The farmers consciousness of Health status and food habits in Korea

농업인의 식습관과 건강상태의 관련성 연구

The purpose of this study was to compare the consciousness health status and food habit for farmers in Korea. Eight hundred persons were surveyed by rural leader of RDA, composed with 35.1% of male and 64.9% of female. Data collection includes height weight and blood pressure by measuring method and personal & family situation by interview for influential factor of health status and food habit. The questionnaire was included dietary habit of salt, sugar, dietary fiber and fat intake and other behavior questions related with diet. The subjects were composed 32.5% of elementary school graduated and 50% of middle size farming. Of the all subjects, 54% of were rice planted farming mainly and 19 were over 65 year-aged group. In the concept of disease prevalence. gender difference was exist, liver and heart complains were more frequency in male and waist pain and urinary complain in female, shoulder pain and nervousness were frequently prevalent to all group of farmers. The hypertension prevalence of farmers were 16% by measuring blood pressure, but consciousness of hypertension was very low (5%). The correlation of health status with personal factors were analysed, body weight, number of family, education level, and working level were significant with CMI score and Farmers' syndrome score. The food habit status was negatively correlated with weight and BMI, age was negatively correlated with CMI score and farmers' syndrome. The consciousness of health status and food habit score were significantly correlated with smoking and alcohol drinking. It concludes that good food habit contribute wellness of health. Nutrition education for better food habit would be helpful on health status.