Self-image, self-esteem and depression in children and adolescents with and without obesity

Introduction: In Mexico, the prevalence of childhood obesity is 35%, and it continues to increase. Objective: To determine the correlation between self-image, self-esteem and depression in children aged 8 to 14 years with and without obesity. Methods: Cross-sectional, comparative study of 295 children: 116 with overweight/obesity (group 1) and 179 with normal weight (group 2). Body mass index, scholarship, school achievement, school problems, socioeconomic status, self-image (current, desired), satisfaction, self-esteem and presence of depression were recorded. Descriptive statistics, Spearman's rho and Mann-Whitney's U-test were used; a p-value <= 0.05 was considered significant. Results: In group 1, 53.4% perceived themselves as with normal weight, and in 77.6%, the desired self-image was normal weight; 67.2% wanted to be slimmer; in 53.4%, self-esteem was high, and 75.9% had no depression. In group 2, current self-image was normal weight in 79.3%, and the desired self-image was normal weight in 85.5%; 35.2% wanted to be slimmer; self-esteem was high in 49.7% and 77.1% had no depression. Significant correlations were observed for self-esteem-depression (r = 0.228) and self-esteem-socioeconomic status (r = 0.130). Conclusions: Current self-image and body satisfaction are different with and without obesity. The relationship between self-esteem and depressive symptoms begins at school age.