Influence of Body Weight Perception on Weight Management Behavior among Korean Female Adolescents

Abstract

This study investigated the influence of weight perception on weight management strategies including diet and exercise in Korean female adolescents. Junior (J) and senior (S) high school girls were divided in two groups; those who had ≤100%(BI) and >100%(AI) of ideal weight (J-BI, n=376, 14.8 yr, 46.1 kg; J-AI, n=128, 15.0 yr, 57.4 kg; S-BI, n=325, 17.4 yr, 50.1 kg; and S-AI, n=133, 17.5 yr, 58.2 kg, mean values). Questionnaires to assess weight perception, desire to lose weight, body image, eating behavior, weight control strategies and physical activity (PPA) were administered. J-AI (9.4 kg) and S-AI (9.8 kg) desired to lose weight more than J-BI (2.5 kg) and S-BI (3.6 kg), respectively (p<0.001). 85% of J-AI and 93% of S-AI perceived their weight being above average and 23% of J-BI and 34% of S-BI responded similarly (p<0.001). Body dissatisfaction index (BDI) and eating attitude (EAT26) scores were lower in J-BI (9.7, 12.0) vs. J-AI (16.4, 14.7) and S-BI (12.4, 12.4) vs. S-AI (19.5, 15.4) (p<0.001). However, PPA was not different for J-BI vs. J-AI, and S-BI vs. S-AI. Only 17, 18, 9, and 15% of J-BI, J-AI, S-BI, and S-AI, respectively, exercised regularly. PPA and BDI were only slightly correlated in J-BI (r=0.194, p<0.005) and S-BI (r=0.220, p<0.005). Even that the majority of Korean female adolescents perceived they were heavy and desired to lose weight, appropriate exercise and physical activities were not practiced.