• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.679-687
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Recently, there has been an increased interest in the importance of family meals on children's health and nutrition. This study aims to examine if the eating habits and eating behaviors of children are different according to the frequency of family dinners. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were third-grade students from 70 elementary schools in 17 cities nationwide. A two-stage stratified cluster sampling was employed. The survey questionnaire was composed of items that examined the general characteristics, family meals, eating habits, eating behaviors, and environmental influence on children's eating. The subjects responded to a self-reported questionnaire. Excluding the incomplete responses, the data (n = 3,435) were analyzed using ${\chi}^2$-test or t-test. RESULTS: The group that had more frequent family dinners (${\geq}$ 5 days/week, 63.4%), compared to those that had less (${\leq}$ 4 days/week, 36.6%), showed better eating habits, such as eating meals regularly, performing desirable behaviors during meals, having breakfast frequently, having breakfast with family members (P < 0.001), and not eating only what he or she likes (P < 0.05). Those who had more frequent family dinners also consumed healthy foods with more frequency, including protein foods, dairy products, grains, vegetables, seaweeds (P < 0.001), and fruits (P < 0.01). However, unhealthy eating behaviors (e.g., eating fatty foods, salty foods, sweets, etc.) were not significantly different by the frequency of family dinners. CONCLUSIONS: Having dinner frequently with family members was associated with more desirable eating habits and with healthy eating behaviors in young children. Thus nutrition education might be planned to promote family dinners, by emphasizing the benefits of having family meals on children's health and nutrition and making more opportunities for family meals.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.sup1
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• pp.41-52
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Curfew due to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic could influence health behaviors in people, especially in children, who can easily acquire unhealthy eating habits. This study aimed to investigate the effect of COVID-19 on weight, health behaviors including eating habits, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children aged 6-15 years in Saudi Arabia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional online survey that included 280 children aged 6-15 years in Saudi Arabia during the COVID-19 curfew. The survey included questions on sociodemographic characteristics, anthropometric measures, and health behaviors including eating habits, physical activity, and sedentary behavior. RESULTS: We observed a significant difference in the body mass index before and after the COVID-19 pandemic (P < 0.001). Children significantly tended to skip breakfast, along with a decreased intake of dairy products and fast food (P < 0.001). Moreover, children were less physically active and significantly tended to be involved in leisure screen-based activities, including watching TV and use of computer/games (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides evidence for the negative influences of the COVID-19 curfew on health behaviors, including eating habits, physical activity, and sedentary behavior in children in Saudi Arabia.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.840-855
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• 2003

This study was conducted to compare the eating habits of disabled and non-disabled children in Seoul and Gangneung. Korea. Questionnaires about eating habits were answered by the children's parents and their teachers. The subjects of this study consisted of 146 disabled children (108 boys and 38 girls) from two special education schools and 241 non-disabled children (control group,120 boys and 121 girls) from two elementary schools in Seoul and Gangneung, respectively. The percentage of the children who required more than 30 minutes to eat was 11.3% in the disabled group and 2.5% in the non-disabled group. In the disabled group,44.0% ate excessive amounts of food or could not control their intake. The percentage of the children whose frequency of eating breakfast was less than 1 to 2 times per week was 21.0% in the disabled group and 9.7% in the non-disabled group. Also, 7.6% of the disabled group and 13.9% of the non-disabled group had snacks more than three times per day. The percentage of children who were able to eat by themselves was lower in the disabled group (47.9%) than in the non-disabled group (87.8%). Of the remainder of the disabled group,28.6% spilled food, and 14.3% needed the aid of others when picking up side dishes. The percentage of parents who worried about their children's eating an unbalanced diet was 48.5% in the disabled group and 41.8% in the non-disabled group. In addition, there were problems with eating behaviors in 22.7% in the disabled group, and with under-eating (15.9%) and with excessive intake of instant foods (16.8%) in the non-disabled group. These results suggest that the eating habits and eating behaviors of disabled children are different from those of non-disabled children. Thus, nutritional educational programs and educational materials for disabled children and their parents should be developed.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.475-483
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among eating habits, eating behaviors, obesity indices and serum leptin levels of 97 school children in the Daegu and Kyungpuk areas. The subjects consisted of 42 boys and 55 girls from the 4th and 5th grades. The prevalence rate of obesity was 63.6% in the males and 36.4% in the females. The nutritional status of the subjects was assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls and blood analyses. The mean serum leptin levels of the obese group (12.84 $\pm$ 6.97 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those of the non-obese group (2.43 $\pm$ 1.53 ng/ml) (p < 0.001) . The mean eating behavior scores and MAR were significantly different in the two groups. Nutrient intakes were low and fell short of the RDA. Serum leptin levels showed a significant negative correlation with eating habit (r= -0.24) and eating behavior scores (r= -0.40) (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). It was speculated that nutritional intervention and education about the appropriate nutrient intake requirements of developing children might be necessary.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.509-520
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weight control program on food habits, eating behaviors and life habits in obese elementary school children. The program consisted of nutritional education, physical exercise and behavioral therapy was conformed for 10 weeks. Participants of the study involved 41 obese children and their parents. There was significant difference in waist circumference (p < 0.05) and children's body fat % significantly decreased from 35.8% to 33.0% (p < 0.01) after program. There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in HDL-cholesterol, 47.8 (mg/dL) to 53.6 (mg/dL) after weight control program. Food habits and eating behaviors of obese children were showed positively changes but there were no significant differences after program. Regularity of having breakfast and amount of meal under the stress condition were not significantly different after program. The levels of physical activity of obese children were significantly increased from 1.40(hr) to 1.74(hr) per day (p < 0.05). But there were no significant changes in spending hours of watching television and playing computer games. Food habits, eating behavior and physical activity showed significant correlations to weight control. These results suggest that the body weight control program for obese children including nutrition education, physical exercise and behavioral therapy may be effective to improve their food habits, eating behaviors and life habits. Nevertheless we need a more concentrating program to improve life habits such as physical activity and watching television.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.151-161
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• 2011

The aim of this study is to investigate the relationships among obesity, eating-out behaviors, and eating habits in the housewives living in Busan and Gyeongnam Province. In order to analyze the data obtained from 249 housewives, SPSS statistical program 17.0 was used. Also, frequency, factors, $x^2$-test, and cluster analyses were conducted as well as one-way ANOVA analysis. The results of the analyses have shown that their average height was 160.75 cm, and their average weight was 57.51 kg. Their BMI was investigated resulting in normal weight being 56.6%, overweight and obesity 37.0%. Concerning the number of eating out opportunities a month, 65.5% said under four times. Their per capita cost of eating out was between 7001 Won and 11,000 Won, being 34.9%. The purpose of eating out was family occasions being 44.2%. Those who were accompanied by them were their family members. and relatives being 63.8%. Their favorite restaurants were public restaurants being 47.8%. It was investigated that they got the information about eating-out through their acquaintances being 79.1%. According to the results of the cluster analysis by the factor of their eating habits, Cluster 1 was named as Intermediate Eating Habits group, Cluster 2 as Not Good Eating Habits group, and Ouster 3 as Good Eating Habits group. There were significant difference (P<0.01) in the difference analysis between the three clusters and the eating habits factor. This study showed that 37% of housewives in the Busan and Gyeongnam area were classified as overweight and obese and needed to change their eating behavior. The reason why obesity in the age group of those over 51 was higher than those under 30 was their going through menopause.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.180-190
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in food habits, eating behaviors and food frequency by gender and regions in upper grade elementary school children in Korea. Subjects of this study were 1,211 children, 645 boys and 566 girls, attending 6 elementary schools (4th, 5th and 6th graders). 389 children lived in Seoul and 822 children lived in other regions. Mean height, weight and BMI of subjects were 142.4 cm, 38.7 kg and $18.8\;kg/m^2$ respectively. 70.5% of the subjects had breakfast every day and 12.4% of the subjects skipped breakfast. There were significant differences between boys and girls in causes of skipping breakfast, overeating, meal volume, and duration of meals. Girls showed more desirable eating behavior than boys (p < 0.001). Scores for specific eating behaviors such as unbalanced diet and intake of meats and vegetables were better in girls (p < 0.001), and boys ate meals faster than girls (p > 0.001). There were significant differences between Seoul and other regions in eating behavior. Eating behavior scores of children in other regions were higher than in Seoul (p < 0.01). Children in Seoul had a higher frequency of watching television with meals. Frequency of fruits (p < 0.001), milk products (p < 0.01), and meats (p < 0.05) of children in Seoul were higher than other regions. Otherwise the frequency of simple sugar products of children in other regions was higher than Seoul (p < 0.001). Frequency of green vegetables was higher for girls than boys, and frequency of fast foods was higher for boys than girls. These results showed that in nutrition education programs designed to improve the nutritional health of elementary school children, we need to focus more on differences in the children's food habits and eating behaviors by gender and regions. In consideration of these differences, such educational programs need to have a different emphasis for each gender and regions to serve its specific needs.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.725-731
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• 2011

In this study, a survey was carried out on 300 students in Korea Culinary Arts Science High School located in Gyeonggi-do from August 1 to August 30, 2011 to figure out how the control of high school students' eating behavior affects the change of their psychological achievement. Analysis showed that attitude toward eating behavior, and perceived behavior that recognize this and act, as eating habits for control of their eating behavior, are the most control factors of eating behavior. It says that the right perception of customary attitude and the correction of habits according to the exposure and performance of repetitive eating behaviors are important. Consequently, an ordinarily regular norm as a social norm, or a rule around it won't act as big positive factors.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.9 no.4
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• pp.457-466
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• 2003

Purpose: To provide the epidemiological information for developing preventive programs encourage appropriate eating and weight control behaviors. Method: 349 college students in Seoul were administered self-report question- naires to examine eating habits, trend of disordered eating, weight reduction practice and body size evaluation from September to October 2002. Data were analyzed by SAS program for frequency, t-test, ANOVA with Scheff test. Result: The mean eating score was moderate and it differed by subjects' characteristics. The mean score of EAT-26 was relatively lowered, and 3.4% of the subjects score showed disordered eating behavior. It differed significantly by subjects' general characteristics. 30.4% of total sample were currently trying to lose weight and had interested in trying to lose weight. EAT-26 was significantly different by weight reduction practices and interest. Perceived body size differed by the score of eating habit and EAT-26. Conclusion: It can be suggested weight preoccupation have a relation to eating habits, weight control practice and disordered eating. Further study is recommended educational interventions targeting at-risk subjects.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.22 no.6
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• pp.665-672
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the eating habits and eating behaviors, nutrition knowledge of students in 4, 5 and 6th graders of elementary school in Jeonju Area. The subjects for questionnaire were 2,568 elementary school students (boys 1,364, girls 1,204). The results were analyzed by SPSS program, and were as follows. In anthropometric data, there were significant differences between boys and girls. In eating habits and eating behaviors, there were significant differences in the rate of 'Hasty eating habit(p<0.01)', 'Most heavy meal(p<0.01)', 'Eating when receive stress(p<0.05)', and 'Frequency of snack eating per day(p<0.01)' between boys and girls. In total scores of nutrition knowledge, there were significant differences between boys and girls. In nutrition knowledge, there were significant differences in the rate of 'Carbohydrate and fat give heat and force.(p<0.001)', 'Carbohydrate is nutrient that make muscle and blood of our body.(p<0.01)', 'Overeating of carbohydrate does not contribute gain of weight. (p<0.05)', To intake vitamin, it is good to eat fresh fruit and vegetable.(p<0.01)', 'Calcium deficiency is leading to anemia.(p<0.001)' between boys and girls. In conclusion, systematical educational programs need to be developed at elementary school. These should include information about achieving a balanced diet, good eating habit and behavior, meal management and Korean dietary culture. Also, nutritional education at home must be emphasized.