Self-concept of obese and non-obese children / Auto-conceito em crianças com e sem obesidade

The present study was motivated by the concern and interest for childhood obesity and the psychological aspects associated with it. This transversal study aimed to compare the self-concept of obese and non-obese children. A socio-demographic and clinical questionnaire and the Portuguese version by Martins, Peixoto, Mata and Monteiro (1995) of the Self-Perception Profile of Harter's Self-Perception Profile for Children (1986) were administered to a sample of 100 children (n=58 female), between 8 and 12 years of age (M=10,19; SD=1,26), mainly living in a urban context (n=54) and of median Socio-Economical Level (n=78), 45 of which were obese. Non-obese children had significantly higher mean scores in the subscales Athletic Competence and Physical Appearance. Obese children had significantly higher mean scores in the subscale Behavioural Attitude. The results partially support the literature, emphasizing the need to replicate this study with a bigger sample.