• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.65-75
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of sociodemographic factors, BMI, self-esteem, body image, and external factors including parents, peers, and mass media on dieting behavior. The data were collected from 360 high school students in Gyeongbuk region. The respondents who have performed diet in the past or present were classified into the diet group. The students of diet group and non-diet group were 238 and 122, respectively. Frequencies, Cronbach's $\alpha$, t tests, and logistic regression analysis were carried out by SPSS Windows V.17.0. The results of this study were as follows. The diet group had higher level of BMI and concerns about diet than non-diet group. In addition, the diet group showed the more positive attitude about diet, and lower level of self-esteem and body image than the non-diet group. The diet group was more influenced by parents, peers, and mass media on body type than the non-diet group. Finally, according to the result of logistic regression analysis, BMI, attitude about diet, body image, effect of peers on body type, and effect of mass media on body type were significant factors to determine dieting behavior. These results imply that mass media should inform adolescents of proper body image and knowledge about diet. In addition, education for regular exercise also needs for healthy diet.