Association of mental health status with perceived and actual weight status of adolescent girls: A study in urban west Bengal, India

Article Type

Research Article

Publication Title

International Journal of Child and Adolescent Health

Abstract

Purpose was to delineate mental health status of urban adolescent girls in association with both perceived and actual weight status. Methods: The present cross-sectional study involves 1,631 Bengali speaking adolescent girls of Hindu ethnic group aged 14-19 years from 15 higher secondary schools of Kolkata and Howrah, West Bengal, India. Mental health status is assessed using standard questionnaires. Height and weight are measured for actual weight status. Girls are interviewed for their perception about own body weight and socio-demographic characteristics. Results: Bivariate analysis shows significant association of the level of depression and self-esteem with both actual and perceived weight status of girls of different age. However, Analyses of covariance (ANCOVA) demonstrate the association of both depression and selfesteem only with perceived weight status of girls when the effect of age is removed. Conclusion: Mental health of adolescent girls is significantly associated with perceived weight status, but not with actual weight status.

First Page

203

Last Page

210

Publication Date

1-1-2016

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