Assessment of Adolescents' Self- Esteem in Secondary Schools

Abstract

Objectives: To assess the secondary schools obese adolescents’ self esteem level. Methodology Adescriptive study is carried out at AL-Najaf AL-Ashraf City, from December 1st, 2011 to April 6th,2012.A multi stage sample of (1350) subjects; it is selected throughout the use of probability sampling.The data are collected through the use of semi-constructed questionnaire, which consist of three parts(1) Economic Sociodemographic data form that consist of 14-items (2) Index of Self Esteem Scale thatconsists of 25-items (3) Anthropometric Measurements which consist of Weight and Height. Reliabilityof the questionnaire is determined through a pilot study and the validity through a panel of (24) experts.Results The finding of the present study indicate that there is highly significant relationship betweenthe obesity and the study participants' gender, their order in the family, mother education level, andfamily socio-economic status. While the obesity and the other variables indicated no significantrelationship. The results also shows highly significant relationship between the obesity and the index ofself esteem. There is a significant relationship between the index of self-esteem domain and the orderof student in family, fathers' education level, and socio-economic status. Other variables indicated nosignificant . Conclusion Present study concluded that the most of the secondary schools obeseadolescents have self-esteem problem, and percentage of obesity (17.3%).Recommendation the studyrecommends that the students would be given an opportunities to participate in social organizations,conferences, and study projects to promote their level of self-esteem constructing and implementingeducational programs for secondary schools teachers about how to decrease obesity among theirstudents. Mass media approach should be employed by the Ministry of education to increase studentsknowledge and awareness of the obesity as a health problem.