Do Overweight Adolescents Perceive the Need to Reduce Weight and Take Healthy Actions?

過重青少年自覺需要減重和採取健康行動嗎？

陳美燕(Mei-Yen Chen) ； 范君瑜(Jun-Yu Fan) ； 簡淑慧(Sui-Whi Jane) ； 吳仁宇(Jen-Yu Wu)

《The Journal of Nursing Research》 17卷4期 (2009/12) Pp. 270-277

摘要

背景　研究顯示青少年對身體體型的看法與其是否採取體重控制、相關危險行為以及心理健康有關。
目的　本研究主要目的在探討過重青少年自覺體型狀況、是否考慮需要調整體重和採取健康的生活習慣，以及他們的健康促進行為。
方法　本研究採用橫斷面、描述性之研究設計，以立意取樣方式針對桃園地區217位過重和肥胖的青少年（身體質量指數平均值為27.01 kg/平方公尺，標準差為3.44 kg/平方公尺）為對象，研究期間為2005年1月至2006年12月。
結果　研究結果顯示，參與者中有93%(202/217)表示他／她們自覺需要調整體重；但其中只有59.9%(121/202)實際採取行動。在121位表示有實際採取行動者中，32.2%(39/121)青少年使用正確且健康的方法（包含健康的飲食與運動策略）；有28.1%(34/121)青少年採取運動為主的措施；20.7%採用健康飲食為主要的減重方法。此外有19%的參與者選擇不同的措施，例如節食、略過早餐、以及服用草藥。越能夠自覺自己需要調整體重的青少年，越能夠採取適當且健康的策略，其健康促進行為得分也較不自覺需要調整體重的對照組高。
結論　本研究結果提供有價值的訊息，亦即過重青少年渴望減重，但卻選擇不健康的策略；此結果將有助提供學校及家庭，協助與輔導過重青少年採取健康行為時之重要參考依據。

關鍵字

過重青少年 ； 自覺體型 ； 健康促進

並列摘要

Background: Studies indicate that weight perception among adolescents is associated with weight control, certain risky behaviors, and mental health.
Purpose: The aims of this study were to explore the perception of body size among overweight adolescents and to determine whether they consider it necessary to adjust weight and adopt healthier life habits and associated health-promoting behaviors.
Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive design was used to investigate a convenience sample of 217 overweight adolescents (mean body mass index=27.01 kg/m^2, SD=3.44 kg/m^2) in the Taoyuan County, Taiwan, between January 2005 and December 2006.
Results: Results showed that 93% (202/217) of participants perceived a need to adjust weight. However, only 59.9% (121/202) took weight-reducing action. Of those who took action, only 32.2% (39/121) employed ”healthy” methods (including healthier eating and greater exercise), with 28.1% (34/121) focusing on exercise only and 20.7% concentrating on altering eating behavior only. The remaining 19% chose alternative strategies, such as restricting their diet, skipping breakfast, or taking herbs. Adolescents who perceived it necessary to adjust their weight and take appropriate action had higher scores on health promotion practices than those of adolescents who did not.
Conclusions: This study provides valuable insight, showing that overweight adolescents, although eager to lose weight, are likely to choose unhealthy methods. School and family health promotion counseling may help encourage overweight adolescents to adopt more healthy habits.

並列關鍵字

overweight adolescent ； perception of body size health promotion

參考文獻

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The division of child and adolescent health