Disparity between Subjective Health Perception and Lifestyle Practices among Korean Adolescents: A National Representative Sample

BACKGROUND: The relationship between subjective health perception (SHP) and lifestyle practices brings into question the future health status of an individual. Recognition of the disparity between one’s health consciousness to the real practices encourages change and promotes development of better health programs. The adolescent stage is the best time to identify this disparity wherein lifestyle practices are still being developed. In Korea, adolescents experienced significant shifts in lifestyle due to the fast economic growth and the breakthrough of the digital era. Thus, determining the disparity between SHP and lifestyle practices among Korean adolescents poses a great deal of interest and importance. METHODS: Utilizing the 2019 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS), self-reported data with a national representative sample-57,303 respondents-of Korean adolescents in the 7-12(th) grades, was used from a multistage sampling, stratification, and clustering was obtained. SHP and lifestyle practices were collected and analyzed. RESULTS: The findings revealed that most respondents with poor diet, exercise, and sleep behaviors perceived themselves to be normal, healthy, or extremely healthy, which resulted in a negative correlation between SHP and lifestyle behaviors-except in the case of substance use. CONCLUSION: There is a significant disparity between Korean adolescents’ SHP and lifestyle practices. This highlights the need for lifestyle interventions and re-education among Korean adolescents. Their current lifestyle practices may extend into adulthood, thereby increasing the risks of cardiovascular and other lifestyle-induced diseases.