Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the mediation of self-esteem between body image and depression among female university students. Methods: This was a cross-sectional survey design. We collected 193 female university students. They was completed a self reported questionnaire including demographic characteristics, body image, self-esteem and depression. Data were collected using self-report questionnaires and analyzed with the SPSS 20.0 Program. Results: The mean age was 21.3 years old. Over 58% of subjects hoped for plastic surgery, and 78.8% had experienced weight loss control. There were a positive correlation between body image and self-esteem (r=.60, p<.001), and negative correlations between body image and depression (r=-.47, p<.001), self-esteem and depression (r=-.50, p<.001). Self-esteem had a partial mediating effect in the relationship between body image and depression of female university students. Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, depression management program focusing on body image management and self-esteem improvement are recommended to control depression in female university students.