• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.232-252
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• 2009

This study investigated dieting behavior, awareness of body shapes, and eating disorders in female adolescents according to age and BMI. The Eating Attitude Test for Korean Adolescents (EAT-26KA) and sociocultural standards were used to measure eating disorders and sociocultural attitudes related to appearance, respectively. In addition, the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) scale was used to measure the correlation between disordered eating and depression. The data were collected from 390 female adolescents living in Seoul and were analyzed using SPSS15.0. The results indicated that subjects wanted to be thinner despite having a normal body weight (BMI 19.35${\pm}$2.73). They also thought of themselves as fat and with desires to be slimmer, and viewed "diet and exercise" as the best way to lose weight. About 67.4% of the respondents had tried a diet and had experienced dizziness, anorexia, and general exhaustion while dieting. Also, 5.1% of the subjects were classified as eating disorder and suffered from stress to be thin. In addition, 85.0% of the subjects with eating disorder had tried a diet due to "appearance". They thought that "being underweight" was an ideal body image and considered themselves fat, although their BMIs were in the normal range (19.94${\pm}$2.02). In terms of symptoms during dieting, many of the subjects dealing with an eating disorder felt dizzy, had low energy, and were depressed. In conclusion, we must educate young females about healthy eating and positive body image to prevent the development of adolescent eating disorders.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.123-139
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• 2019

This study aims to explore the diverse characteristics of obese groups of Korean males in their 20's to 40's. A total of 201 males who each had a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 23 or over were recruited through a convenient sampling. Samples were categorized into groups of overweight, slightly obese, and severely obese, and submitted for data analysis. Results are summarized as follows. First, in terms of demographic characteristics, slightly and severely obese males were older than overweight males. There were also group differences in marital status and household income. Second, slightly and severely obese groups demonstrated a higher perception of obesity and a lower perception of health than did the overweight group. Third, there were no group differences in body satisfaction, socio-cultural attitudes toward appearance, and self-esteem. Based on these results, we concluded that overweight, slightly obese, and severely obese groups were distinguishable from each other in terms of their demographic characteristics, whereas the slightly obese group and the severely obese group were not different in terms of perception of obesity, perception of health, weight control behaviors, body satisfaction, body image, socio-cultural attitudes toward appearance, and self-esteem. These findings may reflect that people may not become increasingly sensitive to socio-psychological stimulations as they gain more weight if they have exceeded a certain level of obesity. This observation provides meaningful implications for the differences among obesity groups given the lack of prior research focusing on this issue.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.143-154
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• 1995

Korea has been recently reducing the quality of life as well as rising medical cost because of the increase of chronic diseases. But we can prevent those chronic diseases through the improvement of environment or life style. We evaluated the educational effectiveness of chronic diseases(hypertention, diabetes, cancer, stroke and other chronic diseases) designed to increase the knowledge, attitude and practice of chronic diseases among university students. Between August 1994 and November 1994, we implemented chronic diseases prevention instruction in intervention students; unmatched control students were selected in same university. We conducted pre- and post-intervention surveys both intervention and control students with self-reported questionnaires(50 items). We assigned score(0-4 points) to items and conducted a analysis of covariance(ANCOVA) with sex, grade and economic status as the covariate, using the SAS PC computer statistical package. And we culculated odds ratio with safety scores between intervention and control students. The results of this study were followed. 1. In demographic characteristics of subjects both pre- and post intervention, we found no significant differences in intervention and control students at religion, father's education, mother's education, mother's occupation and type of residence(p>0.05), but we found significant differences at sex(p<0.001), grade(p<0.001) and economic status(p<0.05). 2. The sex, grade and economic status-adjusted mean prevention knowledge scores for diabetes and stroke increased from the pre- to post-survey in the intervention students(p<0.001), but control students did not increased(p>0.05). As odds ratios in knowledge were below 1, the knowledge of intervention students were higher than control students. 3. The attitudes for general adult health increased from the pre- to post-survey in the intervention students(p<0.05), but control students did not increased(p>0.05). As odds ratios in attitudes were approximately 1, we can not say effectiveness in intervention students 4. The pratices for cancer and stroke increased from the pre- to post-survey in both the intervention and control students(p<0.001). Also odds ratio of hypertention was 0.91, and that of stroke was 1.14. 5. Health related behaviors did not increased from the pre- to post- survey in both the intervention and control students(p>0.05). But odds ratio of drinking was 0.76 and that of body weight was 1.21. 6. Health status did not increased from the pre- to post- survey in both the intervention and control students(p>0.05). As odds ratio of health status was 1.09, prevention education was not effect in intervention students We would like to recommend as follows; 1. University students must learn about prevention of chronic diseases. Because the knowledge of invetervention students was higher than that of control students. 2. The prevention education of chronic diseases should be taught from primary school. 3. Adult health education for university students must be practiced continuously. Education period(l5 weeks) in this study was not complete. 4. The evaluation of chronic diseases was conducted real measurement(such as BP check) as well as self reported-survey. 5. Educational materials(video tape, pamphlet) related the prevention of chronic diseases should be developed at national level. And we must easely use those materials. 6. The prevention education of chronic diseases should be made through mass media as well as school education.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.431-442
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• 2008

Purpose: The Purpose of this study was to examine the degree of obesity stress and analyze factors having an effect on obesity stress among college women. Method: The subjects were 347 female students from a university in J City. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire for general characteristics, health-related characteristics, and current and preferred somatotype. Obesity stress was measured using 10 items developed by Cho (1996) based on Body Attitudes questionnaire (BAQ) of Ben-Tovim and Walker (1991). The survey was conducted from September 4 to September 7, 2007. Data were analyzed by t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Spearman's rank correlation test, and stepwise multiple regression using SPSS 14.0. Results: The average score of obesity stress was $2.78{\pm}0.90$ out of 5.00. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that the major factors that affect obesity stress of female college students were perceived body shape, disagreement between current and preferred somatotype, history of weight control, body mass index (BMI), and perceived health status, and these factors explained 38.4% of obesity stress. Conclusion: Subjective judgment in the perception of or preference for body shape was the most important factor affecting obesity stress in female college students. Therefore, a plan is necessary to mitigate obesity stress and evaluate individually subjects who perceive themselves to be fat or want to be thinner than the current somatotype. And consultation and constant management are needed to help the high risk group (experience of weight control, BMI ${\geq}23kg/m^2$, not good health status).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.171-180
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• 2003

This study was carried out to investigate the perception of body image, the dietary attitude, the nutrient intake and the dietary self-efficacy of middle school students in Kyoung-Nam. The survey was conducted from April 8 to April 22 in 2002. The results are summarized as follows. Twenty three point nine percents of the underweight group,24.5% of the normal weight group, 57.1% of the overweight group and 62.5% of the obese group had correct perception about their body image. Most of the students were concerned about their body image and weight control. The obesity of the parents correlated significantly with the obesity of the subjects. The higher the obesity rate, the lower the dietary attitude and dietary self-efficacy. There was a significant positive correlation between the education level of their mothers and the dietary attitude of the subjects and a significant negative correlation between the obesity rate of the subjects and their. dietary attitudes. Dietary attitude scores showed no significant difference among the groups. Intakes of calories, protein, calcium and iron were lower than those of the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDAs). (Korean J Community Nutrition 8(2) : 171∼180, 2003)

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.44-52
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• 1998

This study was designed to investigate the relationship between body mass index and food habits of college students. For this purpose, 358 students of Kangweon University were asked to fill out the questionnaires for food habits and weight control. The results are summarized as follows ; The rate of underweight, normal and obese was 16.5, 65.1, 18.4%, respectively. Food habits score of obese females were lower than normal or underweight females. Male subjects did not show significantly different scores among the three groups. Female obese subjects have lower scores than the other groups on the eating time, seaweed intake, protein intake and vegetable intake. Male obese subjects have nutritious meals and more eating time than normal and underweight males. College students are the early stage of adult life and their food habits, food behaviors and life style will continue in later life. Therefore, college students need more nutritional knowledge, positive dietary attitudes and modified life styles to prevent and treat obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.134-144
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• 2008

Purpose : This study aimed to investigate body shape perception, weight control behaviors and eating habits of adolescent girls in urban, suburban and rural areas of Korea to obtain basis for establishing adequate weight control program for adolescent. Methods : From May 2002 to November 2002, a cross-sectional questionnaire survey and physical examination were conducted to examine body shape perception, weight control behaviors, eating habits and health status of 2,891 adolescent girls and 891 boys in Seoul, Ansan and Paju. Results : The proportion of underweight adolescent girl was decreased in rural area than in urban area. 46.3% of girls considered themselves to be somehow or very obese. Notably 3.2% of underweight girls considered themselves obese. 57.9% were unsatisfied with their own body shape. The proportion of dissatisfaction increased with age and body mass index (BMI), but there were no differences among area. The experiences of weight control increased by age, BMI and dissatisfaction of own body shape. The eating attitudes test-26 (EAT-26) score of girls was significantly higher than that of boys. The girls with high risk of eating disorder were 10.9%. And risk factors of eating disorder were living in urban area, severe stress for weight control excessive expenditure for appearance and think themselves unhealthy. Conclusion : The findings of this study demonstrate that there were serious impairment of body shape perception of adolescent girls and unhealthy, inadequate weight control behaviors were widely done. Therefore adequate weight control program for adolescent girl should be established promptly.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.629-638
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• 2007

The aim of this study was to provide fundamental data by degree of obesity which was necessary to nutritional education for the formation of right eating and dietary guideline by researching food habits of children. In order to achieve this purpose, a survey was conducted on 3, 4, 5, 6th grade of students from 4 schools in S and G city in Jeolla-Namdo. The results was as follows. There were 384(44.4%) students were normal weight, 193(22.3) were overweight, and 287(33.2) were low weight by obesity indices. Comparing the student's subjective health condition among the degree of obesity, 40.4% of overweight recognized they were healthy, 30.1% recognized ordinary, and 57.1% of lean recognized they were healthy, 34.5% recognized ordinary. It was turned out that most students who were overweight and lean recognized healthy and normal. Family was reported to be the most impact factor on student's diet habits, and then Multimedia such as TV seemed to have a effect on overweight and lean students, but nutrition teachers had a direct influence on normal weight students. The most thing which eating habits for a reform was unbalanced diet. The students in this research have breakfast everyday and regularly. Regarding dietary attitudes, overweight group enjoyed eating healthy food more than normal and low body weight group did, and tried to eat what they have never eaten before. In conclusion, it's necessary for elementary school students that increase the control ability of self perceived health condition with education for good eating habit and grasp their condition themselves through the nutrition education in school.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.76-87
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to examine the nutrition knowledge and attitude of the elderly for developing nutrition education program. The nutrition knowledge test was consisted of nutrition, nutrients, weight control, food safety, and shopping tips by developing the table of specifications. The nutrition attitude test was comprised of seventeen questions for invention, self-efficacy, control, and outcome expectation. A total of 140 elderly living at home responded to both nutrition knowledge and attitude test. According to the results of nutrition knowledge test, the mean was 13.3 at the maximum 18 points and 51.4% respondents got more than 14 points. Significant differences were found with age (p<0.05, $x^2$=21.46), charge of income (p<0.05, $x^2$=8.86) and monthly expenses(p<0.05, $x^2$=22.95). The results of nutrition attitude test showed that the mean value of 40.89 points at the maximum 51 points and 58.6% of respondents rated more than 40.89 points. In exploring the relationship between the demographic variables(sex, age, educational level, and monthly expenses) and for attitude concepts, a significant correlation was found. Correlation among the knowledge for nutrition, nutrients, and the attitudes for nutrition was significant(p<0.05).

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.35-49
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze variables associated with smoking and selected health behaviors. This study targeted adult men and women over 20 of age. The sample population was drawn from the national sample, and the samples were chosen from the telephone book. A total of 1,500 cases were collected through a telephone based interview survey. As a tool for this study, a structured questionnaire was developed. the variables included self-perceived health status, and selected 7 health behaviors; smoking behavior, physical activities, eating habit, weight control, alcohol consumption, stress management, and cancer exam. The healthy life practice actions of Trans-theoretical model have been classified into five stages. Smokers were more likely than non-smokers to positive attitudes toward smoking and the impact of smoking in this study. This means that smokers's awareness toward the impact of smoking is very week. Smoking behavior was significantly related to other health related behaviors based on the correlation analysis. However, gender, engaging in regular physical activities, moderate consumption of alcoholic beverages, and receiving a cancer examination were the variables that can explain and predict a person's stages of adopting a non-smoking behavior. Self perceived health status was closely related to other health behaviors. Gender, age, and monthly household income were important demographic variables that have significant relationship with the self-perceived health status. Among the health behaviors, regular physical activities and weight control were significant predictable variables. Similar results have been found in the National health and Nutrition examination survey in Korea. As a result of this study, it was found that among the selected health behaviors, engaging in physical activity was an important variable to increase positive sense of health and non-smoking behaviors. Educational and policy level input is needed to increase awareness and provide chances to participate in fitness activities. To those who maintain exercise, the environmental support and diffusion of knowledge information and education data should be strengthened. To change attitudes toward smoking, more in-dept awareness campaign and education should be provided according to people's different behavioral status. In addition, not only diffusing health education data and delivering knowledge information through related programs, but also environmental support system that helps an individual maintain his/her action is required. Such a support system means settlement of the health enhancement base of school, workplace and community should be carried out, and the policy level support and regular programs should be provided and spread to the unit of community.