The relationship between body mass index and subjective well-being in females during early young adulthood.

Abstract

This study investigated the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and subjective well-being (SWB) in females during early young adulthood. Seventy-three Caucasian females 18-25 years of age participated in the study. Two groups were identified: normal (18.5-24.9 kg/m2) BMI (n=53) and overweight/obese (25.0-39.9 kg/m2) BMI (n=20). The Satisfaction with Life Scale (SWLS) and the Psychological General Well-Being Index (PGWB) were used to assess subjective well-being levels. There was no difference found in SWB levels between the 2 groups (significance level = .05; PGWB: p = 0.76; SWLS: p = 0.13). Clinicians cannot always assume that being overweight or obese is associated with low levels of well-being. It is important to assess other internal and external factors of an individual rather than only focusing on weight.