In December 1986, an ecological survey of food and nutrition was conducted among 280 children, aged 9 to 13 years old, who attended the Myongsudai elementary school in Seoul. The survey focused on their food habits, nutritional behaviors, growth patterns and biochemical findings. The results were summarized as follows: 4.3 % of the children skipped breakfast every morning while 9.7% often skipped meals in the evening. Also 11% had seriously poor food habits. The most common reason for skipping a meal was the lack of appetite. The frequency of having meals together with all the family members present was much higher in the evenings arid-Sundays, than in the mornings and weekdays. And parents usually gave guidance on eating manners and table etiquette.
A combination of rice, kimchi and side dishes were the most popular type of meal eaten by the children. Boiled rice was the dominant dietary staple and the average number of side dishes per meal was 1.9 excluding kimchi and soup. One to 1.1 kinds of dishes were served to the children. The study showed that the major source of protein taken by the children was fish. The dominant methods of cooking the vegetables at home were boiled and namul.
Regarding the home boxed lunches, a combination of boiled rice and side dishes was the most popular, whereby the average number of side dishes was 1.7, including kimchi. 45.2°% of the side dishes were packed from potluck foods while 42.2% were packed from foods specially cooked for the boxed lunches. As for snacks, tangerine, milk and apple were popular among the children. These snacks were usually given by the mother´s inclination rather than the children. The frequency of snacks eaten per day was 2.2. The survey found that the children liked fruits, ham and sausage, purple lavar, yogurt, ice cream, and instant noodles, in this order.. ⓒn the other hand they had less preference for strong flavored and aromatic vegetables, soup made with bones, mushroom, and sour taste. Family environment, biochemical results and anthropometric measurements were positively correlated with food preference and appetite of children. The importance of school feeding was recognized among parents. These data underscore the necessity of nation wide school lunch programs for whole school children of Korea.
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