• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.659-665
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• 2012

This study investigated the effect of salt preference on dietary habits and the body composition of university students. The subjects were divided into two groups: 85 students who dislike salt (salt-dislike (SD) group) and 104 students who like salt (salt-like (SL) group). We found that the SL group showed a higher preference for sweet, sour, spicy, and bitter flavors compared to the SD group. There was no significant difference in the frequency of eating breakfast according to the salt taste preference. The meal speed of the SL group was significantly higher than the SD group (p<0.01) and the body mass index of the SL group ($22.59kg/m^2$) was higher than SD group ($21.04kg/m^2$). The fat mass of the SL group (15.30 kg) was higher than the SD group (12.80 kg) (p<0.01). Salt preference and snack intake frequency had a significant and positive correlation with fat mass. The frequency of eating breakfast, and meal speed also showed a significant and positive correlation with subcutaneous fat. In conclusion, the SL group eats relatively more, speedily and frequently intakes snacks and carbonated drinks, likely resulting in higher body and subcutaneous fat. These results suggest salt preference is related to food choice, influences unreasonable eating habits, and possibly changes body composition. Taste preferences should therefore be considered for dietary consulting and nutritional education.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.59-67
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• 2000

The objective of this study was to investigate nutritional status of middle aged Korean men exhibiting impaired glucose tolerance (IGT) and identify the risk factors related to IGT Data were collected from 163 men with a fasting blood glucose level from 115 to 139mg/dl(high blood glucose group: HBG) and 170 men with a normal fasting blood glucose level(control) aged from 40 to 59 years in both groups. Weight, body mass index(BMI) and percent body fat were significantly higher in high blood glucose(HBG) group than those of control group. Age, weight, BMI, percent body fat were positively related to blood glucose. There were no differences in exercise, smoking and family history of diabetes between two groups. Frequency of fat eating and overeating of HBG were higher than those of control group but frequency of sweet snacks intake of HBG was lower than that of control group. There was no difference in daily total energy intake in two groups. Total and supper energy intakes were positively associated with blood glucose. Percent energy intake of alcohol was significantly higher in HBG group and positively related to blood glucose, however there were no difference in daily intake of nutrients in two groups. Alcohol intake was positively related to BMI, but after adjusting BMI, there was no correlation between alcohol intake and blood glucose. Serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly higher in HBG group than those of control group. Serum total cholesterol i,nd triglyceride were positively related to blood glucose and high density lipoprotein cholesterol was negatively associated with blood glucose. After adjusting BMI, serum triglyceride was positively related to blood glucose. In conclusion, weight, BMI, percent body fat and blood total cholesterol, low density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglyceride levels were positively related to blood glucose level of middle aged Korean men exhibiting impaired glucose tolerance. Their eating habits exhibited higher frequency of overeating, fast eating, high energy intakes of supper. (Korean J Nutrition 33(1) : 59-67, 2000)

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.552-563
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• 2014

This study was performed to investigate the dietary habits and nutritional knowledge of elementary school students (boy : 250, girl : 250) by gender. Frequency of skipping breakfast was high in both boys and girls. Duration of mealtime was significantly higher for boys compared with girls (p<0.001). Regularity of meals was not significantly different between boys and girls. Reason for irregular meals was 'no appetite' for both boys (39.6%) and girls (40.0%). Unbalanced diet was high in both boys (60.8%) and girls (59.6%), and problems related to dietary habits were in order of 'unbalance diet', 'irregular mealtime', 'overeating', 'skip a meal frequently', and 'eat out frequently'. Frequency of snack intake was significantly higher for girls compared to boys(p<0.05). The criterion for selecting snacks was higher for 'nutrition' compared to 'good taste' for both boys and girls. Frequency of eating out was statistically insignificant, and eating out preferences were in the order of 'Korean food', 'western food', and 'Chinese food'. Eating behavior 'eat meat, fish, egg, tofu every meal' was significantly higher for boys compared to girls (p<0.01). 'Healthful' response rates were 57.6% for boys and 58.8% for girls. Practice level of nutritional knowledge was significantly higher in girls compared to boys (p<0.001). To establish good eating behaviors, we should develop systematic and continuous education programs.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.126-140
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary quality and smart device use among middle school students. A total of 330 middle school students (171 boys and 159 girls) residing in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey in June 2018. The boys and girls were divided into two groups according to their daily use time of smart devices: less than 3 hours a day (<3 hours) and 3 hours or more a day (≥3 hours). Eating habits and dietary quality were assessed using a nutrition quotient for adolescents (NA-Q). For boys and girls, higher consumption frequency of white milk was significantly associated with less time spent using a smart device. For boys, a higher number of vegetable dishes and eating frequency of breakfast were significantly associated with the less time spent using a smart device. For girls, higher consumption frequency of processed beverages, ramyeon, and street foods was significantly associated with more time spent using a smart device. For boys and girls, those who spent more time using a smart device had significantly lower NA-Q scores, indicating low dietary quality. To sum up, more time spent using a smart device among middle school students may be associated with lower dietary quality. These results suggest the need to provide a nutrition education program and guidelines to students who use smart devices for a long time.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.183-196
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• 2019

Objectives: College is an important time for students to establish their identity as an independent subjects and develop a foundation to maintain a healthy adulthood. However, after female students become college students, their eating habits are likely to become more irregular and they may experience various health problems because of excessive weight control. Therefore, this study was conducted to investigate the dietary behaviors and blood clinical indices of female college students by residence types. Methods: A total of 374 subjects were classified as home group, self-boarding group or boarding group according to residence type. Dietary habits, frequency of food intake, and eating attitudes were examined through questionnaires and anthropometric measurements and blood clinical indices were analyzed. Results: The meal most frequently skipped by female college students was breakfast, and the frequency of skipping breakfast was significantly lower in the home group than other groups. Most college students recognized that their eating habits had worsened since becoming college students, with the self-boarding group in particular feeling that their eating habits changed negatively. The consumption frequencies of protein foods, fruits, dairy products, seaweed, and fatty meats were significantly lower in the self-boarding group than other groups. The home group ate food cut into smaller pieces, while the self-boarding group tried new and rich foods. Residence types did not affect blood clinical indices. Conclusions: The self-boarding group had inadequate dietary habits compared to the home group. Although residence type did not affect the blood clinical indices, the students still had poor dietary habits. Therefore, proper nutrition education is needed to improve the nutritional status of college students, especially those that self-board.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.379-391
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: We investigated the associations between eating away from home (EAFH) and overweight and obesity among Ugandan adults using the 2014 Uganda non-communicable disease risk factor survey. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In total, 3,025 participants aged 18-69 years were included in the analysis. The frequency of EAFH was assessed by asking participants the number of meals eaten per week that were not prepared at a home. EAFH frequency was categorized as; less than once/week, 1-2 times/week, or ≥ 3 times/week. Logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between overweight, obesity, and EAFH. We also tested whether sex and age modified these associations. RESULTS: Participants that ate away from home ≥ 3 times/week were 2.13 times more likely to be obese than those that ate away from home less than once/week (odds ratio [OR], 2.13; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.28-3.54). However, when the analysis was stratified by sex, women that ate away from home ≥ 3 times/week were 42% less likely to be overweight than those that ate away from home less than once/week (OR, 0.58; 95% CI, 0.36-0.94). Men that ate away from home ≥ 3 times a week were 3.89 times and 2.23 times more likely to be obese and overweight, respectively, than those that ate away from home less than once/week (obesity: OR, 3.89; 95% CI, 1.50-10.09; overweight: OR, 2.23; 95% CI, 1.42-3.51). Age-stratified analysis showed that among participants aged 31-50 years, those that ate away from home ≥ 3 times a week were 3.53 times more likely to be obese than those that ate away from home less than once/week (OR, 3.53; 95% CI, 1.69-7.37). CONCLUSIONS: Frequent EAFH was positively associated with overweight and obesity among men, and obesity among young/middle-aged adults, but negatively associated with overweight in women. Nutritional interventions for obesity reduction in Uganda should include strategies aimed at reducing the frequency of eating meals prepared away from home, and specifically target men and young/middle-aged adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.354-363
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• 2011

This study aimed to find the differences in weight control status and eating behavior of satisfied and dissatisfied female high school students regarding their own body shape. The participants consisted of 238 students at two female high schools in Nonsan-si, Chungnam-do in May of 2008. Self-assessment evaluated present body shape and ideal body shape they would like to have by providing silhouette drawings. The subjects were divided into two groups, 'satisfied' and 'dissatisfied', according to the differences between present body shape and ideal body shape. In the distribution of subjects according to body mass index, 100% of overweight, 97.0% of normal weight and 48.7% of underweight belonged to the dissatisfied group. There were significant differences in weight control and eating behavior between dissatisfied and satisfied groups in terms of frequency and reasons of conducting weight control behavior, body weight return after weight reduction, skipping breakfast and consuming fast food. The satisfied group was two times more likely to not conduct weight control behaviors compared to the dissatisfied group. The main reason for trying to control weight differed according to the group; the reason was feeling fat in the dissatisfied group and desiring to be healthy in the satisfied group. The percentage of subjects that returned to their original weights after weight reduction was 5 times higher in the dissatisfied group. The percentages of subjects that regularly skip breakfast and consume fast food were both higher in the dissatisfied group than in the satisfied group. The dissatisfied group responded 'eating alone' more frequently among nine binge eating behaviors compared to the satisfied group. Both groups, however, did not show any difference in overeating of meals, eating speed, intake frequency of regular meals, food preference, preferred cooking method, carbonated beverage intake and snack eating behavior. In summary, the dissatisfied group tried more unnecessary body weight reduction and had poor eating behavior. Accordingly, to correct the biased perception of body shape by the majority of female high school students, the values of our society should change toward the pursuit of beauty of health.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.75-86
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to provide useful information to restaurant managers by analyzing eating out behavior and the diverse needs and wants of the people residing in the Seoul area. four hundred twenty-seven(427) people were sampled for this study and classified into three groups : housewives, salarymen and college students. The results of this study are as follows : (10 Among the groups, there were significant differences in general eating out behavior such as 'frequency' 'preferred food style' and 'who pays the check' among others. (2) The study showed housewives listing 'special occasion' as 'taking care of meal' (3) All groups considered 'price' as especially important. (4) When selecting a menu item, taste was considered most important by all groups. Housewives showed nutritional value to be important while salarymen chose the same item as companions an college students showed 'portions' and 'price' to be important. (5) degree of satisfaction of restaurants were found to be low with items such as ' price'. 'range of menu choices' and 'courteousness of employees' being relatively low.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.1
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• pp.73-89
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the dietary life and nutritional status of Korean elementary school students according to breakfast frequency and to clarify the relationship between breakfast frequency of elementary school students and parental dietary and social environmental factors. Methods: This study used data from the 2013 ~ 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI). The subjects were 1,325 elementary school students aged 6 to 11 years old. Subjects were categorized into two groups: a skipping breakfast group (ate breakfast 0 ~ 4 times per week), eating breakfast group (ate breakfast 5 ~ 7 times per week) by sex and grade (lower grade: 1st ~ 3rd/upper grade: 4 th ~ 6 th). Results: Among upper grade boys and girls, the skipping breakfast group had a higher rate of childhood obesity than the eating breakfast group. In lower grade boys, the mothers of the skipping breakfast group had higher rates of economic activity and eating breakfast alone without family members than the mothers of the eating breakfast group. For lower grade boys and girls and upper grade boys, the skipping breakfast group had a higher rate of parents who did not eat breakfast than the eating breakfast group. The energy intake of the breakfast consumed by all subjects was less than 25% of the Estimated Energy Requirements (EER). Moreover, for upper grade boys and girls, the skipping breakfast group had a higher rate of subjects whose daily intake was below the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) for iron than the eating breakfast group. Conclusion: Breakfast frequency of elementary school students was related to childhood obesity. The frequency of eating breakfast among elementary school students was related to the dietary life factors of parents such as breakfast frequency and dietary condition. Intake for breakfast was less than 25% of the EER, while the skipping breakfast group had a higher rate of subjects whose daily intake was below the EAR for iron than the eating breakfast group. Therefore, it is necessary to consider diverse forms of policy support such as opening nutrition education programs for parents and practicing morning meals at school for elementary school students to provide regular and balanced breakfasts.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.517-524
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There are limited studies investigating the eating patterns of children's favorite foods. The present study aimed to evaluate a wide range of children's favorite foods, derive its eating patterns, and identify factors related to the patterns. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study included 5,458 students in elementary, middle, and high schools. The survey was conducted at each school to evaluate children's favorite food intake, including the intake frequency of 31 food items or food groups, and its related factors, such as demographic, economic, and environmental characteristics and awareness of policies on children's favorite foods. Factor analysis using varimax rotation method and logistic regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Two factors were derived as major eating patterns from data of children's favorite foods: the 'unhealthy eating pattern' which mainly involves confectionery, chocolate, ramen, fried food, etc.; and the 'healthy eating pattern' which mainly involves soybean milk, vegetables, fruit juice, and nuts. A stepwise selection procedure through the regression analysis revealed that allowance, use of screen media, less awareness of policies on children's favorite foods, and less interest in health were positively related to the tendency of unhealthy or less-healthy eating patterns (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study examined that the eating patterns of children's favorite foods were associated with certain environmental characteristics and awareness about the related policies. These findings suggest that a nutrition education program regarding children's favorite foods needs to be conducted according to the characteristics of students to develop their healthy eating habits and proper choice of favorite foods.