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

ABSTRACT

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.