This study was to investigate the changes in dietary practices, reasons for making dietary changes, current food consumption patterns, and eating habits. Data were collected from 515 parents whose children were attending an elementary school and a middle school in Kimcheon. Among the twenty food groups studied, subjects reported eating more fruit, vegetables, lower-fat meats, high-fat meats, reduced/skim milk, and eggs and less sugar, fats, rice, salt, potato/sweet potato, and chicken. The changes in dietary practices except high-fat meats and salt were significantly different between sex, age, education level, income level, or BMI groups. The primary reason for making dietary changes was 'concerned about family's health'. The average rate of never eating breakfast or less than 2 times per week was found to be 23.2% with a greater rate in younger age group. The rate of breakfast skipping was found to vary between different age and education groups. The regularity of mealtime and overeating practices were significantly different between age groups. Eating out practices were found to vary between different age, education, and income groups. People at younger age group in Kimcheon should be targeted for nutrition education about eating habits. These findings are applicable at the planning and implementation stages of various nutritional improvement projects.

• 진영희 | Jin, Young-Hee