Analysis of Purchasing Behaviors of Processed Foods in High School Students in Yongin Region

摘要

This study investigated purchasing behaviors of processed foods in high school students (male 94 and female 85) in the Yongin region. Frequency of eating processed foods was generally once (36.9%) or twice (32.4%) a day. Frequency according to processed food items was in the following order: confectionary (31.3%)> beverages (17.3%)> breads (12.3%)> instant noodles (11.7%) and milk or dairy products (11.7%)> frozen desserts (10.6%). The places for purchasing were a big mart (30.7%>), convenience store(28.5%>), and school cafeteria (26.8%). The reasons for purchasing were ‘tasty’ at 43.6% and ‘hungry’ at 35.2%. Main factors affecting purchasing were ‘taste’ at 70.9%), followed by price (16.2%)> quantity (5.6%)> nutrition (4.5%). The most important parts of food and nutrition labels were ‘shelf-life’ (67.0%) and ‘calories’ (57.5%). Degrees of confirmation of food and nutrition labeling were ‘always’ (12.3%i), ‘rarely’ (28.5%), and ‘sometimes’ (59.2%). The reasons for not reading labels were ‘unconcerned’ (27.9%i), ‘too tiny lettering’ (28.5%>), ‘hard to understand’ (16.2%), and ‘habitually’ (15.1%>). These results reflect low attention of high school students towards healthy food choices using food and nutrition labeling during purchasing. In conclusion, a specific education program for providing accurate product information as well as leading healthy purchasing behaviors should be required.