Body mass index, self-esteem and weight contentment from adolescence to young adulthood and women’s risk for sexually transmitted disease
Michael J. Merten A C and Amanda L. Williams B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A Department of Human Development and Family Science, Oklahoma State University, 1111 Main Hall, 700 N. Greenwood Avenue, Tulsa, OK 74106, USA.
B Department of Child and Family Studies, University of Southern Mississippi, 118 College Drive #5035, Hattiesburg, MS 39406, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: michael.merten@okstate.edu
Sexual Health 11(6) 561-567 https://doi.org/10.1071/SH14020
Submitted: 19 January 2014 Accepted: 12 September 2014 Published: 1 December 2014
Abstract
Background: Women’s risk for sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) were examined in terms of adolescent and young adult weight status, self-esteem trajectories and weight contentment using two waves of a nationally representative dataset. Methods: Using Waves 1 and 3 of the National Longitudinal Study of Adolescent Health, body mass index (BMI), self-esteem and weight contentment were examined during adolescence and young adulthood to assess the likelihood of STDs among 4000 young adult single women. Results: Change in BMI, specifically weight loss between adolescence and young adulthood, significantly increased women’s risk for STDs. Continuously low self-esteem during adolescence and young adulthood significantly increased women’s risk for STDs. When women’s contentment with their weight decreased from adolescence to young adulthood, women’s risk for STDs was greater. Regardless of other variables, Black women were more likely to have an STD. Conclusions: Results suggest that women’s self-perception is important in reducing sexual risk; specifically, patterns of self-esteem, BMI and weight contentment across developmental periods should be a critical focus of research and practice related to adolescent and young adult sexual health. There are many known benefits to fostering self-esteem during adolescence and findings from this study add STD prevention among young women to this list. Results emphasise the needed prevention during adolescence to address self-perspective and self-esteem for the long-term sexual well-being of young women.
Additional keywords: obesity, weight perception.
References
[1] Lindberg LD, Singh S. Sexual behavior of single adult American women. Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2008; 40 27–33.| Sexual behavior of single adult American women.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[2] Weinstock H, Berman S, Cates W. Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates. Perspect Sex Reprod Health 2004; 36 6–10.
| Sexually transmitted diseases among American youth: incidence and prevalence estimates.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 14982671PubMed |
[3] Bajos N, Wellings K, Laborde C, Moreau C. Sexuality and obesity, a gender perspective: results from French national random probability survey of sexual behaviors. BMJ 2010; 340 c2573–81.
| Sexuality and obesity, a gender perspective: results from French national random probability survey of sexual behaviors.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20551118PubMed |
[4] Hallfors D, Iritani B, Miller W, Bauer D. Sexual and drug behavior patterns and HIV/STD racial disparities: the need for new directions. Am J Public Health 2007; 97 125–32.
| Sexual and drug behavior patterns and HIV/STD racial disparities: the need for new directions.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17138921PubMed |
[5] Averett S, Corman H, Reichman N. Effects of overweight on risky sexual behavior of adolescent girls. Econ Inq 2013; 51 605–19.
| Effects of overweight on risky sexual behavior of adolescent girls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[6] U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Sexually transmitted disease surveillance 2008. Atlanta, GA, 2009. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/STD/stats08/surv2008-Complete.pdf [verified 8 February 2010].
[7] Santelli JS, Brener ND, Lowry R, Bhatt A, Zabin L. Multiple sexual partners among U.S. adolescents and young adults. Fam Plann Perspect 1998; 30 271–5.
| Multiple sexual partners among U.S. adolescents and young adults.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK1M%2Fns1Witg%3D%3D&md5=f5f80bcad7015bd15ec85d4f645f19b1CAS | 9859017PubMed |
[8] Esposito K, Giugliano D. Obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and sexual dysfunction. Int J Impot Res 2005; 17 391–8.
| Obesity, the metabolic syndrome, and sexual dysfunction.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD2MvmslOrtA%3D%3D&md5=406da482019e1cfb921bdafe4043021fCAS | 15902279PubMed |
[9] Goldbeck-Wood S. Obesity and poor sexual health outcomes. BMJ 2010; 340 c2826
| Obesity and poor sexual health outcomes.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 20551119PubMed |
[10] Akers AY, Lynch CP, Gold MA, Change J, Doswell W, Wiesenfeld H, Feng W, Bost J. Exploring the relationship among weight, race, and sexual behaviors among girls. Pediatrics 2009; 124 e913–20.
| Exploring the relationship among weight, race, and sexual behaviors among girls.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 19841106PubMed |
[11] Eisenberg ME, Neumark-Sztainer D, Lust KD. Weight-related issues and high-risk sexual behaviors among college students. J Am Coll Health 2005; 54 95–101.
| Weight-related issues and high-risk sexual behaviors among college students.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16255321PubMed |
[12] Kaneshiro B, Jensen JT, Carlson NE, Harvey MS, Nichols MD, Edelman AB.. Body mass index and sexual behavior. Obstet Gynecol 2008; 112 586–92.
| Body mass index and sexual behavior.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 18757656PubMed |
[13] Leech T, Johnson Dias J. Risky sexual behavior: a race-specific social consequence of obesity. J Youth Adolesc 2012; 41 41–52.
| Risky sexual behavior: a race-specific social consequence of obesity.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 21541717PubMed |
[14] Kost K, Forrest J. American women’s sexual behavior and exposure to risk of sexually transmitted disease. Fam Plann Perspect 1992; 24 244–54.
| American women’s sexual behavior and exposure to risk of sexually transmitted disease.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK3s7jtFShsg%3D%3D&md5=ad17955bc307d4db075ead871cf7340cCAS | 1483527PubMed |
[15] Chang VW, Christakis NA. Self-perception of weight appropriateness in the United States. Am J Prev Med 2003; 24 332–9.
| Self-perception of weight appropriateness in the United States.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12726871PubMed |
[16] Beyer S. Gender differences in self-perception and negative recall biases. Sex Roles 1998; 38 103–33.
| Gender differences in self-perception and negative recall biases.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[17] Roberts JE, Gotlib IH, Kassel JD. Adult attachment security and symptoms of depression: the mediating role of dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem. J Pers Soc Psychol 1996; 70 310–20.
| Adult attachment security and symptoms of depression: the mediating role of dysfunctional attitudes and low self-esteem.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK287ptlCjsw%3D%3D&md5=60651e7a48faf11b0ccbce2191cbce8eCAS | 8636884PubMed |
[18] Trzesniewski KH, Donnellan MB, Moffitt TE, Robins RW, Poulton R, Caspi A. Low self-esteem during adolescence predicts poor health, criminal behavior, and limited economic prospects during adulthood. Dev Psychol 2006; 42 381–90.
| Low self-esteem during adolescence predicts poor health, criminal behavior, and limited economic prospects during adulthood.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16569175PubMed |
[19] Grabe S, Hyde JS, Lindberg SM. Body objectification and depression in adolescents: the role of gender, shame, and rumination. Psychol Women Q 2007; 31 164–75.
| Body objectification and depression in adolescents: the role of gender, shame, and rumination.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[20] Merten MJ, Wickrama KAS, Williams AL. Adolescent obesity and young adult psychosocial outcomes: gender and racial differences. J Youth Adolesc 2008; 37 1111–22.
| Adolescent obesity and young adult psychosocial outcomes: gender and racial differences.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[21] Ethier KA, Kershaw TS, Lewis JB, Milan S, Niccolai LM, Ickovics JR. Self-esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females: inter-relationships and temporal effects. J Adolesc Health 2006; 38 268–74.
| Self-esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females: inter-relationships and temporal effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16488825PubMed |
[22] Goodson P, Buhi E, Dunsmore S. Self-esteem and adolescent sexual behaviors, attitudes, and intentions: a systematic review. J Adolesc Health 2006; 38 310–9.
| Self-esteem and adolescent sexual behaviors, attitudes, and intentions: a systematic review.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16488836PubMed |
[23] Wickrama KAS, Wickrama T, Lott R. Heterogeneity in youth depressive symptom trajectories: social stratification and implications for young adult physical health. J Adolesc Health 2009; 45 335–43.
| Heterogeneity in youth depressive symptom trajectories: social stratification and implications for young adult physical health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1MnjsFOmsQ%3D%3D&md5=898371c18c4d1298dbdd3415db424778CAS |
[24] Elder G. The life course as developmental theory. Child Dev 1998; 69 1–12.
| The life course as developmental theory.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 9499552PubMed |
[25] Robins RW, Trzesniewski KH, Tracy JL, Gosling S, Potter J. Global self-esteem across the lifespan. Psychol Aging 2002; 17 423–34.
| Global self-esteem across the lifespan.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12243384PubMed |
[26] Paeratakul S, White MA, Williamson DA, Ryan DH, Bray GA. Sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and BMI in relation to self-perception of overweight. Obes Res 2002; 10 345–50.
| Sex, race/ethnicity, socioeconomic status, and BMI in relation to self-perception of overweight.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 12006633PubMed |
[27] Harris KM, Halpern CT, Whitsel E, Hussey J, Tabor J, Entzel P, Udry JR. The national longitudinal study of adolescent health: Research design. 2009. Available online at: http://www.cpc.unc.edu/projects/addhealth/design [verified 30 November 2014].
[28] Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. CDC growth charts: United States, 2000. Atlanta, GA, 2000. Available online at: http://www.cdc.gov/growthcharts [verified 9 February 2010].
[29] Rosenberg M. Society and the adolescent self-image. Princeton, NJ: Princeton University Press; 1965.
[30] Russell ST, Crockett LJ, Shen Y, Lee S. Cross-ethnic invariance of self-esteem and depression measures for Chinese, Filipino, and European American Adolescents. J Youth Adolesc 2008; 37 50–61.
| Cross-ethnic invariance of self-esteem and depression measures for Chinese, Filipino, and European American Adolescents.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[31] Beeber LB, Seeherunwong A, Schwartz T, Funk SG, Vongsirimas N. Validity of the Rosenberg self-esteem scale in young women from Thailand and the USA. Thai J Nurs Res 2007; 11 240–50.
[32] Pullmann H, Allik J. The Rosenberg self-esteem scale: its dimensionality, stability and personality correlates in Estonian. Pers Individ Dif 2000; 28 701–15.
| The Rosenberg self-esteem scale: its dimensionality, stability and personality correlates in Estonian.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[33] Auslander B, Baker J, Short M. Perceptions of appearance, weight satisfaction, and attractiveness: their relationship to perceptions of sexual assertiveness in young women. J Adolesc Health 2010; 46 S40
| Perceptions of appearance, weight satisfaction, and attractiveness: their relationship to perceptions of sexual assertiveness in young women.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[34] Graber JA, Brooks-Gunn J, Galen BR. Betwixt and between: sexuality in the context of adolescent transitions. In Jessor R, editor. New perspectives on adolescent risk behavior. Cambridge: Cambridge University Press; 1998. pp. 270–316.
[35] DeMaria AL, Lugo JM, Rahman M, Pyles RB, Berenson AB. Association between body mass index, sexually transmitted infections, and contraceptive compliance. J Women’s Health 2013; 22 1062–8.
| Association between body mass index, sexually transmitted infections, and contraceptive compliance.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[36] Werlinger K, King T, Clark M, Pera V, Wincze J. Perceived changes in sexual functioning and body image following weight loss in an obese female population: a pilot study. Sex Marital Ther 1997; 23 74–8.
| Perceived changes in sexual functioning and body image following weight loss in an obese female population: a pilot study.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 1:STN:280:DyaK2s3ksl2itw%3D%3D&md5=d2c336877bebdbca599f6da893ad4391CAS |
[37] Ethier K, Kershaw T, Lewis J, Milan S, Niccolai L, Ickovics J. Self-esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females: inter-relationships and temporal effects. J Adolesc Health 2006; 38 268–74.
| Self-esteem, emotional distress and sexual behavior among adolescent females: inter-relationships and temporal effects.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 16488825PubMed |
[38] Wang F, Wild TC, Kipp W, Kuhle S, Veugelers PJ. The influence of childhood obesity on the development of self-esteem. Health Rep 2009; 20 21–7.
| 1:STN:280:DC%2BD1MngtlSksA%3D%3D&md5=2114725ceaeff0be3e1a23c78b4da54eCAS | 19728582PubMed |
[39] Gillen MM, Lefkowitz ES, Shearer CL. Does body image play a role in risky sexual behavior and attitudes? J Youth Adolesc 2006; 35 230–42.
| Does body image play a role in risky sexual behavior and attitudes?Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
[40] Millstein RA, Carlson SA, Fulton JE, Galuska DA, Zhang J, Blanck HM, Ainsworth BE. Relationships between body size satisfaction and weight control practices among U.S. adults. Medscape J Med 2008; 10 119
| 18596944PubMed |
[41] Fergus S, Zimmerman MA, Caldwell CH. Growth trajectories of sexual risk behavior in adolescence and young adulthood. Am J Public Health 2007; 97 1096–101.
| Growth trajectories of sexual risk behavior in adolescence and young adulthood.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 17463379PubMed |
[42] Viner R, Ozer E, Denny S, Marmot M, Resnick M, Fatusi A, Currie C. Adolescence and the social determinants of health. Lancet 2012; 379 1641–52.
| Adolescence and the social determinants of health.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar | 22538179PubMed |
[43] Sinclair S, Myers J. The relationship between objectified body consciousness and wellness in a group of college women. J Coll Couns 2004; 7 150–61.
| The relationship between objectified body consciousness and wellness in a group of college women.Crossref | GoogleScholarGoogle Scholar |
