The Influence of Body Mass Index and Body Shape Satisfaction on Highschool Student's Internalized Problem Behavior -the Mediating Effect of Self-Esteem and Gender Differences

Background/ Purpose:

Previous research indicates that internalized problem behavior tends to vary by body mass index (BMI) and appearance satisfaction. However, little is known about how these variables influence internalized problem behavior. Much less is known about whether the effects of variables on internalized problem behavior vary by gender. Based on the stress process model, this study examined (1) whether BMI acts as a primary stressor, (2) if appearance dissatisfaction acts as a secondary stressor, and (3) whether Self-esteem acts as a protective factor among high school students. Furthermore, the research examined whether gender differences can be found in above relationships.

Methods

Data from the 2010 Korea Survey of the Health of Youth and Children was utilized including 3,620 adolescents in 10th~12th grade (male=1,893, female=1,727). Major variables such as BMI, appearance dissatisfaction, internalized problem behavior and self-esteem were measured using self-report indicator. Structural equation modeling was performed to answer the research questions. Phantom variable approach was used to examine statistical significance of specific indirect paths. Multi-group analysis was employed to examine the gender differences.

Results

The results showed that BMI was negatively correlated with internalized problem behavior. However, appearance dissatisfaction was positively associated with internalized problem behavior. The influence of BMI on internalized problem behavior was mediated by appearance dissatisfaction and serially mediated by appearance dissatisfaction and self-esteem. Also, the influence of appearance dissatisfaction on internalized problem was mediated by self-esteem. Additionally, the results of the multi-group analysis by gender showed that the influence of BMI on appearance dissatisfaction among female was significantly larger than that of male.

Conclusions and Implications

Key findings of the study are as follows. First, this study identified that the effect of BMI on internalized problem behavior relies on indirect paths. Second, appearance dissatisfaction and self-esteem serially mediates the relationship between BMI and internalized problem behavior. Third, gender differences were found in above relationships. These findings imply that interventions on cognitions of appearance and self-esteem could be effective to reduce negative effects of BMI on internalized behaviors among adolescents. Also, gender differences in appearance care should be considered. The reason why females suffer more pressure than their male counterparts in terms of high internalized problem behavior is that the social preference about appearance care affects more severely on females. For this reason, campaign or self-support programs were discussed.