Abstract

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

• Keywords: juvenile delinquents; diet attitude; dietary self-efficacy; nutrition education