Journal List > Korean J Community Nutr > v.20(3) > 1038500

Jung, Ryu, Song, and Lee: A Comparison of Dietary Habits, Weight Control Behaviors, Eating Disorder Risk, and Depression of Middle School Girls according to Various Stages of Dieting

Abstract

Objectives

This study was conducted to compare dietary habits, weight control behaviors, eating disorder risk and depression among middle school girls who were at various stages of dieting.

Methods

Subjects were 391 girls attending a middle school in Kyeonggido, Korea. All the information was gathered by self-administered questionnaires. Eating disorder risk and depression were assessed using EAT-26 and PHQ-9, respectively. Data were compared among 4 groups; no interest in a diet (N=112), had experienced dieting (N=86), on diet currently (N=71), and plan to diet (N=122).

Results

A higher number of students currently on diet tended to be unsatisfied with their own weight (p < 0.01), overestimated their weight (p < 0.05), and weighed own body frequently (p < 0.001), compared to those with only experienced dieting in the past or those who plan to diet, despite similar weights and body mass index. The students who experienced dieting in the past or those who plan to diet appeared to have several undesirable as well as desirable dietary habits and their risk of eating disorder was significantly more prevalent compared to those without an interest in dieting (p < 0.01), although significantly less prevalent compared to those currently on a diet.

Conclusions

We conclude that unnecessary dieting is common among middle school girls and providing proper education with regard to healthy weights is needed to enhance their physical as well as psychological wellbeing.

Figures and Tables

Table 1

Age and anthropometric measurements of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i001

1) Mean ±SD

abc: different superscripts were significantly different at p < 0.05 by Duncan's multiple range test.

**: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001

Table 2

Lifestyle of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i002

*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01

Table 3

Desirable dietary habits of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i003

1) Mean ± SD

ab: different superscripts were significantly different at p < 0.05 by Duncan's multiple range test.

*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001

Table 4

Undesirable dietary habits of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting1)

kjcn-20-178-i004

1) reversely coded: yes=1, sometimes=3, no=5

2) Mean ± SD

ab: different superscripts were significantly different at p < 0.05 by Duncan's multiple range test.

*: p < 0.05

Table 5

Disordered eating of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i005

1) Three subclasses of EAT-26

2) Mean ± SD

abc: different superscripts were significantly different at p < 0.05 by Duncan's multiple range test.

**: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001

Table 6

Distribution of middle school girls with disordered eating according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i006

1) N (%)

*: p < 0.05

Table 7

The features of depression of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i007

1) Mean ± SD

abc: different superscripts were significantly different at p < 0.05. by Duncan's multiple range test.

*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01

Table 8

Distribution of middle school girls with depression according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i008

***: p < 0.001

Table 9

Weight distortion of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i009

1) Underestimation group, 2) Normal perception group, 3) Overestimation group

Table 10

Weight-related perception and dieting behavior of middle school girls according to various stages of dieting

kjcn-20-178-i010

*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001

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