Relating shape/weight based self-esteem, depression, and anxiety with weight and perceived physical health among young adults

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

doi:10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.04.003

Relating shape/weight based self-esteem, depression, and anxiety with weight and perceived physical health among young adults

Body Image. 2018 Jun:25:168-176. doi: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.04.003. Epub 2018 Apr 17.

Authors

Rebecca C Kamody¹, Idia B Thurston², Kristina M Decker³, Caroline C Kaufman³, Kendrin R Sonneville⁴, Tracy K Richmond⁵

Affiliations

¹ Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, United States; Yale University Child Study Center, United States. Electronic address: rebecca.kamody@yale.edu.
² Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, United States; University of Tennessee Health Science Center, United States; Le Bonheur Children's Foundation Research Institute, United States.
³ Department of Psychology, The University of Memphis, United States.
⁴ School of Public Health, University of Michigan, United States.
⁵ Division of Adolescent and Young Adult Medicine, Boston Children's Hospital/Harvard Medical School, United States.

PMID: 29677688
DOI: 10.1016/j.bodyim.2018.04.003

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.

Keywords: Anxiety; BMI; Depression; Self-esteem; Weight and shape concerns; Young adults.

MeSH terms

Adolescent
Adult
Anxiety / psychology*
Body Image / psychology*
Body Weight*
Depression / psychology*
Female
Humans
Male
Self Concept*
Young Adult