• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.141-151
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• 1998

This survey was conducted to investigate the relation of children's obesity index to their mothers' food habit during the October in 1995. The survey covered a total of 492 mothers whose children were in the fifth grade of elementary schools in Cheju City area. The results are summarized as follows: 1.The surveyed children's average WLI(Weight-Length Index) is 107.08. WLI shows that 16.1% of them are overweight, 16.1% obese and 49.8% ideally weighted. The mothers' average BMI(Body Mass Index) is 22.4. 21.8% of them are underweight and 69.4% normal. The children's obesity index is significantly correlated to their fathers', but not significant to their mothers'. 2.As to the food habit I (balance of nutrients intake), 58.4% of the mothers have 'excellent' or 'good' food habit and the mean score is 14.95 out of maximum possible score 24.0. Concerning to the food habit II (intake of sugar, fat and salt etc.), 87.4% of mothers have 'good' or 'fair' food habit and the mean score of is 13.34 out of maximum (possible score) 20.0. The mothers' food habit I and II, as a whole, have no significant effect on the children's obesity index, but in some items the significant relations are founded. The children's chesty index is significantly related to the intake of eggs (P<0.05) and pan-broiled or fried foods (P<0.05). The amount of mothers' food intake is significantly relevant to their obesity index (P<0.001), but not significantly to their children's. The food habit of mothers who have taken midnight snack almost every day are significantly related to their children's chesty index (P<0.05). The findings of the study emphasize the importance of the nutrition education to ensure health and better physical fitness for children and their mothers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.587-593
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• 1994

A nutrition survey of 152 children , in the kindergarten attached to a proivate elimentary school of Pusan, was undertaken between Dec. 1 and Dec.14, 1993, to investigate dietary intake and nutrition status. The results are summarized as follows. 1) Compared with the Korean child development standard, their development conditions showed 113.1% , 102.2% , 103.3%, 101.75 in weight, height, head and chest, respectively. 2) By the standard of WLI(Weight Length Index) , proper to the children between age 4 and 6 , there proved to be 25% overweight and 4% obesity, 25% overweight and 19% obesity , 28 overweight and 26% obesity in 4-year-old, 5 year-old, and 6 -year-old children, respectively. 3) The children between age 4 and 6 averaged 37.6% in hematocrit and 12.4-12.8 5 in hemoglobin. these values were higher than those of the Korea child development standard. but the numbers of erythocyte, leucocyte and platelets were normal . Only a single child was considered suffering from aenmia . The 8% of them were over 200mg/이 in cholesterol, dangerously approaching the atherosclerosis. The 31% averaged 120mg/이 in triglyceride . And the 6% proved 100mg/이 in blood glucose when hung교. So it came out that not a few children had some factors dangers to diabetes, atherosclerosis and heart diseases : complications arising from obesity. 4) The intake of nutrients , except the 4-year-old children , ranged 108.4% to 2665 from the recommended value. The rates of carbohydrate, fat and protein to be much correlation among total intake of nutrients, development , results of blood test and WLI. The degree of obesity was proportionate to the intake of nutrients.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate of gender difference on dietary behavior and food preferences of elementary school children. This survey was carried out through questionnaire method for 274 male and 257 female of the 6th grade elementary school children in Anyang city. By calculating WLI(weight-length index), 26.9% of students were overweight, and 26.2% were under-weight. Average height of male was 147.9cm and that of female was 148.9cm, and their weight was 40.9 kg and 39.2kg respectively. The average BMI(body mass index) was 18.1 kg/㎡. The self-recognition of health status was different according to gender, male recognized better health status than female. There was no significant difference of parents´ education level and the occupation depending on gender. The 56.7% of students had regularly for breakfast, and 60% for lunch and 42.9% for dinner. The female students had irregular meal time more frequently than male did for dinner(p<0.01). They skipped more breakfast(7.0%) than other meals. Reasons of skipping meal were lack of time to eat(50%), boring side-dishes(17.0%) etc. For snacks, choice depends on taste (55.4%), and they bought at the shop nearby (36.5%) and convenience shop(29.9%). They had a meal outside once a month(42.9%), and selected Korean traditional food(52.5%). For almost all of foods male students´ preference showed higher than female except cucumber. Low score of preference was obtained in such as salted vegetables, soy pastes, and fish(shellfish) groups raw or fermented. The preference level was a little higher in such as vegetables & kimchi group and pot stews. The results assert the importance of nutrition education for the students in puberty. It is necessary breakfast should be taken regularly, and therefore we should carry out the education of importance of nutrition and health for children considering the dietary behavior and food preference for balanced diet.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.6
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• pp.927-938
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• 2008

The principal objective of this study was to identify the dietary and physical activity patterns of obese preschoolers, and to determine the association between child obesity and mother's' dietary habits or thoughts regarding dieting/weight. This is a cross-sectional, community based study, and 305 preschoolers who attended kindergarten in Seoul and its surrounding area were selected. The measurements of dietary habits both in preschoolers and their mothers, physical activities of preschoolers, and daily servings of foods were based on parents' self report. Weight and height were used to calculate WLI (weight length index) in preschoolers and BMI (body mass index) in their mothers. The subjects were divided into two groups 245 normal weight preschoolers (including underweight 15.1% and normal weight 65.6%) and 59 obese subjects (overweight 14.4% and obese 4.9%). With regard to dietary habits in normal and obese preschoolers, we noted significant differences in 5 questions, such as mostly eating heavy meals, one serving size, eating speed, overeating, and obsession about eating. No differences in daily servings of major foods and snacks, except fruits and potatoes, were noted between normal and obese children. Among 13 questions regarding mothers' dietary habits, only 3 questions-"preferred to instant foods", "finish meals within 15 minutes", "use nutritional information for selecting foods" were significantly different between normal and obese subjects. The total scores of mothers' dietary habits was significantly and negatively correlated with number of mother's dieting experiences or mother's BMI, but was not correlated with preschooler's obesity.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.710-721
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the body weight status (by WLI: Weight-Length Index) and dietary habits and to assess the nutritional status among preschool children in the Daegu area. Dietary habits including dietary attitude and behavior were investigated using questionnaire answered by mothers of 680 subjects aged 4 to 6 years old (508 completed). Also, dietary intake survey using 24-hour recall method was performed by mothers of the children. According to WLI, the underweight, normal, overweight and obesity level of subjects were 9.1, 62.0, 19.5, and 9.4%, respectively. As well, the number of girls was higher than boys in underweight, overweight, and obese group. There were significantly different on overeating, eating fast, and preferring eating-out by body weight status, and overweight group got higher score than underweight or normal-weight group (p < 0.01, p < 0.001). As well, there was significantly different on not moving around during mealtime by body weight status, and underweight group have lower score than obese group (p < 0.001). From the 24-hour recall survey, it was found that intakes of all the nutrients were higher than the %KDRI except energy, calcium and folate. The energy intake of underweight group of 4~5-year old (1338.2 kcal) and 6-year old was lower than Koreans %DRI for those age group. Folate and dietary fiber intakes of obese group were significantly lower than underweight (p < 0.01, p < 0.05). For 4~5-year old, vitamin $B_6$ intakes of obese group were significantly higher than obese group (p < 0.05). For 6-year old, obese group showed that intake of vitamin $B_1$ was significantly higher than the other three groups, and intake of vitamin $B_1$ of overweight group was significantly higher than the other three groups. Taken together, these results indicate that there were significant differences in the nutrient intake level and dietary habits of preschool children by body weight status in Daegu area. Therefore, parents (family) and caregivers should be aware of the prevalence of obesity and nutritional status of preschool children, and start nutrition education as soon as possible.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.3-13
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• 2006

The purpose of this study is to estimate the nutrient intakes and food habits among preschool children in Kyungjoo city. The subjects were 210 preschool children, aged 4 - 6 years. Measurements of the weight, height, chest circumference, and head circumference of the children were conducted. And general home environment and factors related to eating habits for preschool children were collected using a questionnaire that included information about family income, parents' education and occupations. The average weight-length index (WLI) for the subjects was $103.9\%$. Using the WLI, $20.0\%$ of the preschool children were underweight, $48.6\%$ were normal, $19.0\%$ were overweight, and $12.3\%$ were obese. On the R$\ddot{o}$hrer index, $13.8\%$ of the preschool children were underweight, $38.5\%$ were normal, and $47.7\%$ were over weight or obese. The average daily intake ($\%$ of RDA) of energy and each nutrient was 1323.5 kcal ($81.3\%$), Ca 484.3 mg ($80.7\%$), Fe 7.05 mg ($88.1\%$), vitamin A 420.0 RE ($105\%$), vitamin $B_{2}$ 0.76 mg ($95.0\%$), vitamin $B_{2}$ 0.87 mg ($87.0\%$), and vitamin C 53.1 mg ($106.2\%$) , respectively. In particular, older subjects had lower intake in RDA $%$ of calcium and iron. The energy intake ratio from snacks was much higher than the recommended level of the preschool children. With regard to frequency of regularity of breakfast, $1.9\%$ of preschool children skipped every morning and $7.6\%$ of the children skipped more than 5 per week. With regard to the intake frequency of vegetables, fruits, complex carbohydrates, and milk, $13.3\%$, $19.9\%$, $22.8\%$, and $41.8\%$ of the children ate more than 5 times per week. The eating habit score was positively correlated (r = 0.18, P < 0.05) with household income. This study suggests that nutrition education to increase fruit and vegetable consumption for preschool children should be emphasized. Also a nutrition education program is needed to enhance consuming calcium and iron intake for adequate growth.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.155-164
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in environmental and psychological factors in children with obesity and to offer useful information for obesity treatment and prevention. 123 children of 5-6th grade in elementary school and their mothers were included in this study and divided into either the obese group and normal group(obese group: 61, normal group: 62) according to the Weight-Length Index(WLI). Results showed that between the two groups there no significant differences in family income, mother's occupation status, educational level, and anthropometric measurement. Nutritional knowledge in the obese group was significantly higher than that of the normal group(p<0.05). The mothers of children with obesity had a higher level of nutritional knowledge than the mothers of normal children(p<0.05). There were no significant differences in food behavior between the obese and normal groups. There were no significant differences in maternal child-rearing practices and in maternal attitude on flood behavior of children. Considering psychological factors ; 72.1% of the children with obesity appraised their body image as obese(p<0.05), and 54.1% of the mothers in obese group perceived their child's body shape as obese(p<0.05). The level of self-esteem were not significantly different when compared between the obese and normal groups. From these results, it was suggested that effective measures for obesity treatment and prevention should include nutritional monitoring, and such efforts need to be maintained in order to help the obese children and their mothers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.455-464
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• 2005

The study was designed to observe the correlation between the eating habits and growth development in 1,574 children (3-6 years old) in Kyunggi-do and Seoul, Korea. The eating habits and nutrient intake were determined by mini dietary assessment and food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). 35.6% children had been practicing an unbalanced diets. Children with unbalanced diet consumed less amount of protein source foods (meat, fish, egg, soy products), vegetables and fruits and had irregular meal time, but more of them preferred sweet foods (ice creme, cookies) and carbonated drinks as snack compared with children in balanced diet. 24-35% children consumed energy, iron (Fe), calcium (Ca), Niacin, Zinc (Zn) less than 75% RDA. Energy intake of children with unbalanced diet was not significantly different from those with balanced diet, but they consumed less amount of niacin, Fe, Ca and Zn than those with balanced diet. By using the relative percentage of standard weight-length-index (WLI), 65.7% children was normal weight, 12.9% was underweight, 13.4% was overweight and 7.9% was obese. However, 11.9% of underweight and normal weight children was so called thin obese since their body fat content was greater than 20%. There were 16.8% underweight in children with unbalanced diet and 12.6% underweight in those with balanced diet. Compared to normal weight, the underweight children significantly consumed less amount of milk and its product, high protein foods, fried foods and fruits, but obese children consumed more high protein source foods (meat, fish, egg, etc) and sweet foods. In conclusion, the eating habits of unbalanced meal was prevalent problem in preschool children which resulting in their health risks. Therefore, it would be needed that new approach for nutrition education to improve eating habits in preschoolers.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.97-104
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate meal behavior and food preferences of children with different body types. This survey was conducted using a questionnaire for 274 boys and 257 girls in the 6th grade of elementary school in Anyang city. A questionnaire method was used. Food preferences of 14 food groups were tested with 5 likert scale points. Body types were divided with weight-length index(WLI) calculated by height and weight. The cut-off point for the underweight children was 90, and that of the overweight children was 100. The mean weight of the underweight children(26.2%) was 31.9$\pm$4.0kg, and that of the overweight children(26.9%) was 49.4$\pm$6.3kg. The average BMI of overweight children and underweight children was 21.0kg/$m^2$ and 15.5kg/$m^2$respectively. Perceived health status was different based on body types, and more of the overweight children answered they are healthy compared to the underweight children, Body types were not significantly different based on parent's education and occupation. Only 56.7% of the children ate breakfast at a regular time, 60% and 42.9% of the children had their lunch and dinner at regular time, respectively. Higher percentage of overweight children had irregular breakfast(20.1%) and skipped their breakfast and dinner compared to the other groups, however only dinner was statistically significant. The most frequently answered reasons for skipping meals were 'no time to eat'(50%) and 'bad side-dishes'(17.0%). Food preference was not different among the body type groups, however rice-cake was preferred in the underweight group, as well as milk and lettuce were preferred in overweight group. The preferences for milk and grain powdered drink(misitgaru) were same as or a carbonated soft drink. Focusing pubericant, it is necessary to have a regular breakfast. With regard to the importance of nutrition and health for children, the nutrition education for meal behavior and food preference to achieve a balanced diet should be considered.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 1993

Interactive effects among eating behavior, obesity and serum lipid levels were studied in 117, 4~12 year old children residing suburban Seoul. Fasting blood samples are obtained and analyzed for serum triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol(HDL-C) and hematochrit. Obesity was determined by weight for length index(WLI)and the information on eating behavior including food habits and dietary intakes was obtained by questionaire using food record method for 2-consecutive days. Over 40% of children was classified overweight or obese by WIL and children's physical parameters were closely related to those of parents implying genetic influence on obesity. Although it did not reach the statistical significance, there was a tendency of higher TG, TC and low density lipoprotein-cholesterol(LDL-C)levels among girls compared to boys. Blood lipid levels of obese children were similar to those of other groups except TG, which was significantly higher(p<0.05) in obese group. Nutrient intakes seemed adequate in all subjects except iron, calcium and total calorie which were lower than RDAs. Lacking significant relationship between individual nutrient intake and obesity, there was significant correlation between food intake and blood lipid level especially in 10-12 year old group. Vegetable intake was negatively related to TG, LPH(LDL-C/HDL-C) and atherogenic index(AI), and positively to HDL-C. Skipping breakfast and frequent eating out appeared to cause imbalances in nutrient intake. These findings clearly revealed the influence of eating behavior on childhood obesity along with blood lipid profile. To ensure the proper growth and health of these children, devising method and developing media for nutrition education suited to our society should be accomplished first. With well-planned nutrition surveys and thorough intention, childhool obesity could be prevented from progress into adulthood obesity.