Abstract
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrition knowledge and the need for nutrition education for high school students in Seoul. Methods: 603 male and female high school students were surveyed, using questionnaires. The data were then analyzed by ${\chi}^2$-test, t-test and ANOVA using SPSS 18.0. Results: Males reported acquiring nutrition information via 'broadcasting' more frequently than females did, and females reporting acquiring nutrition education via 'newspaper or book' and 'internet' more frequently than males did. 55 percent of all students responded that a 'nutrition teacher' was responsible for their nutrition education. As for the frequency of nutrition education, 29.3 percent of males and 36.9 percent of females responded that they received nutrition education 'once a semester'. Most students answered that their level of satisfaction with the nutrition education they had received was 'fair' (66.3 percent). 40.3 percent of students perceived their need for nutrition education as 'fair', 39.8 percent responded that it was needed (p<.05). In the content of nutrition education, females reported receiving more 'diet and weigh control (male 4.02, female 4.27)', and 'practice of cooking (male 3.91, female 4.14)' than males (p<.01). On the measure of nutrition knowledge, females scored higher than males did. Conclusion: The results showed that consistent and necessary education is required under the support by school to improve the nutrition knowledge of high school students.