Abstract

Several studies along with the surgeon general of the United States have identified obesity as a national health issue. Research indicates that adult obesity treatment has relatively poor long-term effects. Consequently increased attention has been given to addressing obesity in children. This focus is particularly vital due to the fact that children are one of the populations showing the most rapid increase in overweight and obesity. The purpose of this study was to identify the some of the unique psychological characteristics of obese children by analyzing the intake data of children and adolescents attending the Loma Linda University Growing Fit Program. A secondary purpose was to evaluate whether the subjects would acknowledge more distress on a projective measure (DAPIR) than on some of the more commonly used objective measures of psychological functioning (i.e. GDI, PHCSCS). The Child Depression Inventory (CDl), Piers-Harris Children's Self-Concept Scale (PHCSCS) and a projective drawing task (Draw a Person in the Rain) of 95 (41 males & 54 females) overweight or obese subjects enrolled in the Loma Linda University Growing Fit clinic was analyzed. When analyzed as a homogenous group of the mean scores of the global and sub-scales of the CDl and PHCSCS reflected no signs of clinically significant depression or low self-concept. Further analysis showed no significant gender differences among the global and subscales of these measures as well. Convergent validity was not established between the number of positive indicators of distress on the DAPIR task and the GDI or PHCSCS. Item level analysis on the GDI indicated that nearly 30% of the subjects acknowledged suicidal ideation. The results suggest that the global and sub-scales of widely used clinical measures such as the GDI and PHSEI appear to be relatively weak at identifying psychological distress among overweight and obese, children and adolescents. The drawing task did show some promise as a measure of distress for this population. At a minimum the clinical utility of projective techniques should continue to be examined by future researchers. Recommendations for future research are given.

LLU Discipline

Psychology

Department

Psychology

School

Graduate School

First Advisor

Kiti Freier

Second Advisor

Kim Freeman

Third Advisor

Gary Hopkins

Fourth Advisor

Matt Riggs

Fifth Advisor

Larry Yin

Degree Name

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Degree Level

Ph.D.

Year Degree Awarded

2003

Date (Title Page)

9-2003

Language

English

Library of Congress/MESH Subject Headings

Obesity -- psychology; Child; Adolescent Nutrition; Child Nutrition Disorders -- psychology

Type

Dissertation

Page Count

viii; 80

Digital Format

PDF

Digital Publisher

Loma Linda University Libraries

Usage Rights

This title appears here courtesy of the author, who has granted Loma Linda University a limited, non-exclusive right to make this publication available to the public. The author retains all other copyrights.

Collection

Loma Linda University Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Collection Website

http://scholarsrepository.llu.edu/etd/

Repository

Loma Linda University. Del E. Webb Memorial Library. University Archives

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