Abstract

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the obesity index, body shape satisfaction and body shape esteem according to weight perception in elementary school students.
METHOD
The data were collected by using a questionnaire and physical examination records. The subjects were comprised of 669 children, all 12-years old, obtained from five (5) different elementary schools located in Jechoen. Data were analyzed with frequency, percentages, Chi-square test, ANOVA using the SPSS program.
RESULTS
12.5% of male students, 11.1% of female students perceived themselves obese. There were significant differences in obesity index according to weight perception in male students (chi2=140.47, p= .000), in female students (chi2=130.99, p= .000). The percentages corresponding to normal body weight were highest with students who thought themselves thin in male students and self-perceived normal in female students. But in female students, 23.3% of self-perceived thin students, 37.8% of students who thought themselves obese corresponded to normal body weight actually. There were significant differences in body shape satisfaction according to weight perception in male students(chi2=140.47, p= .000), and in female students(chi2=130.99, p= .000). The percentages of body shape satisfaction were highest with students who thought themselves normal in male students while and in female students, the students who thought themselves thin were highest. There were significant differences in body shape esteem according to weight perception for male students (F=17.67, p= .000), and in female students (F=13.95, p= .000). The mean scores of body shape esteem were highest with students who thought themselves normal in male students and thin in female students. The students who thought themselves obese were lowest. There were significant differences in weight perception according to father's body shape (chi2=13.72, p= .008) in male students and father's educational level (chi2=14.90, p= .021), mother's educational level (chi2=17.73, p= .007), mother's body shape (chi2=13.07, p= .011) in female students.