OBJECTIVES This study examined the association of the sleep quality and patterns with the dietary behavior, including snack and beverage consumption, taste preferences, as well as lifestyle of university students. METHODS The subjects were 406 university students in Cheongju, Korea, and the data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. They were divided into two groups according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): good-quality sleepers (PSQI score ≤ 5) and poor-quality sleepers (PSQI score > 5). The data were analyzed using a χ2-test, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance using the SPSS 25.0 program. RESULTS Fifty-two percent of university students were categorized as poor-quality sleepers by the PSQI. Students classified as poor-quality sleepers had delayed bedtimes, and a shorter duration in bed and total sleep hours than the good-quality sleepers did. Poor-quality sleepers were more prevalent among those who were female, having irregular mealtimes, or frequent late night meals. They also consumed fast food frequently, such as fried chicken and hamburgers, and noodles when adjusted for gender. In addition, drinks with caffeine over milk were dominant among poor-quality sleepers. Furthermore, the preferences for spicy and salty tastes and longer smartphone usage were more prevalent in those with poor-sleep quality. CONCLUSIONS These results showed that more than 50% of university students reported disturbed sleep and poor quality sleep was associated with less desirable snack consumption and taste preference, more smartphone usage, and others. Therefore, nutrition education program along with lifestyle changes promoting sufficient sleep are encouraged to provide for university students, particularly those who have poor sleep quality.
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Health Behaviors and Dietary Habits according to Sleep Duration in Korean Adults Based on the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Jin-A Kim, Sim-Yeol Lee Korean Journal of Health Promotion.2019; 19(4): 237. CrossRef
Recognition thresholds for NaCl, sucrose, citric acid, and caffeine, as well as the pleasant concentration of NaCl were assessed in 176 males and 312 females aged 50-88 years. Furthermore, relationships among taste sensitivities, taste preferences, and lifestyles were examined. The taste solutions were presented one after the other in ascending order using the sip-and-spit method. For the recognition thresholds of the 4 basic tastes, women perceived significantly lower concentrations than the men. However, the pleasant concentration of NaCl did not show a gender difference. Sensitivities for the 4 basic tastes did not decrease with age in the men, but they did significantly decrease with age for the women, especially for those above 70 years. For men, regular exercise was positively correlated with sensitivities for sour taste and bitter taste, and physical activity was negatively correlated with the pleasant concentrations of NaCl. For women, who had more physical activity, sensitivities for sweet taste and sour taste were lower compared to the others. This study indicates that the sensitivities for 4 basic tastes in water diminished with age, but pleasant salt concentration did not change with age. Further research on pleasant NaCl concentration is required to determine factors affecting salt preference, in order to decrease salt intake in the elderly.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional differences in food preference among college students participating in a nutrition education program via internet. The subjects were 1672 college students (male: 762, female: 910) and divided into 4 regional groups. A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire on taste and food preferences. Data was collected via internet or by mail. Prevalence of the food preferences among regional groups was examined using SPSS statistical package. Food preferences were significantly associated with sex and region. Female students in Chungcheong and Kyungsang areas showed significantly higher preference of the hot taste compared to Seoul and Kyunggi areas. Female students in Seoul, Kyunggi and Chungcheong areas showed significantly higher preference of the boiled bean rice compared to the Kyungsang area. The preference for Kimchi stew of female students in Seoul and Kyunggi was significantly higher than those in Chungcheong and Kyungsang areas. Male students in the Chungcheong area showed significantly higher preferences of the Young radish kimchi, while female students in this area showed significantly higher preference of the Radish kimchi compared to other areas. The preference for roasted laver of female students in Seoul, Kyunggi and Kyungsang areas was significantly higher compared to the Chungcheong area. The preference for fried chicken of male students in Seoul was significantly higher than that in other areas. The preference for bean sprouts and season bonnet bellflower of male students in Seoul, Chungcheong and Kyungsang areas were significantly higher compared to the Kyunggi area. Therefore, these results provide nation-wide information on food preferences among Korean college students.
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preschool children's taste preferences on their intake of nutrients and the degree of dental caries. The subjects were 126 preschool children (boys 62 and girls 64) in Daegu area. Their taste preferences and food intake were investigated and their teeth were also examined. The energy intake of boys (1550 kcal) were significantly higher than that of girls (1441 kcal). Daily dietary intakes of nutrients-except niacin and vitamin C-were higher than those of RDA. Vitamin B1 intake of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly lower than that of the other group (p < 0.05). Vitamin B2 intake of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly higher than that of the other group (p < 0.05). Vitamin C intake of the group preferring a hot taste was significantly higher than that of the other group (p < 0.05). The group with a preference for sweet had more experiences of dental caries and more decayed teeth than the other group, but which is not significant. The experiences of dental caries were negatively correlated with protein intake (p < 0.01). The decayed teeth were negatively correlated with energy and protein intakes (p < 0.01). Our data suggested that taste preferences are associated with vitamins intake and the degree of dental caries in preschool children. It means the sweet preference increased the experiences of the dental caries.
This study investigated the effect of taste preference(sweet, sour, salty, hot) on anthropometric measurements and nutrient intakes of 256 primary school children in Kwangju. There was no significant difference in the anthropometric measurements according to the sweet taste preference. Height, weight, triceps, abdomen, and chest circumferences of the group preferring a sour taste, however, were significantly lower than those of the other groups. The height of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly shorter than that of the other groups and there was a tendency toward high systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure. The waist circumference of the group not preferring the hot taste was larger than those of the other groups. There was no significant difference in the energy intake according to the sweet taste preference. The protein intake of the group preferring a sweet taste as significantly lower than that of the other groups. The fiber intake of the group preferring a sour taste was significantly higher than that of the other groups. There were no significant differences in the nutrient intakes according to the salty taste preference. The energy intake of the group preferring a hot taste was lower than that of the other groups. The results show that children's taste preferences influence anthropometric measurements and nutrient intakes. These results suggest that children's eating behaviors are in needs of correction. The findings of this study should be applied to nutrition education to ensure better physical fitness of children.