서울 일부지역 초등학교 학생 대상의 영양표시 교육이 간식구매 관련 신념, 자아효능감 및 행동에 미치는 영향

Abstract

This study compared snack purchase-related nutrition knowledge, selection attributes, beliefs, self-efficacy, and behaviors by experience of school nutrition label education. Two elementary schools in neighborhood, one with nutrition label education(A school) and the other with no nutrition education(B school), were selected for the study. Survey questionnaires from 119 4th-5th graders in A school and 151 4th-5th graders in B school were used for the study analysis. The results showed significantly higher nutrition knowledge levels in relation to how to choose a healthy snack item using a nutrition label in A school children compared to B school children. The subjects of A school perceived 'nutrition label' and 'expiration date' more important when purchasing snack foods than those of B school. In addition various snack purchase-related belief and self-efficacy levels were significantly higher among A school children. Frequency of reading nutrition labels was significantly higher among A school children for all the examined snack groups including confectionery, bakery, milk and yogurt, frozen food, instant noodle, sweet snack, carbonated drink, juice, and ice cream. Frequency of purchasing snack foods was, however, significantly different between two groups for only confectionary and milk and yogurt groups. The results from this study implies even short-term school nutrition education can meaningfully improve not only nutrition knowledge and belief but also self-efficacy and snack purchasing behaviors among elementary school children. Therefore the study findings can be used as supporting evidences for importance and necessity of school nutrition education for elementary school children.