Relationship between food aversion and eating habits in junior high school students in Japan

This study was examined possible effects of eating habits on the food aversion of school children. The subjects were 1,100 of junior high-school students. They asked if they dislike or not 15 kinds of foods that are served commonly in their daily meals. About 44% of students did not dislike any foods tested, and about 46% of students disliked from 1 to 3 kinds of foods. About 10% of students disliked more than 4 kinds of foods, suggesting a disorder on food preference. The group having disorder on food preference didn't keep their eating habit healthy, and disrupted dietary rhythm by the frequent skipping of their breakfast or dinner. Also, they took frequently their meal alone without their family members. These results suggested that the eating disorder on food preference in junior high-school students might be improved through the nutrition education to change their eating habits.