Abstract

The purpose of this study was to compare the body compositions and food behaviors of middle aged men with different obesity indices. The subjects were 62 middle aged men who lived Gunsan city. Heights, body weights, soft/lean masses, fat masses, percentages of body fat, and fat distributions were measured. Food habits and health-related lifestyle habits were evaluated based on questionnaires. The subjects were assigned to one of the following groups based on their percentage of body fat (%Fat); normal, overweight and obesity. The results were as follows: their heights, fat masses, percentages of body fat, WHR, RBW, BMI and fitness scores were significantly higher in the obese subjects when compared to the normal and overweight subjects. Self-perceptions of weight and desires of weight control were significantly related with their percents of Fat. The overweight and the obese groups skipped meals, ate supper out, ate snacks, smoked tobacco, and exercised less frequently than the normal group. There were no significant differences in the scores of the dietary habits and drinking of alcohol among the three groups. Therefore, proper nutritional education on regular meals and intervention is required if middle aged men want to be of normal weight and have healthy lifestyles.

• Keywords: body composition; food behaviour; middle aged men