OBJECTIVES The purpose of the study was to examine dietary life characteristics such as knowledge, self-efficacy and dietary behavior of preschoolers in Namyangju, Kyunggi-province, Korea. METHODS The survey questionnaire was developed based on literature review. Preschoolers aged 4-5 years (n=208) responded to the questionnaire to measure knowledge, self-efficacy, food preference, and dietary behavior. After excluding incomplete responses, the data of 197 subjects were used for analysis. RESULTS Mean score of dietary life knowledge was 8.0 out of 12, showing a low level of knowledge. Two out of 12 knowledge items were significantly different by gender. Percentage of correct answer on items of 'foods to make bones strong' and 'kinds of fast foods' was higher in girls than in boys (p<0.05). Total score of self-efficacy regarding dietary life was 40.1 (possible score: 12~48), on average. Compared to girls, boys had more confidence in 'not over-eating', and 'eating balanced meals with meat, fish and vegetables' (p<0.05). Boys scored higher on total score of food preference than girls (p<0.01). The preference for fruits was quite high. Among food items, boys scored higher on the preference for rice (p<0.01), fish (p<0.01), pork (p<0.05), beef (p<0.05), milk (p<0.01), and ice cream (p<0.05) than girls. Boys also liked fast foods more than girls did, showing preference for chicken (p<0.01) and soda (p<0.05). Compared to girls, boys showed more desirable behavior in 'eating breakfast everyday' (p<0.01). Dietary behavior was significantly correlated with self-efficacy (r=0.52, p<0.01), food preference (r=0.35, p<0.01), and knowledge (r=0.25, p<0.01) of subjects. CONCLUSIONS In this study, we observed differences in food preference by gender. Dietary behavior of preschoolers was correlated with several factors, including dietary life related knowledge, self-efficacy and food preference. Thus, it is needed to develop nutrition education programs focusing on increasing dietary life related knowledge and self-efficacy, and consider the differences in food preference of preschoolers by gender.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Dietary intake and nutritional status of Korean children and adolescents: a review of national survey data Minji Kang, So Yoon Choi, Minyoung Jung Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics.2021; 64(9): 443. CrossRef
Study on the snack meal management for infants and toddlers and the demand for snack products according to the sustainable dietary style of mothers in Jeonbuk area Ji-Eun Lee, Jeong-Ok Rho Journal of Nutrition and Health.2020; 53(1): 39. CrossRef
Development of nutrition quotient for elementary school children to evaluate dietary quality and eating behaviors Jung-Sug Lee, Ji-Yun Hwang, Sehyug Kwon, Hae-Rang Chung, Tong-Kyung Kwak, Myung-Hee Kang, Young-Sun Choi, Hye-Young Kim Journal of Nutrition and Health.2020; 53(6): 629. CrossRef
Menu Recommendation System Using Smart Plates for Well-balanced Diet Habits of Young Children Kwon Namgung, Tae-Hwan Kim, Youn-Sik Hong Wireless Communications and Mobile Computing.2019; 2019: 1. CrossRef
A Comparative Study of Eating Behavior and Prosocial Behavior among Preschool Children in Kindergartens vs. Childcare Centers So-Sun Sun, Ji-Young Ha, So Jung Seo Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2019; 29(2): 130. CrossRef
Fruit and vegetable intakes in relation to behavioral outcomes associated with a nutrition education intervention in preschoolers Eun Byul Choi, Ji Eun Lee, Ji-Yun Hwang Nutrition Research and Practice.2018; 12(6): 521. CrossRef
Dietary status of young children in Korea based on the data of 2013 ~ 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Eun-kyung Kim, Byengchun Song, Se-Young Ju Journal of Nutrition and Health.2018; 51(4): 330. CrossRef
Evaluation of Dietary Behavior among Preschooler in Jecheon Area Using Nutrition Quotient for Preschoolers Sung Hee Min Korean Journal of Food and Cookery Science.2018; 34(4): 413. CrossRef
The purpose of the study was to implement and evaluate a nutrition education program for preschool children. Applying the PRECEDE-PROCEED model, the nutrition education program was developed and focused on changing beliefs, increasing nutrition knowledge and consumption of vegetables & fruits (V/F) and dairy foods. Subjects were children attending a childcare center in Seoulwho were grouped into education (n = 33) and control group (n = 32). Education group received four sessions of nutrition education during 2011 fall. Both groups completed the questionnaire at pretest and posttest, measuring nutrition knowledge, beliefs, and preferences of V/F and eating behaviors. Compared to control group, education group made significant gains in total score of nutrition knowledge after the education (p < 0.05). In addition, the pretest-posttest changes in total score of beliefs regarding V/F consumption and eating behaviors were higher in the education group than in the control group (p < 0.05). Two groups were significantly different in the pretest-posttest changes in specific beliefs regarding the benefits of V/F consumption and some eating behavior. However, there were no changes in the preferences of vegetables or fruits between the two groups after the education. The consumption of V/F and dairy foods was not significantly different after the education. This study revealed that nutrition education for preschoolers was effective in improving nutrition knowledge and perceived benefits regarding V/F consumption and specific eating behavior. This study suggested that more intensive education is needed to induce changes in eating behaviors. This program can be used in nutrition education of children at the childcare centers or kindergartens.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Changes in the importance and performance of low-sodium management among childcare center cooks in Yongin, South Korea, after salinometer support programs: a descriptive study Jiwoo Min, Youngmi Lee, Yunhee Chang, Yujin Lee Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2024; 29(4): 304. CrossRef
Development of a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire for dietary intake of elementary school children: data from the Seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Minji Jung, Eunhee Ha, Oran Kwon, Hyesook Kim Nutrition Research and Practice.2023; 17(4): 747. CrossRef
Preschoolers and Advertising: A Systematic Literature Review and Future Research Agenda on the Effects of Advertising on Preschool Children Femke Loose, Liselot Hudders, Ini Vanwesenbeeck, Steffi De Jans Journal of Advertising.2023; 52(3): 439. CrossRef
Effectiveness of nutrition education intervention focusing on fruits and vegetables in children aged six years and under: a systematic review and meta-analysis Sumin An, Hyejin Ahn, Jeonghyeon Woo, Young Yun, Yoo Kyoung Park Journal of Nutrition and Health.2021; 54(5): 515. CrossRef
Development of nutrition quotient for elementary school children to evaluate dietary quality and eating behaviors Jung-Sug Lee, Ji-Yun Hwang, Sehyug Kwon, Hae-Rang Chung, Tong-Kyung Kwak, Myung-Hee Kang, Young-Sun Choi, Hye-Young Kim Journal of Nutrition and Health.2020; 53(6): 629. CrossRef
Effectiveness of Teacher-Led Nutritional Lessons in Altering Dietary Habits and Nutritional Status in Preschool Children: Adoption of a NASA Mission X-Based Program Jieun Kim, Gilsook Kim, Jinah Park, Youfa Wang, Hyunjung Lim Nutrients.2019; 11(7): 1590. CrossRef
Fruit and vegetable intakes in relation to behavioral outcomes associated with a nutrition education intervention in preschoolers Eun Byul Choi, Ji Eun Lee, Ji-Yun Hwang Nutrition Research and Practice.2018; 12(6): 521. CrossRef
Assessment of Foodservice and Cooking Program for Children Attending Community Child Centers in Korea Sooyoun Kwon, Yoonjae Yeoh Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2016; 26(3): 223. CrossRef
The Development of Sugar Intake Reduction Test for Young Children Nam-Hee Kim, Jee-Young Yeon, Mi-Hyun Kim The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition.2016; 29(5): 818. CrossRef
Status of Dietary Life Related Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, Food Preference and Dietary Behavior of Preschoolers in Kyunggi Area A Reum Lee, Ye Lee Yu, Hye Jin Kim, Kyung A Kim, Kyung Won Kim Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2016; 21(3): 274. CrossRef
Assessment on Dietary Diversity According to Korean Dietary Pattern Score of Korean Adolescents and Children: Using 2007~2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) Data Yong-Suk Kwon, Yangsuk Kim Korean journal of food and cookery science.2015; 31(5): 660. CrossRef
A Study on the Actual State of Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Attitude, Eating Behavior, Physical Ability and Locomotion of Children Aged 5 Years in Siheung-city Se-Hee Pyo, Hyun-Joo Kang The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition.2014; 27(5): 760. CrossRef