Improvements in Body Satisfaction Among Obese Preadolescent African American Girls After Participation in a Weight-Loss Intervention

Objective. To evaluate the relationship between body dissatisfaction, self-esteem, self-efficacy, and changes in body mass index (BMI) and body fat in 40 obese African American (AA) preadolescent females, aged 7 to 12 years, participating in a weight-loss intervention. Methods. The 18-week intervention consisted of 2 phases: a 6-week eucaloric phase and a 12-week hypocaloric phase, in which all food was provided. The Contour Drawing Rating Scale adapted for use in AA populations assessed body dissatisfaction. Self-efficacy was assessed by the Weight Efficacy Life-Style Questionnaire and self-esteem by Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale. Total body fat and trunk fat were assessed by dual-energy x-ray absorptiometry. Results. Findings indicated that body dissatisfaction was positively associated with trunk fat at 6 weeks and BMI at the end of the intervention, and a higher BMI was associated with a larger perceived body figure, though these associations varied over the course of the study. Conclusions and Implications. Participation in a weight-loss intervention, which results in actual and perceived reductions in BMI and trunk fat, offers a capacity to improve the psychological status and well-being of obese preadolescent AA females.