Comparison of preference for convenience and dietary attitude in college students by sex in Seoul and Kyunggi-do area

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted to investigate preference for convenience food and dietary attitude in college students in Seoul and Kyunggi-do area. This study used a questionnaires as instrument tool. Thequestionnaire consisted of socio-demographic characteristics of the subjects, the valuation of preference for convenience, the concern of nutrition, and the dietary attitude. The subject were 199 males and 137 females. The mean age of subjects was 22.4+/-2.3year. The results have been summarized as follows Male students preferred more convenience food than females. Male students liked chicken, ice cream, ramyeon, pizza.hamburgerandfemalestudentslikedchicken,pizza, ice cream, ramyeon.hamburger. The kinds of convenience foods for a substitute meal were ramyeon, hamburger, bread, potato in male group and female group had frequently ramyeon, hamburger, bread, rice cake for a substitute meal. Male students were more likely to eat ramyeon (p<0.01) and purchased sabalmyeon The subjects used to purchase sabalmyeon as main convenience food at convenient store The score of preference for convenience food in male group was higher than female group. The score of attitude toward balanced diet in female group was higher than male group(p<0.01). In scores of concern for nutrition information, balanced diet, and nutrition knowledge, Female group had higher scores of concern for nutrition information, balanced diet, and nutrition knowledge than that of male group (p<0.01).There was no significant difference in the degree of preference for packing types, however, Male group tended to prefer more micro wave type than female group. The persons to affect the consumption of convenience food were friends. There was no significant difference in the time of purchase convenience food, however, Male tended to purchase convenience food at the time of snack than female group. As a results, proper nutritional education and qualitative development of convenience food are required in order to improve the consuming attitude of consumers and their preference for convenience food.