Abstract

The purpose of this study was to determine the influences on physical status and study achievement by the dietary behavior of the youth in Korea. The survey was carried from June to July, 1995 by way of questionnaire to 397 students. The students' study achievement records and physical status were analyzed by the factor of dietary behavior. The results were as follows: 1 The average physical status of male students was lean, but females were standard. 76ft of mothers of the subjects were working in specialty farming. The monthly income of their family was $1000{\sim}1500$ thousand Won and students' pocket money was $20{\sim}40$ thousand Won per month. 2. The aspects of meal behavior included the general idea that the meal was thought to relieve hunger, and preference of taste was spiciness The most important factor of the meals for the students was taste. Their bad meal habits were quick eating and irregularity of meals. 3. There was a significant difference in the comparison of the study achieving records with the frequency of supper However, there was no one meaningful difference between study achievement records and the attendance rate to school, health status, and living conditions. However, there was a significant difference between their study records and eating with family. The students, who had the breakfast and/or supper with family, remarked better study records than other groups. 4. Also, there was a significant difference of study records with physical status. The overweight or obese students had a lower degree of study score (p<0.1). Adolescence is considered a period of setting up dietary behavior, so it is necessary to educate good nutrition and dietary habits for students to keep in healthy physical condition and with high study achievements.

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