Social and family factors as determinants of exercise habits in Japanese elementary school children: a cross-sectional study from the Super Shokuiku School Project

BACKGROUND@#Many studies have already reported on the relationship between exercise habits and health among schoolchildren. However, few have examined social and/or family factors as determinants of exercise habits.@*METHODS@#This study's participants included 1721 schoolchildren aged between 6 and 13 who were involved in the Super Shokuiku School Project in January 2016. A survey was conducted to assess gender, grade level, physical activity, lifestyle, overall health, enrichment of school life, social background, and parental lifestyles. Both dislike and lack of physical activity were used to measure poor exercise habits; correlates were analyzed using logistic regression.@*RESULTS@#"Lack of close friends" had the strongest links with both dislike (adjusted odds ratio [OR] 5.30; 95% confidence interval [CI], 2.78-10.1) and lack of (adjusted OR 5.40; 95% CI, 2.81-10.4) physical activity. Further, children who engaged in long periods of screen time and lacked parental communication also tended to dislike and lack physical activity. Children with mothers who were unemployed (housewives) and had unhealthy lifestyles, as well as those with poor health, were also more likely to lack physical activity.@*CONCLUSION@#Social and family factors (e.g., having close friends) may be determinants of exercise habits among schoolchildren, independent of their own lifestyle factors. Although a longitudinal study is needed to determine causality, substantial attention may thus be required to these factors when promoting physical activity in children.

Lifestyle behaviors and home and school environment in association with sick building syndrome among elementary school children: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND@#Sick building syndrome (SBS) refers to the combination of symptoms experienced by occupants of specific building characteristics. This study investigated the associations of children's lifestyle behaviors, allergies, home, and school environment with SBS symptoms.@*METHODS@#A total of 4408 elementary school children living in Sapporo City, Japan participated in this study. SBS was determined on parental answers to MM080 standardized school questionnaires on symptoms that were weekly experienced by these children, and if the symptom is attributed to their home or school environment. The Japanese version of the International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaire was used to assess wheeze, rhino-conjunctivitis, and eczema. A logistic regression analysis was conducted to evaluate the associations between SBS symptoms and variables by controlling the potential confounders (gender, grade, school, and parental history of allergies). A stepwise backward elimination was conducted to assess independent variables related to SBS.@*RESULTS@#Participants revealed mucosal (6.9%), skin (2.0%), and general (0.8%) symptoms. The presence of one or more allergy was associated with increased mucosal and skin symptoms. Children who skipped breakfast, displayed faddiness (like/dislike of food), had constipation, have insufficient sleep, did not feel refreshed after sleep, and lacked deep sleep showed significantly high odds ratios with SBS symptoms. The stepwise analysis showed faddiness for mucosal symptoms and not feeling refreshed after sleep for mucosal and skin symptoms, whereas constipation and lacking deep sleep for general symptoms were independent variables in increasing the symptoms. We found no significant relationship between SBS in children and schools. Considering children's home, old building, no ventilation, wall-to-wall carpet, and heavy nearby traffic were associated with elevated mucosal symptom, while living in a multifamily home increased general symptoms. Home dampness was an independent variable in increasing all SBS symptoms.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Allergies and lifestyle behaviors were associated with increased SBS in children, including skipping breakfast, displaying faddiness, constipation, insufficient sleep, not feeling refreshed after sleep, and the lack of deep sleep. Further, dampness at home was associated with increase in all SBS symptoms. Lifestyle (e.g., eating and sleeping habits) and home (i.e., dampness) improvements might alleviate SBS symptoms in children.

The Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire: a study with Portuguese elementary school children

Abstract Background: Several studies have focused on the assessment of students' motivation because this construct is very important to understand students' learning and how to enhance it. The Academic Self-Regulation Questionnaire (SRQ-A), based on the self-determination theory is a self-report instrument developed to access the reasons why students do their school work. However, there is no Portuguese version of this questionnaire for late elementary students. The primary goal of this research was to analyze the psychometric properties of a Portuguese version of SRQ-A in the domain of Mathematics with elementary school children. Methods: Participants were 341 elementary school children ranging from 8 to 11 years old from the third and fourth grades. The Portuguese version of the SRQ-A included 24 items assessing four regulatory styles (external, introjected, identified, and intrinsic) in three behavioral categories (homework, classwork, and answering questions in mathematics lessons). To examine the psychometric properties of the instrument, we conducted an exploratory structural equation modeling (ESEM), measured gender and grade invariance, and calculated internal consistency indexes and temporal stability. Results: ESEM analyses supported the original multidimensional structure of the measure with four regulatory styles using a reduced version of the instrument with 16 items. Correlations between the four regulatory styles revealed a simplex pattern consistent with the continuum of self-determination theory. Results showed adequate internal consistency for all regulatory styles (α ≥ .73; CR ≥ .76) and temporal stability (4-month test-retest ≥ .43). The questionnaire showed measurement and structural invariance across gender and grade. Finally, some gender differences were observed; on average, boys scored higher than girls in external regulation. No differences were observed between grades. Conclusions: Our findings suggest that the Portuguese version of the SRQ-A has good psychometric properties providing adequate support for its use in educational research on motivational styles, including studies concerning gender and grade differences in self-regulation.

Emisión de Conductas de TDAH por Niños "Normales" en Opinión de Maestros Argentinos / Emission of ADHD Behaviors by "Normal" Children according to Argentinean Teachers

Resumen Según el DSM-IV un niño que emite "a menudo" seis de 18 conductas debe etiquetarse con TDAH. Los maestros generalmente reportan la frecuencia de emisión "anormal". El estudio averiguó la frecuencia de emisión de conductas del TDAH por niños "normales". Maestros de primaria (N = 113) señalaron la frecuencia (0 = nunca; 3 = muy frecuentemente) con la que un niño "normal" emite en clase las conductas del TDAH incluidas en el DSM-IV. Según el 25.7% de los maestros, los niños normales emiten frecuentemente (más de cuatro veces por hora) seis o más conductas del TDAH. Las características sociodemográficas de los maestros y variables del contexto escolar se relacionaron con la frecuencia considerada como normal. Se concluyó que las conductas del TDAH son emitidas muy frecuentemente en clase por los niños normales. El juicio sobre si dicha frecuencia es o no anormal dependerá del subgrupo al que pertenecen los maestros. Por tanto, una misma conducta puede juzgarse como anormal por un maestro y como normal por otro. Los resultados son congruentes con la aproximación psicológica a la conducta anormal que postula que cada observador juzgará como normal o anormal una conducta conforme su propio criterio, determinado por factores culturales.

Abstract According to the DSM-IV a child that "often" emits at least six of 18 behaviors should be diagnosed with ADHD. Generally teachers are the first to report the "abnormal" frequency of behaviors of their students. The study aimed at determining the frequency of emission of ADHD behaviors by a "normal" student during class hours. Elementary school teachers (N = 113) reported in a 4-point scale (0 = never; 3 = very frequently) the frequency with which a "normal" child emits in class the ADHD behaviors included in the DSM-IV. Results showed that according to 25.7% of the teachers, "normal" children emit frequently (i.e., more than four times per hour) six or more ADHD behaviors. Results also showed that the sociodemographic characteristics of the teachers and school-situational variables were related to the frequency of a beha vior that was deemed as normal. It was concluded that ADHD behaviors are emitted quite frequently by normal children du ring class hours. The judgment on whether that frequency is or not normal will depend of the subgroup to which each teacher belongs. Thus, a same behavior could be judged as normal by one teacher and as abnormal by another. The results are in accordance with the psychological approximation to abnormal behavior that states that each observer will judge a behavior as normal or as abnormal according to his/her own criteria determined by cultural standards.

An analysis on the influencing factors of unintentional injuries among elementary school children in Wenzhou City / 预防医学

Objective To investigate the epidemiological characteristics and the influencing factors of the unintentional injuries among Wenzhou elementary school children. Methods A total of 3 050 students were selected from the 1st to 6th grades in 6 primary schools in Wenzhou urban area by multi - stage sampling and were investigated during 2013 to 2015. Results 2 859 students completed the investigation. The morbidity of annual average unintentional injuries was 30. 81%(95% CI:29. 12% - 32. 50% )and the occurrence density was 2. 79. Unintentional injuries occurred mainly at home (37. 69% )and school(32. 39% ),and the most common site of injuries were leg(35. 02% )and hand(33. 79% ). For overall incidence,the slip falling injury(35. 64% )was highest,followed by cut or pierced(33. 40% )and crush injury (25. 08% ). Schoolgirl was a protective factor of the injury of crushed,electrical,traffic accident,bashed,burn , exploded,drown,poisoning and bit(OR ﹤ 1),but was a risk factor of multiple injuries(OR = 1. 323). Age was a risk factor of injury of fallen,crushed,bashed,burn,cut or pierced,exploded and bit(OR ﹥ 1. 1),but was a protective factor of poisoning(OR = 0. 671). compared with the students who walked to school alone,the children who were accompanied by their family member and rode alone to school were protective factors of the traffic accident. Conclusion The incidences of the unintentional injuries of elementary school children were increased with the age,and the boy was easier to be hurt. It was suggested for parents,schools and the government to strengthen healthy education for children at the early age.

Comparison of Nutritional Status and Eating Behavior of Korean and Chinese Children using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional status and dietary behavior of Korean and Chinese elementary school children using Nutritional Quotient (NQ). METHODS: The survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires to the parents of the child, after selecting four elementary schools located in Pusan city of Korea and three elementary schools located in Luoyang city, Henan Province of China, from Grade 1 to Grade 6 in each school. RESULTS: The NQ scores of Korean children and Chinese children were 64.99 and 66.57, respectively, which did not show a statistically significant difference. Korean children significantly showed higher diversity score (p<0.001) than Chinese, but Chinese children significantly showed higher moderation (p < 0.001), regularity (p < 0.001) and practice score (p < 0.01) than Korean. NQ grades showed a statistically significant difference. According to food security of the household, NQ scores of the Chinese children of secure household were significantly higher than those of food insecurity household (p < 0.01). In particular, it showed a significant difference in the practice (p < 0.001), moderation (p < 0.05) and regularity score (p < 0.05). Korean children's NQ score showed a significant correlation with the score of following the Dietary Guidelines of parents, but Chinese did not show such a correlation. CONCLUSIONS: There were differences in children's dietary behaviors and parents' impact to children's dietary attitude between Korean and Chinese. NQ developed for Korean could be successfully applied to Chinese.

Comparison of Physical Activity Level, Physical Activity Pattern and Energy Expenditure in Male and Female Elementary School Soccer Players using Accelerometer and Physical Activity Diary / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to compare the physical activity level (PAL), the physical activity pattern and the energy expenditure in male and female elementary school soccer players using the accelerometer and the physical activity diary. METHODS: Twenty-five (male 11, female 14) elementary school soccer players (9–12 years) participated in this study. During their daily activities, they wore an accelerometer for seven days (five weekdays and two weekend days) and completed the physical activity diary for three days (two weekdays and one weekend day). PAL was calculated by using the physical activity diary and three equations (Pate Preschool, Freedson Children, and Freedson) were used to calculate the intensity of physical activity and energy expenditure from the counts of accelerometer. RESULTS: The average of physical activity by day of the week, CPM (Counts Per Minute) and METs (Metabolic Equivalents) were significantly higher in males (723.3 ± 149.2 CPM, 2.07 ± 0.18 METs) compared to females (505.6 ± 119.9 CPM, 1.79 ± 0.20 METs), but there was no significant difference in PAEE (Physical Activity Energy Expenditure) between the two groups (males: 15.5 ± 9.1 kcal/day, females: 11.5 ± 6.0 kcal/day). During weekdays, physical activity intensity was significantly higher in males compared to females at lunch time and training time than at other times. In both genders, the PAL was higher during weekdays (males 1.98, females 1.89) compared to weekend (males 1.62, females 1.61) (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our study observations suggest the necessity to develop an accelerometer equation for accurately evaluating the physical activity of elementary school athletes.

Behavioral characteristics and parental stress in elementary school children with bronchial asthma and allergic rhinitis

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in behavioral characteristics and parental stress between allergic and nonallergic elementary school children. METHODS: Ninety-one elementary school children who had allergic disease were enrolled (asthma, n=27; allergic rhinitis, n=35; combined, n=29). Also one hundred six nonallergic elementary school children were enrolled for the control group. The Korean Child Behavior Check List (K-CBCL) and Korean Parenting Stress Index-Short Form (K-PSI-SF) were completed by their mothers. RESULTS: According to the analysis of K-CBCL, the score for Internalizing, anxious/depressed and somatic complaints were significantly higher in the combined group than in the control group. The score for Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders (DSM)-affective problems in the combined group and DSM-somatic problems were significantly higher in the asthma group than in the control group. According to the analysis of K-PSI-SF, the score for parental distress was significantly higher in the allergic rhinitis group than in the control group. The scores for behavioral problems and parental stress were significantly correlated to allergic disease groups. CONCLUSION: Behavioral problems and parental stress were significantly associated with asthma and allergic rhinitis. The results of this study suggest the importance of psychosocial support for mothers and children with allergic diseases.

Survey of food allergy in elementary school children in Bucheon-city and relationship between food allergy and other allergic diseases

PURPOSE: This study was performed to evaluate the current status of food allergy (FA) and to analyze the relationship between allergy to individual foods and other allergic diseases in elementary school children. METHODS: We performed a questionnaire survey for FA, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and atopic dermatitis using International Study of Asthma and Allergies in Childhood questionnaires. A total of 1,929 students in 3 elementary schools were enrolled. RESULTS: A total of 324 students (16.8%) had ever suffered from FA symptoms more than once. Only 64 out of 324 students (19.8%) were diagnosed with FA by doctors. The presence of soy allergy was associated with the increased risk of bronchial asthma (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.90; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.87 to 18.59). The presence of egg (aOR, 1.91; 95% CI, 1.04 to 3.52) and wheat allergy (aOR, 5.45; 95% CI, 1.94 to 15.36) were associated with the increased prevalence of allergic rhinitis. The allergic symptoms to fruits/tomato was associated with the increased risk of allergic rhinoconjunctivitis symptoms (aOR, 2.98; 95% CI, 1.18 to 7.47). The allergic symptoms to egg (aOR, 2.29; 95% CI, 1.22 to 4.29), wheat (aOR, 4.91; 95% CI, 1.86 to 12.95), and shrimp/crab (aOR, 2.48; 95% CI, 1.37 to 4.49) were associated with the presence of atopic dermatitis. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of FA of elementary school students in Bucheon-city was 16.8%. A significant positive association between the suspected foods and the other allergic diseases was found. Soy allergy was significantly correlated to having bronchial asthma and fruits/tomato allergy correlated with allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

Elementary school children's perceptions of traditional Korean foods, based on the health belief model

This study investigated the eating habits of elementary school children and their perceptions related to traditional Korean foods, based on the health belief model. The subjects were fifth grade elementary school children (274 boys and 274 girls) in eight Korean cities. The results were as follows: The children ate almost three meals per day and were grateful for their meals. However, they irregularly consumed meals and snacks. They tended to eat heartily and did not eat foods that they had not yet eaten. Their meals were based on rice and they have eaten kimchi and vegetables at almost every meal. However, they had undesirable habits in eating other foods, such as fruits, fish, soybeans, and sweet foods. They did not sensitively or seriously perceive their eating habits in relation to their health. They perceived that it was very good for their nutrition, health, and tastes to eat traditional Korean foods, and they had pride in traditional Korean foods and eating style. Although they expressed some difficulty regarding availability and preparation of traditional Korean foods, they hardly felt difficulty in eating them. They had high dietary self-efficacy with regard to eating these foods, except for two items of self-regulation. Their eating habits showed positive correlation with dietary self-efficacy, perceived susceptibility, and perceived benefit. In conclusion, eating habits of elementary school children in relation to traditional Korean foods are not desirable, but not serious. They did not sensitively or seriously perceive their eating habits in relation to their health. However, they perceived that it was very good for their nutrition and health to eat traditional Korean foods, did not have a high level of difficulty in eating them, and had high dietary self-efficacy with regard to eating them. Therefore, we suggest that children should be exposed to various traditional Korean foods, along with education about them, in order to enhance their concern and motivation to eat them.

Factors Related to Calceneal Broadband Ultrasound Attenuation, Anthropometric Indexes and Nutrient Intakes among Elementary School Children in Chungnam / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Variables affecting bone heath of growing children were analyzed among forty nine 10-12 year old elementary students in three rural regions of north west Chungnam area. Information on age of the parents, duration of breast feeding and birth weight were collected from the guardians of the participants and nutrient intake and diet quality were assessed by average of three-day food records of participants with the help of dietitians. Bone health status was measured by calceneal broadband ultrasound attenuation (BUA) using quantitative ultrasound (QUS). Results showed that anthropometic indexes and nutrient intake levels were not different between boys and girls. However, iron intake was significantly lower in girls than in boys. Girls after menarche showed lower intake levels for thiamin, riboflavin, pyridoxine and niacin than girls before menarche. z-scores of BMI were lower than -1 and higher than +1 showed shorter breast feeding period than others but the difference was statistically non-significant. Overall, the subjects did not consume enough s of calcium, vitamin C and folic acid. Zinc intake and BMI were the most significant factors affecting BUA by the results of backward elimination in multiple regression models. Phosphorous and beta-carotene intakes showed significant negative relation with BUA. This study showed that children living in the rural area of Chungnam need extra care to keep their health and nutrient intakes especially for the nutrients known to affect growth. Tailored nutrition education needs to be more focused on the improvement of bone health status of children.

The relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, dietary habit and caffeine intake in upper-grade elementary school children

This study was performed in order to investigate the relationship between attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), dietary habit and caffeine intake in upper-grade elementary school children. The total number of the study subjects was 237 students (111 boys and 126 girls), where 30 students (12.7%) were diagnosed as ADHD. The dietary habit score of the ADHD group was significantly lower than that of the normal group. In particular, the ADHD group had lower dietary scores in consuming daily breakfast, diverse foods, fruit and milk than those in the normal group. Meanwhile, the daily intake frequency of instant noodle (ramyeon) was significantly higher in the ADHD group than that in the normal group. The mean caffeine intake of the students was 42.95 mg and the proportion of students consuming more than the ADI (acceptable daily intake) was 11.8%. The caffeine intake of ADHD group (63.63 mg) tended to be higher than that of the normal group (39.95 mg); however, it was not significantly different. The ADHD score of the students was negatively related with the dietary habit score (r = -0.279, p < 0.01) but positively related with caffeine intake (r = 0.164, p < 0.05). The dietary habit score had a negative relationship with caffeine intake (r = -0.180, p < 0.01) and a positive relationship with height (r = 0.195, p < 0.01). Caffeine intake had a negative relationship with the height of the students (r = -0.171, p < 0.05). In conclusion, ADHD in children was related to poor dietary habit and high caffeine intake.

Effects of Fusion-Food Cooking Activity on Elementary School Students' Knowledge, Preferences and Perceptions of Korean Traditional Foods / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to develop a fusion-food cooking program and apply that to sixth grade elementary school students, and to investigate its' effects on their knowledge, preferences, and perceptions of Korean traditional foods. The program focused on ten components. Students learned the general features of Korean traditional foods and Western foods in the 1st lesson. They learnt about kinds, nutrition value, and histories of kimchi, Tteok (rice cake), and Jeon (pan fried food), and cooked two fusion-foods of kimchi, Tteok, and Jeon each. As a result of learning about those food items, the students advanced their knowledge (p < 0.001) of kimchi, Tteok, and Jeon. Their preferences for Tteok (p < 0.05) and Jeon (p < 0.01) were increased, but those for kimchi remained unchanged. The interest (p < 0.05) and preferences (p < 0.01) for the general Korean traditional foods were increased. In conclusion, our results suggested that the fusion-food cooking program had the ability to improve elementary school students' perceptions of Korean traditional foods by increasing their knowledge, preferences, and interest in them. Furthermore it was considered that the program could help students understand the value of Korean traditional foods and in turn may encourage them to consume such food items more frequently. Since the fusion-food cooking activity program can be a good learning program as shown by the results of this study, more fusion-foods cooking activity programs, which are not discussed in this study, should be evaluated and developed in the future.

Effects of Short-Term Food Additive Nutrition Education Including Hands-on Activities on Food Label Use and Processed-Food Consumption Behaviors: among 5th Grade Elementary School Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study evaluated effects of food additive nutrition education on food additives-related knowledge, subjective awareness, and perception and dietary behaviors of food label use and processed-food intake. The study subjects were 5th grade students attending an elementary school in Seoul. A total of 101 subjects were assigned to either education (N = 50) or control (N = 51) group, and 3 food additive nutrition education classes were implemented to the education group. Self-administered questionnaires were collected from all the participants twice, a week before and after the nutrition education to compare the changes between two groups. The food additives-related knowledge and subjective awareness significantly improved in the education group compared to the control group. The changes in perceived harmfulness and perceived necessity for taste were also detected significantly different between the two groups, with more positive changes in the education group. Dietary behaviors of checking food labels and trying to purchase processed-foods with less food additives improved in the education group at a significant level in comparison with the control group. Additionally changes in intake frequency of several processed-food items were significantly different between the groups, again in a more positive direction in the education group. The study findings showed short-term food-additive nutrition education including hands-on activities could positively modify elementary school children's food additives-related knowledge, perception, and certain dietary behaviors, stressing better settlement of in-class nutrition education within an elementary school's education curriculum.

Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Program for 3rd Grade Elementary School Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study examined the effects of a nutrition education program on nutrition-related knowledge, eating habits, and dietary behavior. Subjects were 3rd grade elementary school students in Anyang, Gyeonggi-do. A 5-week nutrition education program was implemented to 28 children and another 26 children were included in the study as a control group. A self-administered questionnaire was used to assess the effects of nutrition education program. Mean nutrition related knowledge score was improved after education (p < 0.001). There was a significant improvement in knowledge of nutrient source (p < 0.05), role of protein (p < 0.05), food tower (p < 0.001), getting information from nutrition labeling (p < 0.05), and proper way of snacking (p < 0.001). Eating habits and self-efficacy also tended to improve by nutrition education, especially eating habit of snack and self-efficacy on balanced diet reached significant improvement (p < 0.05). Food consumption frequency was not changed significantly, only consumption of sea weeds which is considered as a reluctant food among children was increased after education (p < 0.05). In addition, the number of leftover food items and total amount of leftover at school lunch reduced significantly after education when compared with the same 10-day menu prior to education (p < 0.01). This result suggests that unbalanced dietary behavior has been changed with the nutrition education program. In conclusion, the nutrition education program was found to be effective in improving nutrition-related knowledge, eating habits, and dietary behavior.

Development and Educational Effect of Nutrition Education Workbook for Improvement of Child Picky Eaters: Focused on 2nd and 3rd Graders

This study was conducted to develop a nutrition education workbook to improve picky eating in children and to evaluate the effect of nutrition education using this developed workbook. The developed workbook focused on 2nd and 3rd grade students and consisted of five units. The contents included: multi-grain, vegetables (2 units), fish, and milk. The activities, including observation, and learning the roles and names of the foods, were developed mainly to increase motivation for eating a balanced diet. This workbook was developed from April to December 2008, and was applied at 15 elementary schools containing 1,674 students from April to September 2009 in Changwon City, Korea. We evaluated changes in knowledge before and after education on nutrition, eating behavior, dietary habits, and educational activities using self-administered questionnaires. The children demonstrated significant improvements in nutritional knowledge (P<0.001), eating behavior (P<0.001), and dietary habits (P<0.001). Most of the children answered that the education program was helpful and exciting. Based on these results, we believe that the developed workbook is suitable for children picky eaters, and hope it will be used in the field of child nutrition education.

Food Habits, Eating Behaviors and Food Frequency by Gender and among Seoul and Other Regions in Upper-Grade Elementary School Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in food habits, eating behaviors and food frequency by gender and regions in upper grade elementary school children in Korea. Subjects of this study were 1,211 children, 645 boys and 566 girls, attending 6 elementary schools (4th, 5th and 6th graders). 389 children lived in Seoul and 822 children lived in other regions. Mean height, weight and BMI of subjects were 142.4 cm, 38.7 kg and 18.8 kg/m2 respectively. 70.5% of the subjects had breakfast every day and 12.4% of the subjects skipped breakfast. There were significant differences between boys and girls in causes of skipping breakfast, overeating, meal volume, and duration of meals. Girls showed more desirable eating behavior than boys (p 0.001). There were significant differences between Seoul and other regions in eating behavior. Eating behavior scores of children in other regions were higher than in Seoul (p < 0.01). Children in Seoul had a higher frequency of watching television with meals. Frequency of fruits (p < 0.001), milk products (p < 0.01), and meats (p < 0.05) of children in Seoul were higher than other regions. Otherwise the frequency of simple sugar products of children in other regions was higher than Seoul (p < 0.001). Frequency of green vegetables was higher for girls than boys, and frequency of fast foods was higher for boys than girls. These results showed that in nutrition education programs designed to improve the nutritional health of elementary school children, we need to focus more on differences in the children's food habits and eating behaviors by gender and regions. In consideration of these differences, such educational programs need to have a different emphasis for each gender and regions to serve its specific needs.

The Effect of Nutrition Education on the Improvement of Psychosocial Factors Related to Vegetable and Fruit Intake of Elementary School Children in Pre-Action Stages

This study investigates the change of level of psychosocial factors of decisional balance, processes of change, and self-efficacy after nutrition education on vegetable and fruit intake of children in pre-action stages. Forty-seven 5th grade elementary school children in Yeongi-Gun, Chungnam-Do were categorized into pre-action stages from a total of 71 children by four-stage questions, and then finally into two stages of precontemplation and contemplation & preparation. After 6 weeks nutrition education, recognition of both of pros and cons of vegetable intake were improved in the two groups of precontemplation and contemplation & preparation. In fruits intake, however, recognition of pros was not changed after nutrition education in either stage, but recognition of cons was improved only in the precontemplation stage. However, no difference in any psychosocial variables was found between precontemplation stage and contemplation & preparation stage. After the nutrition education, the score of consciousness raising of vegetable intake belonging to cognitive process of change increased in the subjects of the precontemplation stage, wheres the scores of dramatic relief, self-reevaluation, environment reevaluation and social liberation increased in the group of contemplation & preparation. In fruit intake, however, no change was found except in the environment reevaluation in the precontemplation group. The behavioral process of change of vegetable and fruit intake did not show any change in either group after nutrition education. Self-efficacy scores of vegetable intake of keeping the foods at hand, eating the recommended number of servings and making time to eat increased in the precontemplation group, while in the contemplation & preparation group, self efficacy scores of shopping for a variety of vegetables, instead of keeping the foods at hands, as well as the scores of the rest two items of eating the recommended number of servings and making time to eat increased after nutrition education. However, in case of fruits intake, no difference was shown in the precontemplation stage except an item of keeping the foods at hand. The results indicated that the stage of change was progressed in the pre-action stage after nutrition education and the scores of many psychosocial factors increased in both pre-action stages. It is suggested that the recognition of cons as well as the cognitive process of change and self-efficacy could be best used as indicators of the assessment of nutrition education program for vegetable intake.

Nutrition Knowledge and Eating Behaviors of Elementary School Children in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was aimed to examine nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and eating habits of elementary school students and to examine if their characteristics differ by gender. Subjects were 5th and 6th graders of an elementary school (n = 317) in Seoul, and the survey was done during July 2007. Mean height, weight, BMI of subjects was 148.1 cm. 41.7 kg, 19.0, and 14.3% of subjects were categorized as the overweight/obese group. Anthropometric data were not significantly different by gender. Mean score of nutrition knowledge was 14.9 out of 20 showing moderate knowledge levels, and girls scored higher on nutrition knowledge than boys (p < 0.05). Subjects showed knowledge deficit in areas such as nutrients, food groups and specific weight control information. The percentages of correct answers regarding meals for brain function were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). They got nutrition information mainly from mass media and family/relatives. The mean score of dietary attitudes was 41.2 (possible score: 10-50) indicating somewhat positive attitudes, and the score of eating behaviors was 34.8 (possible score: 15-45). Subjects showed problems in eating habits such as having unbalanced diets and snack foods. 82.6% of subjects had unbalanced meals, and these percentages were higher in girls (87.2%) than in boys (78.1%, p < 0.05). Vegetables and fish/shellfish were the most disliked foods. Specific eating behaviors, such as eating slowly, eating grains and having processed foods less frequently, were better in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). Results also showed that majority of subjects need to improve specific behaviors including having diverse foods, eating meals slowly, having meals at regular times, having adequate foods in each food groups, and eating sweets or salty foods less frequently. Only 52.7% of subjects perceived their body images as normal, and 56.4% had experience of weight control. Reasons for weight control were different by gender (p< 0.05). Based on these findings, nutrition education for school children should focus on modifying eating habits or eating behaviors, by suggesting practically applicable methods and providing nutrition information that is interesting and suitable to school-aged children.

Psychosocial Factors Related with the Intake of Vegetables and Fruits by Stage of Change of Elementary School Children in Chungnam Province

This study aims at investigating the psychosocial factors that influence on the intake of fruits and vegetables according to stage of change in rural children. Total 256 elementary school children, located in Yeongi-Gun, Chungnam-Do were surveyed from May 14 2007 to May 30 2007. Stage of change on the intake of fruits and vegetables of the students was categorized into three stages: precontemplation (PC), contemplation & preparation (CO&PR) and action (AC). Psychosocial factors consist of decisional balance based on pros and cons, process of change of cognitive and behavioral processes, and self-efficacy. The recognition of cons out of decisional balance showed the highest score in the subjects at the stage of PC and lowest score in those action stage. While, no difference was shown in the score of recognition of pros among the stages. Both levels of cognitive and behavioral process of change showed no difference between two pre-action stages, PC and CO&PR. However, the subjects of action stages got higher scores in more number of the variables in both of cognitive and behavioral process of change compared to those of pre-action stages with more remarkable in results vegetables than in fruits. The results of self-efficacy on fruits and vegetables intake showed that the higher stages of change, the higher the self-efficacy score. From the result, it is suggested that the items and level of psychosocial factors are different according to the stage of change and between fruits and vegetables in rural children.