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This study was to evaluate the anthropometry, dietary attitudes and the other factors of 201 children in day-care centers according to their parents´ income levels. The evaluation was conducted using anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, and questionnaire survey which was completed by the children´s mothers. The results are summarized as follows: Overall growth of children was normal according to Korean standard. There were no significant differences in anthropometry according to the income levels. The scores of eating habits of children were different significantly according to income levels. That is, the score was the lowest in the low-income group. Children generally prefer one-dish meal or snacks, while the preference levels of kimchi, seasoned vegetable and beans broiled in soysauce were lower than those of other foods. In the questions to know mothers´ nutrition knowledge, we could see that they didn´t know well about protein, breast-feeding, weaning and balance in nutrients. Nutrition knowledge score of mothers was significantly lower in the low income group, which shows close relationship with low-score eating habits of their children. The score of nutrition knowledge was affected by the mother´s education level. The higher the mothers nutrition knowledge and education level, the better children´s eating habits. These findings emphasize the planning and application of nutrition education programs for mothers especially in the low income group.
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