This study was to evaluate the anthropometry, dietary attitudes and the other factors of 201 children in day-care centers according to their parents' income levels. The evaluation was conducted using anthropometric measurements such as height, weight, skinfold thickness, blood pressure, and questionnaire survey which was completed by the children's mothers. The results are summarized as follows: Overall growth of children was normal according to Korean standard. There were no significant differences in anthropometry according to the income levels. The scores of eating habits of children were different significantly according to income levels. That is, the score was the lowest in the low-income group. Children generally prefer one-dish meal or snacks, while the preference levels of kimchi, seasoned vegetable and beans broiled in soysauce were lower than those cf other foods. In the questions to know mothers' nutrition knowledge, we could see that they didn't know well about protein, breast-feeding, weaning and balance in nutrients. Nutrition knowledge score of mothers was significantly lower in the low income group, which shows close relationship with low-score eating habits of their children. The score of nutrition knowledge was affected by the mother's education level. The higher the mother's nutrition knowledge and education level, the better children's eating habits. These findings emphasize the planning and application of nutrition education programs for mothers especially in the low income group.

According to economical status, under-nutrition and over-nutrition coexist in preschool children in Korea. Subjects consumed more than RDA in most nutrients, and children in of the upper income class tended to have more nutrients than those of the low income class. Especially in case of energy, protein, fat, vitamin B2, and P there were significant differences among the different classes. The mean calorie compositions of carbohydrates, protein and fat were 57~59: 16~17: 26~27 and fat calorie percentage was higher than quantity recommended for Korean adults. Energy, protein, Fe, vitamin A, B1 and C intakes were taken mostly from plant food sources. In the upper income class group, intakes of protein and vitamin B2 from animal food sources were higher than in any other income classes. Intakes of iron, vitamin A, B1 and C were largely provided by plant food group. Especially 44-45% of vitamin A were taken from vegetable and fruits group, which indicated that about 50% of vitamin A intake was the form of β-carotene. Also compared with other groups, in the upper income class group, the intakes of energy, protein, Ca, p, vitamin B1 and vitamin B2 from cereal and potatoes were significantly lower, and those of Ca and P from milks and meats, fishes & eggs were significantly higher(p〈0.05). The mean fat intake in all subjects was 38~43g/day. Regardless of income class, oleic acid(6.6~8.4g) and linoleic acid(6.7~8.1g) were the most abundant fatty acids contained in the diet. The upper class group consumed significantly more total saturated fatty acids and total monounsaturated fatty acids(p〈0.05). In polyunsaturated fatty acids, there were no differences between 3 different income classes, but intakes of total Ω6 fatty acids in the upper class tended to be higher and those of total o3 fatty acids in low class tended to be higher. Therefore, Ω6/Ω3 tended to be higher in the upper class group. Regardless of income classes, P/M/S and Ω6/Ω3 ratios in all subjects were 0.9~l.3/1.0~1.1/1.0 and 5.2~7.4/1.0, respectively and were in a desirable range. Cholesterol intake of subject was 184-218 mg/day, which was comparable to the value of Korean adult intake.