Factors to influence consumption pattern of snacks of middle school students in Ilsan area

The purpose of this study was to analyze factors that influence consumption pattern of snacks of middle school students. The subjects of study were 607 middle school students (male: 316, female: 291) in Ilsan area. The subjects were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire about anthropometrics, mother's employed status, parents' education level, and snack consumption pattern. Male students showed higher consumption in 'milk and milk products' (p<0.05), 'instant noodles' (p<0.01), and 'cereal' (p<0.05). In the other hand, female students showed higher consumption in 'biscuits, cookies' (p<0.01) and 'candy and chocolates' (p<0.01). Subjects in underweight group showed higher frequency in the consumption of 'biscuits, cookies' (p<0.05) and 'candy and chocolates' (p<0.001) compared with normal weight or overweight subjects. The subjects with mother not having a job showed higher consumption of snacks under controlling parents (p<0.001), and higher consumption in 'fruit and fruit juice' (p<0.05) and 'milk and milk products' (p<0.01) compared to the subjects with mother having a job. The subjects with parents having higher education level showed higher of consumption in 'fast food'. These results suggest that general characteristics of the subjects and characteristics of family environment may affect consumption pattern of snacks in middle school students.