A Study of Factors Influencing Weight Control Behavior in Adolescent Females

Ryu, Ho Kyung; Yoon, Jin Sook; Park, Dong Yean

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide information about weight control behavior in adolescent females. To explain the behavior intention of dieting, conceptual framework based on "Social Support, Control and the Stress Process Model" and "Theory of Reasoned Action" was used. The survey was carried out by self-questionnaires with 463 female high school and college students in Daegu. Analysis of data was done using mean, correlation and multiple regression analysis with the SAS computer program. A society preoccupied with thinness gives a burden to women, and this burden may stress dissatisfaction with body image. Social perception of ideal body image except parents' perception, and salient others' perception, and salient others' expectation of subjects' body image except parents' expectation, were much thinner than normal figures in this study. The influencing factors for behavior intention of dieting of the subjects were perceived stress and attitude toward diet behavior, especially beliefs of behavioral outcome. Influencing factors related to perceived stress-that is dissatisfaction of body image-were current figure, social perception of body image, effect of mass communication and others' estimation of subjects' body image with self-comparison with others, in order.