Biochemical Index, Nutrition Label Use, and Weight Control Behavior in Female Adolescents: Using the 2010 and 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study was conducted to analyze the biochemical index, nutrient intakes, nutrition label use, diet-related factors and weight control behavior of Korean female adolescents at the age of 12 to 18 according to body mass index (BMI) by using the results of the 2010 and 2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The obese group had higher waist circumference (p < 0.001) and systolic blood pressure (p < 0.01) than the normal group. In the biochemical index, the obese group had lower serum high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol level (p < 0.001), while their triglyceride level was higher than the normal group (p < 0.01). Nutrient intake according to BMI was not significantly different except carbohydrate, and calcium intake was about 53% of recommended nutrient intake in all study subjects. The nutrition label was recognized in more than 90% of all groups. But actual nutrition label use was below 50% in all groups and the underweight group was the lowest (p < 0.05). In the result for subjective body image perception, even in the group with normal BMI, 25.3% recognized themselves as obese, and 75.3% said they were trying to lose weight, indicating that many female teens actually think their bodies are obese. In conclusion, obese female adolescents have high systolic blood pressure and serum triglyceride concentrations, which requires obesity prevention education. And a large number of female adolescents with normal BMI thought they were obese and tried to lose weight. Therefore, education on healthy weight and calcium intake is necessary.