Abstract
This study was conducted to investigate the annual differences in food habits and dietary attitudes of new female college students enrolled in the department of food and nutrition for 6 years by questionnaire. The results were as follows: age, height, weight and body mass index(BMI) were no significant annual differences over study period. The average ratios of underweight, normal weight and above overweight groups classified by the BMI standard were 19.4%, 64.4% and 16.2%, respectively. There were no significant annual differences in the scores of food habits and dietary attitudes. The intake of milk showed the lowest scores among all the food habit items and the same annual tendencies for 6 years. Among food groups items, the mean intake scores of milk(p<0.01), fats and oils(p<0.001) and vegetables(p<0.05) differed significantly by year. Specifically, the intake scores of milk and vegetables decreased gradually throughout the study period and were significantly lower in 2008 than in 2003. Among dietary habits, the mean intake scores of sweets were significantly lower in 2003 and 2007 than in other years(p<0.001), and the mean intake scores of instant frozen foods were significantly higher in 2006 than during other years(p<0.05). The sum of health related items in 2007 was significantly lower than those during other years, and this was likely due to the lowest scores both of eating-out and alcohol intake in 2007 than in other years. Among dietary attitudes, the mean score of item 'Price of food is more important than nutrition.' was significantly lower in 2005(p<0.05). Food habit scores showed significantly positive correlation with dietary habits(r=0.733, p<0.01), food groups related habits(r=0.720, p<0.01), lifestyle related disease related habits(r=0.518, p<0.01), health related habits(r=0.422, p<0.01). Food habits and dietary attitudes showed highly significantly positive linear correlations each other(r=0.426, p<0.01). Dietary habits and food groups related habits showed highly significantly positive linear correlations(r=0.366, p<0.01). These results showed the same annual tendency with respect to food habit and dietary attitudes in newly enrolled college female students for 6 years. It is expected that food habit and dietary attitudes will be improved if systemic and proficient nutrition education is provided during their college period.
