Research Reports
A Comparative Analysis of Juveniles’ Food Consumption in Korea, China and Japan
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AuthorLee, Kyeiim
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Publication Date2008.12.01
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Original
This study aims to provide implications for food consumption outlook by comparing and analyzing the food consumption, nutritional intake, and dietary life of juveniles in Korea, China and Japan, and present food policy directions. The adolescence is an important period because the eating habits gained in this period will continue into the adulthood.
The important results that were found from this study are as follows: First, socio-economic and demographic changes in all three countries showed increases in income and single families, as well as aging and increased participation of women in economic activity. All of these factors had an effect on food consumption. The food consumption trend showed that Korea entered the turning point of seeking improvement in the quality of food in the latter half of 1980s while Japan made a similar trend earlier in the middle of 1970s. In China too, the unit price of a calorie supply has been rising continuously.
Second, the food consumption trend of Korean juveniles showed that rice consumption fell the fastest while the consumption of bread, cookies and pork, as well as eating outs, grew fast unlike any other age groups. In Japan, however, the decreasing consumption of rice has been slowing down since 2000. During this period, the consumption of pork has changed its course to an upward trend while the consumption of beef, fruits and vegetables has been falling. In the case of China, no significant changes were seen in the food consumption of juveniles in 2007 compared to 2002, and their food consumption was relatively low compared to other age groups.
Third, we compared the dietary lives and food consumption patterns of juveniles in the three countries. Korean juveniles had the worst dietary life due to the increase in westernized diet including fast food and a high proportion of juveniles skipping breakfast. The nutrition of Japanese juveniles was better than that of Korean counterparts and Chinese juveniles had more sound eating habits than the Koreans as they had meals more regularly despite less nutritious diet.
Fourth, Korea’s food policy mainly deals with the lowering of harmful nutrition elements, food hygiene management, and improvement of meal at school. In Japan, many educational programs on dietary life are offered by various groups; and in China, guidelines on youngsters' meals and snacks are issued, and educational programs on health and nutrition are offered.
Finally, based on our forecast of Korean juveniles' food consumption until 2020, we expect to see a decrease in the consumption of grains, beef, fish and shellfish, vegetables, and fruits but an increase in the consumption of pork, bread, cookies, drinks, and eating-out meals.
In order to enhance the food consumption of Korean juveniles, educational programs at school should be improved and become practical education that offers various learning experience programs. Also, the education on dietary life should be sought in the context of a nationwide movement. Specific policies that can improve the overall state of juveniles' nutrition need to be implemented in connection with educational dietary programs.
Researchers: Lee Kyei-Im, Lee Yong-Sun, Jeon Hyoung-Jin, Joo Hyun-Jeong
Research period: 2008. 2. ~ 2008. 12.
E-mail address: lkilki@krei.re.kr
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