Abstract

The purpose of this study was to examine the prevalence of eating disorders and the dietary, and psychological factors that influence eating disorders in high school girls. Data was collected from 4 vocational and 4 general girls' high schools in Incheon. Among the total of 595 questionnaires collected, 581 were analyzed. For data analyses, frequency, percentage, average, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Duncan's Post-Hoc and regression were conducted using SPSS WIN ver 10.0 program. As a result, 25 out of 581 students (4.3%) are judged to have eating disorders. The mean BMI of the subjects is 20.2, but the BMI students think of as ideal is 17.6. Since the frequencies of diet trial, taking diet pills, and skipping dinner are higher, the average score of Eating Attitudes Test for Korean Adolescents (EAT-26KA) is higher, they are more likely to have eating disorders. The lower the degree of body satisfaction and self esteem are, the higher the average score of EAT-26KA is. It tells that the possibility of developing eating disorders is closely related to BMI and psychological factors specially body satisfaction.

• Keywords: eating disorders; EAT-26KA; diet; body satisfaction; self esteem