Distribution and Correlates of Obesity School Children in a Region

일 지역 학령기 아동의 비만수준과 비만관련 요인

Purpose : This study is descriptive correlation research to provide basic materials for developing program which can give practical assistance in preventing and managing obesity through more comprehensive approaches of influential factors on obesity found in existing literatures. Methods : Data were collected from the 4th, 5th and 6th graders at 2 elementary schools in Gwangju Metropolitan City and 4 elementary schools in Jeollanamdo province using questionnaire and students' physical examination results from June 15 to July 27, 2006 and data obtained from 1,866 students were used for analysis. Data collected were analyzed with technical statistics and correlation analysis using SPSS/PC(version 12.0). Results : 1. Obesity level of elementary school students was examined as follows; 33.2% had low weight, 44.3% normal, 10.8% overweight and 11.7% obese. 14.8% of boys and 8.6% of girls, 13.5% of the 4th graders, 12.1% of the 5th graders and 9.2% of the 6th graders, and 13.7% of urban students and 9.6% of rural students were obese. 2. According to general characteristics and obesity of the subjects, there were significant differences by sex(${\chi}^2=29.55$, p= .000), grade(${\chi}^2=12.84$, p= .046), region(${\chi}^2=41.96$, p= .000) and pocket money(${\chi}^2=33.43$, p= .001). 3. As genetic factors, all variables including sibling's obesity r= .128(p= .000), mother's obesity r= .098(p= .000) and father's obesity r= .081(p= .001) had influence on children's obesity. 4. Concerning environmental factors, there was positive correlation between eating habits r=- .052(p= .02) and school record r=- .048(p= .04) and there was negative correlation between internet using time r= .050(p= .03) and conflict with parents r= .048(p= .04). 5. Self-respect as psychological factor had negative correlation as r=- .048(p= .04). Conclusion : Consequently, the influential factors on obesity of elementary school students were as follows. Obesity was higher in boys than in girls, in urban areas than in rural areas, in lower grade than in higher grade, in children with obese siblings, obese father and mother, irregular and wrong eating habits, frequent internet uses, parents in conflict and lower school record and self-respect. Therefore, since it was found that these variables were more exact causes to increase children's obesity, development of various obesity mediation programs considering these variables at home, school and society is urgently required.