Comparison of Perception and Practice Levels of Dietary Life in Elementary School Children according to Gender and Obesity Status.
10.4163/kjn.2011.44.6.527
- Author:
Jung Sug LEE
1
;
Hye Young KIM
;
Young Sun CHOI
;
Tong Kyung KWAK
;
Hae Rang CHUNG
;
Sehyug KWON
;
Youn Ju CHOI
;
Soon Kyu LEE
;
Myung Hee KANG
Author Information
1. FANSA (Food and Nutrition Statistical Analysis), Seoul 153-764, Korea.
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
children;
obesity status;
safety index;
dietary life;
perception;
practice
- MeSH:
Body Mass Index;
Breakfast;
Child;
Eating;
Food Labeling;
Fruit;
Humans;
Hygiene;
Lunch;
Meals;
Nutritive Value;
Obesity;
Overweight;
Thinness;
Vegetables
- From:The Korean Journal of Nutrition
2011;44(6):527-536
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
This study was performed to analyze children's perceptions and practice levels according to gender and obesity status using a dietary life safety index. A national survey was conducted on fifth grade children (n = 2,400), who were selected using three-stage stratified cluster sampling from 16 provinces. The average height was 144.8 cm, and weight was 38.8 kg. The average body mass index was 18.4 kg/m2 and underweight, overweight, and obese children were identified using the 2009 KHNANES cutoff values, which were 5.3%, 10%, and 5.9%, respectively. The perception and practice scores for hand-washing prior to eating were high and the score for willing to buy at a clean store was also high. However, students answered that the hygiene level of food stores near the school was poor. More students skipped breakfast than lunch or dinner. The frequency scores for fruit and vegetables were significantly higher for girls than those for boys. Students had a good understanding of nutrition labeling but did not frequently check the label. Seventy-five percent of the students tried to avoid high calorie foods with low nutritional value, but only 40% had the appropriate knowledge about high calorie foods with low nutritional value. Girls had better dietary life perception and practice levels than those of boys. No differences in perception or practice levels were observed based on obesity status. Nutrition education on the importance of eating breakfast and having accurate knowledge on nutrition labeling and high calorie foods with low nutritional value is needed. Behavior-centered education should be implemented to improve the perceptions and practice level of student's dietary life.
