This study was conducted to examine the relationship between dietary habits and time spent watching TV and using internet, in elementary school children. The data were collected by a questionnaire survey of 712 elementary school children, within Gwangju and Jeonnam area. The SPSS 12.0/win program was used to analyze the 523 samples. Amount of TV-watching time was found to be related to the dietary habit score in the subjects. The children who watch TV “less than 1 hour/day” on weekdays had a better dietary habit score than those who watch TV “more than 1 hour” (p<0.0001). The children who watch TV “less than 2 hours/day” on weekends had a better dietary habit than the children who watch TV “more than 2 hours/day” (p<0.0001). The internet usage was also related to the dietary habit score in these children: those who use internet “less than 1 hour/day” on weekdays had a better dietary habit score than the children who use internet “more than 2 hours/day” (p<0.0001). The children who use internet “less than 2 hours/day” on weekends had a better dietary habit score than the children who use internet “more than 2 hours/day” (p<0.0001). These results indicate that the children tend to have a better diet when their TV and internet time is limited and thus healthy dietary behavior is negatively associated with a sedentary pattern of activity in elementary school children.

• 조아라(호남대학교 교육대학원 영양교육전공) | A Ra Jo
• 길진모(호남대학교 조리영양학부) | Jinmo Khil Corresponding author