Abstract

The objective of this research was to study the differences between urban and rural areas high school students in body image and dietary habits. The number of subjects in Seoul and Kyungkido were 902. Based on self-reported height and weight, there was no significant difference between the urban and rural students. However, the rate of obesity was significantly higher in males, whereas the rate of underweight was significantly higher in females, especially for urban females (p < 0.05). Their ideal body image ratio as skinny or slender-type was 91.6% (urban) and 95.7% (rural) for male category while 100% (urban) and 99.4% (rural) for females. Urban females had a strong preference for a skinny body (p < 0.05). Rural students were more highly interested in weight control than urban students were, but they appeared not to care their health. In addition, they had significantly lower levels of weight control knowledge and dietary attitude score (p < 0.001). Subjective assessment of body weight appeared to be more important in terms of body satisfaction, weight control knowledge and dietary attitude than actual measurement of body mass index. Significant test revealed that weight control knowledge was related to dietary attitude (p < 0.01). (p < 0.01).

• Keywords: perception on body image; dietary habits; weight control knowledge; weight control attitudes