• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.297-316
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the body image, food habits, nutrition knowledge, food intake frequency, nutrient intakes of female university students in Masan. Methods: Two groups (n = 302, nutrition major: 147, non-major: 155) were classified into underweight, normal weight and overweight/obesity groups according to BMI respectively. Results: Height and weight of all subjects were 161.5 cm, 53.2 kg and were 161.5 cm, 55.1 kg, 161.5 cm, 51.3 kg in major and non-major female students, respectively. The BMI and body weight were significantly different (p < 0.001). Significantly higher proportions of underweight students in both study groups had perceived as 'normal' or 'fat' (p < 0.001). Higher proportion of the subjects skipped breakfast and main reason was no time to eat. Nutrition knowledge score was significantly higher in major than in non-major subjects (p < 0.001). Fish intake frequency score was significantly higher in non-majors, while the vegetable intake frequency score was significantly higher in majors. Nutrient intakes were significantly higher the majors compared to non-majors, particularly the intake of calcium (p < 0.05), zinc (p < 0.001), vitamin C (p < 0.001) and vitamin E (p < 0.01). Subjects in both groups did not have adequate nutrient intakes compared to KDRIs. BMI showed a positive correlation with body image, body weight and nutrition knowledge score (p < 0.01). Conclusions: These results suggest that systematic nutrition education program which can be applied in real life is important for the formation of correct choices of food and good eating habits.