• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.175-181
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• 2012

The widespread pursuit of a thin physique may have a detrimental impact on the wellbeing of preadolescents. The influence of body image distortions on the lifestyles, dieting behaviors, and psychological factors was investigated in 631 fifth and sixth grade children in Kyeonggi-do, Korea. Children were classified into three weight groups (underweight, normal, and overweight) and three perception groups (underestimation, normal, and overestimation). Necessary information was obtained by questionnaire, and each subject's weight status was determined by the Rohrer index calculated from the annual measurement records, which were obtained from the school. According to their current weights, 57.4% of children were normal and 32.2% were overweight or obese, 16.6% of the children overestimated their body weight, and 55.2% had an undistorted body image. Overweight children had desirable lifestyles and dietary habits and presented reasonable weight control behaviors. Compared to those without distortion, the overestimated group had greater interest in weight control ($P$ = 0.003) and dissatisfaction with their body weights ($P$ = 0.011), presented unhealthy reasons to lose weight ($P$ = 0.026), and had higher scores for "feeling sad when comparing own body with others" ($P$ = 0.000) and for "easily getting annoyed and tired" ($P$ = 0.037), even though they had similar obesity indices. More subjects from the overestimation group ($P$ = 0.006) chose drama/movies as their favorite TV programs, suggesting a possible role for the media in body image distortion. These findings suggest that body image distortion can lead preadolescents to develop stress about obesity and unhealthy dieting practices, despite similar obesity indices to those without distorted body images. These results emphasize the importance of having an undistorted body image.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.232-252
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• 2009

This study investigated dieting behavior, awareness of body shapes, and eating disorders in female adolescents according to age and BMI. The Eating Attitude Test for Korean Adolescents (EAT-26KA) and sociocultural standards were used to measure eating disorders and sociocultural attitudes related to appearance, respectively. In addition, the BDI (Beck Depression Inventory) scale was used to measure the correlation between disordered eating and depression. The data were collected from 390 female adolescents living in Seoul and were analyzed using SPSS15.0. The results indicated that subjects wanted to be thinner despite having a normal body weight (BMI 19.35${\pm}$2.73). They also thought of themselves as fat and with desires to be slimmer, and viewed "diet and exercise" as the best way to lose weight. About 67.4% of the respondents had tried a diet and had experienced dizziness, anorexia, and general exhaustion while dieting. Also, 5.1% of the subjects were classified as eating disorder and suffered from stress to be thin. In addition, 85.0% of the subjects with eating disorder had tried a diet due to "appearance". They thought that "being underweight" was an ideal body image and considered themselves fat, although their BMIs were in the normal range (19.94${\pm}$2.02). In terms of symptoms during dieting, many of the subjects dealing with an eating disorder felt dizzy, had low energy, and were depressed. In conclusion, we must educate young females about healthy eating and positive body image to prevent the development of adolescent eating disorders.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2002

Background & Methods: In order to study the effect of electro-lipolysis-acupuncture, 57 outpatients who have had herbal medication in Kirin Oriental Hospital were devided to two groups; acupuncture-treated group(46) vs non-acupuncture-treated group(11) Acupuncture-treated group was given electro-lipolysis-acupuncture at least two times a week and administered with herbal diet medication, whereas non-acupuncture-treated group was administered only with herbal diet medication. Results: Mean age, body weight and BMI of these two group at the start point of the treatment were $27.22({\pm}7.64)\;vs \;29.09({\pm}8.73),\;67.76({\pm}9.34)\;vs\;67.00({\pm}10.69),\;and\;26.20({\pm}3.02)\;vs\;26.14({\pm}4.10)$ in the order of acupuncture-treated and non-acupuncture groups. After one month of treatment, change rate of body weight, BMI, total fat, percentage of fat was significantly higher in acupuncture-treated group. Also the change rate of arm circumference, hip circumference and thigh circumference was significantly higher in acupuncture-treated group. The change rate of abdominal circumference and WHR of acupuncture-treated group was higher than that of non-acupuncture-treated group with no statistical significance. The circumference reduction rate according to herbal dieting program was higher in this order, abdomen, arms, chest, thighs and hips. On the other hand, chest circumference change rate over weight loss rate, which is the portion no acupuncture treatment was given to, and AMC change rate was higher in non-acupuncture-treated group. Conclusion: These results imply that herbal dieting program combined with electro-lipolysis-acupuncture is more effective on reducing body fat, size reduction of localized obesity and preservation of muscle than herbal prescription only dieting program.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.43-52
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• 2002

Purpose & Methods: In order to study obese gene mutation rate in obese Korean patients and to investigate the effect at Chegamuiyiin-tang and electro-lipolysis-acupuncture on obesity treatment. the difference of the reaction to herbal dieting between patients with ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor mutation and the patients with wild type ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor is observed. Results: Chegamuiyiin-tang and electro-lipolysis-acupuncture treatment are effective on the treatment of obesity in weight reduction. body fat reduction and the circumferences of arm, abdomen, hip and thigh. In the comparison of ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor wild type and ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor mutation groups, body fat was more reduced with statistical significance, and as for BMI change and body weight change were higher in ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor mutation groups with no statistical significance. In the comparison of ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor wild type and ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor mutation groups among BMI under 25 patients change rate of body weight. BMI, body fact percentage, WHR and body circumference were higher in ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor mutation group than in ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor wild type group. Conclusion: These results imply that herbal dieting program combined with electro-lipolysis-acupuncture is more effective on reducing body weight and body fat in ${\beta}3$ adrenergic receptor mutation group than wild type group, and that the earlier the treatment is applied, the more effective it is.

• 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.

• 한국생활과학회:학술대회논문집
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• 2010.05a
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• pp.166-167
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• 2010

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.55-61
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• 1994

The study was designed to investigate the relationship between dietary intakes and the obesity of 400 students who were the third grade in middle school in some areas of Seoul. The survey conducted from March 3 to 13 , 1993. The results obtained were summarized as follows :The average height and weight of surveyed subject were similar to that of standard ( the third grade students in middle school in Seoul, 1991) . Compared to the standard weight/height ratio, subject who belonged to overweight and obese group were 16.4% of male students, 16.1% of female students respectively. Female subjects showed higher ratio than male subjects in skipping meals, frequency of snack per day and concern about a dieting . In case of subjects who belonged to weight /height ratio was high, their speed of dining was fast and they have more concern about a dieting. Compared to the amount of the nutritional intakes of RDA, calcium intakes of male and female subjects were deficient. Especially iron intakes of female subjects were deficient. In takes of Calorie (p<0.01) protein(p<0.05) and fat 9p<0.01) of obese group were higher those of non-obese group. Obese group showed good appetite and overeating also . Correlation analysis showed that obese group seemed to the closely associated with relative body weight of parents, family income, frequency of meals per day, frequency of meals per day, frequency of snack per day, speed of dining and overeating .

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.561-567
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• 1999

This study was conducted to provide information about weight control behavior in adolescent females. To explain the behavior intention of dieting, conceptual framework based on "Social Support, Control and the Stress Process Model" and "Theory of Reasoned Action" was used. The survey was carried out by self-questionnaires with 463 female high school and college students in Daegu. Analysis of data was done using mean, correlation and multiple regression analysis with the SAS computer program. A society preoccupied with thinness gives a burden to women, and this burden may stress dissatisfaction with body image. Social perception of ideal body image except parents' perception, and salient others'perception, and salient others' expectation of subjects' body image except parents' expectation, were much thinner than normal figures in this study. The influencing factors for behavior intention of dieting of the subjects were perceived stress and attitude toward diet behavior, especially beliefs of behavioral outcome. Influencing factors related to perceived stress-that is dissatisfaction of body image-were current figure, social perception of body image, effect of mass communication and others' estimation of subjects' body image with self-comparison with others, in order.th others, in order.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.181-187
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• 2000

Purpose: The purpose of our study is to provide useful information for the prevalence of obesity by the standard weight for height and the relationship of the body image to dieting methods for weight control in children. Methods: The survey was performed by an anthropometry and a special questionnaire on children in grades 5 to 6 at elementary schools from May to June 1997 in Kwangju city. Results: 1) Selected individuals were categorized into obese, normal, thin by the standard weight for height and body image. The prevalence of obesity by the standard weight for height was 19.5%, normal was 70.5%, thin was 10.1% in males and respectively 10.5%, 66.3%, 23.1% in females. The prevalence of obesity in regards to body image was 18.4%, normal was 58.4%, thin was 23.2% in males and respectively 24.5%, 58.6%, 16.9% in females. 2) The obese body image was 6.8% in normal and thin groups in males and 19.4% in females. The body image of obese children who do not perceive themselves as obese was 32.6% in males and 28.7% in females. 3) The standard body image was 88.8% as realized by themselves, 77.9% when they compared themselves to friends, 62.7% as told by parents, 56.8% as told by friends, and 29.9% when they compared themselves to celebrities. 4) The source of information for dieting treatment was 44% from radio and television, 30% from books, newspapers, magazines, 17% from family and 9% from friends and seniors. 5) The prevalence of dieting according to the standard weight for height was 18.0% in thin, 18.7% in normal and 36.7% in obese group in males and respectively 17.8%, 22.4%, 46.3% in females. There was a statistically significant correlation between males and females (p<0.0005). 6) The prevalence of dieting up to 2 weeks in the thin and normal groups as recognized by weight centile was 17.3% according to body image. The prevalence of dieting up to 2 weeks in the obese groups was 37.2% according to body image (p<0.001). Conclusion: We suggest that many students perceived their body size incorrectly and tried weight control. The incorrect perception of body size seems to cause the problem of failure to thrive, malnutrition etc. It is necessary for further study to find and prevent side effects by unnecessary weight control and to provide proper health education and management about obesity.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.374-382
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• 2009

Young adults are likely to start a new life style which may cause weight gain or obesity since leaving their parents for higher education or university. Whilst young people are slim in general, it is common to see them trying to manage their weight. Few studies have been carried out in Korea to support those changes in lifestyle that can result in weight gain in early adulthood. This study aims to identify prevalence of dieting as well as factors inducing weight gain among university students under unrestricted living conditions. A total of 99 university students were enrolled and asked to complete a questionnaire over a 3-day study period from June to September, 2008. T-test and $X^2$-test were applied to compare each behavior between weight gainers and maintainers. Logistic regression was also used for further analysis. Half of the participants used 'eat less' and 'exercise' as a way of dieting, and weight gainers tried to control their weight significantly more than weight maintainers. Most participants were engaged in very little exercise and were more likely to watch TV and use a computer. The time of lunch was proven as the only factor to predict weight change in the participants. As a result of this study, an intervention to promote exercise with friends or as a group is required to makeup for the lack of exercise among young adults. Further studies are also necessary to investigate how each meal time a day relates to the amount of food eaten. (Korean J Community Nutrition 14(4) : $374{\sim}382$, 2009)