Dietary Behaviors, Food Preferences and Its Relationships with Personality Traits in Sixth Grader's of Elementary School / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Although many studies have focused on dietary habits and behaviors among children, few have looked at individual dietary behaviors and food preferences and their relationships with personality traits. This study examined the relationships between children's dietary behaviors, food preferences and personality traits using a random sample of 236 sixth graders in Chuncheon. Results showed a high prevalence of undesirable dietary behaviors among children: 42.8% of the children had skipped breakfast at least twice a week, 53% had overeaten, 45.8% had eaten irregularly, and 66.5% had eaten an unbalanced meal. These undesirable dietary behaviors were negatively associated with such personality traits as sociability, responsibility, emotional stability, activity, and superiority. When asked about food preference, fruits were most popular while vegetables were least desirable. Total food preference scores were positively correlated with emotional stability (r = .204), activeness (r = .247), sociability (r = .156), responsibility (r = .249), and superiority (r = .133). Preference for meats had negative correlations with responsibility (r = -.133), sociability (r = -.146), and superiority (r = -.132), while preference for vegetables was positively correlated with these personality traits (r = .292, .244, and .230, respectively). In conclusion, the more desirable dietary behaviors and the higher total food preference scores, the more positive the child's personality traits. In addition, preference for vegetables was associated with positive personality traits. The findings suggest the need for continuous attention and guidance on desirable dietary habits for school children both at home and at school.

A Study of Food Habits, Phusical Status and Related Factors of College Students in Chuncheon / 대한지역사회영양학회지

In order to investigate the relationship among physical status, eating habits and life style, this survey was carried out by questionnaire in 1996. College students(413 cases) who resided in Chuncheon answered. The results are as follows: 1) The means of height and weight were 173.9+/-5.0 cm, 64.5+/-8.3 kg in male students and 160.9+/-4.5 cm, 51.1+/-5.8 kg in female students. 2) Under 20 of BMI(Body Mass Index) were 23.0% of male students and 58.3% of female students. 6.7% of males and 3.0% of females were over 25 of BMI. 3) There was a significant relationship between the type of favorite snacks and gender. There was a significant difference of BMI according to the level of the frequency and the amount of drinking alcoholic beverages. 72.6% of subjects took exercise regularly. But the BMI of subjects taking regular exercise and watching the weight tended to be higher than that of subjects not doing so. 4) Most students(78.5%) skipped breakfast, which was higher in the self-boarding students in than any other. It was because of the lack of time that they skipped their meals. This study suggests that a comprehensive nutrition education program is needed for college students in self-boarding houses and dormitories to improve their eating habits about skipping meals, and especially for female students to prevent inappropriate weight control.