Overweight Girls Who Are Happy With How They Look Engage In Fewer Risky Dieting Behaviors

Overweight adolescent girls who say they are happy with their size and shape not only have higher levels of self-esteem, they are less likely to engage in negative behaviors sometimes associated with being overweight, a University of California study finds. For the study, 103 overweight adolescents were surveyed for three years. They were assessed for various factors associated with body satisfaction, including self-esteem, anxiety and depression symptoms. Girls who were highly satisfied with their bodies were less likely to engage in risky weight control behaviors, like fasting, skipping meals or vomiting.