Factors associated with Obesity among Korean Adolescents based on the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016)

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine factors associated with obesity among Korean adolescents. METHODS: The participants were 436 Korean adolescents aged 12~18 years who took part in the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, the x(2) test, one-way analysis of variance, and multinomial logistic regression using complex sample analysis. RESULTS: Among the participants, 9.7% were classified as being obese, and 11.9% as being overweight. Several health parameters, including systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, waist circumference, and triglyceride, fasting blood sugar, and alanine aminotransferase levels, varied according to obesity. Distorted perceptions of body shape showed a significant negative association with overweight, and carbohydrate intake was negatively associated with obesity. CONCLUSION: These findings indicate that obesity in Korean adolescents was associated with lifestyle and health parameters. Therefore, intervention programs for obese or overweight adolescents should focus on preventing them from developing health problems.