Self-Esteem, Weight Status, and Trying to Lose Weight During Young Adulthood: The Roles of Sex and Ethnicity/Race

This study sought to examine sex and ethnicity/race differences in the associations between self-esteem, weight status, and trying to lose weight among young adults in the United States. Data were drawn from Wave III (2001/2002) of the US National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent to Adult Health (Add Health public-use sample). Body mass index (BMI) was measured during in-home visits. Weight-loss patterns, self-esteem, and sociodemographics were assessed via self-reports. Logistic regression models were fitted among 4,594 young adults who were aged 21.8 (SD=1.8) years. Obesity was associated with relatively poor self-esteem among both African American (P=.007) and White females (P