Abstract

SCHOEN-FERREIRA, Teresa Helena; SAYEGH, Flávia; DAMASO, Ana  and  DE PADUA CINTRA, Isa. Friendship among obese and eutrofic adolescents. Psicol. rev. (Belo Horizonte) [online]. 2010, vol.16, n.1, pp.47-63. ISSN 1677-1168.

Social horizons expand during adolescence. Many obese individuals have a poor self-image and become more isolated. This paper aims to determine the degree of intimacy in peer relationships among obese adolescents in comparison to eutrofic ones. Out of the 160 adolescents who took part in the research, 80 were obese (BMI > 95, Study Group) and 80 presented a normal range. The instrument used was a Friendship Questionnaire, characterizing interest, intimacy and integration with friends. The procedure consisted of the study group answering the questionnaire at a clinic for adolescents, and the control group doing the same at a school. Results pointed out that there was no significant statistic difference (p=0.412) between the mean score of the study group (80.08) and that of the control group (81.99). Among the obese individuals, there was no statistic difference (p=0.220) between males ( = 82.83) and females ( = 78.51); among the eutrofic ones, the females ( = 84.88) had a significantly higher mean score (p=0.016) than the males ( = 76.90). In conclusion, there was no difference as to the degree of intimacy with peers between obese and eutrofic adolescents. Both groups were seeking to invest in a more intimate, deeper friendship. Obesity appears to have less effect on the social relationships of male adolescents

Keywords : adolescent; obesity; friendship; interpersonal relations.

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