A Study on Dietary Habit and Eating Snack Behaviors of Middle School Students with Different Obesity Indexes in Chungnam Area

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary habits and snack consumption behaviors of middle school students with different obesity indexes in the Chungnam area. The survey was carried out using self-questionnaires and included 385 students(119 underweight, 193 normal weight, 66 overweight). The rate of skipping meals was higher for underweight students than overweight students; however, this difference was not statistically significant. The mean time of meal was 10 to 20 minutes and the criteria for choosing to eat a meal were 'hunger' and 'taste' in all groups. More than half of the subjects ate snacks 1 time a day, which were purchased outside. The typical snack time was 'between lunch and dinner'. The criteria of for consuming a meal were 'taste' and 'price' in all groups. In the underweight group, the snack food scores were ice cream(4.4), fruit(4.3), fried chicken(4.1), sports beverage(4.0), fruit juice(4.0), pizza(4.0) and, tteokbokki(3.9). In the normal weight group, the snack food scores were ice cream(4.3), fried chicken(4.2), pizza(4.0), sports beverage(3.9), fruit juice(3.9) and, tteokbokki(3.9) in the overweight group, the snack food scores were ice cream(4.3), fruit(4.3), fried chicken(4.2), yogurt(4.0), sports beverage(4.0), fruit juice(4.0) and, ramen(4.0). In conclusion, the snaking behaviors of the subjects were not significantly different based on their obesity index. However, this study may provide basic information on the snacking behaviors of middle school students, and the findings suggest that nutrition education or counseling can improve snack intake habits and positive behaviors toward healthy adolescents diets.

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