A Study on Breakfast Skipping and Dietary Behavior of Elementary School Children in Gyeonggi Area

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations of breakfast skipping and dietary habits according to breakfast intake frequency. Subjects were 5th and 6th graders of elementary school(n=423) in Gyeonggi area. As a result of analyzing the breakfast intake frequency, 'Having everyday' showed the highest 63.4%, followed by '4～6 times' 16.5%, '2～3 times' 13.5% and '0～1 times' 6.6%. As a result of analyzing the relations between mother and child in the breakfast intake frequency, it showed that the more mothers skipped breakfast, the more their children skipped it. For the reason of skipping breakfast, 'To be in time for school' showed the highest percentage. As a result of analyzing the perception of awareness for the importance of nutrition and dietary habit according to the breakfast intake frequency, there was a statistically significant difference in breakfast intake, dietary habits, selection and intake of proper food, disease and health problem according to the breakfast intake frequency. As a result of study, it is necessary that nutrition education should not be limited to children but expanded to their parents in order to increase the efficiency and effectiveness of nutrition education between school and home.