Food Diversity and Nutrient Intake of Elementary School Students in Daegu-Kyungbook Area

Kim, Hyeon Jung; Yoon, Jin Sook

Abstract

This study was intended to investigate the relation between nutrient status and food diversity of elementary school students in Daegu-Kyungpook area. The subjects were 164 elementary school students (82 boys, 82 girls) who participated in "Dietary Intake Survey of Infants, Children and Adolescents" conducted by Korea Food & Drug Administration and Korea Health Industry Development Institute. We analyzed the nutritional status for two non-consecutive days by 24 hour recall method. Adequacy of dietary intake was evaluated by the proportion of subjects consuming nutrients less than Estimated Average Requirements (EAR). Food diversity was compared by using Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) and Dietary Variety Score (DVS). Nutrients intake was significantly higher in boys than girls. Subjects who consumed all food groups showed higher intake of energy and other nutrients. Boys maintained better diet quality than girls, measured by Dietary Diversity Score (DDS) as well as Dietary Variety Score (DVS). Based on these results, nutrition education for elementary school students should focus on the importance of consuming all food groups with more attention for girls.