Relationships Among Subjective Social Status, Weight Perception, Weight Control Behaviors, and Weight Status in Adolescents: Findings From the 2009 Korea Youth Risk Behaviors Web-Based Survey

Abstract

BACKGROUND This study identified relationships among subjective social status (SSS), weight perception, weight control behaviors, and weight status in Korean adolescents using nationally representative data collected from the 2009 Korea Youth Risk Behaviors Web-Based Survey. METHODS Data from 67,185 students aged 12-18years were analyzed. Relationships among SSS, weight perception, and weight control behaviors in boys and girls were examined using chi-square. Logistic regression analysis was performed with adjusting school grade and place of residence to assess potential associations between multiple variables and overweight students. RESULTS Lower SSS was associated with a significant risk of being overweight in girls, but not in boys. Of particular interest, overestimation and underestimation coexist within boys, whereas girls predominantly tended to overestimate their weight status. Inaccurate weight perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors were significantly associated with the risk of being overweight in both boys and girls. CONCLUSIONS Considering the results of this study showing sex differences in weight perception and weight control behaviors, sex-specific overweight prevention programs are needed to achieve accurate weight perception and healthy weight control behaviors.