Self-esteem in adolescents with obesity: a scoping review.
Chrisllayne Oliveira da Silva, Nanielle Silva Barbosa, Ana Larissa Gomes Machado and 3 others
PMID 42585477WHAT IT FOUND
Adolescents with obesity often had lower self-esteem, especially girls.
Weight stigma and teasing linked to depression, eating disorders, and school problems. Interventions did not consistently improve self-esteem.
Key findings
01Adolescents with obesity and higher BMI were commonly reported to have lower self-esteem, especially females.
02Low self-esteem was linked to body shame, eating-disorder risk, peer victimization, poorer mental health and school performance.
03Intervention evidence was mixed: an included meta-analysis found no significant improvement in self-esteem even with weight loss, although interventions with the greatest effects on self-esteem also showed the greatest effect on weight loss.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
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What it does not show
Most included studies were cross-sectional or observational, so they show associations rather than cause. The review included studies with different designs, settings and self-esteem instruments. Some studies assessed self-esteem only at the time of the intervention, so changes over time are not well captured. Self-esteem is a complex concept influenced by different variables and contexts.
Declared interests
The supplied text reports partial funding by CAPES, Brazil (Finance Code 001). It does not state author conflicts of interest.
The easy way to misread this
Do not conclude that treating obesity will improve self-esteem. The review mapped associations and reported mixed intervention results, and one included meta-analysis found no significant improvement in self-esteem even with weight loss.