A Study on the Correlation between Middle School Students' Eating Disorder Behavior and Scholastic Adjustment / 대한지역사회영양학회지

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to verify the difference of middle school students' eating disorder behavior and scholastic adjustment according to the gender and weight group and evaluate correlations between their eating disorder behavior and scholastic adjustment. A survey was conducted in middle school second graders attending five schools located in Seoul. Results from 355 questionnaire sheets were utilized for statistical analysis, and the results were gained as below With regard to eating disorder behavior by gender, female students showed more eating disorder behavior than male students (p < 0.01); however, scholastic adjustment did not indicate significant differences by gender. According to the result of analyzing scholastic adjustment according to the weight group, the obese group showed lower scholastic adjustment (p < 0.05) and adjustment to studying (p < 0.01) than other groups; however, the eating disorder behavior, attachment to school, and adjustment to school did not indicate significant differences. According to the results of analyzing scholastic adjustment by eating disorder group, the normal group showed higher adjustment to studying than the risky group (p < 0.01). And scholastic adjustment, attachment to school, and adjustment to school did not indicate significant differences. The eating disorder behavior showed negative relationship with adjustment to studying. They showed more eating disorder behavior, their adjustment to studying became lower. Therefore, it is necessary to provide nutritional education at home and at school for them to have appropriate dietary habits as well as health education for them to maintain normal weight.