The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of food habits and anxiety level of obese children on body weight control program. The body weight control program included nutrition education, psychotherapy and exercise for weekly session during 9 months. The results from this study were as follows. A total of 27 obese children(boys 44.4%, girls 55.6%) participated in this study. The average age of children was 11.7 years, average height and weight were 141.7cm and 48.1kg respectively. Rohrer index(RI) of children was significantly decreased from 167 to 163(p〈0.001) and BMI was significantly decreased from 24.5 to 23.9 (p〈0.01) after body weight control program. This study also found obesity index(OI) was significantly decreased from 133% to 128%(p〈0.01) of 18 children after program. There was not significant difference in food habits score but frequency of overeating, and eating frequency of meats were significantly decreased(p〈0.05) after body weight control program. Also depression score significantly decreased after body weight control program(p〈0.001) and there was significant negative correlation(r=-0.552) between food habits and anxiety level. The factors analysis of anxiety items indicated that children had feelings more calm and sate after program(p〈0.05). Therefore continuous and practical nutritional education and psychotherapy to change food habits and anxiety level are necessary to decrease child obesity. These results suggest that body weight control program including nutrition education, exercise and psychotherapy may be effective physiological and psychological body health of obese children.

• 김경희 | Kim, Kyung-Hee