Relationship between self-esteem and obesity, and some lifestyle factors in employed women

Introduction: In recent years, the increase in obesity worldwide has drawn more attention to its undesirable effects on the people’s physical and psychological health. Studies done on the subject have produced contradictory results on the relation between obesity and self-esteem. The reason could be that individuals with higher self-esteem may have chosen a better lifestyle because they had a higher respect for themselves. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between self-esteem and BMI and some lifestyle factors in employed women.Materials and Methods: This was a case–control study conducted on 125 obese women 25-45 years of age, with BMI≥30 and 125 non- obese employed women from affiliated hospitals of Tehran University of Medical Sciences. Dietary intake and physical activity, as components of lifestyle, were assessed by semi-quantitative and MET questionnaires, respectively. Self-esteem was assessed by Rosenberg questionnaire.Results: There was a significant difference between the two groups in level of education, economic status, physical activity (p<0.05) and self-esteem (p<0.001). Total energy intake and percentage of energy intake from fat were significantly different between the two groups (p<0.05).Conclusion: Self-esteem was higher in non-obese women. Women with higher self-esteem had a better lifestyle. Attention to psychological aspect of obesity is important in any health promotion program