Factors Influencing Food Consumption by Food Frequency Qustionnaire of University Students in Taejon

Lee, Mee Sook; Lee, Joung Won; Woo, Mee Kyung

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to analyze the foods which 424(male 171, female 253) university students surveyed consumed frequently and to evaluate and the factors affecting their food consumption patterns. The survey was conducted at the beginning of nutrition courses each semester, March and September, 1998, with the questionnaire composed of general information, food, drinking and smoking habits, nutrition knowledge/attitude and food frequency questionnaire. The rates of alcohol drinking in male and female students were 89.2% and 78.1% respectively, and the rates of smoking were 68.1% and 1.6% in males and female. The nutrition knowledge score was higher in females than in males, but the nutrition attitude score was not significantly different between the male and female groups. The foods frequently consumed among students were cooked rice(14.3/week), kimchi(11.1/week), coffee(5.7/week), vegetables in soup, jjigae and jorim(3.5/week), carbonated beverages(3.3/week), cooked mixed rice(3.2/week). Ramyun and chocolate candies biscuits were frequently consumed, too. There were several factors influencing food consumption patterns. These were gender, regularity of mealtimes, the status of alcohol drinking and smoking, residence type and the levels of nutrition knowledge and attitude. Males ate more frequently cooked rice, coffee, carbonated beverages, ramyun, functional beverages and ham sausage, while females ate more frequently cooked mixed rice and fruits. Those who had the habits of irregular mealtimes seemed to eat more soft drinks, instant foods and snacks. These trends were also found in the alcohol drinking and smoking groups. High level groups for nutrition knowledge of attitude score chose raw yellow green and green vegetables, cooked mixed rice, soybeans and seaweeds more frequently than the other groups. On the other hand, low level groups for nutrition knowledge or attitude score were apt to eat carbonated beverages and ramyun more frequently. Therefore, more attention should be taken to males, having habits of irregular mealtimes, alcohol drinking and smoking, and low level groups for nutrition knowledge or attitude score so as to improve their health.