title: Weight control attempts in underweight korean adults: Korea national health and nutrition examination survey, 2007-2010.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Underweight refers to the weight range in which health risk can increase, since the weight is lower than a healthy weight. Negative attitudes towards obesity and socio-cultural preference for thinness could induce even underweight persons to attempt weight control. This study was conducted to investigate factors related to weight control attempts in underweight Korean adults.
  
  
  METHODS
  This was a cross-sectional study on 690 underweight adults aged 25 to 69 years using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007-2010. Body image perception, weight control attempts during the past one year, various health behaviors, history of chronic diseases, and socioeconomic status were surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Underweight women had a higher rate of weight control attempts than underweight men (25.4% vs. 8.1%, P < 0.001). Among underweight men, subjects with the highest physical activity level (odds ratio [OR], 7.75), subjects with physician-diagnosed history of chronic diseases (OR, 7.70), and subjects with non-manual jobs or other jobs (OR, 6.22; 12.39 with reference to manual workers) had a higher likelihood of weight control attempts. Among underweight women, subjects who did not perceive themselves as thin (OR, 4.71), subjects with the highest household income level (OR, 2.61), and unmarried subjects (OR, 2.08) had a higher likelihood of weight control attempts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study shows that numbers of underweight Korean adults have tried to control weight, especially women. Seeing that there are gender differences in factors related to weight control attempts in underweight adults, gender should be considered in helping underweight adults to maintain a healthy weight.
authors: Department of Family Medicine, Seoul Paik Hospital, Inje University College of Medicine, Seoul, Korea.
authors: O Jin Ee
authors: OJ
authors: Choi
authors: Young Gyu
authors: YG
authors: Cho
authors: Jae Heon
authors: JH
authors: Kang
authors: Hyun Ah
authors: HA
authors: Park
authors: Kyoung Woo
authors: KW
authors: Kim
authors: Yang Im
authors: YI
authors: Hur
authors: Hyun Ji
authors: HJ
authors: Yim
keywords: Body Image; Body Weight; Social Class; Underweight; Weight Reduction