• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.552-562
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• 2023

Objectives: Adolescents who engage in unhealthy behaviors are particularly vulnerable to anxiety. We hypothesized that participation in physical activity could influence the relationship between anxiety and unhealthy behaviors in adolescents. These behaviors include smoking, alcohol consumption, and unsafe sexual activity. Methods: This study included 50 301 students from the first year of middle school to the third year of high school, all from Korea. The unhealthy adolescent behaviors examined included current alcohol consumption, current smoking, and unsafe sexual behavior. Anxiety levels were assessed using the Generalized Anxiety Disorder-7 questionnaire (GAD-7). Results: The participants had a mean age of 15.19 years and an average GAD-7 score of 4.23. No significant differences were observed in GAD-7 score among exercising participants when categorized by smoking status (p=0.835) or unsafe sexual behavior (p=0.489). In contrast, participants in the non-exercise group who engaged in these behaviors demonstrated significantly higher GAD-7 scores (p<0.001 and 0.016, respectively). The only significant interaction was found between unsafe sexual behavior and exercise (p=0.009). Based on logistic regression analysis, within the non-exercise group, significant positive associations were observed between current smoking and anxiety (odds ratio [OR], 1.36; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.18 to 1.57), as well as between unsafe sexual behavior and anxiety (OR, 1.33; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.73). However, within the exercise group, no significant association was found between anxiety and either smoking or unsafe sexual behavior. Furthermore, no significant interaction was observed between unhealthy behaviors and exercise. Conclusions: These findings are insufficient to conclude that physical activity influences the relationship between unhealthy behaviors and anxiety.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.93-104
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• 2020

In today's affluent food environment, investigating factors that facilitate resistance in the face of barriers to health goals may be vital for achieving successful promotion and regulation of health. This study was implemented to investigate the effect of self-compassion on the evaluation and choice of healthy vs. unhealthy food. In Study 1, participants (N = 101) primed with self-compassion evaluated unhealthy food more negatively than those primed with self-esteem. As predicted, however, there was no difference in attitude toward healthy food between the two priming conditions. In Study 2, participants (N = 54) were asked to choose between healthy and unhealthy food and then their self-compassion was measured. Results show that participants with high self-compassion chose healthy food more often than unhealthy food, while those with low self-compassion chose unhealthy food more than healthy food. The implications of the findings are discussed in terms of health campaign strategies and further research into the relation between self-compassion and health behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.199-212
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• 2002

Stress not only brings disorders in social, family life but brings also changes in eating behaviors so that the imbalance of food intake is induced. Our study was carried out to find out the association between the degree of stress and eating behaviors for the subjects of 262 female college students in the Suwon area. The study instrument was a structured questionnaire composed with questions about demographic data, food preferences, questions related to life styles, and health. All of the collected data was analyzed by the degree of stress score, grouping into high(25〈) and low stress group(〈=25). High stress group showed unhealthy lifestyles, higher percentage of irregular menstruation, smoking, dizziness, higher amount of alcohol consumption. They also showed higher preference rate of spicy foods including hot foods, oil based foods and showed percentage of removing visible fat when eating meats. They more wanted to control weight and prefers snacking compared to low stress group. These results show that stress changes in eating behaviors in a way of unhealthy life styles.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.272-291
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate health-related habits, dietary habits, depression, stress, satisfaction of body weight, mini-dietary assessment (MDA) and dietary behaviors according to self-rated health among 255 university students in Kyungnam province. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software package (version 19.0). The average ages of the subjects were 21.1 years. Participants were asked their self-rated health and 109, 105 and 41 students answered themselves as "healthy", "normal" and "unhealthy", respectively. The pocket money (P<0.05) was related with self-rated health, and meal frequency (P<0.01) of healthy group was higher than that of the unhealthy group. The self-reported depression level (P<0.01) and the score of depression (P<0.05) of the healthy group were lower than those of the unhealthy group. The self-reported stress level of the healthy group (P<0.05) was higher than that of the unhealthy group. The scores of nutritional behavior (P<0.05) and MDA (P<0.01) of the healthy group were higher than those of the unhealthy group. The scores for intakes of meat, fish, egg or beans, cereals and vegetables except kimchi, fruits, balanced diet and various foods were higher in the healthy group than in the unhealthy group. Our results suggest that pocket money, high meal frequency, low depression, satisfaction of present body weight, and good dietary behavior might influence good perception of self-rated health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.141-150
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• 2015

Objectives: Self perceived body image among women is drawing a lot of attention in Korea due to their unhealthy weight control behaviors. To determine the relationship between self-perceived body image and dietary behaviors among Korean women, the discrepancy between actual body size and body image perception, weight control behaviors were assessed based on age groups using the 2010 KNHANES data. Methods: A total of 1,747 subjects were selected after eliminating those of likely changing their diet recently using the 2010 KNHANES data. The subjects were divided into 3 groups, self-underweight, self-normal, and self-obese according to their perception of body image. The BMI and weight control behaviors were assessed based on age groups according to the body image perception. Results: The younger, the higher ratio of underweight, women perceived their body size as normal or overweight. Exercise and reduced food intakes were dominant among various weight control methods but unhealthy methods were dominant among self perceived overweight group. Conclusions: Incorrect body image perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors can cause nutritional problems. Nutritional education should emphasize the importance of healthy weight and proper body image perception for Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.93-105
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• 2012

Objectives: The objective of the study was to examine the clustering patterns and correlates of multiple health behaviors (MHBs) in middle-aged Koreans with metabolic syndrome (MetS). Methods: Data on sociodemographics, clinical characteristics, health behaviors (vegetable intake, physical activity, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption), and psychological characteristics were collected by a self-reported survey and medical examination from 331 individuals with MetS. Clustering of MHBs was examined by measuring 1) the ratios of observed and expected prevalence of MHBs, and 2) the prevalence odds ratios. A binomial logistic regression were conducted. Results: Men were more likely than women to engage in multiple unhealthy behaviors. Clustering of smoking and heavy drinking was exhibited in the participants. Women with high vegetable intake were more likely to be physically inactive, and those with inadequate vegetable intake were more likely to be physically active. Those with lower self-regulation were more likely to engage in unhealthy behaviors. Conclusions: The findings support the multiple health behavior approach as opposed to the individual health behavior approach. Emphasis of self-regulation is necessary in developing multiple behavior intervention for individuals with MetS.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.107-113
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• 2008

This study was done to investigate the relationship between the perception of body image, body weight satisfaction or dietary behavior and self-rated health status in Korean college students. Subjects, 285 college students, were divided into three groups (healthy, normal, and unhealthy) according to the answer for the self-rated health question. Information about demographic status, self-rated health condition, height and weight, perception of body image, satisfaction of body weight, concern for body weight control, dietary behavior, nutritional knowledge, and health-related characteristics collected by a self-reported questionnaire. The proportion of men and women in each group was not significantly different. The academic year, major, experience of nutritional education, and type of residence were not significantly related with self-rated health but the pocket money range was significantly associated (p<0.05) with self-rated health. The proportion of subjects rated their health as unhealthy was the lowest in 210-300 thousand won pocket money range and was increased in less than 210 thousand won or over 300 thousand won pocket money ranges. There were no significant differences for age, height, weight and BMI between the groups. The body image perception and body weight satisfaction levels of healthy group was significantly higher than those of unhealthy group (p<0.01 and p<0.001, respectively), but the level of concern for body weigh1 control in healthy subjects was significantly lower than that in unhealthy subjects (p<0.05). The proportion of subjects reported as healthy was significantly increased with increased frequencies of following food behaviors; weekly use of protein foods (p<0.01), vegetables (p<0.05) and dairy products (p<0.01), and food habits such as "regularity of meal time" (p<0.01), "eating in moderation" (p<0.05), and "eating breakfast" (p<0.001). Overall results suggested that the college students have tended to have a better perception of health when they have better body image perception, body weight satisfaction and dietary behaviors.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.205-212
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• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to survey the health behaviors related to reproductive health, reproductive health history, and sexual behaviors of college students in local areas. Method: With a survey design, 792 college students from C and D areas were recruited to assess health behaviors such as smoking and alcohol drinking, as well as history of reproductive health and sexual behaviors. The data were collected by a self-administered questionnaire from November to December, 2007. Result: Mean age of the students was 20.8(SD=1.96) and gender distribution was 29.2% for male and 70.8% for female. Unhealthy behaviors were alcohol drinking, smoking, excessive weight loss, and irregular exercise; unsafe sex practices were experience of sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners and history of sexually transmitted disease (STD). Male students had more alcohol drinking (p=.04), smoking(p<.001), excessive weight loss(p=.01), experience of sexual intercourse with multiple sex partners(p<.001), history of STD(p=.025) compared to females. On the other hands, female students participated in regular exercise less than males(p<.001). Conclusion: College students seem to perform unhealthy behaviors related to reproductive health and less effective way of safe sex practices. Therefore, a planned education program for reproductive health promotion operated by college level is needed to assess and improve the level of reproductive health in college students.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate and correlates of weight control behaviors among adolescents in Korea. We analyzed data on 37,472 adolescents aged 12-18 years from the 2011 7th Korea Youth Risk Behavior web-based Survey. The results of this study was as following. First, the prevalence rate of healthy, unhealthy and extreme weight control behaviors was significantly higher in girls than in boys. Second, in both genders, healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors were more common among obese adolescents than non-obese adolescents. But, use of diet pills were not prescription by doctor was more common in underweight boys and obese girls than others. Third, gender, school, family affluence scale, mother's education level, body shape perception(BSP), weight status predicted prevalence rate of healthy weight control behaviors. Gender, school, region, father's education level, BSP predicted prevalence rate of unhealthy weight control behaviors. Gender, school, BSP, weight status predicted prevalence rate of extreme weight control behaviors. These findings suggest the needs to design appropriate prevention program that can induce healthy weight control behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.672-682
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• 2011

This study was conducted to examine the differences in perceived body weight and image and various lifestyles based on the self-rated health of university students when gender was adjusted. Five hundred fifty-five participants were asked their perceived health condition, and 58, 289, 160 and 48 students answered themselves as "very healthy", "healthy", "normal", and "unhealthy", respectively. As compared to the other 3 groups, "unhealthy" group showed higher proportions in dissatisfaction of body weight and negative perception of body image (P < 0.01). As health related lifestyles, "very healthy" group reported longer sleeping time than "unhealthy" group (P < 0.05), and had a higher proportion of people with regular exercise. Among the dietary behaviors, the frequencies of followings significantly different among the groups: "Regularity of meal time" (P < 0.01), "Eat protein foods more than twice a day" (P < 0.001), "Eat vegetables" (P < 0.01), "Eat fruit and fruit juice" (P < 0.01), "Eat vegetable oil added foods" (P < 0.01), "Eat seaweed" (P < 0.01), "Eat breakfast" (P < 0.01), "Modulation in animal fat and high in cholesterol intake" (P < 0.01). Particularly, higher proportion of subjects answered "very healthy" had higher frequencies (6-7 times/week) of these dietary behaviors. Overall results suggest that healthy lifestyle including adequate sleeping time, regular exercise, and good dietary behaviors might be potential factors affecting positive perception of health. In addition, positive perception of body weight and image were related with positive perception of health.