Abstract

The present study was conducted to investigate the relation of eating behavior and food intake to 534 adolescents' obesity indices. Group means of relative body weight (RBW) were 93.66 for males and 97.12 for females. Body mass index(BMI) were 20.39 for males and 20.41 for females. Respondents were divided into 3 groups on the basis of RBW as an obesity index. Astonishingly, 44.76% of total respondents were underweight and 12.92% overweight and obese. 64.54% of respondents usually skipped their breakfasts and 24.23% their dinners. More males did not have their breakfasts than females. In contrast, more females skipped their dinners than males. A significant difference was found between males and females in their eating habits(p<.001) that should be changed. As their undesirable eating habits, males pointed out 'skipping meals', while females stressed 'overeating'. There were more overeating respondents in the overweight group, while more respondents skipping their meals were found in the underweight group. Many females(72.79%) and males(52.78%) tended to alternate consistently overeating and fasting to lose weight. The most important reason for losing weight was to improve their appearance(61.12%). In addition, nutrient score indices of respondents were very low with a mean of 33.39. Only 42.13% of total respondents showed good nutrient score indices. More males ate meat, bean, white vegetables, potato and fat than females(p<.05), whereas more females ate bread, rice cake and fruit than males(p<.01). Among the 3 groups -overweight, normal weight and underweight groups, overweight group was the most eaters of meat, fish, egg and milk; underweight group was the least eaters of them.

Keywords