Korean J Community Nutr.  2014 Apr;19(2):111-121. 10.5720/kjcn.2014.19.2.111.

Body Image, Risk of Disturbed Eating Attitudes and Weight Control of Female Junior High School Students by the Body Mass Index in Seoul

• Song HJ
• Moon HK

• KMID: 2267942
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2014.19.2.111

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
In this study, perception of body image, eating attitudes and weight control were examined by the degree of obesity using Body Mass Index (BMI).
METHODS
Out of 420 questionnaires distributed to the female middle school students (aged 12-16 years), 407 were returned (97% response rate) and 395 were analyzed (94% analysis rate). Female students were divided into two groups based on the BMI percentile using the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. (1) normal weight (5 th percentile < or = BMI < 85th percentile) (2) obese (85th percentile < or = BMI) by 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. Satisfaction of self-body shape, risk of disturbed eating attitudes (Eating Attitude Test : EAT-26), and weight control behaviors were examined.
RESULTS
Distribution of the subjects by BMI was 74.5% of normal and 25.5% of obese. There were significant differences between self-perceived current body image and self-perceived ideal body image. The dissatisfaction of body image was higher in obese than in normal groups (p < 0.001). 51.4% of female students were unsatisfied with their body image, while 2.6% were very satisfied. Among the students unsatisfied with their body image, 150 (52.1%) were of normal weight and 48 (49.4%) were obese. EAT-26 total scores were significantly higher in the obese group (16.42 +/- 8.23) compared with normal group (13.72 +/- 8.10) (p < 0.01). Attempted to weight control were significantly different by the BMI (p < 0.001).
CONCLUSIONS
This study concludes that there was desire to become thinner than current status in female students, even those with normal BMI. Many female students were dissatisfied with their body image and attempted to lose weight. It is harmful to their health and nutritional status if they choose undesirable methods. These findings suggested that there are needs to encourage female students for maintaining healthy weight. A higher score of EAT-26 was associated with dissatisfaction of selfbody image and this may lead to unhealthy behaviors in obese female students.

Keyword

self-body shape; weight control; Eating Attitude Test-26; BMI

MeSH Terms

Body Image*
Body Mass Index*
Eating*
Female
Growth Charts
Humans
Nutritional Status
Obesity
Surveys and Questionnaires
Seoul

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Drawings for assessing body images.

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