A Study on the Eating Habits and Its Related Factors of Residents in Urban Area

도시지역주민의 식습관과 연관요인 연구

This study was conducted to investigate the awareness and practice level of health food intake and use the information for the development of Public Health Policy and Health Education Program in order to help healthy dietary life. The interview was done by trained surveyors on 1, 143 city dwellers who were selected randomly from Oct. 2, to Oct. 21, 1992. The results are summarized as follows: 1) General characteristics of subjects; Among 1, 143 respondents, there were more female(53.8%) than males(46.2%) and the age group of 20-29 account for the hightest portion, 46.7%. As for the education levels, 45.3% of the subjects were college graduates. And 38.9% of the subjects were students. 2) The percentage of subjects who assess themselves ‘Healthy’ was 46.7% and ‘Not Healthy’ was 17.4%. 3) The subjects who have irregular meals(3 times a day) was 48.7%, the rate of females was higher than males. The proportion of unmarried subjects, people with low economic level, high education level, and students was high. 4) As for the amount of 1 meal, 72.4% was ‘moderate’, 16.3% was ‘too much’ amount, which was higher in 19 years old, single, low economic level, elementary school graduate, than other groups. 5) As for the eating speed, 40.2% was fast, which was higher in single(44.3%), in low economic level(50.0%). college graduate(44.9%), student(44.7%) than other groups. 6) As for the level of preference to hot and salty food, 25.7% preferred to have hot and salty food. The difference in the degree of preference to hot and salty food by age and economic level was significant. 7) With regard to the individual food taste, the subjects who prefer to meat and fried food were 12.3%. Which was higher in the group under 19 years old, single, and college graduates. 8) With regard to having a snack, 38.7% have a snack. By characteristics, the subjects who have a snack were higher in female, under 19 years old, single, high economic level, apartment dwellers, college graduate, and student than other groups. 9) As for the coffee intake amount per day, 39.8% of subjects was more than 3 cups daily. 10) With regard to the self-assessment of body weight, the subjects who assess themselves over body weight had late dinner time. 11) As for the correlation among related variables, the age and taking breakfast was positive correlation. And sex and drinking alcohol was positively associated while age had negative correlation.