Food Habits and Eating Snack Behaviors of Middle School Students in Ulsan Area

Jo, Jung In; Kim, Hye Kyung

Abstract

This study has been carried out to obtain information related to food habits and snacking behaviors including health related behaviors. The subjects were 300 middle school students (144 boys and 156 girls). The results were as follows: Average height and weight of boys were 162.3 cm and 54.1 kg respectively. Those of girls were 159.8 cm and 49.0 kg respectively. 59.0% of the subjects of the subjects had 10,000-30,000 won as monthly allowances and their subjective health condition was good (55.7%). In the regularity of meal, 47.0% of the subjects had twice a day, the main reason for skipping meal was insufficient time to eat due to oversleep (54.3%). Most of the subjects (75.0%) had a prejudice in food selection because of a bad taste. 62.0% of the subjects ate snack between meals more than three times a week, because they were hungry, good taste and habitual. The criteria of choosing snack were taste, nutrition and quality of food. Food as snacks they frequently had fruits, milk and milk products, cookies, chocolate in order. Boys had more french fries than girls, girls had more fruits, cookies and chocolate than boys. Average food habit score of boys (49.27 +/- 7.53) was higher than that of girls (48.54 +/- 7.81). The group who had a higher food habit score, they had more fruits and less soft drink as snacks, lower BMI, and also less monthly allowance than the group who had a lower food habit score. This study may provide basic information on eating habits of middle school students, suggests that nutrition education or counseling can improve food habits and develop positive behaviors toward healthy diets.