An exploration of the relationship between self-esteem, health knowledge, chronic dieting and body shape accuracy

Abstract

Aims: To explore the relationship between self-esteem, health knowledge, chronic dieting and perceived body size and shape. Method: The study design was cross-sectional in nature; 41 women from diet and health clubs participated by completing a questionnaire containing scales that assessed levels of self-esteem, health knowledge and chronic dieting. They also responded to a body shape accuracy instrument that was designed to measure accurately the percentage of over- or underestimation of body size and shape. Results: Correlational analyses showed that there was a statistically significant negative relationship between self-esteem and chronic dieting and a significant positive relationship between chronic dieting and health knowledge. Chi squared (χ 2) analysis revealed that women with higher levels of health knowledge had low self-esteem and that low self-esteem women were significantly more likely than women with high self-esteem to underestimate their body size. Conclusions: Levels of health knowledge and self-esteem appear to play a complex role in chronic dieting and subjective perceptions of body shape and it is an area that warrants further investigation. The body shape scale proved to be a successful instrument and further trials using this scale are recommended.