Self-concept as a moderator of the relationship between body mass index, achievement, and psycho-social outcomes of adolescents

Obesity is related to poor academic achievement, reduced quality of life, discrimination, lower educational attainment, lower earnings, and a number of socio-emotional problems (Dockray et al., 209; Erickson et al., 2008; Gerberding, 2008; Roth et al., 2008; Salvy et al., 2008; Barlow, 2007; Marsh et al, 2007; Storch et al., 2007; Davison & Birch, 2002; Braet et al., 1996). The present study investigates the significance of English, math, and physical self-concept as moderators of the relationship between Body Mass Index (BMI), academic achievement, and psycho-social outcomes of depression and anxiety. The study includes 15-year-old female and male participants from the database of the Study of Early Child Care (SECC) by the National Institute of Child Health and Human Development (NICHD). The research controls for prior self-concept measured in 6 th grade, academic achievement measured in 5 th grade, psycho-social factors measured in 6 th grade, and attendance measured in 8 th grade. Other controls measured at the same time as the independent and dependent variables include the amount of TV watched and SES. Overall findings suggest that among females BMI was significantly related to each of the outcome variables with the exception of English achievement. There was a negative relationship between BMI and achievement in math and positive relationships between BMI and depression and anxiety among females. For males, there was only one significant relationship between BMI and an outcome variable, achievement in English (a negative relationship). Overall, BMI does not appear to be correlated with negative socio-emotional outcomes of depression and anxiety nor does it appear to be related to achievement in math among males. However, among females BMI does appear to be related to negative socio-emotional and achievement outcomes. Self-concept in math interacts with BMI in its effects on achievement in math however self-concept does not appear to be a protective factor. For males, physical self-concept interacts ...