Unhealthy weight control behaviors and related factors by gender and weight status: Results from a nationally representative sample of Korean adolescents

Given the serious consequences of unhealthy weight control behaviors (UWCB) among adolescents, identifying factors contributing to it in this population is crucial. Although gender differences have been reported as UWCB-related factors, studies on weight status remain limited. Hence, using a nationally representative sample, we investigated the differences in UWCB-related factors by gender and weight status. Most sociodemographic, health-related behavior, psychosocial, and school factors were remarkably correlated with UWCB in the normal-weight female group; however, they demonstrated most inconsistent correlations in the overweight female group. Overall, this study suggests that UWCB-preventing interventions in adolescents should be customized by gender and weight status.