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.
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This study was designed to examine nutrition label use, self-efficacy, snacking and eating behaviors of middle school students, and to investigate if these characteristics were different by nutrition label use. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to 348 middle school students in Kyunggi, Korea. About a third of subjects read nutrition labels when they purchased snacks/packaged foods. Most nutrition label users were interested in reading information on calories, fat and trans-fat. Self-efficacy of eating/selecting snacks or general nutrition behavior was moderate (mean score: 44.4 out of 60), with significantly higher score in nutrition label users compared to nonusers (p < 0.001). Nutrition label users felt more confident in 9 items out of 15 items of self-efficacy, such as "taking fruits instead of cookies/candy for snack" (p < 0.001), "choosing milk instead of soft drink" (p < 0.01), "not having snacks after dinner" and "avoiding processed foods for snacks" (p < 0.05). Subjects had snacks 1.3 times a day, and nutrition label nonusers consumed snacks more frequently than the counterparts (p < 0.01). About 55% of nutrition label users and 64.7% of nonusers mainly purchased snacks for themselves (p < 0.05). Commonly purchased snacks by adolescents were ice cream, cookies/chips, breads and ramen. Major considerations in purchasing snacks were taste (46.9%) and price (34.6%). In selecting snacks, the influence of friends and parents was greater than the other sources. Based on eating frequency of snacks, nutrition label users were more likely to consume healthy snacks, such as fruit juices, vegetables, milk, yogurt, and potato/sweet potato than nonusers (p < 0.05). Eating behaviors measured by 15 items scored 33.6 out of 45. Nutrition label users showed better eating behaviors, such as "eating meals slowly", "eating foods cooked with plant oil", and "eating out less frequently" (p < 0.05). Study results showed that majority of adolescents did not read nutrition labels, selected snacks for themselves and had somewhat unhealthy foods for snacks. This study also showed the differences in self-efficacy, snacking and eating behaviors between nutrition label users and nonusers. In nutrition education, it is necessary to stress the importance and skills for reading nutrition labels. It is also needed to help adolescents to select healthy snacks and have desirable eating behaviors, as well as increasing self-efficacy.
The purpose of this study was to examine vegetable & fruit (V/F) intakes, beliefs and self-efficacy regarding V/F consumption, nutrition knowledge and eating behavior of elementary students. A survey was conducted to the 4th graders (n = 234) at two elementary schools in Guri, Kyunggi-do. About one-fourth of subjects were overweight or obese. Subjects had 4.2 servings of V/F a day, consuming 340.2 g of V/F. Girls consumed significantly more amounts of vegetables than boys (p < 0.05). Girls were more favorable regarding V/F consumption (p < 0.01), and believed more strongly on advantages of having V/F such as "good for skin", constipation prevention (p < 0.001) and cancer prevention (p < 0.05). Boys felt more strongly in disadvantages or barriers of eating V/F, including mother's cooking time constraints (p < 0.01), lack of past experience of eating V/F, and family members' disliking of V/F (p < 0.05). Girls felt more confident in eating V/F (p < 0.05) than boys; they also felt more confident in specific items of "eating fruits/salads instead of cookies/chips for snack" and "eating fruit juice/vegetable juice instead of soda" (p < 0.01). Subjects showed low level of nutrition knowledge, especially in items such as balanced meals, recommended servings of V/F and vitamin deficiency. Compared to boys, girls had more desirable eating behavior such as eating adequate amount of meals (p < 0.001), having a variety of foods, eating fruits daily, and having fatty foods less frequently (p < 0.05). Intakes of Ca and K were quite below the recommended level, while the intakes of protein, Na and vitamin A intake were much above the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for 9-11 old children. Nutrient intakes expressed as %DRI was higher in girls for vitamin A (p < 0.01), energy and riboflavin (p < 0.05). High V/F consumption group (> or = 5 servings of V/F a day) compared to the counterparts showed higher self-efficacy and had better eating behaviors. Nutrition education for children should focus on increasing consumption of V/F, by helping them to increase self-efficacy for eating V/F and to recognize the benefits and reduce the barriers of eating V/F, especially in boys. It is also needed to provide nutrition information for balanced meals or increasing V/F consumption, and help the children to adopt desirable eating behavior.
In order to give basic data to teenager's healthcare, we investigated the food habits according to BMI (Body Mass Index), life style, dietary related self-efficacy and food intake through conducting a research surveying 732 middle school students of the Kwang-ju and Chonnam areas. The results of this study were compared groups in under weight (UW), normal weight (NW), and overweight (OW) groups according to BMI levels. In the male students, height was significantly differently in the UW group as 158.2 +/- 0.7 cm compared to other NW and OW groups respectively as 163.7 +/- 0.6 cm and 162.6 +/- 0.7 cm but in the female students there was no significantly difference within groups. Weight was significantly different between the groups in the male students, whereas there were minor differences in the female students. The average of BMI was 20.7 +/- 0.1 on the male students and 20.6 +/- 0.1 on the female students which were all within the average, and their obesity was increased as the school grade was higher. Under less than 30,000 won of pocket money was dominating, and most of the students were in a nuclear family. In all male and female students, the inactive hours like watching TV and using computers had no differences between groups. The difference between groups was minor on breakfast time and most of the students thought their problems on unbalanced diet. There was significant difference in the OW group in female students as they thought their problems on unbalanced diets. The frequency of snack was significantly low in the OW group of male students but there were no differences in snack and eating-out food. All students chose fruits as snack food and Korean-style food as eating out food. The OW group in male students were significantly low in the dietary related self-efficacy when they were with their families and feeling depressed but there were no differences in female students between groups. When all students were getting higher BMI, they evaluated themselves badly in their self-dietary habits. Also the more male students had non-physical activity time, the less they had the dietary related self-efficacy and the more female students had physical activity time, the higher they had the dietary related self-efficacy. In conclusion, the OW group had good habits in physical activities for weekends, meal times, frequency of snack consumption but it showed undesirable when they were low in dietary related self-efficacy. Therefore we will provide the systematic nutrition education to them through this study.
This study was performed in order to compare the differences in dietary self-efficacy and eating behaviors as well as the relationship of weight control attitudes according to eating disorder perception and obesity index for high school girls majoring in dance. Almost half (45.5%) of the subjects perceived eating disorders, and the rate of underweight group was 45.7%. Forty-four percent of the group that perceived eating disorders were in modern dance, while 55.0% of the group that did not perceived eating disorders were in Korean dance (P <0.05). For the obesity index, a similar rate was shown between the different types of dance for the underweight group, but in the normal group, 54.5% were in Korean dance (P <0.05). Most (82.0%) of the group that perceived eating disorders had fears on obesity, while only 53.3% of the non-perceiving group had fears on obesity (P <0.01). Over half (58.3%) of the underweight group had fears on obesity, while 77.2% of the normal group showed fear in that (P <0.05). For necessity of weight loss to do dance performances, 25.0% of the underweight group and 57.9% of the normal group need that (P <0.05). Most of the group that perceived eating disorders (92.0%) answered that they had experience in very low calorie diets, while only 40.0% of the non-perceiving group had experience (P <0.001). For necessity of calorie education, 42.0% of the group that perceived eating disorders and only 20.0% of the non-perceiving group answered is needed (P <0.05). For eating behavior , the group that perceived eating disorders had lower total scores compared to the non-perceiving group (P <0.001), The group that perceived eating disorders showed lower scores for restraint eating (P <0.01) and emotional factors (P <0.001) except by external eating. This study showed that high school girls majoring in dance have high interest in weight control and problems with wrongful body images and eating behaviors, as well as need for calorie education were suggested. Thus, it is necessary to develop and execute a proper weight control education program for the subjects.
This study has been performed to analyze nutrition knowledge, dietary self-efficacy and eating habits of the elementary- and middle- school students (n = 342) according to student's stage of regular breakfast or exercise. Middle school students had higher nutrition knowledge than primary school students. Total dietary self-efficacy and dietary habit scores were not different by school year and gender. Nutrition knowledge, dietary self-efficacy and dietary habit scores were positively correlated each other. By the stage of regular breakfast, the pre-contemplation stage comprised 13.6%, contemplation 2.1%, preparation 15.7%, action 11.5% and maintenance stage 59.1%. By the stage of regular exercise, the pre-contemplation stage comprised 20.9%, contemplation 7.3%, preparation 45.6%, action 9.8% and maintenance stage 16.4%. According to the stage of change, movement from the pre-contemplation and contemplation to upper stage increased the dietary self-efficacy score. Dietary habit score increased significantly across the five stages of changes. The results of this study indicate differences in stages of changes in breakfast intake and regular exercise and indicate the need for taking these phases of change into account in nutrition education.
The purpose of this study was to identify the factors associated with dietary attitudes and dietary self-efficacy of juvenile delinquents. Out of 110 questionnaires distributed to the juvenile detention home students in Daegu, and 150 questionnaires distributed to the juvenile detention home students in Anyang, 210 were analyzed (80.7% analysis rate). These data were analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows. Almost all parents' educational levels showed 'graduation of middle school', and only 43.8% of the juvenile detention students were living with parents. In case of incoming status, average income per month was 2,000,000 won, which was lower than normal one. Diet attitude score was higher in boy students than girl students (p < 0.05). There was a higher score of diet attitude in higher educational levels of father. The average score of dietary self-efficacy was 2.51 +/- 0.86. This value was lower than the normal juvenile. There was a higher diet attitude score in the higher dietary self-efficacy score (p < 0.001). Therefore, proper nutrition education is required to improve their dietary self-efficacy. The results of this study could be useful data to plan and develop nutritional education programs of juvenile delinquents
The purpose of this study was to obtain an understanding of the association of personality preferences and food behavior factors in middle school students. The subjects were 319 boys and girls in a middle school located in Kyunggi province. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess demographic factors, dietary habits and psychosocial factors including self-efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers. The MMTIC (Murphy-Meisgeier Type Inventory for Children) test was used to assess the personality preferences of the students. Sixty-seven percent of the subjects were extrovert, 53.9% were the sensing type, 76.8% were the feeling type and 81.8% were the perceiving type in personality preferences. The extrovert had higher self-efficacy than the introvert. The feeling type perceived more benefits and fewer barriers than the thinking type. The education levels of the parents, especially mothers, were positively related with self-efficacy and dietary habit scores of the students. The self-efficacy and perceived benefits and barriers were significantly associated with dietary habits of the students (explained variance: 17.9%). Results of this study presented the relationship of character types and parents' education levels on psychosocial food behavior factors and a need for the development of tailored nutrition education program considering these factors.
The study purpose was to examine weight control status and related factors among 370 high school girls in Seoul. Factors examined included interest toward weight control, body satisfaction, body image, beliefs regarding weight control and self-efficacy. 65.1% had attempted to control weight and were categorized into attempt group. Those in the attempt group had higher body weight (p<0.001) and BMI (p<0.001) than the counterparts. They tried to control weight 2.9 times on average (22.4 days each time). The major information sources for weight control were internet (62.8%), and TV/ radio (17.1%). Exercise was most commonly used for weight control, followed by reducing meal amount and skipping dinner. The attempt group was less satisfied with body size (p<0.001) and perceived their body sizs as heavier than the counterparts (p<0.001), but they showed more interest toward weight control (p<0.001). The ideal body size of society or the body size that they want was very thin in both groups. Twelve out of 20 beliefs regarding weight control were significantly different between the two groups. The attempt group believed more strongly on the advantages such as increased self-confidence, appearance, attractiveness (p<0.001) and 'good for making friends' (p<0.01). In contrast, the attempt group believed less strongly about the disadvantages including harmful effects on health (p<0.001), parents' dislike, feelings of discouragement (p<0.01) and becoming (p<0.05). The attempt group showed lower overall self-efficacy to control overeating (p<0.05) than the counterparts. Especially, the attempt group felt less control of overeating in situations such as eating-out, after school, when they are with family (p<0.01) or with friends, when they feel hungry, during examination periods and when others offer food (p<0.05). This study suggested that weight management education for adolescents include strategies for changing body image and beliefs regarding weight control, as well as increasing self-efficacy to control overeating.
This study was conducted to compare nutrient intakes regarding stages of change in dietary fiber increasing behavior. Subjects were consisted of healthy 383 college students (250 females and 133 males) in Kyunggi-Do. Stages of change classified by an algorithim based on 6 items were designed each subjects into one of the 5 stages: precontemplation (PC), contemplation (CO), preparation (PR), action (AC), maintenance (MA). Nutrient intakes were assessed by 24-hr recall method. Regarding the 5 stages of changes, PR stage comprised the largest group (39.4%), followed by AC (33.7%), MA (14.6%), PC (7.6%), CO (4.7%). Female were more belong to either AC or MA. The higher stage of change in dietary fiber increasing behavior, the higher self-efficacy. In all male and female, there were no differences in energy, protein, monounsaturated fatty acids, polyunsaturated fatty acids and cholesterol intakes across the 5 stages. But, fiber, potassuim (K), vitamin A and vitamin C intakes of AC or MA were higer than those of PC, CO and PR. Energy% from fat of PR (25.4 - 26.5%) was higher than 20%, and those of AC and MA was lower than the other groups. Dietary P/S and omega6/omega3 ratios of AC and MA were similar to the recommended ratio. Female of PR had the most total saturated fat and palmitic acid and those of MA had the least. Male of PR had the least alpha-LNA (omega3) and total omega3 fatty acids and those of MA had the most. In male and female in AC or MA, fiber and K intakes from breakfast, dinner and snack and vitamin C intakes from all meals were higher than those of the other stages. These results of our study confirm differences in stages of change in fiber intake in terms of nutritional status. To have lower energy% from fat, higher intakes of K, fiber and vitamins, desirable ratio of dietary fatty acids, it needs consistent nutritional education leading to the AC or MA of fiber increasing behavior.
This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the gender, obesity rate, nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude on the dietary self-efficacy of adolescents. The subjects were 1,022 (518 male, 504 female), aged 13 - 17 years living in Busan, Masan, Jinju and Jinhae city. This survey was conducted from April 8 to April 22, 2002 by questionnaires and data were analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows. Nutrition knowledge scores and dietary selfefficacy scores of the females were higher than those of the males. The higher the nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude scores, the higher dietary self-efficacy. Dietary attitude has direct effects on dietary self-efficacy and obesity rate has indirect effects which was mediated by nutrition knowledge. Gender and nutrition knowledge have direct effects and indirect effects which were mediated by dietary attitude. Dietary attitude showed the greatest total causal effect in relation to dietary self-efficacy.
This study was carried out to investigate the perception of body image, the dietary attitude, the nutrient intake and the dietary self-efficacy of middle school students in Kyoung-Nam. The survey was conducted from April 8 to April 22 in 2002. The results are summarized as follows. Twenty three point nine percents of the underweight group, 24.5% of the normal weight group, 57.1% of the overweight group and 62.5% of the obese group had correct perception about their body image. Most of the students were concerned about their body image and weight control. The obesity of the parents correlated significantly with the obesity of the subjects. The higher the obesity rate, the lower the dietary attitude and dietary self-efficacy. There was a significant positive correlation between the education level of their mothers and the dietary attitude of the subjects and a significant negative correlation between the obesity rate of the subjects and their dietary attitudes. Dietary attitude scores showed no significant difference among the groups. Intakes of calories, protein, calcium and iron were lower than those of the Korean recommended dietary allowances (RDAs).
This study was intended to evaluate the overall effects of nutritional education on adults having two or more symptoms of chronic degenerative disease. A nine week nutritional education program was provided for 65 adults with chronic diseases. We assessed the changes in dietary knowledge, eating behavior and socio-psychological factors. When we evaluated the nutrient intakes of the subjects, their energy intake was 79.4% of the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Their dietary intake of other nutrients was also below the RDA level except for Vitamin C. Their knowledge of dietary therapy was slightly improved after the implementing of nutritional education. The dietary behavior of 'night snacks before sleep' was significantly improved. While the overall fear due to disease was significantly increased, self-efficacy was not improved. Self-efficacy for eating "three regular meals" and "choosing fruit, vegetable and grain" were significantly decreased. Family support for "buying food which is good for my health" was also significantly increased, whereas "advises me to eat appropriate foods for health" was decreased. Biochemical analysis indicated that blood levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and blood pressure improved after nutrition education. Therefore, we concluded that nutritional education program for people with chronic degenerative diseases could change the diet therapy knowledge, dietary behavior, and the fear due to disease, support from family and behavior intention toward the direction to improve the chronic disease condition. However, it did not improve self-efficacy. Our study also indicated that nutritional education strategies to improve self-efficacy should be an important aspect in a long term education plan for patients to establish desirable eating habits.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary intake, obesity index and psychosocial factors influencing obesity among 200 high school girls in Seoul. The Social Cognitive Theory provided the Conceptual basis for this study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine factors related to obesity, including self-efficacy for controlling overeating, social support for eating behavior, perception of body image and weight control, nutrition knowledge, and attitudes toward obesity. The data were analyzed using t-test and multiple logistic regression. The results of this study are as follows : 1) The mean age of the girls was 16.4 years, and the rate of overweight and obesity(measured by obesity index) was 27.0%. 2) The mean energy intake of subjects was 1832.3+/-384.0kcal. The energy derived from carbohydrates, proteins and fats was 62.7%, 13.8%, and 23.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the obese and the comparison group in energy intake. 3) The result of multivariate analysis indicated that obesity had a significant relation to the perception of ideal body image, social support for eating behavior, and self-efficacy for controlling overeating(p<0.01). As subjects preferred thinner body images(OR=0.39) and received less social support(OR=0.93), the odds of being classified as obese increased. The odds of being obese were also associated with self-efficacy, however, the relation was not strong(OR=1.04). 4) Specific social support was related to obesity among adolescent girls. As subjects received more support from family member, the odds of being obese decreased. The emotional support as well as family member's positive nutrition behavior plays a significant role. In addition, instrumental support from friends was associated with obesity. With repect to self-efficacy, the odds of being obese were increased as subjects felt less confident in controlling overeating when tempting food was placed in front of them or after an argument. In contrast, the obese group felt more confident in controlling overeating for the rest of the specific situations examined. These findings suggest that educational interventions for weight control should incorporate strategies to help participants realize their degree of obesity, to reduce the discrepancy between current and ideal body image, to elicit and maintain social support from friends and family, and to increase the self-efficacy for changing eating behaviors.