The Relationship of Food Behaviors with Body Image and BMI of Female College Students in Jeonbuk Province

전북지역 일부 여대생의 체형인식도 및 신체질량지수와 식생활 행동과의 관련성

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between body image and BMI with satisfaction of own body image, snack intake practices, food intake practices and weight control practices of 226 female college students in Jeonbuk province using questionnaire. The results were summarized as follows : 1. The average height, weight and BMI was 162.08cm, 52.02kg and 19.78, respectively. The average ideal body weight of the subjects was 48.92kg. Ninety percent of the subjects was dissatisfied with their body image. The degree of dissatisfaction was higher in the group who recognized themselves as fat. Most of subjects wanted to lose weight, but as the group having a recognition of thin body image significantly wanted to gain weight (p<0.001). 2. The subjects preferred fruits and juices for snack. The more subjects recognized themselves as fat, the more they restricted snack intake (p<0.05). 3. The rate of skipping meal tends to increase. The subjects did not intake balanced meals and skipped breakfast most (20.7%). The number of food groups taken at breakfast, lunch and dinner was 1.84, 2.25 and 2.55, respectively and the most variable food groups were taken at dinner(p<0.001). Dairy food group intake was low. The duration of meal time was longer in the underweight group by BMI regardless of body image recognition (p<0.05). 4. The weight controlling method was concentrated mostly on decreasing food intake. The more subjects recognized themselves as fat, the more they tried to control weight (p<0.001). Even though 59.5% of the subjects with no weight control experience had no future weight control plans, 50% of the group who recognized themselves as normal or fat did not want to control weight in the future (p<0.01). These results suggest that nutrition education programs and correction programs of food behaviors and weight control should start from focusing on the accurate recognition of body image for college female students.