초록/요약

Objectives: The prevalence of obesity among adolescents has been continuously increasing for the last 10 years. This study aimed to reveal individual- and school-level factors associated with the risk of obesity among Korean adolescents. Methods: We used recently collected data over a period of 3 years (2017-2019) through the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In total, 148,731 adolescents from 2,399 middle and high schools were included. The complex sample hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed with obesity as an outcome. Results: Of the total study subjects, 10.7% were obese. The regression analysis revealed that, among individual-level factors, being male, grade, missing breakfast, and soda intake were positively associated with risk of obesity, whereas household economic status, fruit consumption, and muscle-strengthening exercises were negatively associated. Among school-level factors, the school location in the rural area and whether a school was boys-only or girls-only, compared to being a coeducational school, were positively associated with adolescents’ risk of obesity. Whether nutrition education was implemented or the number of physical activities during class did not have any significant association with obesity. Conclusion: Adolescents’ obesity was explained not only by individual-level but also by school-level factors. Therefore, to manage obesity problems in adolescents, more sophisticated and practical school- and individual-level approaches should be implemented.