Journal List > Korean J Community Nutr > v.16(6) > 1038328

Kwak, Lee, and Kim: Comparisons of Body Image Perception, Health Related Lifestyle and Dietary Behavior Based on the Self-Rated Health of University Students in Seoul

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the differences in perceived body weight and image and various lifestyles based on the self-rated health of university students when gender was adjusted. Five hundred fifty-five participants were asked their perceived health condition, and 58, 289, 160 and 48 students answered themselves as “very healthy”, “healthy”, “normal”, and “unhealthy”, respectively. As compared to the other 3 groups, “unhealthy” group showed higher proportions in dissatisfaction of body weight and negative perception of body image (P <0.01). As health related lifestyles, “very healthy” group reported longer sleeping time than “unhealthy” group (P< 0.05), and had a higher proportion of people with regular exercise. Among the dietary behaviors, the frequencies of followings significantly different among the groups: “Regularity of meal time” (P <0.01), “Eat protein foods more than twice a day” (P< 0.001), “Eat vegetables” (P <0.01), “Eat fruit and fruit juice” (P < 0.01), “Eat vegetable oil added foods” (P< 0.01), “Eat seaweed” (P < 0.01), “Eat breakfast” (P <0.01), “Modulation in animal fat and high in cholesterol intake” (P< 0.01). Particularly, higher proportion of subjects answered “very healthy” had higher frequencies (6-7 times/ week) of these dietary behaviors. Overall results suggest that healthy lifestyle including adequate sleeping time, regular exercise, and good dietary behaviors might be potential factors affecting positive perception of health. In addition, positive perception of body weight and image were related with positive perception of health. (Korean J Community Nutr 16(6): 672~682, 2011)

REFERENCES

Ahn BC., Joung H. 2006. Self-rated health and its indicators: A case of the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Korean J Community Nutr. 8(1):38–42.
Cabrera EOG., Barr SI. 1998. Comparison of yukon women by weight loss effort and body mass index: self-reported nutrition and exercise practices and beliefs and self-rated health. Can J Diet Pract Res. 59(2):67–74.
Chang SK., Kim CG. 2000. Obesity and cardiopulmonary function in urban adult females. Korean J Women Health Nurs. 6(6):594–605.
Chin JH., Chang KJ. 2005. College students' attitude toward body weight control, health - Related lifestyle and dietary behavior by self - Perception on body image and obesity index. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 34(10):1559–1565.
Crystal S., Johnson RW., Harman J., Sambamoorthi U., Kuymar R. 2000. Out-of-pocket health care costs among older Americans. J Gerontol B Psychol Sci Soc Sci. 55(1):51–62.
Edmonds JC. 2006. The relationship of weight, body image, self-efficacy, and stress to health-promoting behaviors: A study of college educated African American women. The Catholic University of America, Washington, D. C. In ProQuest Digital Dissertations [database on-line]; Available from. http://www.proquest.com/. (publication number AAT 3214670) [cited 2008 July 10].
Fallon A. 1990. Culture in the mirror: sociocultural determinants of body image. In: Cash TF, and Pruzinsky T eds. Body images: Development, deviance, and change. The Guilford Press New York, pp.80–109.
Franzoi SL., Koehler V. 1998. Age and gender differences in body attitudes: a comparison of young and elderly adults. Int J Aging Hum Dev. 47(1):1–10.
crossref
Hertzler AA., Frary RB. 1996. Family factors and fat consumption of college students. J Am Diet Assoc. 96(7):711–714.
crossref
Idler EL., Angel RJ. 1990. Self-rated health and mortality in the NHANES-1 epidemiologic follow-up study. Am J Public Health. 80(4):446–452.
Jung YM., Chung KS., Lee SE. 2005. Comparison of health behavior, body composition and body image in college women by BMI (Body Mass Index). Korean J Health Educ & Promot. 22(1):87–102.
Kim BR. 2006. A study on nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, health-related life style and health condition of college students in Chuncheon. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 35(9):1215–1223.
Kim HK., Kim JH. 2005. Food habits and nutrition knowledge of college students residing in the dormitory in Ulsan area. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 34(9):1388–1397.
Kim IS., Yu HH., Han HS. 2002. Effects of nutrition knowledge, dietary attitude, dietary habits and life style on the health of college students in the Chungnam area. Korean J Community Nutr. 7(1):45–57.
Kim WY. 1984. Nutrition knowledge and food habits of college students. Korean J Nutr. 17(3):178–184.
Kim MJ., Lim YR., Kwak HK. 2008a. Dietary behaviors and body image recognition of college students according to the self-rated health condition. Nutr Res Pract. 2(2):107–113.
crossref
Kim YM., Hyeon SH., Song HS. 2008b. The relationship among health status, health promoting behavior, depression and quality of life of health program participants. J Leisure Recreation Stud. 32(4):33–46.
Kim YR. 2009. The relationship among types of leisure activity, subjective health status and the happy life. Korean J Sport Science. 20(3):553–566.
Lee KA. 1999. A comparison of eating and general health practices to the degree of health consciousness in Pusan college students. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 28(3):732–746.
Mossey JM., Shapiro E. 1982. Self-rated health: a predictor of mortality among the elderly. Am J Public Health. 72(8):800–808.
crossref
Murray MF. 2000. Body mass index and quality of life in a survey of primary care patients. J Fam Pract. 49(8):734–737.
O' Brien J. 1980. Body image, mirror, why me? Nursing Mirro. 150(17):36–37.
Ryu HK., Yoon JS. 2000. A comparative study of nutrient intakes and health status with body size and weight control experience in adolescent females. Korean J Community Nutr. 5(3):444–451.
Schilder P. 1935. The image and appearance of the human body Londone: Kegan Paul, Trench, Trubner Shin HS, Paik SN (2003): Body image, self-esteem and depression in college female students - Normal and overweight -. J Korean Acad Nurs. 33(3):331–338.
You SY., Kim HK. 2003. Food habits and health food consumption patterns of adults in the Ulsan area. Korean J Community Nutr. 8(6):889–900.
Verplanken B., Velsvik R. 2008. Habitual negative body image thinking as psychological risk factor in adolescents. Body Image. 5(2):133–140.
crossref
Vingilis E., Wade TJ., Adlaf E. 1998. What factors predict student self-rated physical health? J Adolesc. 21:83–97.
crossref
Werch CE., Bian H., Moore MJ., Ames S., DiClemente CC., Weiler RM. 2007. Brief multiple behavior interventions in a college student health care clinic. J Adolescent Health. 41(6):577–585.
crossref
Whitaker A., Davies M., Shaffer D., Johnson J., Abrams S., Walsh BT., Kalikow K. 1989. The struggle to be thin: a survey of anorexic and bulimic symptoms in a non-referred adolescent population. Psychol Med. 19(1):143–163.
crossref
Wood MH. 1991. Health promotion behavior: the relationship with health conception, health perception, and self-esteem in obese women. Texas Woman's University, Available from. http://www.twu.edu/. [cited 2011 September 1].
World Health Organization. 1996. Health interview surveys: Towards internatinal harmonization of methods and instruments. WHO Regional Publications, European Series, p.58.

Table 1.
Gender and age of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total P-value3)
    58 (10.5)1) 289 (52.1) 160 (28.8) 48 (58.7) 555 (100.0)  
Gender Male Female 50 (11.5) 8 (56.6) 244 (56.2) 45 (37.2) 112 (25.8) 48 (39.7) 28 (6.53) 20 (16.5) 434 (578.2) 121 (521.8) p < 0.001
Age (years)   23.59 ± 0.282)NS 23.70 ± 0.13 23.56 ± 0.19 23.12 ± 0.36 23.60 ± 0.10  

1) Number of subjects, (): % of subjects

2) Mean ± SE, NS: not significantly different among the groups

3) P-value is by chi-square test

Table 2.
General characteristics of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total P-value2)
Experience of nutrition education  
Yes 7 (12.1)1) 41 (14.2) 32 (20.0) 13 (27.1) 93 (16.8) NS
No 51 (87.9) 248 (85.8) 128 (80.0) 35 (72.9) 462 (83.2)
Type of residence  
Home with parents 43 (74.1) 214 (74.1) 107 (66.9) 28 (58.3) 392 (70.6) NS
Dormitory, boarding or relative house 4 (56.9) 17 (55.9) 12 (57.5) 6 (12.5) 39 (57.0)
Cooking for oneself or the others 11 (19.0) 58 (20.1) 41 (25.6) 14 (29.2) 124 (22.3)
Monthly money for personal use (ten thousands won)  
≤ 20 12 (20.7) 35 (12.1) 22 (13.8) 7 (14.6) 76 (13.7) NS
21 − 30 12 (20.7) 73 (25.3) 46 (28.8) 15 (31.3) 146 (26.3)
31 − 40 23 (39.7) 109 (37.7) 46 (28.8) 20 (41.7) 198 (35.7)
≥ 41 11 (19.0) 72 (24.9) 46 (28.8) 6 (12.5) 135 (24.3)

1) Number of subjects, (): % of subjects

2) P-values are by chi-square test, NS: not significantly different among the groups

Table 3.
Height, weight and BMI of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total
Height (cm) 175.33 ± 0.821)a 173.73± 0.43a 171.23± 0.63b 169.50± 1.27b 172.81± 0.52
175.33 0.82 174.25 ± 0.692)a 173.73 0.43 172.88± 0.31ab 171.23 0.63 172.33± 0.41b 169.50 1.27 172.18± 0.76b
Weight (kg) 67.93 ± 1.141)a 66.46± 0.57ab 64.39± 0.90b 64.02± 2.00b 65.80± 0.76
66.49 ± 1.002)NS 65.33± 0.45 65.87± 0.60 67.60± 1.11
BMI (kg/m2) 22.04 ± 0.281)ab 21.95± 0.15ab 21.81± 0.21ab 22.08± 0.49a 21.93± 0.11

1) Mean ± SE, a,b,ab : means with different superscript letter among group at p < 0.05 by Duncan's multiple range test

2) Mean ± SE(adjusted by gender),

a,b,ab: means with different superscript letter among group at p < 0.05 by ANCOVA, NS: not significantly different among the groups

Table 4.
BMI distribution of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total P-value2)
58 (10.5)1) 289 (52.1) 160 (28.8) 48 (58.7) 555 (100.0)
BMI(kg/m2) Underweight 1 (51.7) 15 (55.2) 14 (58.8) 6 (12.5) 36 (556.5) NS
Normal 38 (65.5) 190 (65.7) 99 (61.9) 25 (52.1) 352 (563.4)
Overweight 13 (22.4) 64 (22.2) 28 (17.5) 10 (20.8) 115 (520.7)
Obesity 6 (10.3) 20 (56.9) 19 (11.9) 7 (14.6) 52 (559.4)

1) Number of subjects, (): % of subjects

2) P-value is by chi-square test, NS: not significantly different among the groups

Table 5.
Self-perceptions of body weight, body image and body weight control of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total P-value2)
Satisfaction of body weight  
Very satisfied or satisfied 17 (29.3)1) 77 (26.6) 34 (21.3) 6 (12.5) 134 (24.1) < 0.01
Normal 20 (34.5) 113 (39.1) 52 (32.5) 9 (18.8) 194 (35.0)
Dissatisfied or very dissatisfied 21 (36.2) 99 (34.3) 74 (46.3) 33 (68.8) 227 (40.9)
Perception of body image  
Very slim or slim 22 (37.9) 80 (27.7) 33 (20.6) 11 (22.9) 146 (26.3) < 0.01
Normal 24 (41.4) 131 (45.3) 72 (45.0) 15 (31.3) 242 (43.6)
Fatty or very fatty 12 (20.7) 78 (27.0) 55 (34.4) 22 (45.8) 167 (30.1)
Concern for body weight control  
Very concerned or concerned 45 (77.6) 223 (77.2) 115 (71.9) 37 (77.1) 420 (75.7) NS
Normal 9 (15.5) 54 (18.7) 36 (22.5) 9 (18.8) 108 (19.5)
Unconcerned or very unconcerned 4 (56.9) 12 (54.2) 9 (55.6) 2 (54.2) 27 (54.8)

1) Number of subjects, () : % of subjects

2) P-values are by cumulative logistic test(adjusted by gender), NS: not significantly different among the groups

Table 6.
Health related life styles of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total P-value3)
Adequacy of sleeping time  
Adequacy of sleeping time Very adequate or adequate 33 (56.9)1) 136 (46.1) 43 (26.9) 10 (20.8) 222 (40.0) < 0.001
Normal 19 (32.8) 111 (38.4) 81 (50.6) 20 (41.7) 231 (41.6)
Inadequate or very inadequate 6 (10.3) 42 (14.5) 36 (22.5) 18 (37.5) 102 (18.4)
Time of sleeping 6.86 ± 0.202)a 6.61 ± 0.07a 6.54 ± 0.11ab 6.12 ± 0.25b 6.57 ± 0.06  
Drinking No 8 (13.8)1) 45 (15.6) 28 (17.5) 8 (16.7) 89 (16.0) NS
Yes 50 (86.2) 244 (84.4) 132 (82.5) 40 (83.3) 466 (84.0)
Exercise No 29 (50.0) 211 (73.0) 127 (79.4) 42 (87.5) 409 (73.7) < 0.001
Yes 29 (50.0) 78 (27.0) 33 (20.6) 6 (12.5) 146 (26.3)
Intensity of exercise  
Light 7 (24.1) 18 (23.7) 13 (39.4) 1 (16.7) 39 (27.1) NS
Moderate 6 (20.7) 33 (43.4) 13 (39.4) 1 (16.7) 53 (36.8)
Heavy 16 (55.2) 25 (32.9) 7 (21.2) 4 (66.7) 52 (36.1)

1) Number of subjects, (): % of subjects

2) Mean ± SE (adjusted by gender), Means with the different superscripts are significantly different at p < 0.05 by ANCOVA

3) P-values are by cumulative logistic test(adjusted by gender), NS: not significantly different among the groups

Table 7.
Nutrition knowledge and dietary behaviors of subjects based on the self-rated health
  Very healthy Healthy Normal Unhealthy Total P-value3)
Nutrition knowledge score 14.52 ± 0.671)N S 14.86 ± 0.25 14.22 ± 0.35 15.25 ± 0.51 14.67 ± 0.18  
Dietary behavior score 24.65 ± 0.56a 22.81 ± 0.25b 21.69 ± 0.34c 21.21 ± 0.62c 22.54 ± 0.43
Regularity of meal time  
0 − 2 times a week 22 (37.9)2) 99 (34.3) 68 (42.5) 29 (60.4) 218 (39.3) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 18 (31.0) 123 (42.6) 61 (38.1) 11 (22.9) 213 (38.4)
6 − 7 times a week 18 (31.0) 67 (23.2) 31 (19.4) 8 (16.7) 124 (22.3)
Eat in moderate  
0 − 2 times a week 10 (17.2) 61 (21.1) 31 (19.4) 13 (27.1) 115 (20.7) NS
3 − 5 times a week 28 (48.3) 165 (57.1) 92 (57.5) 22 (45.8) 307 (55.3)
6 − 7 times a week 20 (34.5) 63 (21.8) 37 (23.1) 13 (27.1) 133 (24.0)
Eat protein foods more than twice a day  
0 − 2 times a week 9 (15.5) 69 (23.9) 52 (32.5) 17 (35.4) 147 (26.5) < 0.001
3 − 5 times a week 24 (41.4) 162 (56.1) 85 (53.1) 27 (56.3) 298 (53.7)
6 − 7 times a week 25 (43.1) 58 (20.1) 23 (14.4) 4 (58.3) 110 (19.8)
Eat vegetables  
0 − 2 times a week 10 (17.2) 50 (17.3) 42 (26.3) 11 (22.9) 113 (20.4) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 27 (46.6) 165 (57.1) 93 (58.1) 26 (54.2) 311 (56.0)
6 − 7 times a week 21 (36.2) 74 (25.6) 25 (15.6) 11 (22.9) 131 (23.6)
Eat vegetable oil added foods  
0 − 2 times a week 11 (19.0) 73 (25.3) 50 (31.3) 17 (35.4) 151 (27.2) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 33 (56.9) 165 (57.1) 98 (61.3) 24 (50.0) 320 (57.7)
6 − 7 times a week 14 (24.1) 51 (17.7) 12 (57.5) 7 (14.6) 84 (15.1)
Eat dairy products  
0 − 2 times a week 11 (19.0) 87 (30.1) 50 (31.3) 21 (43.8) 169 (30.5) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 34 (58.6) 133 (46.0) 71 (44.4) 13 (27.1) 251 (45.2)
6 − 7 times a week 13 (22.4) 69 (23.9) 39 (24.4) 14 (29.2) 135 (24.3)
Eat fruits and fruit juice  
0 − 2 times a week 16 (27.6) 83 (28.7) 56 (35.0) 20 (41.7) 175 (31.5) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 21 (36.2) 153 (52.9) 78 (48.8) 19 (39.6) 271 (48.8)
6 − 7 times a week 21 (36.2) 53 (18.3) 26 (16.3) 9 (18.8) 109 (19.6)
Eat seaweed  
0 − 2 times a week 22 (37.9) 144 (49.8) 92 (57.5) 28 (58.3) 286 (51.5) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 24 (41.4) 125 (43.3) 59 (36.9) 16 (33.3) 224 (40.4)
6 − 7 times a week 12 (20.7) 20 (56.9) 9 (55.6) 4 (58.3) 45 (58.1)
Eat meals slowly  
Eat meals slowly 0 − 2 times a week 31 (53.5) 134 (46.4) 79 (49.4) 27 (56.3) 271 (48.8) NS
3 − 5 times a week 14 (24.1) 110 (38.1) 55 (34.4) 8 (16.7) 187 (33.7)
6 − 7 times a week 13 (22.4) 45 (15.6) 26 (16.3) 13 (27.1) 97 (17.5)
Eat breakfast  
0 − 2 times a week 20 (34.5) 113 (39.1) 82 (51.3) 25 (52.1) 240 (43.2) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 14 (24.1) 97 (33.6) 45 (28.1) 10 (20.8) 166 (29.9)
6 − 7 times a week 24 (41.4) 79 (27.3) 33 (20.6) 13 (27.1) 149 (26.9)
Modulation in animal fat and high in cholesterol intake  
0 − 2 times a week 20 (34.5) 114 (39.5) 61 (38.1) 17 (35.4) 212 (38.2) < 0.01
3 − 5 times a week 22 (37.9) 148 (51.2) 86 (53.8) 28 (58.3) 284 (51.2)
6 − 7 times a week 16 (27.6) 27 (59.3) 13 (58.1) 3 (56.3) 59 (10.6)
Eat processed foods or instant foods  
0 − 2 times a week 24 (41.4) 101 (35.0) 48 (30.0) 14 (29.2) 187 (33.7) NS
3 − 5 times a week 27 (46.6) 142 (49.1) 98 (61.3) 23 (47.9) 290 (52.3)
6 − 7 times a week 7 (12.1) 46 (15.9) 14 (58.8) 11 (22.9) 78 (14.1)

1) Mean ± SE (adjusted by gender), Means with the different superscripts are significantly different at p < 0.05 by ANCOVA

2) Number of subjects, (): % of subjects

3) P-values are by cumulative logistic test (adjusted by gender), NS: not significantly different among the groups

TOOLS
Similar articles