A Survey of the Needs of Nutrition Education Based on Analysis of Eating Habits and Nutrition Knowledge among Middle School Students in Kyung-Gi Province.

ABSTRACT This study was conducted to examine the needs of nutrition education based on analysis of the eating hab-its and nutrition knowledge among middle school students. The survey was conducted on 536 students (boys= 216, girls=320) using a questionnaire. The average number of meals consumed was three (67.5%) and 58.0% of students reported having breakfast. Concerning the nutritional knowledge, students showed the highest score (girls, 0.90±0.03 and boys 0.82±0.04) for items describing the proper diet plan for obesity. Additionally, nutri-tional knowledge was found to have a significant effect on dietary habits. Regarding the necessity for nu-trition education, high response rates for “For normal growth of students (44.8%)” and “Help to select proper food and choose safe food (24.0%)” were observed. Taken together, these findings indicate that consistent and systematic management is required under the institutional support by the school to improve students’ percep-tion regarding nutrition and to develop effective nutrition education.