• Diana Jacobson and Bernadette Mazurek Melnyk.
• Arizona State University College of Nursing and Health Innovation, Phoenix, AZ, USA. diana.jacobson@asu.edu
• J Pediatr Nurs. 2011 Oct 1; 26 (5): 456-64.

AbstractThe relationships among weight, mental health, social competence, healthy lifestyle beliefs, choices, and behaviors in overweight and obese school-age children (9 to 12 years) who were participating in a pilot Healthy Choices Intervention Program were examined using a descriptive correlational design. Results indicated that the children's weight negatively correlated with the children's self-concept, social skills, and, most importantly, healthy lifestyle choices. Their healthy lifestyle beliefs demonstrated positive correlations with their intentions to choose a healthy lifestyle. The children's healthy lifestyle beliefs and choices also were associated with increased cooperation and empathy behaviors. A positive self-concept was associated with decreased anxiety and depressive symptomology. These data support the need for health care providers to understand the psychological and social issues that overweight and obese school-age children experience. Cognitive behavior skills building techniques, such as those in the Healthy Choices Intervention Program, may promote healthy lifestyle choices and behaviors.Copyright © 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

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