A Study on Body Image Recognition, Food Habits, Food Behaviors and Nutrient Intake according to the Obesity Index of Elementary Children in Changwon

창원시 일부 초등학교 고학년의 비만도에 따른 체형인식도, 식습관, 식행동 및 영양섭취상태에 대한 비교연구

This study was carried out to investigate the difference of the body image recognition, food habits, food behaviors and nutrient intake according to the obesity index(underweight-, normal-, obese group) in children(aged 10.8 ys, 47 boys, 33 girls). Subjects were eva1uated based an anthrofometric measurement and questionnaries including food record diary in Changwon. The results are summarized as follows. The weight, BMI, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference and birth weight except height showed a significant difference between the three groups(p<0.001). The waist and hip circumference showed the possibility of being a predictor of obesity in children. The children's obesity was related to mother's weight(p<0.01), but not to father's. Ninety percent of the obese group, 47.8% of the normal group, and 37.8% of the underweight group preferred a thinner figure than their current status. The underweight group did more exercise regularly than the other groups. The underweight and obese groups had more irregular meal times and foster eating habits compared to the normal group. Most of subjects(89.9%) had an overeating habit, and tole ratio of the overeating habit increased with obesity. Fifty five percent of the subjects clad the habit of skipping meals, mainly breakfast. 46.8% of the subjects ate snacks more than twice per a day, the underweight and obese groups had snacks more of than the normal group. The preferred snack was 'cookies'and 'fruits ＆ juices'. 53.8% of the subjects had a prejudice for special food(especially 'pulses'(37.9%) and 'vegetables'(31.0%)). The assessment scores of food behaviors was relatively low in most of the subjects. Most nutrient intakes, except vitamin B$_1$, C and phosphate, were lower than those of Korean RDA. The nutrient intake of the normal group was higher than the underweight and obese groups. The results of this study showed some nutritional problems, which indicates the need for nutritional management for the children. To educate children, who are able to change their food habits and lifestyle, each means to help healthy growth and to help them become healthy adults.