A Comparative Study on Dietary Attitudes and Nutritional Status of Preschoolers in Different Income Levels in Seoul and Kyunggido - 1. Focusing on Preschoolers' Amthropometry, Dietary Attitudes and Mother Factors -

서울과 경기도 일부지역의 소득수준별 미취학 아동의 식생활태도 및 영양상태에 관한 비교연구 - 1. 성장발육상태와 식생활태도 및 이에 영향을 주는 모계변수 요인을 중심으로 -

This study was to evaluate the anthropometry, dietary attitudes and the other factors of 201 children in day-care centers according to their parents' income levels. The evaluation was conducted using anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, and questionnaire survey which was completed by the children's mothers. The results are summarized as follows: Overall growth of children was normal according to Korean standard. There were no significant differences in anthropometry according to the income levels. The scores of eating habits of children were different significantly according to income levels. That is, the score was the lowest in the low-income group. Children generally prefer one-dish meal or snacks, while the preference levels of kimchi, seasoned vegetable and beans broiled in soysauce were lower than those cf other foods. In the questions to know mothers' nutrition knowledge, we could see that they didn't know well about protein, breast-feeding, weaning and balance in nutrients. Nutrition knowledge score of mothers was significantly lower in the low income group, which shows close relationship with low-score eating habits of their children. The score of nutrition knowledge was affected by the mother's education level. The higher the mother's nutrition knowledge and education level, the better children's eating habits. These findings emphasize the planning and application of nutrition education programs for mothers especially in the low income group.