| Keywords |
Adolescent ; Body image recognition ; Subjective health behavior ; Health status ; Multicultural family |
| Abstract |
This study was done to examine subjective health behaviors and health status according to body image recognition of adolescents in multicultural families. Data for this study were collected in the 2013 Web-based Survey on Adolescents Health Behavior. Participants of the study included 804 adolescents. Data were secondary analyzed by using descriptive statistics, Chi-square test, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and ordinal logistic regression. 50.7% of male students and 49.3% of female students considered themselves as ‘normal’ body image. Those who regarded themselves as ‘fat’ were 38.6 % for male while 61.4% for female. 57.7% of high school students and 42.3% middle school students regarded themselves as ‘fat’. The score of health status and happiness were significantly lower in ‘fat group’ compared to ‘normal’. Stress level was significantly higher in ‘fat’ compared to ‘normal’ and ‘lean’. In ordinal logistic regression analysis, body mass index, gender, school type and body weight control behavior had influence on body image recognition. The findings suggest that tailored intervention programs should be provided to improve appropriate body image recognition, health behaviors and health status for adolescent in multicultural families. We also recommend the development of a program that can help control the variables identified in this study. |