Manuel de Gracia Blanco

Analysis of Self-Concept in Older Adults in Different Contexts

Summary: Self-concept is a construct consisting of a group of specific self-perceptions that are hierarchically organized. Age-associated changes of self-concept are related to the individuals perception of the changes occurring throughout the aging process. The authors examined external validity and internal consistency of an instrument that has been developed to assess self-concept in older adults and examined self-concepts characteristics in two different contexts. Results confirm the multidimensionality of the scale and show a satisfactory external validity, indicating good discriminatory capacity. Findings support the hypothesis that older people who live in a nursing home have a poor self-esteem, self-concept, and psychological well-being and have a greater presence of depressive symptoms than people who live in their own home.

Sobrepeso y obesidad en preadolescentes mexicanos: estudio descriptivo, variables correlacionadas y directrices de prevención

Overweight and obesity are serious public health problems. A descriptive and correlational study of variables associated with overweight and obesity of Mexican school preadolescents in Mexico DF was performed. General self-esteem (LAWSEQ, for its English acronym), body esteem (BES, for its English acronym), Attitudes towards food (ChEAT, for its English acronym) and body image (BIA, for its English acronym) were assessed and comparisons by gender and age were drawn. The sample was formed by 600 students, boys and girls aged between nine and twelve. A general low self-esteem and body esteem (lower in girls and in older participants) as well as a good attitude toward eating were found. Participants perceived themselves and believed they were seen as overweight and obese but ideally they wanted thinner figures in the future. Prevention programs are proposed to include health education, physical activity, genetic control, functional attitudes (geared toward generating good self-esteem and positive attitudes toward healthy eating), as well as involvement of the family and social environment.