Korean J Community Nutr.  2013 Oct;18(5):429-441. 10.5720/kjcn.2013.18.5.429.

Interrelations Among Snack Preference, Purchasing Behaviors and Intake in Upper Grade Elementary School Students: Compared by the Gender and TV Watching Time

• Her ES

• KMID: 2267553
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2013.18.5.429

Abstract

This study was conducted to examine the interrelations among snack preference, purchasing behavior and intake of fifth and sixth grade students in elementary schools in Gyeongnam province. Frequency of snack intake was the highest in those who reported 'once a day' (45.6%) snack habit. Longer-time television viewers also showed higher frequency of snack intake than shorter-time viewers. Thirty-three percent of students purchased snacks by themselves and the frequency of snack purchasing had a significant positive relationship with TV watching time (p < 0.01). The main reason, place and time of eating snacks were 'hunger' (79.2%), their home environment (50.9%) and 'after school hours' (89.7%). The favorite snack was 'ice cream' and, this snack habit was significantly different by gender of the child (p < 0.01) and TV watching time (p < 0.01). 'Milk and dairy products' scored highest (3.47) in snack intake frequency among longer-time TV viewers (> 2hr) compared to shorter-time TV viewers and this difference was statistically significant (p < 0.001). The snack preference score was correlated positively (r = 0.454) with the intake frequency for snack and its explanation power (R2) was 20.5%. With regard to snack purchase behaviors, the scores of 'checking the expiration date' and 'comparing the price with similar products' were high (in what group?). Female students (p < 0.001) and shorter-time TV viewers (< 2hr) (p < 0.01) had a more reasonable purchasing behavior. The total score of preference was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in shorter-timeTV viewers (< 2hr). In the correlation between snack purchasing behaviors and intake frequency, attractiveness (r = 0.208, p < 0.001) and preference (r = 0.330, p < 0.001) showed significant positive correlations. The result of regression analysis, preference only was selected (R2= 0.108).

Keyword

elementary school students; snack preference; purchasing behaviors; intake frequency

MeSH Terms

Child
Eating
Female
Humans
Snacks*
Television