Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the change in food habits of girl students 1985 and 1998. A similar study had been conducted in 1985 and this study was carried in May, 1998 using the questionnaires. The subjects were 746 female students in middle school, high school and university students living in Jeonbuk region. The average score of food habit was 4.11+/-1.63 out of a possible 10. This aversge is lower than the 4.91 score in 1985, especially the score of university students lowered from 4.80 points to 3.52+/-1.58 points. The correlation coefficient between the score of food habit and standard of living, utilizing increase as compared with the 54.9% in 1985. The most preferred side-dish changed from fried food to Kimchi. The preference of snacks was not changed. Eating bread increased at breakfast but eating noodles increased at lunch. University students' lunch basket preparation ratio decreased from 32.6% to 3.3%, so they had more noodles at refectory than lunch basket. The reason for skipping breakfast did not changes, but skipping lunch changed from annoyance due to lunch basket preparation to lack of time and no appetite. Skipping supper was changed from missing time to weight control. Having supper at home decreased from 96.6% to 75.9%. Substitution food on no preparation of lunch basket was changed from bread to noodles. The preference for biscuits and snack did not changes but fewer students preferend bread and fried food. In order to improve the nutritional status of the girl students, they must establish good food habits, especially by eating 3 regular meals per day and balancing their diet they should also be notified that severe weight control is very harmful for health.

• Keywords: girl students; food habit