Changes in Dietary Life and Health-Related Lifestyle by Stress Level in Chinese International Students in Korea
10.14373/JKDA.2018.24.1.75
- Author:
Ran Ran GAO
1
;
Jung Hee KIM
Author Information
1. Department of Food and Nutrition, College of Natural Sciences, Seoul Women's University, Seoul 01797, Korea. jheekim@swu.ac.kr
- Publication Type:Original Article
- Keywords:
dietary life;
lifestyle;
stress;
Chinese;
international student
- MeSH:
Asian Continental Ancestry Group;
Beverages;
Carbonated Beverages;
Coffee;
Eating;
Fast Foods;
Female;
Fruit;
Humans;
Korea;
Life Style;
Male;
Seoul;
Snacks;
Tea;
Vegetables
- From:Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
2018;24(1):75-91
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:Korean
-
Abstract:
The purpose of this study was to investigate changes in dietary life, lifestyle factors, and stress status of Chinese students who came to study abroad to South Korea. A total of 143 Chinese students were recruited from Seoul Women's University and Wonkwang University in 2013. We used SPSS 20 for statistical analyses in this study. The mean length of residence was 2.9 years for Chinese students. Most subjects aged 20–29 years immigrated to South Korea to obtain an academic degree (bachelor, master, or doctorate). We found a significant decrease in the frequency of eating fruits and vegetables among Chinese students in South Korea after migration. Further, there was a significant increase in fast food consumption and frequency of late-night snacking and eating out. In addition, their preferred beverage changed from soft drink or tea to coffee after migration. Stress level significantly (P < 0.05) increased in male students compared to female students. The high stress group watched more TV when eating compared to the low stress group. In addition, there were more students who perceived their health status as bad in the high stress group. Overall results give us useful information for targeting the most vulnerable subjects and planning nutrition intervention programs.
