Nutr Res Pract.  2014 Apr;8(2):213-219.

Weight misperception and its association with dieting methods and eating behaviors in South Korean adolescents

• Lim H
• Lee HJ
• Park S
• Kim CI
• Joh HK
• Oh SW

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
There is little information on the association between weight misperception and eating behavior in Korean adolescents. Therefore, we investigated the association of food intake habits and dieting method and disturbed eating behavior (DEB) in relation to weight misperception.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
Data was collected by using a nationwide online panel survey from 6,943 adolescents enrolled in middle/high school. DEB was measured with the Eating Attitudes Test (EAT-26) and those who scored > or = 20 on the EAT-26 were considered to have eating disorder. Logistic regressions were conducted to examine the association between weight misperception based on self-reported weight status and dieting method and eating behaviors.
RESULTS
The proportion of weight underestimation was 23.5% and that of overestimation was 24.0%. Weight overestimating girls were more likely to engage in various unhealthy dieting practices (OR = 1.69 for fasting; OR = 1.88 for laxative or diuretic use; OR = 2.05 for self-induced vomiting after meals; P < 0.05). Moreover, there was a strong association between overestimation and undesirable eating behaviors, especially among girls, e.g.: having breakfast (OR = 0.85), high consumption of fast foods (OR = 1.28) and regular sodas (OR = 1.39), but not among boys. In both genders, weight overestimation appears to be a major risk factor for DEB (OR = 1.34 for boys and OR = 1.41 for girls; P < 0.05). CONSLUSIONS: Weight overestimation is associated with unhealthy weight control practices and eating behaviors. We particularly found a significant association between weight overestimation and DEB among nationwide Korean adolescents.

Keyword

Weight perception; adolescents; dieting method; eating behaviors; South Korea

MeSH Terms

Adolescent*
Breakfast
Diet*
Feeding and Eating Disorders
Eating*
Fast Foods
Fasting
Feeding Behavior*
Female
Humans
Logistic Models
Meals
Risk Factors
Vomiting
Weight Perception

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