• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2004

This study was conducted to define dietary patterns and to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic, acculturation and lifestyle factors on dietary patterns among 2,746 Korean- Americans in California. It was a cross-sectional telephone survey based on a representative sampling of individuals with a Korean surname using residential phone listings. It was conducted using a food frequency questionnaire that covered 20 food items, socioeconomic variables such as age, gender, income, education and acculturation, and lifestyle factors such as body weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise and consumption of fast food. Four dietary patterns were identified: American Foods (AF), American Breakfast (AB), Korean Foods (KF) and Vegetables (Ⅴ). AF was associated with younger men, acculturation and fast food consumption. AB was associated with women, higher education, current smoking and fast food consumption. KF was associated with acculturation and lower socioeconomic status. Ⅴ was associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, exercising and fast food consumption. The results of the study showed that socioeconomic and lifestyle factors influenced the dietary patterns of Korean- Americans. This should be considered when dietary interventions are designed for Korean-Americans to improve their health status.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.47-57
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• 2004

The study purpose was to investigate the factors related to fast food consumption of university students. Factors were identified using the Theory of Planned Behavior. Based on the pilot study, 18 behavioral beliefs, 7 normative beliefs and 19 control beliefs were identified. Data (n = 269) were analyzed using analysis of variance or $X^2$,/TEX> tests. Subjects were categorized into non-users (27.9%), users (42%) and frequent users ( $\geq$ 2 times/week, 30.1%). Regarding behavioral beliefs, users or frequent users responded more positively on advantages of eating fast foods including ‘taste’ (p < 0.001), ‘making me feel full’(p < 0.001), ‘diverse menus’(p < 0.05) than non-users. Compared to users, non-users responded more positively on the item that eating fast foods leads to eat vegetables less (p < 0.05), and negatively on ‘making me eat more salt’(p < 0.05). Most of the referent groups, parents (p < 0.001), sisters/brothers (p < 0.01), relatives (p < 0.01), friends (p < 0.05), boy/girl friends (p < 0.05) were important sources of influence regarding subjects' fast food consumption. Users or frequent users felt less control over factors or situations that make it consume fast foods (9 out of 19 control beliefs). These factors included; availability issues (p < 0.001), ‘not having other foods on hand’(p < 0.01), ‘others eating together like fast foods’, ‘convenience’, ‘social increase in fast food use’, ‘easy to get fast foods anytime’(p < 0.05). In addition, users of fast foods were more likely to eat fast foods when they don't have time, when they do not like to cook, when they feel hungry (p < 0.05). These results suggest that interventions for university students include strategies to moderate fast food use by modifying behavioral beliefs, suggesting alternative menus and behavior modification techniques, increasing perception of control, and eliciting social support.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.27-40
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• 2000

The purpose of this study was to determine the consumption patterns of fast food chain stores according to their parents'social demographic factors in using fast food chain stores. The data of this research were composed of 599 college students in Taegu$.$Kyungbuk region. Obtained data were analyzed by X$^2$-test, t-test, oneway ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range test with SPSS PC+ program. The findings of this study are as follows; First, mother's academic background and father's occupations, family income level of the respondents were statistically significant in using fast food chain stores. Secondly, 19% of the respondents answered that they 'hardly'used fast food chain stoles, 65.4% of them 'sometimes', and 16% of them 'frequently'. Most of the respondents answered that they visit 'with their friends'. They prefer fast food because the flood is convenient to eat and the services are fast. The frequency of eating out was increased and their taste was apt to westernize.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.19-33
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate fast food consumption, awareness of fast food and food habit of middle school students in Wonju area according to their intake frequency of fast foods. Subjects were categorized into 3 groups according to intake frequency of fast foods : frequent users($\geq$ 1 times/week, 29.5%) users(2~3 times/month, 50.7%), non-users($\leq$ 1 time/month, 19.8%). As for the purpose of eating fast food, many ate fast food between meals. The most favorite fast food was chicken regardless of intake frequency, followed by pizza, hamburger, the reason being that it tasted good. Regarding if there was any room for improvement, the largest number of the students asked for inexpensive price, irrespective of fast food intake frequency. Compared to users, non-users intake more diverse foods, vegetables, dairy products, fruits, protein foods and seaweed. Users or frequent users of fast food more felt drowsy, cold in the hand and foot, rough skin symptoms than non-users. In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast foods can lead unbalanced diet intakes for middle school students, and those who consumed fast foods frequently showed undesirable food habits in their daily meal.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.206-213
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to compare dietary habits, perception, and consumption frequency of fast foods between part-time working youths at fast food restaurants and those at other food-related services. Methods: The study subjects were part-time working youths in 13 fast food restaurants (n = 118) and in 25 other places including bakeries, cafes, convenience stores, and other restaurants (n = 115) in Cheongju. Demographic characteristics, dietary habits, perception regarding fast foods, and consumption frequencies of food groups and fast foods were assessed using a self-administered questionnaire. Results: Female youths working at fast food restaurants had unhealthier dietary habits, such as meal skipping and night snacking compared to those working at other places. Consumption frequencies of fruits in males and beans/bean products in females working at fast food restaurants were significantly lower than those working at other places. Perception score on fast foods was significantly lower in males working at fast food restaurants than in males working at other places. However, the consumption frequencies of hamburgers, pizzas, and a total of six fast foods among both males and females working at fast food restaurants were significantly higher than those working at other places after adjusting for confounding variables including age, status, type of residence, allowance, alcohol, smoking, working hours, and hourly pay. Conclusion: Part-time working youths at fast food restaurants had worse dietary habits, such as meal skipping and night snacking, and consumed fast foods more frequently than those working at other places. Interventions for part-time working youths at fast food restaurants may be needed in order to reduce fast food consumption and increase the intake of fruits and vegetables.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.271-280
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate fast-food consumption and it's nutrient density, and the correlation between subject's characteristics and consumption frequency of fast-foods among middle school students. The questionnaires were distributed to 150 male and 190 female students in Cheongju city. The data were analyzed using SAS and statistics used were percent of frequency, $X^2$-test, t-test, and pearson's correlation coefficient. The main reasons for using fast-food restaurants were 'good taste' and 'convenience'. The major concerns when the subjects choose fast-foods were 'taste ($65.9\%$), price ($20.3\%$) and 'nutrition'($6.0\%$). The consumption pattern of fast-foods go as follows: twice a month ($42.3\%$), once a week ($31.5\%$), and less than once a week. The number of fast food items that the subjects ate for one meal was two ($46.0\%$) or three ($33.2\%$). The most frequently chosen combination of foods for number of two choices was beefburger and cola. The mean average energy intake from fast foods for one meal was 620.7 kcal for male, 504.5 kcal for female. The energy ratio of carbohydrate : protein fat from fast foods was 49 : 14 : 43, which means fat intake is much higher than recommended level ($20\%$). Fiber was appeared to be the lowest on the nutrient density which was $17.7\%$ of the recommended level for Koreans, vitamin C was next ($22.8\%$ for male, $20.1\%$ for female). In mineral, iron was the lowest ($71.8\%$ for male, $67.1\%$ for female), and protein was over $100\%$ for both males and females. Frequency of fast food intake was positively correlated with eating frequency of the salty, the sweets, him, caffeine containing foods, instant noodles, and cookies. In conclusion, frequent consumption of fast foods can lead unbalanced nutrient intakes for middle school students, and those who consumed fast foods frequently showed undesirable food habits in their daily meal. Therefore, nutrition education for middle school students should be needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.534-544
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• 2007

This study was carried out to investigate the fast food consumption patterns classified by age in Busan. The survey was conducted from October 15 to November 15, 2006 by questionnaires and data analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows: Forty one point five percent of the elementary group, 40.5% of the high school group, 24.1% of the 30's, 35.0% of the 40's and 18.1% of the 50's took fast foods over once a week. Seventy two point five percent of the elementary group, 61.5% of the high school group, 16.8% of the 30's group, 10.0% of the 40's, and 14.6% of the 50's preferred fast foods. There was a significant difference in the basis for selecting menus among the groups. The most important basis for selecting menus was 'price' in the elementary group and the high school group, but was 'preference' in the adult groups. As their age increased, they spend more money for fast food. Forty six percent of the elementary group and 49.5% of the high school group, 32.1% of the 30's, 36.5% of the 40's, 34.7% of the 50's thought that fast food can substitute for a meal. The age affected significantly the substitutability for the meal of the fast food (p < 0.001). In the high school group, the ratio of skipping breakfast is higher than in the other age groups. Dietary attitude has direct effects on the preference of the fast foods. Nutrition knowledge, degree of unbalanced diet and obesity rate have direct and indirect effects which were mediated by dietary attitude. Nutrition knowledge showed the greatest total causal effect in relation to the preference of the fast foods. Therefore, nutrition education for the subjects is needed to encourage them to choose more nutritious food and have healthier dietary pattern.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.309-320
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the consumption values of fast foods among American consumers and compare the consumption values according to the levels of health consciousness. Methods: An online survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted on 351 American consumers. Based on the median health consciousness score (3.83 out of 5 points), the subjects were classified into the low health-conscious group (Low group) and the high health-conscious group (High group). Factor analysis was used to extract factors for the five consumption values (functional, social, emotional, conditional, and epistemic values). The differences in the consumption values between the two groups were analyzed. Results: A total of 14 factors were extracted for the five consumption values and 9 factors among them (convenience, healthiness, and taste in functional values; health-conscious people, young, busy, obese people, low class, and budget restricted people in social values; guilt in emotional values; accidental situations in conditional values) showed significant differences between the two groups. The Low group had a higher perception of the factor of healthiness (P < 0.001) than the High group. The High group had a relatively higher perception of the factors of convenience (P < 0.001), taste (P < 0.001), and guilt (P < 0.001). In addition, the High group perceived the social values of fast foods more negatively. The High group consumed fast foods less frequently than the Low group and perceived their health status and healthiness of eating habits more positively. Conclusions: The results reveal that the health consciousness level significantly influences consumption value perceptions about fast foods in American consumers. Policymakers and marketers can develop effective strategies based on the results of this study.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.39 no.3
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• pp.127-137
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• 2024

This study examined dietary habits and mental health according to generalized anxiety disorders (GAD) and caffeine consumption in adolescents. The data were collected from the 18^th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey with a sample of 51,850 students. The proportion of students in the GAD High-Risk·Caffeine consumption group (GHRCC) who consumed sweet drinks (p< .001), fast food (p< .001), and midnight meals (p< .001) every day was 15.6, 21.9, and 22.4%, respectively. These proportions were higher than those of students who consumed sweet drinks, fast food, and midnight meals 1-2 times a week, 3-4 times a week, or not at all. In addition, the proportions of GHRCC among students who responded "yes" to experiencing sadness and despair (p< .001), suicidal thoughts (p< .001), suicide plans (p< .001), suicide attempts (p< .001), and loneliness (p< .001) were higher than students who responded "no." The GAD High-Risk group (GHR) had higher odds with the consumption of midnight meals (OR: 2.51, 95% CI: 2.10-2.99), caffeine consumption (OR: 2.46, 95% CI: 2.21-2.74), and fast food (OR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.75-2.55) than GAD Low-Risk group. Based on the above results, the risk of GHR was higher among students who consumed midnight meals, caffeine, and fast food daily than those who did not.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.241-246
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to understand current food consumption phenomena in the context of Korea's consumption culture and economy. For this purpose, food consumption phenomena and the underlying meaning of consumption culture were investigated. The study indicated that current food consumption phenomena were characterized by increased eating habits away from home, consuming more fast food and processed foods, westernized diet, eager for taste, and overwhelming well-being products, which could result in environmental problems as well as malign physical and mental defects. It was argued that current food consumption phenomena had been mainly affected by the commercial food industry and consumers' cultural consideration. Finally, this paper discussed several approaches to motivate consumers' awareness and how to change their food consumption culture, and further government policy efforts.