• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.83-93
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• 2005

This study was conducted to provide information about the behavioral intentions to diet in adolescent females. To explain the behavior intention to diet, a conceptual framework based on the ' Social Support, Control and the Stress Process Model ' and the ' Theory of Reasoned Actio ' 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 by using mean, correlation and multiple regression analysis with the SAS computer program. Subjects were divided into 3 groups-underweight, normal weight, and overweight-according to their current body size. The most powerful influencing factor related to perceived stress -that is dissatisfaction with body image- was the current figure, regardless of current body size. The fatter the current body size, the higher the score for the behavioral intention to diet. In attitude toward the behavior of dieting, the fatter the current figure, the higher the attitude score, and the belief of behavioral outcome was the main decision variable. For the score of the subjective norm, the overweight group was significantly higher than other groups. The influencing factors for the behavioral intention to diet were perceived stress and attitude toward dieting behavior, especially beliefs of behavioral outcome.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.33-47
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate weight control practices and cardiovascular risk in middle-aged women. 304 middle-aged women were selected as subjects from thirties to fifthies living at J city in Chung-Buk Do. Data were collected using a questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, BP & total cholesterol level in serum from April 1, to June 30, 2003. The results of this study were as follows: The middle-aged woman's age is average $43.95{\pm}7.09yr$ and mean BMI(body mass index) was $23.54{\pm}3.09\;kg/m^2$. Underweight, normal weight, overweight, obese women were 3.0%, 39.5%, 27.9% and 29.6%respectively. Subjects perceived own as 'Slim' 5.9%, 'ordinary' 45.7%, 'Fat' 48.4%. Their weight perception coincide their own actual body weight but as many as 41.8% of overweight and 9.0% of obese perceived themselves as being 'ordinary'. Middle age women with past weight control experience were 55.6%, and only 35.5% was doing weight control at present. Of these subjects, 71.4% reported wanting to lose weight and the primary reason of weight control was to improve their appearance(39.53%). The most frequently reported weight control behavior was 'exercise' followed 'dieting', but 39.6% reported using 'diet food', 12.4% 'behavior modification', 12.4% 'fasting', and 'diet-drug'(3.6%) or 'smoking'(3.6%). Effective weight control methods were thought regular exercise(97.1%) & dieting (79.3%). And behavior modification(71.4%) or diet camp(60%) were effective, too. An average waist circumference was $79.80{\pm}9.47cm$, waist/hip ratio was $86.63{\pm}6.78$, waist/height ratio was $50.43{\pm}6.10$. In the index of abdominal obesity, 79.7 % of middle-aged women was waist/height ratio over 0.46, 65.3% was waist/hip ratio over 0.85, 28.4% was waist circumference over 85cm. There were significant differences in the degree of abdominal obesity according to age and BMI. In the index of cardiovascualr risk, 10.9% of middle aged women was systolic hypertension over 140mmHg, 18.7% was diastolic hypertension over 90mmHg and 10.6% was hypercholesterolemia over 200mg/dl. There was significant difference in systolic hypertension ratio according to age. There was significant difference in diastolic hypertension ratio according to age and obesity. There were significant differences in hypercholesterolemia accorting to obesity. The abdominal obesity indices and the levels of T-cholesterol in the serum, systolic and diastolic BP increased significantly according to age. T-cholesterol in serum was predicted 2.6% by waist/height ratio. And systolic BP was predicted 15.2% by waist/height, add BMI to 16.8%. Subject's diastolic BP was predicted 12.1% by BMI. Therefore waist/height ratio and BMI were significant factors for the predictors of cardiovascular risk. There was significant correlation between index of obesity and cardiovascular risk. T-cholesterol in serum had correlation with waist/eight ratio(r=0.174) and waist circumference(r=0.48). Systolic BP had correlation with waist/height ratio(r=0.387), and BMI(=0.371). diastolic BP correlation had correlation with BMI(r=0.343) and waist/height ratio(r=0.327). In conclusion, The prevalence of obesity was 29.6% in 304 cases, and increased as age after menopause increased. Middle-aged women's weight perception and actual BMI coincide but some of them did not. Trial to reduce weight was attempted. But most of them did not actually. Undesirable weight control method such as using drugs, fasting, smoking was used by some women. It is important to educate about health weight control methods and raise their awareness of exact body figures. High frequency of abdominal obesity in middle-aged women had correlation with hypertension and hypercholesterolemia. Abdominal index such as waist/height ratio, waist circumference, waist/hip ratio was used. Women's hypertension, hypercholesterolemia significantly related to body mass index and abdominal obesity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.6
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• pp.499-506
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• 2010

The study aimed to analyze the lifestyles, weight control behavior, dietary habits, and depression of female university students. The subjects were 532 students from 8 universities located in 4 provinces in Korea. According to percent ideal body weight, 33 (6.4%), 181 (34.0%), 283 (53.2%), 22 (4.1%) and 13 (2.5%) were severely underweight, underweight, normal, overweight and obese, respectively, based on self-reported height and weight. As much as 64.1 % and only 2.4%, respectively, overestimated and underestimated their body weight status. Six overweight subjects were excluded from overestimation group for the purpose of this study, resulting in overestimation group consisting of only underweight and normal weight subjects. Compared to those from the normal perception group, significantly more subjects from the overestimation group were currently smoking (P=0.017) and drank more often than once a week (P=0.015), without any significant differences in dietary habits. Despite similar BMIs, subjects who overestimated their own weight statuses had significantly higher weight dissatisfaction (P= 0.000), obesity stress (P= 0.000), obsession to lose weight (P = 0.007) and depression (P = 0.018). Also, more of them wanted to lose weight (P = 0.000), checked their body weights more often than once a week (P=0.025) and had dieting experiences using 'reducing meal size' (P=0.012), 'reducing snacks' (P=0.042) and 'taking prescribed pills' (P = 0.032), and presented 'for a wider range of clothes selection' as the reason for weight loss (P = 0.039), although none was actually overweight or obese. Unlike the case with overestimating one's own weight, being overweight was associated with less drinking 0.035) and exercising more often (P=0.001) and for longer (P=0.001) and healthier reasons for weight control (P=0.002), despite no differences in frequency of weighing and depression. The results showed that weight overestimation, independent of weight status, is associated with risky lifestyles, weight control behaviors, and mental conditions. Preventive interventions should focus not only on obesity, but also on body weight overestimation.

• Journal of the Korean Applied Science and Technology
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.463-472
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• 2020

The purpose of this study is to identify the BMI, diet perception and diet behavior of female university students. A descriptive survey design was used 165 students from October 29 to November 9, 2018. Data were analyzed using mean, t-test, ANOVA, cross analysis with SPSS 21.0. Total diet perception was 3.44 points, highest sub category was 'practice' with 4.00 points, followed by 'information and education' with 3.58 points, 'necessity' with 3.32 points and lowest category was 'self-recognition' with 2.84. 65 students(43.0%) were 'less than three times' in 'Number of diets' and diet methods was 65(43.0%) for 'food control' and 62(41.1%) for 'exercise'. During in a week, 98 students(84.9%) exercised within three hours, followed by 33(21.9%) who did not exercised at all. 22 students(14.6%) said they experienced damage from dieting, while the types included gastrointestinal disease, menstrual irregularity and hair loss. The total score of diet perception according to BMI was lower in the underweight group than in the normal and overweight groups(p<.001). In diet 'practice' category, low weight group scored lower than normal weight and overweight groups(p<.05). In 'information and education' category, overweight group scored the highest, followed by normal and underweight groups(p<.001). In diet 'necessity' and 'self-recognition' categories, low weight group scored lower than normal weight and overweight groups(p<.001). Diet behavior by diet perception was different in number and method of diet(p<.001). Based on the results, it is thought that attention and education are needed to form a proper diet perception and maintain healthy living for female university students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.781-793
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the stress level and health-related behaviors of nurses and to provide basic information for developing educational programs in the health care field. The subjects of this study were 197 nurses and 94 nursing assistants working at hospitals in the Kyung-nam area. A survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in November, 2002. The results were as follows : The average age and work experience of the subjects were 26.9 and 5.6 years, respectively. The number of respondents in the shift and non-shift operations was equally distributed. The mean height and weight were 161.2 cm and 52.7 kg, respectively. Even though the average body mass index (BMI) and obesity index were normal in the subjects, 9.2% of the subjects were overweight/obese, while 28.9% of the subjects were under weight, according to the obesity index. The mean score of stress was 27.5 \pm$\pm$ 4.6 out of 50 points. Most of the subjects were highly stressed about the amount of their work, problems regarding their future, and relationships with their superiors. With regard to changes in food intake due to stress, 44.1% showed an increased intake, while 32.3% showed a reduced intake. The degree of health consciousness of the married nurses, those over 36 years of age, and those with over 10 years of nursing experience was significantly higher than that of the unmarried nurses, those under 35 years of age, and those with under 10 years of nursing experience (p<0.01). Fifty-one point three percent of the subjects thought their health status was unhealthy. Fifty-seven percent of the subjects had tried weight control. Their main reason for trying weight control was to have a slender figure (62.3%), and their methods of weight control were moderation in intake(45.6%), exercise and dieting (36.9%). TV/radio (49.5%) and newspaper/magazines (47.1%) were the primary sources of nutritional and health information for the subjects, and professional (25.1%) and the internet (13.4%) were ranked relatively highly. The food components of most concern to the subjects during meal time were (in order of importance) fats (51.9%), calories (40.2%) and salt (35.1%). The subjects considered 'taking a rest' (73.5%) as the most important factor in maintaining an optimal health status, followed by self-relaxation (56.4%), moderation in diet (39.5), bathing or using a sauna (25.7%) and exercising (22.7%).