The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of favorite food
intake, the status of consumption of favorite food, and the perception of policy
related to favorite food in 4th grade children according to the administrative
divisions.
The surv...
The purpose of this study was to compare the frequency of favorite food
intake, the status of consumption of favorite food, and the perception of policy
related to favorite food in 4th grade children according to the administrative
divisions.
The survey subjects were 4th grade children and parents of the nationwide.
The frequency of favorite food intake and their awareness of favorite
food-related policies (recognition, usefulness, necessity, intention to select) were
compared and analyzed after dividing 3 groups into metropolitan cities, small
and middle cities, and small towns and villages(Eup, Myeon). The data of 1,971
children and parents respectively participating in the survey were analyzed as
follows.
There was no significant difference in the frequency of favorite healthy food
intake and the frequency of high-calorie and low-nutrient food consumption by
the administrative districts. In detail, ‘Soy milk' consumed more in small and
middle cities' children than in other administrative district children(p<0.05). And
‘Fruits'(p<0.05) were consumed by the children of special metropolitan cities
and small and middle cities compared with the children of towns and
villages(p<0.05). ‘Chocolates and candies’(p<0.01) and ‘Beverages'(p<0.001) were
more consumed in small and middle cities than in other administrative district,
and ‘Ramen' in small towns and villages more than children in special
metropolitan cities(p<0.05). The time spent watching TV, computer, and smartphone
use was higher in small towns and villages than that of children in other
administrative districts(p<0.01). As a result of the experience of receiving the
nutrition education at the school was very low, there was no difference by
administration area.
In the case of the awareness for favorite food-related policies, while children
in the small and middle cities had a lower perception rate than the children in
other areas(p<0.05). Children’s awareness in small towns and villages regarding
‘TV advertisement restriction', was higher compared to other areas(p<0.01). In
terms of policy-specific usability, children in metropolitan cities showed high
awareness, responding that policies such as ‘Green Food Zone’, ‘Exemplary
Business Places’, ‘Restrictions on TV advertising’, ‘Restrictions on advertising
for free offer’, ‘Nutrition labeling’, ‘Education on food safety and nutrition’,
‘Prohibition detrimental to children’s emotional health’ were helpful in having
healthy eating habits(p<0.05∼0.01). In recognition of the necessity of the policy,
the children in the small and middle cities were lower than the children in the
other administrative districts(p<0.01). In the ‘Expansion of middle school and
high school students of food safety and nutrition education', children in small
towns and villages showed higher awareness(p<0.05).
There was a positive correlation between children's favorite food consumption
frequency and the policy perception by the guardians(r=0.059∼0.290, p<0.05∼
0.01). Especially, the frequency of food consumption of children with high
calorie and low nutrition was negatively correlated with their perceived the
policy usefulness by the guardians'(r=-0.051, p<0.05). In addition, the experience
of nutrition education in the children's school showed a positive correlation
with the health food consumption(r=0.111, p<0.01), and there was also a
correlation in the policy awareness, usefulness and necessity(r=0.097∼0.376, p<0.01).
The results of this study suggest that if school nutrition education is active,
children will be able to improve their perception of behavior and policy to
consume more healthy foods than high-calorie and low-nutrition foods. In
addition, there was a correlation between the child's policy perceptions and the
guardians' perceptions, so that nutrition education for the children as well as
guardians may positively affect the ability of the children to improve healthy
food selection and eating habits.