Prevalence of distorted body image in young Koreans and its association with age, sex, body weight status, and disordered eating behaviors

PURPOSE To define the prevalence of distorted body image in 10-24-year-old Koreans and determine its relationship with sex, age, body weight status, and disordered eating behaviors. METHODS A total of 3,227 young Koreans were recruited from elementary, middle, and high schools, as well as from universities. The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire on body image, eating behaviors (Eating Attitude Test-26), and body weight status. RESULTS The prevalence of a distorted body image in males was 49.7% and that in females was 51.2%. Distorted body image was more frequent in adolescents (age, 10-17 years) than in young adults (age, 18-24 years). The highest prevalence (55.3%) was reported in female elementary school students (age, 10-12 years). Distorted body image was associated with disordered eating behaviors and abnormal body weight status. CONCLUSION These results suggest that distorted body image is a public health problem, given its high frequency in young Koreans, and that it is associated with abnormal body weight status and disordered eating behaviors.