The Prevalence of Obesity and Its Related Factors among Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High School Students in Gyeongnam Province

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doi:2007.11.1.10

J Korean Soc Matern Child Health > Volume 11(1); 2007 > Article

Journal of The Korean Society of Maternal and Child Health 2007;11(1):10-20.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21896/jksmch.2007.11.1.10 Published online January 31, 2007.

The Prevalence of Obesity and Its Related Factors among Elementary, Junior High, and Senior High School Students in Gyeongnam Province

김장락¹, 김병로², 홍대용¹, 박기수¹, 강윤식¹, 정백근¹, 김성희¹

¹경상대학교
²창원대학교

경남 일부 지역 초, 중, 고등학생의 비만율과 관련요인

김장락¹, 김병로², 홍대용¹, 박기수¹, 강윤식¹, 정백근¹, 김성희¹

¹경상대학교
²창원대학교

Abstract

Objectives
This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of obesity and identify obesity-related factors among elementary, junior high, and senior high school students in Gyeongnam Province.
Methods
The study subjects were total 1,704 students (896 male and 808 female students) from 53 classes among arbitrarily selected 13 elementary (4th grade or above), junior high, or senior high schools in one county area, one small city, and one medium-sized city in Gyeongnam Province. We used height and weight information measured and recorded in physical examinations in the 1st semester to calculate the degree of obesity according to 1998 year Korean standard body weight published by Korean Society for Pediatrics. Obesity was defined as ≥120% of standard body weight. Information on the students' dietary habit and physical activities was collected with self-administered questionnaires in the 2nd semester.
Results
The prevalence of obesity was 12.4% for male and 9.3% for female students (p<0.05). As the grade became higher, the prevalence had tendency to become higher. The significant obesity-related factors in the logistic regression analysis were 'eating amount and speed compared with friends' and 'frequency of eating ramyon' among male students; 'perceived obesity of parents', 'eating amount and speed compared with friends'. 'frequency of moderate or vigorous activities’, and 'fish preference' among female students
Conclusions
This study suggested that 'eating amount and speed' and 'perceived obesity of parents' were risk factors for obesity for students. Obese students seemed to eat less ramyon in boys and do more moderate or vigorous activities in girls. However, a prospective follow-up study is warranted to identify exact risk factors for obesity among students in Korea.

Key Words: prevalence, obesity, student, related factor