[Does self-esteem affect body dissatisfaction levels in female adolescents?].

Objective:: To evaluate the influence of self-esteem on levels of body dissatisfaction among adolescent females.

Methods:: A group of 397 adolescents aged 12 to 17 years were enrolled in the study. The Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ) was applied to assess body dissatisfaction. The Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale was used to assess self-esteem. Weight, height, and skinfold thickness were also measured. These anthropometric data were controlled in the statistical analyses.

Results:: The multiple regression model indicated influence of "positive self-esteem" (R=0.16; =0.001) and "negative self-esteem" (R=0.23; =0.001) subscales on the BSQ scores. Univariate analysis of covariance demonstrated differences in BSQ scores (=0.001) according to groups of self-esteem.

Conclusion:: It was concluded that self-esteem influenced body dissatisfaction in adolescent girls from Juiz de Fora, MG.