The purpose of this study was to compare dietary habit and food preference by obesity index in preschool children. The subjects were 373 children, aged 5 to 6, of 7 preschools in Chungbuk. A questionnaire was answered by the children"s mother. The c...
The purpose of this study was to compare dietary habit and food preference by obesity index in preschool children. The subjects were 373 children, aged 5 to 6, of 7 preschools in Chungbuk. A questionnaire was answered by the children"s mother. The children were classified into three groups depending on obesity index. Nine percents of the subjects were classified as "obesity", and 12% were "underweight", and 79% were "normal". There was an association with obesity index and eating speed. The percentage of the subjects who responded that they ate very fast were 22%, 9%, and 2% of obese, normal and underweight group, respectively. More children among those who responded that they ate very fast were found to eat until they felt full. The food preference score of the children was high in ice cream, fried chicken, and yogurt regardless of obesity group, but the preference ranking of cooked rice was higher in obese group than in the other groups. Most of the food preference scores in children were significantly correlated with those of their mothers. Our study suggests that preschool children should be advised to eat slowly to prevent obesity. Nutrition education for healthy food choice should be implemented not only for children but also for their parents.