초록
Objectives : The use of health functional foods is gradually increasing. On the other hand, the use of the Korean herbal medicine is gradually decreasing. Especially children are known to have a high percentage of taking a health functional food. This study was designed to compare the use of health functional food with the reason for taking the Korean herbal medicine. Methods : The participants were 453 parents who have kids age between 3 to 6 years old from day care center in Wonju and Chungju. The questionnaire consisted of 17 questions and the survey was conducted by self-entry method. This study analyzed 374 participants' questionnaires who agreed to the survey. Results : The percentages of children's health functional food intake experience were 82.9% and they usually bought products which contain lactic acid bacteria(55.6%). The reason for consuming health functional food was to strengthen the immune system and enhance the physical strength. Most of the participants purchased health functional food from pharmacy through inaccurate information such as the internet. The percentages of children's health functional food preference were 58.5% because it is easy to take. The percentages of children's herbal medicine preference were 41.7%. There are inconveniences of taking herbal medicine because of taste and smell(68.8%). Conclusions : Therefore, it is necessary to change the formulation of the herbal medicine and increase convenience for use of the herbal medicine to preschooler(3-6 years old). In additionary, it is necessary to supply accurate and up to date information of herbal medicine taking.