Abstract
With changing socio-economic environments, there have been some changes in the Korean diet. One of major changes is the increasing fat intake. Based on the current trend of increase, it is important to understand factors related to fat intake levels. Objective of this study was to find out the differences in food consumption patterns, demographic characteristics, and other socio-economic factors among three groups of households. The households were devided into three groups by percentage of fat energy intake to total energy intake such as less than 15%(Group 1), from 15% to 25%(Group 2), and more than 25% (Group 3). Among 1, 987 households, the numbers in Group 1, Group 2 and Group 3 were 792(39.6%), 902(45.4%), and 293(15.1%), respectively. The mean size of family was 3.44 person per households for total survey household, 3.42 for Group 1, 3.54 for Group 2, and 3.21 for Group 3. More than 60% of families living in the rural area belonged to Group 1(p<0.05). Group 3 had most educated food preparers and more income than other groups(p<0.05). Group 3 showed higher intake of all nutrient analyzed except carbohydrate (p<0.05). Other than calcium and vitamin A for Group 1, and vitamin A for Group 1, and vitamin A for Group 2, all nutrient intake analyzed for three groups were more than 75% of Korean recommended dietary alowances. Mean fat intakes for Group 1, Group 2, and group 3 had highest amount of intake for all food groups. According to food group analysis, Group 3 had highest amount of intake for all food groups except vegetables. Group 3 consumed more than 10 times of meats compared to Group 1. Group 3 had more dishes prepared by baking, deep-fryng, stir-frying, and pan-frying other two groups. Processed foods were used most frequently in Group 3. Other diet and related factors were analyzed also. These results showed that the amount of fat consumed by Korean households varies widely. Households with high fat energy intake had tendency to reside in the largy city, and to have heigher education level and more income than other groups. They eat less vegetables, use more cooking methods using oils, and use more processed foods. To ensure a proper intake of fat, there should be two separate ways of approach for high fat energy group and low fat energy group, since they are different in many ways.
