Study on Eating Habits and Dietary Quality according to Time Spent Using Smart Devices among Middle School Students in Incheon

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between dietary quality and smart device use among middle school students. A total of 330 middle school students (171 boys and 159 girls) residing in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey in June 2018. The boys and girls were divided into two groups according to their daily use time of smart devices less than 3 hours a day (＜3 hours) and 3 hours or more a day (≥3 hours). Eating habits and dietary quality were assessed using a nutrition quotient for adolescents (NA-Q). For boys and girls, higher consumption frequency of white milk was significantly associated with less time spent using a smart device. For boys, a higher number of vegetable dishes and eating frequency of breakfast were significantly associated with the less time spent using a smart device. For girls, higher consumption frequency of processed beverages, ramyeon, and street foods was significantly associated with more time spent using a smart device. For boys and girls, those who spent more time using a smart device had significantly lower NA-Q scores, indicating low dietary quality. To sum up, more time spent using a smart device among middle school students may be associated with lower dietary quality. These results suggest the need to provide a nutrition education program and guidelines to students who use smart devices for a long time.