Haeryun Park
Myongji University, Korea
Title: Discrepancy between actual body shape and self-perceived body image in different age groups among Korean women: Analysis of 2010 Korea national health and nutrition examination survey data
Biography
Biography: Haeryun Park
Abstract
Self perceived body image among women is drawing a lot of attention in Korea due to their unhealthy weight control behaviors. To determine the discrepancy ratio between body image perception and actual body shape, the 2010 KNHANES data of 1,747 Korean women were analyzed. Th e ratio of discrepancy between self-perceived body image and actual body shape was 38.5% in total showing 34.2% of oversized and 4.3% of undersized self-perception. Th e percentages of underweight women with self-perception of normal weight or obesity were 20.6%and 0.2%, respectively. Th e younger the underweight women are, the more did they regarded themselves normal or obese(p<0.05). Th e ratio of normal weight women having self-perception of obesity was 29.1% showing higher ratios in 30s and 40s compared to teens and 20s(p<0.01). On the contrary, the proportions of normal weight women having self-perception of underweight were 1.9%, 3.8%, 4.5% and 5.0% in teens, 20s, 30s, and 40s respectively. Inadequate body perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors need to be corrected to prevent nutritional disorders. Tailored nutrition education intervention has to be targeted to these women with incorrect body image perceptions
