• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.57-71
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• 2015

This study assessed gender differences of 'solo eating' perceptions and dietary behaviors among college students residing in Seoul and Kyongki province. Two types of questionnaires were used to analyze perception and dietary behaviors of subjects: a cross-sectional survey (N=893) and AGA (Associative Group Analysis; N=50). Women ate significantly more and intook a greater variety of foods when eating together (P<0.05). Men, on the other hand, showed no difference in these variables. Women, compared to men, spent more time eating both alone and together (P<0.001). In the associative group analysis (AGA), women showed a different semantic value for 'solo eating' compared to men. Women also tended to feel lonely when they ate alone and had positive images of eating together. Students began to decide their own dietary behaviors after junior and high school. Dietary lives of Koreans have rapidly changed along with social changes over the past half century. These research findings will contribute to more comprehensive and efficient nutrition education programs for preventing lifestyle-related diseases in the early stage of adulthood.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.1210-1221
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• 2017

The objective of the this study was to identify the potential relationship between eating breakfast together as a family and the nutritional status among Korean adolescents based on the 2013~2015 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey data. This study investigated 1,300 adolescents ranging in agee from twelve to eighteen years-old. In this study, according to their eating breakfast together as a family or skipping breakfast, we classified the subjects into the eating breakfast together as a family (EBF group) (male=379, female=295), eating breakfast alone (EBA group) (male=177, female=169) and skipping breakfast (SB group) (male=152, female=128). Both male and female, age in the EBF group was lower than those of the EBA and SB group (p<0.0001, respectively). In the male, the EBF group exhibited significantly higher fiber (p=0.0168) and potassium density (p=0.0065) and lower beverage intake (% energy) (p=0.0040) than the EBA and SB groups. No difference was observed the proportion of subjects who practiced a healthy diet between three groups, however, the EBF and EBA groups had a smaller proportion of subjects who were in a condition of hypo-nutrition compared to the SB group (p<0.0001, respectively). The present findings suggest that the practice of eating breakfast together as a family in adolescents may bean important consideration in relation to micro-nutrient intake status.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.531-542
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• 2018

This study was conducted to compare solo eating perceptions and dietary behaviors in the Seoul and Gyonggi-do regions according to gender. The study focused on the dietary perceptions, solo eating, eating together, dietary habits, food intake patterns and 38 keywords pertaining to solo eating. Of 411 subjects, 207 (50.4%) were males and 204 (49.6%) were females. The biggest problem that respondents perceived in their dietary life was irregular eating. Women prepared meals more often than men (p<0.001) and ate more instant and frozen food than men (p<0.05). Both males and females missed breakfast most, and the amount of the population eating breakfast alone ranked second highest. Women had lunch alone more often than men, while men ate dinner alone more often than women (p<0.01). All respondents spent 5~15 min when eating alone. Women avoided excessive smoking and drinking more than men (p<0.001). Men related key words regarding solo eating with negative emotions such as 'lonely', 'boring', and 'feel sorry when I see someone eating alone in a restaurant' more than women. Conversely, women related more positive key words with eating alone such as 'free', 'joy', and 'my own time'. Dietary lives of Koreans have rapidly changed along with social changes. Our research findings will contribute to increased comprehensive menu development and HMR development in the foodservice industry.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.441-454
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• 2021

Objectives: This study investigated the association between the frequency and pattern of eating alone and the mental health status according to region in Korean adults. Methods: The data of 10,040 Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2017 and 2019 were used. Participants were divided into 4 groups based on their frequency of eating alone: none (all meals together), 1, 2, and 3 meals/day alone. The regions were divided into urban and rural areas. Mental health status was assessed by stress recognition, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on the association of the frequency and pattern of eating alone with poor mental health after controlling for covariates. Results: Among Korean adults, 74.1% ate more than one meal a day alone. Individuals having 3 meals a day alone tended to be less educated, single, single person households, or living in urban areas (all P < 0.05). In rural areas, those having 3 meals/day alone had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.02-2.35) than those having all meals together. In urban areas, individuals eating alone 3 times/day had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.31-1.96), depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.23-2.12), and suicidal ideation (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.42-3.22) compared to those having all meals together. Urban residents having dinner alone had higher odds of depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.58) and suicidal ideation (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.19-2.33) than those having dinner with others. Conclusions: Our findings showed that the frequency and patterns of eating alone were differentially associated with increased odds of poor mental health according to region of residence. Nutrition education is needed for those frequently eating alone, particularly those living in urban areas, to highlight the advantages of eating together and to ensure that they have balanced and healthy meals even if they eat alone.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.50-59
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to identify the nutritional status in Korean children eating breakfast together as a family or skipping breakfast from the 2013 ~ 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: A total of 1,393 subjects (boys = 731, girls = 662), aged 6 ~ 11 years, were presented with a 24 hr-recall method, and classified according to their eating breakfast together as a family or skipping breakfast; and eating breakfast together as a family (EBF group; boys = 580, girls = 548), eating breakfast alone (EBA group; boys = 100, girls = 67), and skipping breakfast (SB group; boys = 51, girls = 47). Results: In the boys, the SB group had a significantly lower carbohydrate (p = 0.0198) and vitamin C (p = 0.0219) density, and a higher fat (p = 0.0020) density than the EBF and EBA groups. In both boys and girls, the EBF and EBA groups showed a significantly larger number of dishes in breakfast than the SB group (p < 0.0001, respectively). In boys, the EBF group showed a significantly higher number of foods in breakfast than the EBA and SB groups (p < 0.0001). Conclusion: Children eating breakfast together as a family may be associated with a variety of food intake than children eating breakfast alone and skipping breakfast.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.280-289
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• 2012

The objective of this research was to explore the influences of 'having a meal with someone' on individuals' eating pattern. Eating is not a simple matter of energy intake but also serves to anchor daily routines being cultivated by people and society. This study was conducted using a cross-sectional eating behavior survey of university students (N = 893, 380 men, 513 women) aged 20 to 24 years. Results were analyzed and presented as frequencies, means and ${\chi}^2$-test with SPSS 14.0. Differences in dietary habits by commensality and solo-eating were observed; Students who ate alone, spent 15 min for a meal and ate convenience food items when they didn't feel hungry. Compared to students who ate alone, those who ate together with someone spent 30 min for a meal and ate more amount of food. Eighty percent of respondents ate more various menus in commensality than solo-eating. They felt lonely when they ate alone and preferred to eat together. In conclusion, university students start to decide and select their own meals by themselves after junior and high school food services which are fixed with regard to menu and the amount. Dietary habits of Koreans rapidly changed concomitant with social changes over the past half century. Governments and health experts recognize that unbalanced meals cause lifestyle-related diseases, in particular obesity. Our research findings will contribute to more comprehensive efficient nutrition education programs in order to prevent obesity and other lifestyle-related diseases in early stages of adulthood.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.378-388
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• 2019

This study aimed to assess the nutritional quality of breakfast among Korean school-aged children and adolescents depending on eating together as a family, based on the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. One day 24-hour recall data of 1,831 children and adolescents aged from 6 to 17 years were collected. The nutritional quality of breakfast was analyzed and compared between Family Breakfast Group (FBG, n=1,410) and Eating-alone Breakfast Group (EBG, n=421). The results showed that age, family structure, number of family members, and frequency of breakfast were associated with eating breakfast as a family. The calorie intake from breakfast explained 19% and 16% of the daily intake for FBG and EBG, respectively. The percentages of children and adolescents consuming Vitamin A, Vitamin $B_1$, Vitamin $B_2$, Vitamin C, Niacin, and Iron less than 1/4 of the Estimated Average Requirements were significantly lower in FBG than in EBG. The average numbers of serving for "Grains" and "Vegetables" food groups and the average Dietary Diversity Score were significantly higher in FBG than in EBG. Overall, the results indicated that eating breakfast as a family is positively associated with nutritional quality of breakfast among Korean school-aged children and adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.1
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• pp.110-120
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• 2021

This study investigated the factors affecting restrained and emotional eating according to the BMI of college women in Seoul. Based on their weight, 514 college women were divided into 3 groups. General demographics, nutrient consumption, eating habits and DEBQ were subsequently evaluated. Multiple regression analysis was performed to determine the factors responsible for restrained and emotional eating in each group. Percentage of the overweight or obese group having negative emotions, such as frequency of overeating (p<0.05), habitual eating, regret, and guilt after overeating, was higher as compared to the other groups (p<0.001). Considering factors that affect restrained eating, negative emotion after overeating had a positive correlation in the underweight group (β=0.481, p<0.001). In the normal-weight group, the BMI (β=0.201, p<0.001), total food intake (β=0.241, p=0.002), and negative emotion after overeating (β=0.284, p<0.001) positively affected restrained eating. In the underweight group, habitual eating (β=0.292, p=0.002) and negative emotions after overeating (β=0.233, p=0.012) were determined to affect emotional eating. Moreover, habitual eating (β=0.290, p<0.001) and negative emotions after overeating (β=0.172, p=0.004) were observed to influence emotional eating in the normal weight group. In the overweight and obese groups, habitual eating was determined to affect emotional eating (β=0.410, p<0.001). Taken together, these results provide a basis for creating a weight control program for young women having undesirable eating behaviors, such as restrained and emotional eating.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.45-50
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• 2015

Eating disorders is a significant failure on the dietary behavior, can be distinguished by anorexia nervosa and bulimia nervosa. For the treatment of eating disorders, screening for medical conditions and hospitalizations are needed. Also, medications such as antidepressants may be helpful, and it should be considered a dynamic psychotherapy, cognitive behavioral therapy, and family therapy together. Recently we experienced a 24-year-old woman who was accompanied with binge eating at night, habitual vomiting, dizziness, anorexia, and general weakness. We applied Banhabaeckchulchunma-tang and acupunture treatment during 2 weeks. Through this program, patient's condition was improved on body mass index and Eating Attitude Test-26.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.501-513
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• 2003

This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between general characteristics and the eating-out behaviors of 643 male/female industrial workers. The results of the study was summarized as follows. 1. The frequency rate of eating-out was higher for male than female, college graduates than high school graduates, high income earner than low income earner, and unmarried than married(p<0.05). 2. Average cost for eating-out was higher for male than female, for high educated and high income earner than low educated person. Age, married or not, personal health conditions and BMI, however, didn't make any difference in the average cost for eating-out. 3. Reasons fur eating-out was very different due to gender, age, degree of education income rate, married or not, BMI(p<0.05) but basically eating-out was due to get together with friends or colleagues. Also, people who thought they were not in good health answered that they did not eat-out in any conditions. Overweighted people ate out more often than normal or under-weighted people. 4. The method in gathering information about eating-out was different according to the level of education and whether married or not. On the other hand, gender, age, income rate, personal health condition and BMI did not make a big difference in its method. However, most People who Participated in the survey gathered information from people around them, such as friends/colleagues. 5. Taste was the most important factor in deciding the actual eating-out restaurant among the respondents and gender, age, level of education, married or not also made significant differences (p<0.05). 6. Besides personal health conditions and BMI, all the general characteristics including age made significant differences in selecting the most frequently visited restaurant. 7. Besides the personal health conditions, the transportation vehicle was different due to gender, age, level of education, income rate, married or not and BMI. As seen from the results, the eating-out behaviors mostly differed due to general characteristics. In order to searching for a new eating-out market, the general characteristics and the trend of the target customers has to be analyzed to activate the eating-out industry. In addition the need for highly nutritional food with low calorific value has to be emphasized along with the taste.