Background
With the increasing mean height of children, concerns about stature seem to grow in Korea. However, most studies regarding short stature were performed in developing countries where population were likely to be exposed to malnutrition and poor hygienic environments and factors associated with height were seldom studied in well-nourished population. Methods: Study participants were 449 Korean boys and girls enrolled in 2nd or 6th grade of a primary school. Height and weight were measured by standardized method and a questionnaire asking eating habits, birth weight, feeding method, physical exercise, household income, and height of parents was self-administered to each child and their parents. We classified participants into two groups according to the distribution of their height (lower 25% or upper 75%) and evaluated the factors associated with the short height (lower 25%) using multiple linear logistic regression analysis. Results: In the analysis of the whole participants, short height of parents and normal body mass index were significantly associated with short height. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender and school grade showed that short height of father and normal body mass index, short height of mother, low household income, and not engaging in regular physical exercise were significantly associated with short height for 2nd grade boys, 6th grade boys, 2nd grade girls, and 6th grade girls, respectively. Conclusion: The factors associated with short height differed according to gender and school grades. In boys, parental height was significantly associated with and, in girls, environmental factors such as physical exercise or household income were significant factors of short stature. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2008;29:251-258)

Background
: As childhood-onset obesity has been known to have a poor prognosis, and its prevalence is rapidly increasing, many children and adolescents are becoming concerned about obesity and try various weight control methods. This study assessed the experience and behaviors of weight control in obese adolescents.

Methods : A total of 732 among 840 obese students from 28 schools in Seoul metropolitan area were assessed with a self-administered questionnaire.

Results : Middle school students showed the highest trial rate of weight control. Elementary and high school girls showed significantly higher trial rates of weight control than boys(p<0.05). The methods more frequently used were physical exercise, and diet, drugs and other methods, and visits to obesity clinics in than order. Elementary school girls most frequently tried physical exercise while high school girls went on a diet more frequently. All groups of girls were dieting significantly more often than boys(p<0.05). High school girls were the most frequent users of drugs and other methods while elementary school boys and middle schoolgirls visited obesity clinics most frequently. Unhealthy weight control methods observed were monodiet(2.7%), fasting(1.9%), dieting pills(1.4%), and vomiting(0.1%). The mean number of weight control methods was decreased with increasing age. The possibility of overall weight control was significantly higher in girls, having higher weight dissatisfaction levels. The possibility of physical exercise was significantly higher in younger ages, having mother with a career and a family history of obesity. The possibility of dieting was significantly higher in girls, older ages, having higher obesity index. The possibility of using drugs and other methods was significantly higher if they had higher weight dissatisfaction levels and a family history of obesity. The possibility of visiting obesity clinics was significantly higher if they had higher obesity index.

Conclusion : Although, exercise and diet were frequently chosen by obese adolescents for weight control, the number unhealthy methods chosen were found to be higher and physical exercise decreased wit increasing age. Therefore, an appropriate weight control program that is not detrimental to normal growth and development is called for in early adolescence.