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Yom and Lee: Factors Affecting Eating Attitude of Female Undergraduates in Regard to BMI
Original Article
Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing

Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing 2010; 40(5): 676-685.

Published online: 31 October 2010

DOI: https://doi.org/10.4040/jkan.2010.40.5.676

Factors Affecting Eating Attitude of Female Undergraduates in Regard to BMI

Young-Hee Yom1, Kyu Eun Lee2

1Professor, Department of Nursing, Chung-Ang University, Seoul, Korea.

2Professor, Department of Nursing, Kwandong University, Gangneung, Korea.

Address reprint requests to: Lee, Kyu Eun. Department of Nursing, Kwandong University, 522 Naegok-dong, Gangneung 210-700, Korea. Tel: 82-33-649-7617, Fax: 82-33-649-7620, lke@kd.ac.kr

Received 5 April 2010       Accepted 17 October 2010

Copyright © 2010 Korean Society of Nursing Science

Abstract

Purpose

The purpose of this study was to examine the factors affecting eating attitude of female undergraduates according to BMI.

Methods

A descriptive survey design with a convenience sampling was used and data collection was done using a self-report questionnaire answered by 406 female undergraduates from four universities located in Seoul, Kangwon, Gyeongsangbuk and Chungcheongnam Provinces. ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients, and hierarchial multiple regression were used the SPSS WIN 17.0 Program to analyze the data.

Results

With respect to BMI, the students were found to be in 3 groups, whose differences in eating attitude were significant. Eating attitude had significant positive correlation with height (r=.118, p=.017), weight (r=.267, p<.000), BMI (r=.239, p<.001), and depression (r=.375, p<.001), and negative correlation with subjective well-being (r=-.153, p=.002) and body esteem (r=-.287, p<.001). In the hierarchial multiple regression analysis, college major, height, weight and religion, were controlled. Depression and body esteem regarding weight significantly predicted 40.7% of eating attitude for the underweight group and normal weight group, body esteem: weight and depression were significant predictors for 27.5% of eating attitude for the normal weight group. Body esteem: weight explained 32.6% of eating attitude for the overweight group.

Conclusion

Findings of this study allow a comprehensive understanding of eating attitudes and related factors among female undergraduates in Korea. Further study with a larger random sample from various universities is necessary.

Keywords: Eating attitude, Female, Undergraduate, BMI

Figures and Tables

Table 1
General Characteristics of Subjects (N=406)
jkan-40-676-i001
Table 2
The Degree of Subjective Well-being, Body Esteem, Depression and Eating Attitude
jkan-40-676-i002
Table 3
Subjective Well-being, Body Esteem, Depression and Eating Attitude by BMI
jkan-40-676-i003
Table 4
Correlations among Variables
jkan-40-676-i004

1=Age; 2=Height; 3=Weight; 4=BMI; 5=Subjective well-being; 6=Body-esteem: Body function; 7=Body-esteem: Weight; 8=Body-esteem: Appearance; 9=Body-esteem; 10=Depression; 11=Eating attitude: Identity; 12=Eating attitude: Dietary habit; 13=Eating attitude: Weight control; 14=Eating attitude.

Table 5
Hierarchical Regression for Eating Attitude
jkan-40-676-i005

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