Abstract
This study was undertaken to compare the obesity related dietary factors among rural middle school students living in the Daegu.Kyungbuk area. Anthropometric data showed that mean height and weight were 162.7$\pm$8.6cm and 53.9$\pm$9.8kg in 220 male students and 158.4$\pm$6.2cm and 51.0$\pm$7.6kg in 210 female student. Mean BMIs for boys and girls were 19.00$\pm$2.35 and 19.30$\pm$2.45, respectively. 71.36% of male students and 71.9% of female students were underweight by the BMI index. Students who skipped the breakfast were up to 66.8%. The reasons for skipping a meal for both sexes were significantly different. Compared to males, more female respondents felt guilty and depressed related to eating. Furthermore, females were more significantly concerned about body image, diet and body weight (p<0.001), and they were not satisfied with their weight. The sources of information on obesity and diet were radio and TV in males, while females gathered information from magazines and friends. The ideal body weight of male students was heavier than the actual body weight while female students desired a thinner body shape. In conclusion, a different approach for nutrition education based on sex should be developed, and implemented fur adolescents.
