This study was performed to investigate the food habits, eating behaviors, perception of body shape, statuses of body weight control by BMI (Body Mass Index) of 732 middle school students in Gwangju and Jeonnam. The results of this study were compared among under weight (UW), normal weight (NW), and overweight (OW) groups according to BMI levels. In the OW group, female students had low scores in eating at night only, while male students had low scores in eating at night, eating speed, and food

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... selection. All subjects wanted more height than measured. Only male students in the UW group wanted weight loss, whereas female students in the OW and NW groups did. Higher BMI in female students resulted in more weight difference between measured and wanted. All subjects responded properly themselves in perception of body shape but the OW groups showed a big difference between their present weight and wanted weights. Higher BMI in all students corresponded to more interest in concern and experience of weight management. In the male students, the reason for weight management showed high tendency in being healthy, whereas the female students had high tendency in having a slender figure. Higher BMI in all students corresponded to bigger difference between wanted and perceived body shape. In contrast, lower BMI in all students meant more stress. Greater difference between wanted and measured weight and greater difference between wanted and perceived body shape corresponded to less satisfaction in body shape. In conclusion, compared to the NW and UW groups, the OW group had overeating habits highly linked to stress. Also the OW group didn't have desirable eating behaviors and attitudes because of their greater interest in concern and experience of weight control and stress accumulation, and finally there was difference in food habits and behaviors according to the BMI level. Therefore these results suggest that effective nutritional programs should be developed including correct body image and good dietary habits.