Avaliação do autoconceito de crianças e adolescentes com sobrepeso e obesidade

OBJECTIVE: To identify the self-concept of children and adolescents with overweight and obesity and to compare the results with children and adolescents with a body mass index (BMI) within the normal range. METHODS: The work is characterized as exploratory and descriptive study, with a sample of 98 children and adolescents of both sexes from a public school, aged 9-12 years old. All participants underwent anthropometric measurements of height and body mass (MC) for classification of overweight / obesity using BMI. It was administered the Self Concept Scale questionnaire for Preteens, an instrument that evaluates the perceived competence of children 8-12 years old, composed of six subscales: scholastic competence, social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, behavioral conduct and self-esteem. RESULTS: It was found that one third of the total sample met with the weight above the recommended considered (31.6%). Overweight / obese group had lower average in the subscales of social acceptance, athletic competence, physical appearance, self-esteem and self-concept scale average compared to the normal group (p <0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The group overweight / obese proved quite dissatisfied with some features involved in self-concept, highlighting the importance of interventions.