Comparative Study on Body Image, Nutritional Knowledge and Dietary Habit Between Korean and Chinese Male High School Students

Abstract

Obesity has been increased in Korea and China due to dietary changes and reduced physical activities, while appearance-oriented values falsely influence adolescents on body image. The purpose of this study was to compare body image perception, nutritional knowledge, and dietary habits in male high school students of both countries and to suggest proper nutrition education for health improvement and body image. Body image satisfaction, body image perception, nutritional knowledge, and dietary habits were surveyed in 406 (210 Korean, 196 Chinese) male students in Korea and China. Body image satisfaction, nutritional knowledge and dietary habits were measured using survey questionnaire. Data was analyzed using SPSS WIN 15.0. Body image satisfaction was not significantly different. Only 21.9% of Korean and 26.0% of Chinese students thought the present body shape as IBI. Students with weight control experience were significantly higher in Korea (36.2%) than in China (22.4%) (p<.01). The nutritional knowledge score was significantly higher in Korea (p<.001) but the dietary habits score was significantly higher in China (p<.001), suggesting more desirable habit in Chinese students. Body image satisfaction was significantly positively correlated with nutritional knowledge in Korea (p<.01) but with dietary habits in China (p<.01), suggesting higher body image satisfaction with nutritional knowledge in Korea and with dietary habits in China. Male high school students of both countries need to establish accurate perception on normal body weight and proper body image. Nutrition education should be searched for establishing proper dietary habits with accurate nutritional information and practice of knowledge in real life.