Abstract
Weight reducing methods were surveyed by questionnares in March through May, 1998 with 641 women living in Inchon to provide the information for the education of proper weight control. Methods that they have used for weight-reduction were exercise (33.1%), diet therapy(29.6%), sauna(7.3%), ingestion of special food(4.8%), administration of drugs(4.0%) and herb-medicines. The respondents considered exercise(38.4%) and diet therapy(31.5%) as the most effective methods in reducing weight and the response was different with ages at p<0.01. They have practiced the diet therapy by reducing the amount of food(27.7%), skipping one or two meals a day (20.8%), avoiding high calorie snacks(8.8%) and regulating food items in a meal(3.8%). Exercises which they have done were walking(48.0%), aerobics(2.3%), swimming(23%) and using the health instruments(6.7%). Their choices in kinds of exercises were significantly dependent upon ages, marriage and their occupation(P<0.01). Acupuncture(38.0%) was the most frequently used oriental medicine therapy and original drugs(32.2% ) and moxibustion(22.0%) were also used. The women have taken drugs was 9.5%. Among them cream-typed cosmetics(41%), weight reducing drugs(30%), diuretics(18% ), and smoking(7%) were used. Fifty respondents out of 641 had expericences to have special food therapy such as grape, apples and vinegar(42%) and enzymes(18%) for some period of time.
