Factors to Influence Consumption Pattern of Snacks of Middle School Students in Ilsan Area

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to analyze factors that influence consumption pattern of snacks of middle school students. The subjects of study were 607 middle school students (male: 316, female: 291) in Ilsan area. The subjects were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire about anthropometrics, mother's employed status, parents' education level, and snack consumption pattern. Male students showed higher consumption in 'milk and milk products' (p<0.05), 'instant noodles' (p<0.01), and 'cereal' (p<0.05). In the other hand, female students showed higher consumption in 'biscuits, cookies' (p<0.01) and 'candy and chocolates' (p<0.01). Subjects in underweight group showed higher frequency in the consumption of 'biscuits, cookies' (p<0.05) and 'candy and chocolates' (p<0.001) compared with normal weight or overweight subjects. The subjects with mother not having a job showed higher consumption of snacks under controlling parents (p<0.001), and higher consumption in 'fruit and fruit juice' (p<0.05) and 'milk and milk products' (p<0.01) compared to the subjects with mother having a job. The subjects with parents having higher education level showed higher of consumption in 'fast food'. These results suggest that general characteristics of the subjects and characteristics of family environment may affect consumption pattern of snacks in middle school students.

Eating patterns of children's favorite foods and its related factors among elementary, middle, and high school students in Korea

“…The present study aimed to derive eating patterns of children's favorite foods and evaluated their related factors, which may be potential causes. Thus, the study results showed an inverse association between BMI and the tendency of the ‘unhealthy eating pattern’, which is consistent with the findings of Doo et al [ 11 ], who reported the higher frequency of eating snacks, such as biscuits and chocolate, among less-weight middle school students than those of normal-weight and overweight students. Children who prefer consuming snacks or other unhealthy food items are less likely to consume adequate meals and thus consume insufficient amount of nutrients that are required for growth and development.…”

“…The Special Act on Safety Control of children's Dietary Life was legislated in 2008 with the purpose of contributing to promoting children's health by prescribing matters necessary for supplying safe and nutritionally balanced foods in order to help children acquire proper dietary habits. Previous studies examined the consumption of some snack items and analyzed its related factors in children and youths in Korea [ 11 12 13 14 15 ]. No study did evaluate eating patterns of children's favorite food items stated in the Special Act on Safety Control of children's Dietary Life.…”

“…As mentioned earlier, previous studies analyzed the factors related to single items among major snacks or some of high-calorie or low-nutritious foods [ 11 12 13 14 15 ]. The present study distinguished itself from those studies by identifying the eating patterns of these items through factor analysis.…”