Journal List > J Korean Acad Psychiatr Ment Health Nurs > v.21(3) > 1057941

Baek, Park, Kim, and Kim: Eating Attitudes, Depression, Parent-child Interaction, and Family Function of Adolescent Girls

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of the study was to investigate the prevalence of abnormal eating attitudes and to identify possible risk factors associated with these attitudes among Korean adolescent girls.

Methods

A convenience sample of 1,126 girls aged 15 to 19 years was recruited from thirteen high schools. A self-report survey was conducted including Eating Attitude Test for diagnosing abnormal eating attitudes. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multiple logistic regression with PASW statistics 18.0.

Results

Of the participants, 8.3% met the criteria for abnormal eating attitudes. Misperception of body image, depression, and high or low economical status were significantly associated with abnormal eating attitudes (OR=3.50, 95% CI=1.95~6.28; OR=5.47, 95% CI=3.17~9.44; OR=2.26, 95% CI=1.14~4.47; OR=2.41, 95% CI=1.25~4.66).

Conclusion

The current study identified the family factors as well as internal ones related to abnormal eating attitudes of Korean adolescent girls. The results indicate that the most effective prevention strategies for this population would be to correct their misperception of body image and control depression. Results also suggest that further studies are necessary to develop a predictive model that could explain the influence of family factors including parent-child interaction and family function to abnormal eating attitudes.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
Internal and Family Factors of Participants (N=1,126)
jkapmhn-21-176-i001

Under-weight: BMI is less than 5th percentile for sex and age, normal: 5~85 percentile; Over-weight: 85~95 percentile, obesity: above the 95th percentile; Despite being thin or normal, they think they are over-weight; §Intact family: nuclear and large family, Deficient family: single parent and grandparent family.

Table 2
Comparison of Internal Factors between Abnormal and Normal Eating Attitudes Group (N=1,126)
jkapmhn-21-176-i002

Measured by ANCOVA (Analysis of Covariance) with age as covariate; Under-weight: BMI is less than 5th percentile for sex and age, Normal: 5~85 percentile, Over-weight: 85~95 percentile, Obesity: above the 95th percentile; §Despite being thin or normal, they think they are over-weight.

Table 3
Comparison of Family Factors between Abnormal and Normal Eating Attitudes Group (N=1,126)
jkapmhn-21-176-i003

Intact family=nuclear and large family, Deficient family: single parent and grandparent family.

Table 4
Factors associated with Abnormal Eating Attitudes of Adolescent Girls (N=907)
jkapmhn-21-176-i004

Nagelkerke R2=.15; χ2=58.64, df=4, p<.001; Hit ratio=92.6%; Each variable adjusted for all other variables in the table; SE=standardized error; OR=odds ratio; CI=confidence interval.

Excluded missing values; Dummy variables (Misperception of body image: no=0, yes=1; Children's depression inventory: normal=0, depression=1); §Dummy variables (Economic status: poor=d1, rich=d2); The base group of economic status is average; Dummy variables were coded as (1, 0) for poor and (0, 1) for rich.

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