolescents.

• Main Author: Cuisia, Jacqueline Maria.
• Format: text
• Published: Animo Repository 1999
• Online Access: https://animorepository.dlsu.edu.ph/etd_bachelors/1684
• Institution: De La Salle University

The self concept and quality of peer relationships of selected obese female adolescents (ages 12-14) were identified and described. Six obese adolescents were chosen to be the focus of this study, and they in turn, were asked to arrange for two or three of their closest friends to also be interviewed for this study. All twenty respondents were students from private schools catering to wealthy families. The Index of Self Esteem and the Body Image Avoidance Questionnaire were used to measure self concept of the obese adolescent. Additionally, two interview guides were constructed to determine the peer relationships, one to be administered to the obese adolescents and the other to be administered to their peers. Results of this study support the theory that although many factors affect the developing adolescent's self-concept, one of the most crucial and determining factors that will foster a healthy self concept or not is the quality of peer relationships maintained by the adolescents. The obese adolescents who were tested had levels of self esteem that were considered low, but they were able to maintain healthy relationships with their peers.