The purpose of this study was to investigate the body composition, biochemical parameters, and consumption of convenience foods according to β-3 adrenergic receptor polymorphism in university students. A survey was conducted on a total of 486 students - 189 males and 297 females. Based on a self-reporting method, questionnaires were administered for over 20 minutes, and β-3 adrenergic receptor and blood samples were also analyzed. The genotype frequencies of β-3 adrenergic receptor polymorphism were Trp/Trp homozygote (73.0%) and Trp/Arg heterozygote (27.0%) in male students. For the female students, the distribution of genotypes was Trp/Trp (71.0%) and Trp/Arg (29.0%). There were no differences according to biochemical parameters (ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and hemoglobin) or body composition. Males with TT genotype frequently ate Ramyon (2.40±0.52), Cup Ramyon (2.37±0.39), Kimchi (2.23±0.61), and frozen meat (2.00±0.44), whereas males with TA genotype ate Fries (frozen food) (1.90±0.79), Smoked meat (1.67±0.81), and Canned fruit (1.64±0.81). Females with TT genotype frequently ate Frozen fries (2.21±0.35), Kimbab (2.12±0.44), and Ramyon (1.85±0.40), whereas females with TA genotype frequently ate Kimchi (1.73±0.98), Fries (frozen food) (1.46±0.26), and Cup Ramyon (1.30±0.34). When questioned about satisfaction about body shape, 22.8 and 60.8% of those with TT genotype answered that they were 'satisfied' or needed to 'lose weight', respectively, whereas 18.0 and 63.9% of those with TA genotype answered that they were 'satisfied' or needed to 'lose weight', respectively. In conclusion, this study found no significant effects in terms of β-3 adrenergic receptor polymorphism, which suggests that health-promoting education needs to be developed so that university students appropriately recognize their bodies and control their weight in desirable ways. Therefore, it is necessary to educate individuals with TT genotype how to buy reasonable foods by understanding the interrelationship between convenience foods and health care and by checking the nutrition index labels on convenience foods. Thus, it is recommended that a health-promoting program be developed for the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

The purpose of this stud was to investigate the degree of recognition as well as the consumption pattern of convenience food products, and related factors among 700 mixed Korean college students using written questionnaire. Students of Seoul region showed the significantly lowest rate of recognition at 36.7%. Results also showed that lifestyles have a significant effect on the degree of recognition of convenience foods. The consumption patterns of convenience foods goes as follows: used frequently-18.2%, once in awhile-73.9%, doesn't use-7.9%. The higher the recognition rate, the higher the consumption rate for convenience foods. When compared in terms of residence, students living at home used more refrigerated foods compared to students living outside of the home. Among the total students living outside of the home, students living on their own scored highest of convenience food consumption. In the case of female students living outside the home, respondents living alone and in dormitories scored the highest. Female students living in dormitories were mainly using refrigerated and canned foods, while those living alone consumed more kimbap and 'sa-bal-myun' in convenience stores. Korean college students mainly consumed frozen food, retort food, and kimbap in convenience stores. The college student that believes that 'You eat to satisfy hunger' significantly used more convenience food while those that marked 'maintain health' consumed the lowest showing a great difference between groups. Results showed that the lower the food habit score, the higher the usage score of convenience foods. The food habit score had a negative correlation with the usage of frozen foods, instant food, and convenience store food. When compared individually, packaged 'ramen' and 'sa-bal-myun' scored the highest points of usage. Frozen fried rice and pre-packaged rice scored the lowest points indicating Korean college students do not consider rice a convenience food. Convenience food consumed in convenience stores ranked the highest among places of consumption, compared to places like home or outdoors; showing that convenience foods were used by people with limited time constraints.