A Study of Body Image, Weight Control and Dietary Habits with Different BMI in Female High School Students

Lee, Hee Jeong; Choi, Mi Rae; Koo, Jae Ok

Abstract

Concern about body weight among adolescents is too much, so distorted body images and weight control are serious problems among Korean girl students. This study was carried out to investigate perception of body images, weight control, food habits and eating behavior of 237 high school girl students in Seoul and Incheon. The subjects were divided into four groups based on Body Mass Index (BMI)-under weight (21.3%), normal (62.6%), over weight (8.1%) and obesity (8.1%). The survey was conducted from June to July 2005. The mean weight, length and BMI of the subjects was 53.4 +/- 7.4 g, 101 +/- 4.8 cm, and 20.6 +/- 2.7, respectively. 56% of the under weight group and 40.8% of normal group had incorrect perception about their body images and 28.5% of the under weight group and 76.9% of the normal group had dissatisfaction about their body images. Most of the students were concerned about their body images and weight control. Dietary habit scores showed significant differences among the groups. These results suggested that effective nutritional programs should be developed including correct perception of body image and good dietary habits.