The relationship of general and abdominal obesity with self-esteem in Iranian soldier of Tehran barracks

Abstract

Background: Nowadays, social acceptance criteria have changed, which can affect the self-esteem of individuals. One of these criteria is people's physical fitness. On the other hand, overweight and obesity have increased in recent decades. That have a substantial impact on physical and mental health. The importance of obesity and self-esteem causes of this study.
Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in May 2016 on 246 soldiers who were selected Among the Tehran Barracks through cluster sampling according to the inclusion Criteria. Anthropometric measurements were performed according to standards introduced. For each of the participants were recorded 24-hours recall food as face to face and Dietary diversity score was measured. self-esteem was assessed by Rosenberg's questionnaires with Cronbach's coefficient 0.84. In the final analysis confounding factors was controlled and P<0.05 was considered statistically significant.
Results: in this study 37% of people had low self-esteem. In the adjusted model, an inverse association was between self-esteem and central obesity (OR = 1.25,95% CI: 1.05-1.53, p-trend = 0.01). as well as People with generalized obesity had Higher risk for having lower self-esteem (OR = 1.50,95% CI: 1.31-1.73, p-trend = 0.01).
Conclusion: in Overall general and central obesity have an inverse relationship to self-esteem. This relation remains even after controlling potential confounders. Prospective studies are required to confirm these associations in military populations.