Prevalence and Factors Affecting Body Shape Misperception among Korean Adult Women

Chung, Mi Young; Kim, Seonho

doi:2016.22.3.162

Korean J Women Health Nurs > Volume 22(3); 2016 > Article

Original Article

Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing 2016;22(3):162-169.
DOI: https://doi.org/10.4069/kjwhn.2016.22.3.162 Published online September 27, 2016.

Prevalence and Factors Affecting Body Shape Misperception among Korean Adult Women

Mi Young Chung, Seonho Kim

¹Department of Nursing Science, Sunmoon University, Asan, Korea.
²Department of Nursing Science, Chungbuk National University, Cheongju, Korea. dipperkim@naver.com

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was done to investigate the prevalence and factors affecting body shape misperception among Korean adult women.
METHODS
We analyzed raw data from the fourth Korean Longitudinal Survey of Women and Families, for 7,658 women over 20 years of age. For the multiple logistic regression model, the dependent variable was existence of misperception (yes/no).
RESULTS
The prevalence of body shape misperception was 42.6% (overestimation 6.5%, underestimation 36.1%). Multiple logistic regression analysis revealed that age, education level, marital status, economic status and BMI were significantly associated with body shape underestimation. Education level and BMI were significantly associated with body shape overestimation.
CONCLUSION
An effective obesity intervention program for women must reflect and monitor body shape perception as well as BMI.

Key Words: Body mass index; Weight perception; Women