Abstract

This study was carried out to investigate the perception of body image, the dietary attitude, the nutrient intake and the dietary self-efficacy of middle school students in Kyoung-Nam. The survey was conducted from April 8 to April 22 in 2002. The results are summarized as follows. Twenty three point nine percents of the underweight group, 24.5% of the normal weight group, 57.1% of the overweight group and 62.5% of the obese group had correct perception about their body image. Most of the students were concerned about their body image and weight control. The obesity of the parents correlated significantly with the obesity of the subjects. The higher the obesity rate, the lower the dietary attitude and dietary self-efficacy. There was a significant positive correlation between the education level of their mothers and the dietary attitude of the subjects and a significant negative correlation between the obesity rate of the subjects and their dietary attitudes. Dietary attitude scores showed no significant difference among the groups. Intakes of calories, protein, calcium and iron were lower than those of the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDAs).

• Keywords: obesity; body image; dietary attitude; ddietary self-efficacy