This study was conducted to investigate the meal quality and dietary behaviors of low-income family children by qualitative method. The subjects were 12 children(2 boys and 10 girls) aged 7 to 11, enrolled in an after-school care center in Kimpo, Gyeonggi province. Most of their mothers had jobs(83.3%) and 75% were the beneficiaries of a government assistance program. When compared using body mass index(BMI) percentile, 16.7% of the subjects were classified as being overweight. The food intake patterns and meal qualities were evaluated from dietary records for three non-consecutive days. The mean dietary diversity score(DDS) was 3.8, suggesting at least one food group was deficit. Only 8.3% of the records indicated a satisfactory intake of all five food groups, and fruit was the most deficit food group(58.3%). Also, the proportion of balanced of meals was low, especially breakfast(36%), in that main dish(the source of protein) was not included. The children had problematic eating behaviors, such as an unbalanced diet, eating meals in a hurry, skipping breakfast, and irregular meal times. They answered that they liked to eat simple meals and convenient foods. In conclusion, nutrition education should incorporate strategies to reach families and help with meal planning and management, as well as modifying the eating behaviors of children, in order to improve nutritional status.

• 신언환 | Eon Hwan Shin