The Relationship between Obesity and Lifestyle Factors in Korean Adolescents: The 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013?2014)
Background: Obesity in adolescence is correlated to coronary heart disease, independent of weight in adulthood, and it has a broad range of adverse health effects. More than 60% of obese adolescents remain obese as adults, and therefore, appropriate management of obesity in adolescence is needed. This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of obesity in adolescence and lifestyle factors related to obesity in Korean adolescents. Methods: This study was a cross sectional study of 782 adolescents (404 boys, 378 girls) aged 12 18 years who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey for 2013 2014. Obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) above the 95th percentile for each age and sex based on the 2007 growth chart for Korean children or BMI =25 kg/m 2 The following lifestyle factors were examined as risk factors for obesity: level of physical activity, walking time, sedentary time, weight management, self rated health status, sleep time, amount of energy and nutrient intake, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results: The prevalence of obesity in Korean adolescents aged 12 18 years was 12.5% (15.6% boys, 9.3% girls) A family history of chronic disease, walking time, weight management, self rated health status, cigarette smoking, and alcohol consumption were statistically associated with obesity (P<0.0.5) Conclusion: Appropriate obesity prevention programs for adolescents need to be included in education to promote healthy lifestyle behaviors, including eating habits and physical activity.