ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the food behavior during the childhood, the influence of food behavior on internalizing and externalizing behavior problems, and the pattern of influence of food behavior on behavior problem depending on children's age and gender. A total of 171 children aged 5 and 6 years were selected who attended 3 nurseries and 1 kindergarten in Seoul, and the survey data responded by teachers were analyzed. The results were as follows. First, children with higher levels of food behavior showed less internalizing behavior problems compared to those with lower levels of food behavior. The main effects and interaction of gender and age were not significant. Second, children with higher levels of food behavior showed less externalizing behavior problems compared to those with lower levels of food behavior. For hyperactivity, interaction of age and food behavior was significant, and age and the interaction of age and food behavior affected children's agression. Food behavior of children affects behavior problem and, therefore, children with better food behavior showed less behavior problems in the same circumstances.