title: Environmental influences on youth eating habits: insights from parents and teachers in South Korea.
abstract: Youth obesity has increased over the past two decades in South Korea. Researchers employed in-depth interviews and focus-group discussions with parents and teachers from 26 schools in metropolitan South Korea, to examine environmental factors affecting youth eating habits. Home environment and exposure to healthy foods were the most important factors influencing healthy eating habits. Families with working mothers eat out more than do families with stay-at-home mothers. Poor nutrition education is associated with low vegetable intake in elementary school lunches. A cultural emphasis on academic achievement adversely affects children's eating practices. Findings can guide future studies and inform program development.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Preventive Medicine, College of Medicine , Hanyang University , Seoul , South Korea.
authors.forename: Sohyun
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Park
authors.forename: Jae-Heon
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Kang
authors.forename: Robert
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Lawrence
authors.forename: Joel
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gittelsohn
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000294:Adolescent Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D005178:Faculty; D005247:Feeding Behavior / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006266:Health Education; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009752:Nutritional Status; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D063766:Pediatric Obesity / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology; D056910:Republic of Korea / Q000453:epidemiology; D012931:Social Environment; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
keywords: South Korea; childhood obesity; eating behaviors; environmental influences; qualitative research