PURPOSE The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship among the levels of total serum cholesterol level, blood pressure, body mass index, and lifestyle. METHOD: This study was designed as a descriptive correlation study. Subjects were 972 adults participated voluntarily living in GyeongNam. The height, weight, blood pressure and fasting serum cholesterol were measured. Body mass index was caculated. Information on general characteristics (age, gender, education, job, family history) and life style(cigarette, alchol, sleeping time, regular exercise, meal pattern, peppery, salty, sweetness, vegetable diet, meat diet) were collected using a questionnaire by interviewing method. RESULT: The mean value of total serum cholesterol was 197+/-36.4mg/dl(mean; 189.4+/-36.7, women; 202.1 +/-35.1). By simple analysis, the serum total cholesterol according to general characteristics features was statistically significant in age(F= 6.765, p=000) and gender (t=5.372, p=.000). Total serum cholesterol levels increased significantly with increasing BMI. The serum total cholesterol according to life style features was statistically significant in cigarette(chi2 =12.12, p=.016), exercise(chi2=6.335, p=.042), salty taste(chi2=18.801, p=016), vegetable diet(chi2=19.488, p=012). The most affecting factor which total serum cholesterol factor was BMI(beta=.151, p=.000). CONCLUSION: The significant risk factors relating to serum total cholesterol were age, gender, BMI, smoking, and exercise. Therefore, for the reduction of serum total cholesterol level, it is recommended that nursing intervention for the prevention of obesity, change of life style should be implemented.
PURPOSE This descriptive study was designed to investigate Body Mass Index(BMI), weight control behavior, and self-esteem in high school adolescents. METHOD The convenience sample consisted of 129 high school females and 106 high school males. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire from November to December, 1999. BMI was calculated by using the subject's self-reported body weight and height to identify objective obesity. Self evaluation about subjective obesity was measured by a single item question. Preferred BMI was calculated by using the subject's self-reported body weight and height which the subjects desired. The Rosenberg's Self-Esteem Scale was utilized to measure the level of self-esteem. RESULTS Results of the study revealed that high school females perceived themselves as more more obese than their the actual BMI, excessively participated in dieting behavior and exercises, and reported lower self-esteem than that of males. CONCLUSION Based on this study, health care providers need to educate female adolescents about healthy behavior as well as the normal weight range in BMI.