Korean Journal of Community Nutrition (대한지역사회영양학회지)

The Korean Society of Community Nutrition (대한지역사회영양학회)
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Weight-related Perceptions, Practices and Eating Behaviors of Middle School Students: Associations with BMI

일부 중학생의 체중에 따른 체중인식, 체중조절 및 식행동에 관한 연구

  • Kim, Ji-Eun (Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Bio-Nano Science, Hannam University) ;
  • Min, Hye-Sun (Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Bio-Nano Science, Hannam University)
  • 김지은 (한남대학교 생명나노과학대학 식품영양학과) ;
  • 민혜선 (한남대학교 생명나노과학대학 식품영양학과)
  • Published : 2008.02.29
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Abstract

This study investigated the association between the weight status of middle school students and the various weight-related characteristics including desired weight, weight perception, weight-related practice, physical activity, and overeating behavior. Questionnaires were administered to 473 middle school students (178 boys and 295 girls) in Daejeon. Boys and girls were divided into three groups respectively; (1) underweight (BMI<$5^{th}$ percentile) (2) normal weight ($5^{th}$ percentile$\leq$BMI<$85^{th}$ percentile) (3) overweight (BMI$\leq85^{th}$ percentile). Using BMI calculated from measured height and weight, 14.0% of boys and 6.8% of girls were underweight, and 16.3% of boys and 14.2% of girls were overweight. However, among this sample of students, 38.4% of boys and 13.6% of girls perceived themselves as underweight and 29.4% of boys and 44.9% of girls perceived themselves as overweight. We found that overweight students reported their body weights lower and their heights higher compared to non-overweight students, resulting in an underestimation of BMI. Based on desired BMI, 79.9% of the girls desired to be underweight and 73.0% of the boys desired to be normal weight. Overweight or normal weight students were less satisfied with their body weights than underweight students. Girls had more weight control experience and concern compared to boys. Overweight girls spent longer times in watching TV compared to non-overweight girls (p < 0.001) and had more overeating behaviors (p < 0.05). Overweight students reported that they ate snacks less frequently than non-overweight students, which may be due to their tendency to report less eating. In conclusion, significant gender differences and weight status differences existed in weight perception, weight satisfaction, and weight control experience and concern. Because perception of overweight is likely to lead to unhealthy eating behaviors and weight control, efforts for adolescents to improve accuracy of weight perceptions and to understand the benefits of being healthier are needed.

Keywords

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