Open Access, Peer-reviewed
eISSN 2951-3146
    Korean J Community Nutr. 2011 Feb;16(1):113-125. Korean.
    Published online Feb 28, 2011.
    https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2011.16.1.113
    Copyright © 2011 The Korean Society of Community Nutrition
    Original Article

    A Study on Body Image Perception and Eating Disorders by Birth-Place and the Length of Residence in USA in Korean American College Students

    Ho Kyung Ryu, and Isobel R. Contento1
      • Department of Food and Nutrition, Pusan National University, Pusan, Korea.
      • 1Department of Health and Behavior Studies, Teachers College, Columbia University, New York, USA.
    • Corresponding author: Ho Kyung Ryu, Department of Food and Nutrition, Pusan National University, Jangjun-dong, Geumjung-gu, Pusan 609-735, Korea. Tel: (051) 510-7397, Fax: (051) 583-3648, Email: hokryu@pusan.ac.kr
    Received January 10, 2011; Revised February 08, 2011; Accepted February 17, 2011.

    Abstract

    This study was conducted to compare the body image perception, weight control experiences and the eating disorders according to where they were born, and the length of residence in USA among Korean-American college students. Three hundred college students participated in the study: 144 males and 156 females, 122 America-born (AB) and 171 Korea-born (KB) who live in New York City and New Jersey. Subjects responded to a self-administered questionnaire. The results showed that the ratio of overweight (23.2%) and obesity (26.8%) of males was higher than females' (16.1% and 6.3%, respectively). There were no significant differences according to born-place or the length of residence in USA of KB. People who had tried to control their weight were 58%. The ratio of weight control experiences of females (72.4%) was higher than males' (42.4%) as well as people who were normal or underweight than who were overweight or obesity. There were no significant differences according to born-place or the length of the residence in the USA of KB. In body image perception, the subjects who were normal and underweight overestimated their body figure, and the subjects who were overweight and obese underestimated their body figure. The desired and ideal figure of female students was significantly thinner than the current figure and also that of male students. There were no significant differences according to born-place or the length of the residence in USA of KB. The ratio of eating disorder was 8.7%, and females had higher percentage than males. And shorter they lived in USA, the percentage of eating disorder was higher.

    Keywords
    body image; eating disorder; Korean-American

    Tables

    Table 1
    General characteristics of the subjects

    Table 2
    Physical status of the subjects

    Table 3
    Distribution of physical status of the subjects

    Table 4
    Weight control experience of the subjects

    Table 5
    Perception of body image of the subjects

    Table 6
    Distortion of body image perception of the subjects

    Table 7
    Distribution of eating disorder of the subjects

    Table 8
    Nutrition knowledge and weight control method score of the subjects

    Notes

    This research was supported by the Financial Supporting Project of Long-term Overseas Dispatch of PNU's Tenure-track Faculty, 2006.

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    MeSH Terms
    Asian Americans
    Body Image
    Eating
    Feeding and Eating Disorders
    Female
    Humans
    Male
    New Jersey
    New York City
    Obesity
    Overweight
    Surveys and Questionnaires
    Thinness
    Weight Perception
    Metrics
    Share
    Tables
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