Depression is associated with obesity among adolescents, with racial/ethnic variability noted. Psychological correlates that may influence this relationship have not been adequately explored. The primary objective of this secondary analysis was to compare levels of stress, self-esteem, coping, social support, and depressive mood between normal weight and overweight/obese minority adolescents (as defined using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention standards). Adolescents (n = 101) aged 14-18 years who were largely minority (87%) were recruited from two Midwestern-area high schools. Using a descriptive comparative design, individuals were grouped into normal weight (greater than 5th to less than 85th percentile) and overweight/obese ([greater than or equal to]85th percentile) for comparison on measures. Self-reported levels of stress, coping, self-esteem, social support, depressive mood, and body mass index were obtained. Obese/overweight adolescents reported significantly lower self-esteem than did those with normal weight (p less than 0.05). Although stress was a significant predictor of depressive mood in both groups (p less than 0.001), low self-esteem was also a significant predictor of depressive mood in the overweight/obese group (p = 0.001). Strategies to manage stress and improve self-esteem may help alleviate depressive mood in high school adolescents. (Contains 4 tables and 2 figures.)