Abstract

This study inrestigated the dietary behavior, nutritional intake, and health status of industrial workers. Two hundred seventy workers(165 men and 105 women) in Masan, who were provided food services were selected as survey subjects. They were given questionnaires on nutrition knowledge, food frequency questionnaires, and blood analysis were conducted through an annual health examination from May to August 1998. The average age of the subjects was 35.7+/-11.8 years, and 80% the of women were in their teens and 20's and 80% of men were in their 30's and 40's. The nutrition knowledge score was higher in women than in men, while food habit score was higher in men than in women. As age increase, the degree of life stress became lower and food habit score was higher in men than in women. As age increases, the degree of life stress became lower and food habit was improved. In women, all nutrient intakes were avobe the recommended dictary allowances(RDA), and in men intakes of only vitamin E and calcium were under RDA. Levels of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, and blood glucose, blood pressure, body mass index were positively related to age. The number of subjects suspected of havins chronic disease was the highest for those in their 40's. The results indicate that nutritional status of industrial workers in the present study was fairly good probably due to food services, but their health status should be supervised as their age increases.

• Keywords: industrial workers; dietary behavior; nutrirional intake; health status; life stress