Body Weight, Self-esteem and Depression in Lebanese Male and Female University Students
Loading...
Date
2005
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
The purpose of this study was to examine differences in body weight and desired body weight between males and females, also to find out if the discrepancy of actual weight and desired weight led to low self-esteem and depressive symptoms. Perception of a weight problem was studied in relation to self-esteem and depression as well. The sample consisted of 160 university students, BMI and DBMI were calculated based on self-reported weight and height. Perception of having a weight problem was evaluated by one question: "Do you see yourself as having a weight problem?" Self-esteem was measured by the Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale, and depression was measured by using the Beck Depression Inventory. The results conveyed that more females than males were in the underweight and normal weight categories. Desired BMI was always lower for females in all weight categories whereas for males desired BMI fluctuated a lot depending on their weight category. The discrepancy between actual weight and desired weight had no relation to self-esteem and depression. Perception of a weight problem did not predict level of self-esteem however in predicting depression the relation proved to be highly significant.
Description
Keywords
Citation
Papas, A. D. (2005). Body Weight, Self-esteem and Depression in Lebanese Male and Female University Students (SBS thesis, Haigazian University)