ABSTRACT
This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between knowledge of nutrition labeling and the effect on eating habits with 300 high school boys in Seoul. The subjects were divided into an underweight (UW) group (BMI or = 23 kg/m2, n = 79) based on their body mass index (BMI). The average age of participants was 17.8 years old and their mean height and weight were 174.9 cm and 66.5 kg. The mean BMI of subjects was 21.7 kg/m2 which fell within the normal range. Seventy six point four percent of subjects perceived nutrition labeling and they acquired the information pertaining to it through TV and internet. The UW group and the OW group obtained it from their parents, relatives and friends, while NW group acquired it from school. There were significant differences among groups in the acquired source of the information on nutrition labeling (p < 0.05). The NW group and the OW group trusted nutrition labeling more than the UW group, but there were no significant differences among them. Forty five point five percent of the UW group and 40.7% the NW group were satisfied with nutrition labeling education, while only 15.8% of the OW group did it. The OW group checked nutrition labeling more than the UW group and the NW group at the point of food purchase. The primary reason for examining nutrition labeling was 'to check nutrient contents' in the UW group and the NW group, while the OW group examined it to improve health including regulation of body weight. There were significant differences among groups with regards to the reason for examining nutrition labeling (p < 0.001). The OW group was aware that nutrition labeling affected their eating habits significantly more than the other groups (p < 0.05). Therefore, application-centered education on nutrition labeling and the strong support of the government is needed in order to improve nutrition labeling use and to apply the information from nutrition labeling into student dietary life.