Yonsei Med J.  2010 May;51(3):302-309. 10.3349/ymj.2010.51.3.302.

Disturbed Eating Attitudes and Behaviors in South Korean Boys and Girls: A School-Based Cross-Sectional Study

• Yang SJ
• Kim JM
• Yoon JS

• KMID: 1074979
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.3349/ymj.2010.51.3.302

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was designed to assess the prevalence and correlates of disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors in South Korean students.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
In a cross-sectional survey, 2,226 fourth and seventh grade students filled out questionnaires on eating attitudes and behaviors (Eating Attitude Test -26, EAT-26), coping strategies, fear of being overweight, behavioral problems, anxiety, depression, and self-esteem.
RESULTS
Disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were found in 7 percent of students. In the multivariate analyses, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were associated with the passive coping strategies, fear of being overweight, total behavioral difficulties, fourth grade, and high socioeconomic status (SES). Differences in the associations were found between boys and girls. There were significant associations between elevated EAT-26 scores and passive coping strategies, desired underweight body mass index (BMI), and low SES in boys; and between elevated EAT-26 scores and passive coping strategies, fear of being overweight, behavioral problems, being in the fourth grade, and high and low SES in girls.
CONCLUSION
In South Korean children, disturbed eating attitudes and behaviors were associated with various psychological and sociocultural factors; some gender-related differences are also evident.

Keyword

Eating disorders; prevalence; correlates; Korea; cross-sectional survey

MeSH Terms

Adolescent
Body Mass Index
Child
Cross-Sectional Studies
Eating Disorders/epidemiology/*psychology
Feeding Behavior/*psychology
Female
Humans
Male
Multivariate Analysis
Social Class