Physical Activity, Eating Behaviour and Body Image Perception among Young Adolescents in Kuantan, Pahang, Malaysia
- Author:
Farah Wahida Z
;
Mohd Nasir MT
;
Hazizi AS
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Physical activity, eating behaviour, body weight management, body image perception, adolescents
- From:
Malaysian Journal of Nutrition
2011;17(3):325-336
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Introduction: A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine physical
activity, eating behaviour, body weight management knowledge, perception of
body image and their association with body weight status of adolescents.
Methods: Respondents were 360 adolescents, aged between 13 to 14 years, from
six randomly selected secondary schools in Kuantan, Pahang. Physical activity,
eating behaviour, body weight management knowledge and perception of body
image were measured by the Physical Activity Questionnaire for Older Children
(PAQ-C), Eating Attitude Test-26 (EAT-26), Weight Management Knowledge
Inventory (WMKI) and Contour Drawing Rating Scale (CDRS), respectively.
Results: Almost half of the respondents were categorised as having a normal
BMI, while 30.3% were severely thin and thin and 20.3% were overweight and
obese. Mean physical activity score was 2.06+0.45 with more males (35.0%) being
physically active than females (17.3%). Mean eating behaviour score was
15.41+10.37, with 27.8% of the respondents being at-risk for eating disorders.
Mean weight management knowledge score was 5.35+1.80, with more females
(77.7%) having higher mean scores than males (42.3%). Further, mean discrepancy
score for body image perception was 1.24+0.99, with 78.1% of the respondents
being dissatisfied with their current body size. Positive associations were found
between eating behaviour (r=0.28, p<0.05) and body image (r=0.35, p<0.05) with
BMI. Respondents with high eating behaviour scores and body image discrepancy
scores were more likely to have greater BMI. Conclusion: This study shows the
need for healthy eating and body image intervention programmes to prevent
overweight and obesity problems among adolescents.
- Full text:W020150714506817217806.pdf
