Mood and Behavior Changes Among Overweight Adolescent Females

The specific aims of this study are to document the co-existence of depression, low self-esteem, and high-risk behaviors among overweight and at-risk for overweight female adolescents; and decrease the prevalence of high-risk behaviors by improving depressive symptoms/signs and self-esteem through weight management intervention strategies that encourage long-term mental and physical well being. The proposed research will test the following hypotheses: * Overweight and at-risk for overweight female adolescents have poor self-esteem that may mask depression and mediate high-risk behaviors; and * Improved weight perception decreases participation in high-risk behavior secondary to improved self-esteem and depression.