Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture (한국식생활문화학회지)
- Volume 33 Issue 6
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- Pages.531-542
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- 2018
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- 1225-7060(pISSN)
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- 2288-7148(eISSN)
DOI QR Code
Comparison of Solo Eating Perception and Dietary Behaviors According to Gender in the Seoul and Gyonggi-do regions
성별에 따른 혼자 식사에 대한 인식과 식행동 비교 - 서울·경기지역을 중심으로 -
- Lee, Eun Jung (Department of Nutrition and Culinary Science, Hankyong University) ;
- Lee, Kyung-Ran (Department of Food & Nutrition, Ansan University)
- Received : 2018.11.09
- Accepted : 2018.12.11
- Published : 2018.12.31
Abstract
This study was conducted to compare solo eating perceptions and dietary behaviors in the Seoul and Gyonggi-do regions according to gender. The study focused on the dietary perceptions, solo eating, eating together, dietary habits, food intake patterns and 38 keywords pertaining to solo eating. Of 411 subjects, 207 (50.4%) were males and 204 (49.6%) were females. The biggest problem that respondents perceived in their dietary life was irregular eating. Women prepared meals more often than men (p<0.001) and ate more instant and frozen food than men (p<0.05). Both males and females missed breakfast most, and the amount of the population eating breakfast alone ranked second highest. Women had lunch alone more often than men, while men ate dinner alone more often than women (p<0.01). All respondents spent 5~15 min when eating alone. Women avoided excessive smoking and drinking more than men (p<0.001). Men related key words regarding solo eating with negative emotions such as 'lonely', 'boring', and 'feel sorry when I see someone eating alone in a restaurant' more than women. Conversely, women related more positive key words with eating alone such as 'free', 'joy', and 'my own time'. Dietary lives of Koreans have rapidly changed along with social changes. Our research findings will contribute to increased comprehensive menu development and HMR development in the foodservice industry.