Original Article
International Journal of Obesity (2009) 33, 588–596; doi:10.1038/ijo.2009.43; published online 10 March 2009
A structural equation model relating adiposity, psychosocial indicators of body image and depressive symptoms among adolescents
M Chaiton1, C Sabiston2, J O'Loughlin3, J J McGrath4, K Maximova5 and M Lambert6
- 1Department of Public Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
- 2Department of Kinesiology and Physical Education, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 3Centre de Recherche du CHUM, University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 4Department of Psychology, Concordia University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 5Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, McGill University, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
- 6Department of Pediatrics, CHU Sainte-Justine and University of Montreal, Montreal, Quebec, Canada
Correspondence: M Chaiton, Department of Public Health Sciences, Dalla Lana School of Public Health, University of Toronto, T509 33 Russell Street, Toronto, Ontario, Canada M5S 2S1. E-mail: michael.chaiton@utoronto.ca
Received 28 October 2008; Revised 30 January 2009; Accepted 8 February 2009; Published online 10 March 2009.
Abstract
Objective:
Psychosocial factors, including pressure to be thin and body dissatisfaction, have been hypothesized to mediate the relationship between obesity and depression, especially during adolescence when vulnerability to social pressures around body shape and image is heightened. The objective was to test a model of the relationships among adiposity, psychosocial factors and depression in adolescents.
Method:
In a population-based sample of 1127 boys and 1167 girls aged 13 and 16 years, a model of the relationships between adiposity, pressure to be thin, body dissatisfaction and depressive symptoms was tested using structural equation modeling.
Results:
Among girls, adiposity accounted for 62% of the total effect of depressive symptoms through its association with pressure to be thin and body dissatisfaction. Pressure to be thin was also uniquely related to depressive symptoms. Among boys, only body dissatisfaction was associated with depressive symptoms.
Conclusion:
Results support a relationship between adiposity, body satisfaction, pressure to be thin and depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms should be assessed in obese adolescents, and interventions to prevent and treat obesity should incorporate elements targeting body dissatisfaction.
Keywords:
depressive symptoms, adolescents, structural equation model, pressure to be thin, body satisfaction
MORE ARTICLES LIKE THIS
These links to content published by NPG are automatically generated
RESEARCH
Heredity Original Article
Body image and C-reactive protein in adolescents
International Journal of Obesity Scientific Correspondence
Correlates of Persistent Thinness in Black and White Young Women **
Obesity Research Original Article
Intergenerational Perceptions of Body Image in Hispanics: Role of BMI, Gender, and Acculturation **
Obesity Research Original Article
