• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of type of body shape perception on health concern, depression, dietary restriction and exercise practice in university students. Methods: A descriptive design was used. Data were collected from 308 university students by using structured questionnaires. Results: The results showed that 65.6% of the students believe that they are overweight. There are no differences in health concern, depression, and exercise practice among the skinny perception group, satisfaction group, and obesity perception group. However, there was a significant difference in dietary restriction among the three groups (p<.001). The type of body shape perception was significantly associated with dietary restriction (p=.007). Conclusion: Integrated and effective interventions are necessary for university students to establish healthy body image and learn healthy weight control.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.403-409
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• 2008

Recently, the desire for low body weight, which is an abnormal weight construct along with obesity, has become an evident and serious problem in teenagers. In Korea, the desire for low weight is not perceived as an important problem, but it is rapidly expanding relative to the physical changes and developmental issues teenagers experience. The social atmosphere presented through mass media is the key influencer for the increasing low weight occurrence in teenagers. Because thoughts about beauty have changed among people, and since there is apparent blind interest in slim body shape and appearance, already low-weight individuals are attempting to lose weight along with obese persons. Thus, we consider it necessary to guide teenagers toward having correct perceptions with regard to weight and their own body shape, and that a healthy and appropriate weight is beautiful. Therefore, for this study, we investigated body perception, abnormal weight, attitude toward weight control, and factors related to eating behavior among teenage girls, who are considered the at risk group for overt body weight control behavior. Based on this, we have attempted to set in motion a systematic and active nutrition education program that will allow us to increase body satisfaction by educating on nutritional issues related to development, and ultimately, implant healthy body shape perceptions.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.334-339
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• 2012

This study was conducted to compare body shape satisfaction, body image perception, weight control status, and dietary habits of Korean and Chinese female high school students in order to provide information for proper body image perception of adolescents. 221 students in Yongin, a city in Korea, and 227 students in Weihai, a city in China, were surveyed using questionnaires. Body shape satisfaction was significantly higher in Chinese students (P < 0.001) compared to Korean students. 76.2% of Korean students and 72.7% of Chinese students wanted a thinner body shape than their present body shapes. Experiences of weight control, laxative or diuretics uses, eating during weight control, and vomiting after eating were significantly higher in Korean students (P < 0.05-P < 0.001) compared to Chinese students. The score for dietary habits was significantly higher in Chinese students (P < 0.001) compared to Korean students, suggesting a more desirable dietary habit among Chinese students. Students of both countries showed a significantly positive correlation between body shape satisfaction and dietary habits, suggesting that as body shape satisfaction increases, dietary habits become more desirable. In conclusion, Korean female students showed a more distorted body image perception and had more poor dietary habits than Chinese students. Nutritional education for the establishment of normal body weight, proper body image perception, and healthy dietary habits are needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The obese population is rapidly increasing because of reduced physical activity and a Westernized diet; consequently, various chronic diseases are more prevalent. With the increasing interest in body shape and appearance, research on body shape perceptions and accompanying weight control behaviors are needed for healthy weight management. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on randomly selected 536 (209 men and 327 women) aged 20 to 65 years. Body mass index (BMI), body-shape perception, weight control behavior, quality of sleep, and place of residence were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted using complex design in each groups. Collected data were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: When these two variables were divided into four groups, they were found to influence dieting attempts. People with abnormal weights who were dissatisfied with their body shapes attempted dieting 5.23 times more than those with healthy weights and satisfaction with their body shapes. Further, those with normal weights but dissatisfaction with their bodies attempted dieting 4.45 times more than those who were satisfied with their shapes. Subjects in their 20s attempted dieting 2.53 times more than those in their 30s and 40s, and female subjects attempted dieting 2.24 times more than male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A correct perception of one's shape can be an important factor for dietary behavior, as body shape perceptions and dieting attempts are strongly related. Additionally, healthy weight management and nutrition education are important elements to incorporate into a weight control program aimed at preventing excessive weight control behaviors and promoting correct perceptions of body shape.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.116-122
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• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to assess the weight control behavior, body shape satisfaction, and obesity stress depending on the degree of obesity in college students who applied for a weight control program. The average BMI of the participants was $21.4\;kg/m^2$ which was in the normal range, and 76.3% of the participants were of normal body weight. Ideal BMI in this participant was $18.1\;kg/m^2$, which is in the underweight range. In terms of body perception, participants generally overestimated their body weight. The overweight and normal weight groups were less satisfied with their body shape than was the underweight group. The overweight group also expressed fears of showing their bodies to others. Additionally, the overweight and normal groups exhibited higher obesity stress than the underweight group. 97.0% of participants were interested in weight control as a way to improve their appearance. They usually obtained their weight control information from the internet and mass media. More than 80% of participants had weight control experience, having undergone weight control attempts for duration of less than a month. However, after the discontinuation of weight control efforts, these participants regained the weight. As a consequence, they were generally unsatisfied with the outcomes of weight control programs. This study demonstrated that the college women who had applied for the weight control program were unsatisfied with their body shape owing to distorted notions of the ideal body shape, and these women had generally undertaken frequent efforts to control their body weights. These results underline the importance of educating college-aged women on proper body perception and the maintenance of healthy body weight and shape.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.97-106
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• 2008

This study investigated the relationships between eating disorder risk, body image perception, weight control, and dietary habits in Korean women. Body shape perception, the Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26) and dietary habit information were collected by a self-administered questionnaire to 373 adult women and the data were analyzed by the Chi-square test. 31.4% of the women were classified in the eating disorder group by a score of over 20 points on the EAT-26. Compared to the normal group, more women in the eating disorder risk group perceived that a thin body shape was the ideal body shape and were dissatisfied with their body shape. This group was also more interested in weight control and more likely to try weight control methods. The eating disorder risk group was more likely to skip meals and snacks than the normal group. In addition, they had a greater appetite and a higher frequency of overeating than the normal group. Over 30% of the Korean women surveyed were categorized at high risk of eating disorders. They were more likely to overestimate body weight and shape and tried to control their weight by inappropriate methods. To prevent eating disorders in adult women, nutrition education programs should incorporate strategies to change inaccurate self-body image and to disseminate information about healthy weight control methods.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.272-280
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• 2006

This study examined the weight control and food habits in 160 obese children and 191 normal-weight children in 4th, 5th and 6th graders of some elementary schools in Gumi city. Regarding the subjects' self-recognition of their body shape, 27.8% of the normal weight group and 92.5% of the obese group acknowledged themselves to be obese. 58.9% of the normal weight group and 61.0% of the obese group were not satisfied with their own body shape and the difference between two groups was very small, 23.6% of the normal weight group and 87.5% of the obese group have tried to reduce weight. The main causative factor of weight gain that children themselves recognized was a sedentary life style. All the students showed a high rate of irregular and unbalanced diet. The obese children showed a significantly higher rate of skipping meals and eating meals faster than the normal weight children. More obese children disliked exercise, and did less excercise than the normal weight children. There was a negative correlation between the obesity index and the food habit score. In other words, they frequently skip a meals, eat in a hurry and dislike vegetables and dairy products. In addition, there was a positive correlation between the student's BMI and the parents' BMI. Overall, many normal weight children showed a high level of self-consciousness of being obese or underweight. Both groups showed a low degree of satisfaction with their own body shape. Therefore education for the distorted perception of body shape is needed because, even normal weight children have tried to reduce their weight. Obese children should be encouraged to exercise, not skip a meals and eat slowly. They also need a systematic education program on weight reduction and weight maintenance. Moreover, education on a healthy diet, healthy food habits, and healthy body shape are necessary for elementary school children.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.313-320
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• 2018

This study was conducted to establish the effects of subjective body-forming perception on weight-controlling behavior and weight loss, and to suggest the need for proper information and education. Using the data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in the 6th period (2013-2015), 6,238 women aged 19 and over who have a body mass index of $18.5-25kg/m^2$ were analyzed. As a result, the higher the level of education and income level, the higher they were perceived to be obese, the more they chose to lose exercise and diet in order to lose weight across the board. The weight loss effort rate was higher in the obese body type recognition group, but the body weight type was the highest in the one year body weight change group (p < .001). As a result, subjective perception of body shape affected not only weight control behavior but also weight change (p < .001). Accordingly, it is necessary to have a systematic education on healthy weight-controlling behaviors, proper body image, and healthy body type recognition.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.588-594
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• 2008

Lookism is spread largely because many people think beautiful people are treated better and receive more favors. This trend has been influenced by mass media and impacted by commercial marketing strategy. The expectation for the beauty have risen higher than ever. People expect beautiful body and beautiful face which are more difficult to meet the standard of beauty. People desire tall and skinny body. The purpuse of this study was to find out body image from college females in the age which they are very sensitive to appearance. This research focused to find out how they perceived their own body shape and their perception of the most ideal body shape. Measuring tool for the research was 9 pictures of body silhouette from very skinny to very fat. To analyse the respondents' objective body image, Body Mass Index were employed. The result of this research indicated that there were distinct differences between their subjective body images and ideal body images. This result indicated that they were not satisfied with their own body shape and hence they were not confident towards their body images. Even though their objective bodies were normal or under weight, they still felt they were over weight. This meant their body images were misrepresented. They preferred thinner bodies even though their bodies were perfectly normal and healthy. But these misrepresented body images could be unhealthy physically, psychologically, or socially. These results showed that college females were overly obsessive with superficial appearance rather than improving ones capability to be more competitive in the society. From this research, I tried to find out perception of body image and it's distortion which was debated a lot in our society. I also want to provide basic reference material for establishing the body image study.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.49-59
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• 2009

he purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of body weight and body image perception on body image satisfaction of female junior high school students in Seoul. We further examined if body image satisfaction was related to obesity stress, weight control attitudes. From the 327 students surveyed, 6.1% were overweight and 38.8% of subjects were underweight. Over half of the subjects (54.4%) considered themselves to be more fat than their actual body shape. This manifested itself in low body satisfaction. Subjects less satisfied with their body shape suffered from high stress about obesity, were much more interested in weight control programs, and had more experience in weight control attempts. Among the subjects with low body image satisfaction, 25.7 % of them had eating disorder. It is our suggestion that school curriculum should include proper nutritional programmes to help students correctly recognize their body shape and to maintain healthy weight.