Knowledge, Attitude and Behaviours Related to Weight Control and Body-Image Perceptions among Chinese High School Students
10.21315/mjms2019.26.5.11
- Author:
Chia Yin Lee
1
;
Hayati Mohd Yusof
1
;
Noor Salihah Zakaria
1
Author Information
1. School of Food Science and Technology, Universiti Malaysia Terengganu, Kuala Nerus, Terengganu, Malaysia
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- Keywords:
Keywords;
body image, adolescents, weight control, Chinese
- From:Malaysian Journal of Medical Sciences
2019;26(5):122-131
- CountryMalaysia
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background: Body-image perception is one of the determinants in weight management,
especially among adolescents. This study aimed to assess weight-control knowledge, attitude and
behaviours along with body-image perceptions among Chinese high school students in order to
compare the weight-control behaviours with those perceptions.
Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 277 Chinese students in Form 1
and Form 2 in Pulau Pinang, Malaysia using convenience sampling. The following outcomes were
evaluated: weight-control knowledge, attitude and behaviours (weight-related knowledge and
attitude questionnaire; weight control strategies scale) and body-image perceptions (figure rating
scale).
Results: Both genders were found to have high weight-control knowledge, with female
adolescents scoring significantly higher than male adolescents (P = 0.010). However, only half
of the adolescents (50.9%) perceived that obesity is bad for health. Although only 44.4% of
adolescents were dissatisfied with their current weight status, 62.8% intended to change their
present weight status. Male adolescents significantly engaged more in physical activity (PA)
(P = 0.035) and self-monitoring (SM) (P = 0.014) compared to their female counterparts.
Furthermore, male adolescents chose their current body size as their ideal body image, but female
adolescents preferred a slimmer ideal figure. The percentage of male and female adolescents who
desired a smaller body figure was 39.6% and 54.5%, respectively. Lastly, there was no significant
difference between weight-control behaviours and adolescents’ body-image perceptions.
Conclusion: Female Chinese adolescents had higher weight-control knowledge and
preferred a slimmer body size, yet males were more likely to engage in PA and SM behaviours.
Essentially, imprecise attitude towards obesity among half of the Chinese high school students is of
particular concern.
- Full text:3.2019my0817.pdf
