Abstract

This study was undertaken to assess eating out behavior and factors in food choices of 369 college students in Kwangju. 47.1% of subjects ate out at least once a day and lunch was the most frequent meal for eating out. Eating out expenditure was significantly associated with student's allowances. Significant differences were observed in frequency, expenditure of eating out and related factors in food preference between male and female students. Taste was the most considered factor but nutrition was the least considered in food selection of respondents. Among male respondents, the most important nutritive factor was protein followed by calorie and vitamin. However, female counterpart regarded calorie as the most important nutritive factor affecting food selection. Tendency of increased vegetable and fruit consumption was noted in subjects over past a few years. It might be suggested that effective nutrition education for college students be implemented to improve and develop eating out behavior related to nutrition in food selection.

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