Factors Related to Frequency of Breakfast Eating and Dietary Life Score in Elementary, Middle, and High School Students Residing in Kyungpook

Kim, Myung Joo; Shin, Kyung Hee

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the factors related to eating behavior of breakfast and dietary life score in elementary, middle, and high school students. This study was conducted by administering questionnaires, and data were analyzed by the SPSS program. The subjects were divided into three groups according to school group (elementary, middle, and high school). The subjects consisted of 1,879 students (male 973, female 906) from 11 schools in Kyungpook. The distribution of subjects was as follows: elementary school children 682, middle school students 702, and high school students 495. The results are summarized as follows. Dietary life score was 72.64 for elementary school students, 64.77 for middle school students, and 62.67 for high school students. Frequency of eating breakfast and reasons for skipping breakfast were significantly different according to school group (P<0.001, P<0.01, respectively). The main reason for skipping breakfast was 'habitual skip' for elementary and middle school students (54.8%, 46.7%) and 'getting up too late' in high school students (55.4%). There were no significant association between frequency of eating breakfast and BMI. However, there were significant differences in school performance and sleeping hours according to frequency of eating breakfast (P<0.001, P<0.01, respectively). Dietary life score was significantly different according to frequency of eating breakfast (P<0.001). These results stress the need for intervention programs aimed at decreasing the frequency of skipping breakfast in children and students at school. Further, those who prepares meals for children must increase their concern about preparing breakfast.