Korean J Community Nutr.  2015 Jun;20(3):178-187. 10.5720/kjcn.2015.20.3.178.

A Comparison of Dietary Habits, Weight Control Behaviors, Eating Disorder Risk, and Depression of Middle School Girls according to Various Stages of Dieting

• Jung A
• Ryu H
• Song K
• Lee H

• KMID: 2268779
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2015.20.3.178

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to compare dietary habits, weight control behaviors, eating disorder risk and depression among middle school girls who were at various stages of dieting.
METHODS
Subjects were 391 girls attending a middle school in Kyeonggido, Korea. All the information was gathered by self-administered questionnaires. Eating disorder risk and depression were assessed using EAT-26 and PHQ-9, respectively. Data were compared among 4 groups; no interest in a diet (N=112), had experienced dieting (N=86), on diet currently (N=71), and plan to diet (N=122).
RESULTS
A higher number of students currently on diet tended to be unsatisfied with their own weight (p < 0.01), overestimated their weight (p < 0.05), and weighed own body frequently (p < 0.001), compared to those with only experienced dieting in the past or those who plan to diet, despite similar weights and body mass index. The students who experienced dieting in the past or those who plan to diet appeared to have several undesirable as well as desirable dietary habits and their risk of eating disorder was significantly more prevalent compared to those without an interest in dieting (p < 0.01), although significantly less prevalent compared to those currently on a diet.
CONCLUSIONS
We conclude that unnecessary dieting is common among middle school girls and providing proper education with regard to healthy weights is needed to enhance their physical as well as psychological wellbeing.

Keyword

middle school students; dieting; eating disorder; depression; diet

MeSH Terms

Body Mass Index
Depression*
Diet*
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Education
Feeding Behavior*
Female
Food Habits*
Gyeonggi-do
Humans
Korea
Surveys and Questionnaires
Weights and Measures

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