A study on the relationship of body weight and self-esteem among the female students at the University of North West

Abstract

This study investigated whether female students with different body types will differ in regard to self-esteem . A quasi-experimental design was thus adopted to aid in the investigation. A sample of 50 female students was purposefull~selected to take part in the study. Respondents completed the Self-esteem component of the Personal, Home, Social and Formal Relation s (PHSF) Questionnaire. A calibrated bathroom weight scale and a measuring tape were used respectively to collect data on mass and height of respondents. The Body Mass Index (BMI) was used as a weight - range classification of the female students. The findings of the study suggested that there was no significant difference in the levels of self-esteem displayed by females who fell within different body weight categories.