Fruit and Vegetable Consumption and Factors Affecting Fruit and Vegetable Consumption of School Children and Adolescents : Findings from Focus-Group Interviews with School Nutrition Teachers and Nutritionists

학령기 어린이와 청소년의 채소·과일 섭취 현황 및 섭취에 영향을 미치는 요인 - 영양(교)사 포커스 그룹 인터뷰를 이용하여 -

This study aimed to investigate fruit and vegetable consumption status of school children and adolescents and factors influencing their consumption from focus-group interviews with school nutrition teacher(s) and nutritionists. Most of all the evaluated fruit and vegetable intake levels of school children and adolescents was very low. They mentioned the intake of fruit and vegetable was similar between children and adolescents and boys tended to have less vegetable intake than girls. There was substantial difference in the serving frequencies of fruit between schools due to budgets. Fruit was consumed more than vegetables and fruit without seeds or peeled fruit was more preferred by children and adolescents. Factors affecting fruit and vegetable intake of children and adolescents were analysed by personal, family and school. Personal factors were gender, child development level, the lack of knowledge or perception on vegetables, westernized diet pattern and the preference of spicy foods. Family factors were the perception of parents, family meal environment, and income disparity. The factors related to schools were the principal, class teacher, friends, nutrition teacher, cooking and serving methods, cooking personals, budget and so on.