The Study on Dietary Habits , Dietary Behaviors and Nutrition Knowledge of Middle School Students in the Small City

소도시지역 중학생의 식습관 , 식생활 행동 및 영양지식

This study was to obtain information about the dietary habits, the dietary attitudes, nutrition knowledge, and the food consumption of middle school students and to assess relationships between the dietary habits, the dietary attitudes, and nutrition knowledge of middle school students. Data were collected from 390 middle school students in Kimcheon. In the dietary habits, the regularity of breakfast showed the highest point and the snack consumption showed the lowest point. Female students were lower in the regularity of breakfast, and male students were higher in overeating of dinner and night. In the dietary attitudes and the perceived importance of nutrition, male students showed more favorable attitudes and perceived more importance of nutrition. In the nutrition knowledge, the responses to items 'Cola or cider doesn't have calories' and 'An egg contains lots of cholesterol' were the lowest point. Female students had higher knowledge than male students. In the food intake, grains, milk.yogurt.cheese, and fruits were always eaten or frequently eaten. While fast food, spicy and salty food, seaweeds, carbonated drinks, and yellow or green vegetables were eaten in lower frequency than other foods. Male students consumed more meat.ham.egg.fish, fried.stir-fried food, fast food, carbonated drinks, and spicy and salty food than female students. The correlation between dietary attitudes and dietary habits was statistically significant. The correlation between dietary attitudes and the perceived importance of nutrition was statistically significant. But the correlation between dietary attitudes and nutrition knowledge was statistically significant for female students, not significant for male students. Nutrition knowledge was related to the perceived importance of nutrition. It might be suggested that effective nutrition education program might be developed and implemented to ensure the good eating behaviors of middle school students.