Factors of Food Adaptation and Changes of Food Habit on Koreans Residing in America

미국 거주 한국인의 식생활 적응에 영향을 미치는 요인 및 식습관 변화

The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors of food adaptation and the changes of food habit on Koreans residing in America. The subject was 89 Koreans residing in Knoxville, TN. The survey was undertaken from October to December of 1995. Demographic characteristics, food behavior, composite adaptation score(CAS), composition of Korean and American foods in 1 day, and frequence and preference changes of foods was determined. The results were summarized as fellows : The mean CAS for all subjects was 17.6 with individual scores ranging from 9 to 23. The CAS were significantly different in residing age, American friends, English speaking ability, eat with Koreans, American food experience before, American food experience now, breakfast type in weekday, breakfast type in weekday, and self-food habits change at p<0.05. No significant differences in CAS could be attributed to sex, marital status, children, and job. Food consumption patterns for breakfast was Korean style 58%, American style 39.3%. For lunch both style was almost same, and for supper Korean style was 78.2%. The intake of food most frequent was rice, and then Kimchee. The preference of Korean foods was increased, though the frequence was decreased. The preference and frequence of American foods were increased respectively.