The Relationship between Body Shape Perception and Physical Activity and Sedentary Behavior: Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey 2018-2023

OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine the relationship between subjective body shape perception, physical activity, and sedentary behavior among South Korean adolescents. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2018–2023 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS), a nationally representative survey of Sou...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Eunhui Kim, Jungjun Lim, Seungho Ryu
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Asian Society of Kinesiology 2025-04-01
Series:The Asian Journal of Kinesiology
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Online Access:http://ajkinesiol.org/upload/pdf/ajk-2025-27-2-102.pdf
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Summary:OBJECTIVES This study aims to examine the relationship between subjective body shape perception, physical activity, and sedentary behavior among South Korean adolescents. METHODS Data were obtained from the 2018–2023 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey (KYRBS), a nationally representative survey of South Korean adolescents. Subjective body shape perception was categorized into three groups: underweight, normal weight, and overweight. Physical activity was assessed based on self-reported frequency of moderate-to-vigorous exercise, while sedentary behavior was measured by daily sitting time. RESULTS A total of 307,926 adolescents (157,751 boys) were included in the analysis. Adolescents who perceived themselves as thin or normal were more likely to engage in physical activity compared to those who perceived themselves as overweight (OR=1.46 and OR=1.76, respectively; p<0.05). Boys with a normal body shape perception had a lower likelihood of engaging in sedentary behavior compared to those who perceived themselves as overweight (OR=0.93; p<0.05). However, no statistically significant association was observed between subjective body shape perception and sedentary behavior among girls. CONCLUSIONS The findings highlight the role of body shape perception in shaping physical activity levels among adolescents. Those who perceive themselves as overweight tend to engage in less physical activity, underscoring the need for interventions promoting accurate body shape perception and encouraging active lifestyles. Additionally, the absence of a significant association between body shape perception and sedentary behavior suggests the need for further research, particularly on culturally relevant sedentary behavior guidelines in South Korea.
ISSN:2586-5595
2586-5552