Abstract P209: Obesity in Middle School Students: Are Self-Efficacy and Body Mass Index Related?

Background: Childhood obesity represents the nation9s #1 health problem. Understanding the underpinnings of this epidemic, including children9s perception of self-efficacy (SE), is critical to designing effective interventions. Methods: We measured body mass index (BMI) and conducted surveys in 208 middle school students(St), average age 11.7 years, with 11 questions relating to SE as part of a school-based intervention program in 5 Ann Arbor and 2 Ypsilanti Middle schools (PHS). Consenting St agreed to BMI using standard height-weight conversion adjusted for age. The 11 survey questions were scored from 1-5, 5 the most positive. A total SE score was calculated (per St), scores ranging from 11 (lowest SE) to 55. A scatter-plot was created comparing BMI to SE score using linear regression for all St and by gender. Results: Of the 109 girls and 99 boys in the study, 34% were overweight/obese (>85 th percentile for BMI); 20% obese (>95 th %). Obesity was more common in boys; girls more underweight. SE scores varied from 27 to 54; BMI from 14-39. There was no significant linear association between BMI and SE scores overall (Figure), however, a trend was observed for lower SE with higher BMI among girls. Conclusions: In PHS, 34% of Ann Arbor/Ypsilanti St are overweight or obese. We observed no significant correlation between BMI and a global SE score. This is not surprising in a society which has increasingly viewed overweight as the norm. The trend for lower SE in girls with higher BMI requires confirmation in a larger cohort.