Secular Trends for Body-shape Perception, Weight-loss Efforts, and Weight-loss Behaviors in Korean Adults Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2014

BACKGROUND: The objective of study was to investigate secular trends for body-shape perception, weight-loss efforts, and weight-loss behaviors from 2001 to 2014 in Korean adults and factors related to those weight-related attitude. METHODS: Self-reported body-shape perception, weight-loss efforts, and weight-loss behaviors were used in 26,480 men and 35,051 women aged 19 or older using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2001 to 2014 (from 2005 to 2014 for weight-loss behaviors). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted using complex sampling design in each sex. RESULTS: Body-shape misperception tended to decrease from 2001 to 2014 and weight-loss efforts tended to increase over the period in all subjects, whereas unhealthy weight-loss behaviors tended to increase over the period in women. In multivariable logistic regression model, body-shape misperception in men was inversely associated with survey year, while positively associated with age and weight status. In women, body-shape misperception was inversely associated with survey year, education, and income, while positively associated with age and weight status. Weight-loss efforts in both sexes were inversely associated with age, while positively associated with survey year, education, income, and weight status. Healthy weight-loss behaviors were positively associated with education but inversely associated with age in men. In women, those behaviors were positively associated with education and weight status, while inversely associated with survey year. CONCLUSIONS: We found decreased body-shape misperception and increased weight-loss efforts in Korean men and women from 2001 to 2014, and decreased healthy weight-loss behaviors in women from 2005 to 2014.

Eating disorders among medical students of a rural teaching hospital: a cross-sectional study.

Background: Eating disorders are complex psychiatric syndromes in that can lead to significant and potentially life threatening medical and nutrition complications. Literature from India in this regard is restricted and issues such as eating attitudes and body shape dissatisfaction remain unexplored in the Indian setting. It has been argued that eating disorders are culture-bound disorders specific to western societies. Consequently, these conditions remain understudied in most non-western settings. Objectives: 1) To determine the prevalence of eating disorders and body shape perception among medical students. 2) To assess any association between eating disorders and body shape perception. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 172 medical students using Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), and the Body Shape Questionnaire (BSQ). Anthropometric measurements like height, weight was done for body mass index calculation and analysis was done with open Epi and Microsoft excel. Results: An overall prevalence of overweight was calculated to be 17.4% and obesity, 6.4%. The prevalence of eating disorder symptoms and disordered eating attitudes and behaviours in our study was 16.9% and a significant correlation between distorted eating attitudes and age with body shape dissatisfaction was found. Conclusions: The prevalence of overweight and obesity is on rise and a comparable level of eating disorders was observed. It is recommended to assess BMI along with the body shape concerns while screening for eating disorders among medical students.

Gender Differences in Body Image Perception among Northern Malaysian Tertiary Students.

Aims: This study examined the association of socio-cultural and psychological factors with body shape concern, perception and body weight perception among tertiary students of Northern Malaysia. Study Design: This is a cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Universiti and Kolej Tunku Abdul Rahman (UTAR and KTAR), Perak campuses, between August 2011 and January 2012. Methodology: A total of 1003 students were recruited (M = 431, F = 572; mean age 19.96 ± 1.51) and their body image perception were assessed using Body Shape Concern Questionnaire, Body Weight Perception Questionnaire, Body Shape Perception Questionnaire (Stunkard Silhouette Chart), Multidimensional Body Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ), Rosenberg’s Self-Esteem Scale (RSE) and Quality of Life measurement. Results: More females than males had problems with their body shape, where more females desired a thinner body size and vice versa for males. There was misperception of opposite sex’s perception of attractive body shape, where males chose a larger figure for attractive body shape of female compared to females themselves, and vice versa. Overweight students had significantly lower parental/peer acceptance, higher body shape satisfaction and hence lower body weight/shape anxiety, and made lesser body shape comparison compared to other counterparts. Quality of life and self-esteem were significantly negatively correlated with body satisfaction. Conclusion: Male and female Malaysian tertiary students were concerned with their body shape and perceived their body weight/shape differently.

Perceptions of Body Shape and Weight Control in Individuals Consuming Weight-Control or Health Functional Foods

The purpose of this study was to investigate the general characteristics, body shape, and perceptions of weight control in individuals consuming health functional foods and weight-control foods. The survey was conducted between April 15 and June 17, 2010 among 199 (57 males and 142 females; age range, 25-45 years) in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, who experienced eating health functional foods or weight control foods during the past year (June 2009 to June 2010). The subjects were divided into a weight-control food group (89 adults) and a health functional food group (110 adults). The subjects were comprised of a high proportion of aged (average age, 34.2 +/- 5.9 years), graduates (71.9%), and married (65.8%) individuals. In the weight control food group, gender, age, and educational background were similar and the ratios of service/technical employees, college students, and normal-weight individuals [body mass index (BMI), < 23] were high. BMI was significantly different by gender (p < 0.001), age (p < 0.01), marital status (p < 0.001), and job type (p < 0.001). Self-perceived health status showed a higher response for "in good health" in the 35-44 year old group than that in the 25-34 year old group (p < 0.05). Male group satisfaction for body shape was significantly higher than that in the female group. The main reason for going on a diet was significantly different by gender (p < 0.05) and BMI (p < 0.01). The main motives for dieting were "because I am not at an ideal weight" and "because of the social atmosphere and the attention of others" in men, but "can't wear the clothes I want" in women (p < 0.01). The most preferable product type related to the two groups was significantly different by job (p < 0.001) and BMI (p < 0.05). However, no significant differences were observed for questions about body shape perception and weight control. Consumers who had different general characteristics and used diet products perceived body shape and weight control differently. Additionally, no meaningful differences were observed when the results were categorized by product type, except job and BMI, but the distribution of consumer characteristics showed different tendencies. These results can be utilized as basic data for developing new diet products to help people control their weight more scientifically and appropriately in the future.

The Effects of a Nutrition and Body Shape Education Program as Part of Health Promoting Projects in an Elementary School

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a nutrition education program as part of health promoting projects in an elementary school. A total of 168 students in the 4th grade were enrolled in the program for 6 months. A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess nutrition knowledge and dietary habit. Nutrient intakes and body shape perceptions were measured using 24-hour recall method and self-ratings of body shape figures, respectively. The education program was conducted in various ways, focused on healthy dietary behavior, nutrients' roles and sources, and proper body shape perceptions, etc. After the education program, nutrition knowledge and dietary habit were significantly improved. Dietary habit scores were significantly and positively related to nutrition knowledge levels. Body shape perceptions were significantly and properly changed after the program. Dissatisfaction with perceived current body shape and discrepancy between shapes desired and considered healthy were significantly decreased. But girls still indicated a desire to be leaner than shapes which were perceived current and considered healthy. Nutrient intakes were partly improved by the program, but some nutrients, such as calcium, folate, zinc, sodium and niacin, were still remained deficient or excessive. These findings indicate that enhancement of nutrition knowledge is extended to the improvement of dietary habit. In addition, establishment of proper body shape perception is closely related to healthy dietary habits and is required to good nutrition and health.

Imagen corporal, actividad física y factores de riesgo / Self-perception of body image, physical activity and risk factors

Objetivo Analizar los factores de riesgo asociados a la percepción de la autoimagen en personas de mediana edad que practican caminata. Material y Métodos Se evaluaron 4 grupos en función del género y los rangos de edad. Se registraron las variables morfológicas y funcionales no invasivas, y se procesó la identificación de la imagen corporal, por medio de un conjunto de siluetas numeradas. Para analizar los datos, se utilizó estadística descriptiva e inferencial. Resultados Se encontraron factores de riesgo entre los géneros y los rangos de edad de los grupos estudiados. Se constató la diferencia entre los géneros, con respecto a la imagen corporal, y también entre dos grupos de un mismo género; deseando los voluntarios una reducción de sus siluetas. Conclusiones Los factores de riesgo están asociados a la imagen corporal en ambos géneros del estudio.

Objective Analysing the risk-factors associated with perception of self-image in middle-aged walkers. Material and Methods Four groups were evaluated regarding gender and age-group. Non-invasive morphological and functional variables were colleted and body image identification was processed using a set of numbered silhouettes. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in decision-making. Results Greater risk-factors were found in both genders and among the age-groups being studied. There was a difference between genders regarding self-perceived body image and between two groups from the same gender. The volunteers wished to reduce their silhouettes. Conclusions The risk-factors were associated with self-perceived body image in both genders being studied here.