• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.509-520
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weight control program on food habits, eating behaviors and life habits in obese elementary school children. The program consisted of nutritional education, physical exercise and behavioral therapy was conformed for 10 weeks. Participants of the study involved 41 obese children and their parents. There was significant difference in waist circumference (p < 0.05) and children's body fat % significantly decreased from 35.8% to 33.0% (p < 0.01) after program. There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in HDL-cholesterol, 47.8 (mg/dL) to 53.6 (mg/dL) after weight control program. Food habits and eating behaviors of obese children were showed positively changes but there were no significant differences after program. Regularity of having breakfast and amount of meal under the stress condition were not significantly different after program. The levels of physical activity of obese children were significantly increased from 1.40(hr) to 1.74(hr) per day (p < 0.05). But there were no significant changes in spending hours of watching television and playing computer games. Food habits, eating behavior and physical activity showed significant correlations to weight control. These results suggest that the body weight control program for obese children including nutrition education, physical exercise and behavioral therapy may be effective to improve their food habits, eating behaviors and life habits. Nevertheless we need a more concentrating program to improve life habits such as physical activity and watching television.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-125
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• 2006

This quantitative study was conducted to examine the relationship between weight control behaviors and disordered eating patterns in some university students. This study used a cross-sectional study design. A total of 347 students from three universities participated in this study (88 male and 259 female) Eating disorders were assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26); a score of =20 identifies individuals who likely have an eating disorder, including anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. A score for healthy dietary behaviors was obtained by self-assessment on a healthy diet scale (20-item questionnaire), and the severity of any state-trait anxiety was calculated by the state-trait anxiety inventory (40-item questionnaire). In the analyzed results, the percentage of participants with experience of weight control was 58% in male and 73% in female. The subjects with a high risk of an eating disorder (score of =20 of EAT-26) were 44.3% ($mean{\pm}S.D;\;18.9{\pm}13.4$) of the males, and 57.9% ($mean{\pm}S.D;\;23.2{\pm}11.6$) of the females. Higher Body Mass Index (BMI) was significantly related with an increased risk for an eating disorder in females, but not in males. In the group who had attempted weight control of all types, there was a severe risk of an eating disorder. Increased eating disorder risk was significantly related with weight control behaviors such as a higher number of attempts at weight control, having used medication, having experienced side effects, and having experienced disease for both sexes. Therefore, the results of this paper showed that detrimental behaviors of weight control are connected to an increased risk of eating disorders. Consequently, education regarding the correct, behaviors of weight control is necessary to prevent eating disorders in adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.115-130
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• 2001

Dieting behaviors prevail among most women and are highly increasing among female adolescents who don't have to lose weight. The dieting behaviors of normal or low weight groups are highly related to the negative impact of health risk behaviors. We need a strategy for intervening in the dieting behaviors of relevant groups. With this background, a study was conducted to examine the current situation of dieting behaviors and related factors in middle school girls, and to provide guidelines for the relevant dieting group. This survey was carried out by self-questionnaires passed out to 901 middle school girls from 3 middle schools in Seoul. Data were collected from April 10th, 2000 to April 17th, 2000 and 794 respondents' data were finally selected for analysis. The instruments of this study were Shin's scale for effects of mass-media, Birleson's depression self-rating scale translated by shim, Rosenberg's self-esteem scale, Smilkstein's Family APGAR score translated by Yoon, Kim's school-related adjustment scale. The credibility of instruments was 0.41~0.83 in the pilot study and 0.70~0.86 in the main study. The summary of results was as follows: 1. The general characteristics of respondents were analyzed. In comparison of grade and dieting behaviors, the subjects of the group perceived that their body image was obeser than their real body image and their ideal body image was slenderer than their current body image. A dieter's body image was seriously distorted. 2. The dieting behaviors were analyzed. The Subjects' BMI was within the normal to low range -- they didn't have to lose weight. But actually 47.3% of the respondents were dieters. Their main dieting methods were exercise(71.8%), computer games(64.9%) such as DDR and pump, and intake reduction(64.1%). Most dieters were using desirable methods such as exercise and intake control. But unhealthy methods such as saunax, smoking and harmful drug-use were also used by a few dieters. The main reason for dieting was attractiveness. The chief resources of dieting methods were mass-media(67.8%), friends(64.3%), and parents & relatives(35.1%). Only a few subjects obtained the information from health professionals. While they were trying to lose weight, 42.1% of the subjects experienced side effects such as dizziness(45.0%), apathy(20.5%), appetite loss(18.5%), amenorrhea and the irregularity of the menstrual cycle(16.6%). 3. The relationship between dieting behaviors and factors was analyzed. Dieting behaviors were significantly related to the experience of menarche, the experience of dating with heterosexuals, perceived body image, self-esteem, depression, family's relationship, school instruction-related adjustment, school life-related adjustment, and the effect of mass-media. After that, the multiple logistic regression was used. The analysis revealed that dating, perceived body image, the experience of menarche and the effect of mass media were significant factors. In conclusion, strategies for preventing irrelevant dieting behaviors are urgently required to enhance female adolescents' ability to choose the right information from countless others and to recognize their optimum body image.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2012

The widespread pursuit of a thin physique may have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of preadolescents. The influence of body image distortions on the lifestyles, dieting behaviors, and psychological factors was investigated in 631 fifth and sixth grade children in Kyeonggi-do, Korea. Children were classified into three weight groups (underweight, normal, and overweight) and three perception groups (underestimation, normal, and overestimation). Necessary information was obtained by questionnaire, and each subject's weight status was determined by the Rohrer index calculated from the annual measurement records, which were obtained from the school. According to their current weights, 57.4% of children were normal and 32.2% were overweight or obese, 16.6% of the children overestimated their body weight, and 55.2% had an undistorted body image. Overweight children had desirable lifestyles and dietary habits and presented reasonable weight control behaviors. Compared to those without distortion, the overestimated group had greater interest in weight control ($P$ = 0.003) and dissatisfaction with their body weights ($P$ = 0.011), presented unhealthy reasons to lose weight ($P$ = 0.026), and had higher scores for "feeling sad when comparing own body with others" ($P$ = 0.000) and for "easily getting annoyed and tired" ($P$ = 0.037), even though they had similar obesity indices. More subjects from the overestimation group ($P$ = 0.006) chose drama/movies as their favorite TV programs, suggesting a possible role for the media in body image distortion. These findings suggest that body image distortion can lead preadolescents to develop stress about obesity and unhealthy dieting practices, despite similar obesity indices to those without distorted body images. These results emphasize the importance of having an undistorted body image.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.73-87
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• 2011

Objectives: This study is to investigate life style and weight control based on the body mass index, and tongue diagnosis in adolescent girls. Help controling unnecessary weight and establishing proper understanding of desirable body images and healthy life for adolescents are expected. Methods: The questionnaire surveys and physical examinations were conducted to examine the life style, weight-control behaviors, and the health status of 173 adolescent girls in Jeonju. Among the students surveyed, 162 answered seriously and were accepted as subjects for the study. Results: 1. The mean height was 160.4 cm and weight was 54.21 kg. The mean BMI of the girls was 21.1 kg/m2, which is normal. The percentages of the normal weight group (71.6%), overweight group (16.7%), obesity group (9.9%), underweight group (1.9%) were shown respectively. 2. The oriental medicine doctor examined the tongue diagnosis. The thin and white tongue fur was the most common (20.7%). This diagnosis showed no statistical significance to BMI. 3. The ideal height for the girls was 165 cm, and the ideal weight was 49 kg. 4. A considerable number of girls (50.6%) thought that a thin body figure was the most beautiful body shape for the women. 5. Even though the percentages of an actual overweight or obese group were 26.6%, 42.0% of the girls thought that they were plump. 6. 94.83% of the normal weight group concerned about the weight regulation. 7. Many girls were dissatisfied with their own body shape, and 86.9% of girls regarded being in a shape was important. 70.69% of the normal weight group answered that they were under stress of their body shapes. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that there are serious misconceptions on body shapes of the adolescent girls, and mostly, unnecessary and inadequate weight control behaviors were done. Therefore, establishing adequately education on their desirable body images and healthy life is needed for the adolescent girls. In this study, there is no significant relationship between BMI and tongue diagnosis. For the number of subjects is not enough, further study on the relationship between the two is expected.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare variables related to weight control between normal weight and overweight/obese female adolescents. Methods: This study is a supplementary analysis using a total of 293 female adolescents in Seoul. Data were collected through self-report questionnaires on the topics of stages of change, processes of change, and the decisional balance pertaining to weight control. Body weight and height were also measured. Results: There was a significant difference in the stages of change between the normal weight and overweight/obese groups. Of 12 processes of change, 9 processes were significantly higher in the overweight/obese group than in the normal weight groups. Also, female adolescents who were overweight or obese had significantly higher pros and eating efficacy scores comparing to those in the normal weight group. Conclusion: The findings of this study suggest that overweight/obese female adolescents, especially those in the action stage need supports to continue their weight control behaviors. In addition, a weight control program for female adolescents should emphasize their participation in physical activities in addition to their dietary control efforts.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.197-205
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• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate adolescents' body size and their concerns and perceptions about body image. Group means of heights and weights were 171.5cm and 60.3kg for boys and 159.3cm and 52.3Kg for girls. Body Mass Index(BMI) of the subjects were 20.5 for boys and 20.6 for girls. Only 11.5$\%$ of subjects were overweight or obese, however 42.5% of subjects had experienced weight control, and the main reason for weight control was to lose weight(80.6$\%$). In concern for body image and frequency of eating distrubance ; females had more concern than males, the group who had attempted weight control had more concern than those who had not, and the group who were overweight had more concern than those who were under and normal weight. In perception about body image, using a set of nine figure drawings arranged from very thin to very heavy figures, subjects rated their current figure, considered figure(how they appeared to others), ideal figure, and attractive figure. For boys, the current, ideal, and most attractive figures were almost identical, but for girls, the ideal figure was significantly thinner than current figure and attractive figure was significantly thinner than current figure. The greater the preference for thinner figure as idal and attractive figure, the higher the concern for body image and frequency of eating distrubance. Thus it seems that a distorted perception of ideal body size affects adolescents' concern for body image and eating behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.111-121
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• 2014

Objectives: In this study, perception of body image, eating attitudes and weight control were examined by the degree of obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI). Methods: Out of 420 questionnaires distributed to the female middle school students (aged 12-16 years), 407 were returned (97% response rate) and 395 were analyzed (94% analysis rate). Female students were divided into two groups based on the BMI percentile using the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. (1) normal weight ($5^{th}$ percentile ${\leq}$ BMI < $85^{th}$ percentile) (2) obese ($85^{th}$ percentile ${\leq}$ BMI) by 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. Satisfaction of self-body shape, risk of disturbed eating attitudes (Eating Attitude Test : EAT-26), and weight control behaviors were examined. Results: Distribution of the subjects by BMI was 74.5% of normal and 25.5% of obese. There were significant differences between self-perceived current body image and self-perceived ideal body image. The dissatisfaction of body image was higher in obese than in normal groups (p<0.001). 51.4% of female students were unsatisfied with their body image, while 2.6% were very satisfied. Among the students unsatisfied with their body image, 150 (52.1%) were of normal weight and 48 (49.4%) were obese. EAT-26 total scores were significantly higher in the obese group ($16.42{\pm}8.23$) compared with normal group ($13.72{\pm}8.10$) (p<0.01). Attempted to weight control were significantly different by the BMI (p<0.001). Conclusions: This study concludes that there was desire to become thinner than current status in female students, even those with normal BMI. Many female students were dissatisfied with their body image and attempted to lose weight. It is harmful to their health and nutritional status if they choose undesirable methods. These findings suggested that there are needs to encourage female students for maintaining healthy weight. A higher score of EAT-26 was associated with dissatisfaction of selfbody image and this may lead to unhealthy behaviors in obese female students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.176-188
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• 2008

In this study, we compared demographic anthropometric characteristic, health-related lifestyle and diet behavior among weight control behaviors of 1187 (555 male, 632 female) aged $40{\sim}69yrs$ in Ganghwa country. All the data were analyzed by chi-square test, trend test, student t-test using SPSS 12.0 version at p < 0.05. 'Attempting weight control (loss)' was more in women than that was found in men (36.6% vs 20.7%), and women attempting weight loss most were 40-50 yrs. The reasons of weight loss were 'health problem' and 'health promotion'. Physical activity and diet restriction were commonly employed as weight control methods. Both genders attempting weight loss had a higher education level, BMI, percentage of body fat, waist circumference and physical activity than those not attempting weight control (p < 0.05). In dietary habits like 'meal regularity', 'slow eating' and 'over eating', women attempting weight loss were superior than those who not attempting weight control group (p < 0.05). Eating pattern changes like 'decrease of fats and fatty foods intake', 'vegetable oil usage', 'increase of fruit and vegetables intake', 'decrease of sugar and salt intake' showed significant differences (p < 0.001) between the attempted weight control groups and nonattempted weight control groups. Salt taste was a preference in male non-attempted weight control group, while sour, hot and spicy taste were preference in female attempted weight control group (p < 0.05). Preference for processed foods, fried foods and snack were significant differences (p < 0.05) in women attempted weight control group. Those attempting weight loss tried to improve their eating patterns. However, those attempting weight loss were poorer than the others in health-related lifestyle and eating habit. Therefore, it is necessary to make an effort that improve healthrelated lifestyle and diet behavior in middle aged group.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.205-217
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• 2006

This study was designed to examine weight control, nutritional knowledge, dietary attitudes and eating behaviors of 370 high school girls and to investigate if there were differences in these variables by weight control status. The weight control attempters (65.1%) had significantly higher body weight and BMI (p<0.001). The difference between desired and current body weight was -9.1 kg in the attempters, showing a significantly higher difference than the counterparts (p<0.001). The attempters also showed more interest toward weight control (p<0.001), but were less satisfied with their body size (p<0.001). Most of subjects (88.1%), especially in the attempters (96.7%) responded that they would try to control their weights in the future. The regular exerciser was 22.9% in the attempters while the percentage of the counterparts was 11.9% (p<0.05). The use of internet or television watching was not significantly different by weight control status. Subjects scored 15.8 out of 20 on a nutritional knowledge scale, which showed a moderate level of knowledge. The nutritional knowledge score was 15.7 for the attempters and 15.8 for the counterparts. None of the nutritional knowledge items reached statistical significance, although the percentages of correct answers regarding weight control or balanced meals were slightly lower in the attempters. The attempters showed more favorable eating attitudes than the counterparts (p<0.001), especially in the attitudes of applying nutritional knowledge to daily life (p<0.01), attitudes for modifying diets (p<0.01) and importance of having adequate meals (p<0.01). The eating behavior was moderate, with mean scores of 31.1 (possible score: 15 - 45). Subjects showed problems in eating a variety of foods, eating meals regularly, eating slowly, eating breakfast and consumption of some food groups (e.g., dairy foods, fruits). The attempters consumed seaweeds more frequently than the counterparts (p<0.05). Although there were not many significant differences by weight control status, this study suggested that nutrition education for adolescent girls should be planned to provide nutrition information regarding desirable weight control as well as modifying diets and eating behaviors.