Study on Middle and High School Students' Use of Convenience Foods at Convenience Stores in Incheon

Article information

Korean J Community Nutr. 2019;24(2):137-151

Publication date (electronic) : 2019 April 30

doi : https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.2.137

Seul-Ki Lee ¹

, Mi-Kyeong Choi ²

, Mi-Hyun Kim ²

¹Major in Nutrition Education, Graduate School of Education, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea, Graduate student.

²Division of Food Science, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea, Professor.

Corresponding author: Mi-Hyun Kim. Division of Food Science, Kongju National University, Yesan 32439, Korea. Tel: (041) 330-1463, Fax: (041) 330-1469, mhkim1129@kongju.ac.kr

Received 2019 April 09; Revised 2019 April 18; Accepted 2019 April 19.

Abstract

Objectives

The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores.

Methods

This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey.

Results

The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption.

Conclusions

Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.

Keywords: convenience food; convenience stores; lifestyle; middle school students; high school students

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