A study on high school students’ recognition of food additives in Incheon region, Korea (626.3)

Abstract

This study was conducted to provide basic information about how high school students recognize food additives in Incheon region, 5th largest city in Korea, using a questionnaire and data analysis tool, SPSSWIN 18.0.50% of students were found that they know about food additives. They recognized the harmfulness of food additives because that it was synthesized chemicals(59.6%, p<.05). But a test about 5 major food additives proved that they couldn’t’ distinguish between sweetener and seasoning (p<.05), and their interest about food additives except MSG was examined differently between the boys and girls. Only about 30% of students were likely to choose a food with less food additives. 71.5% of students answered that they would try to choose a food with natural additives in spite of higher cost, while 10% answered they surely choose a food with natural additives. The necessity of education about food additives was supported by 48% of girls and 35% of boys(p<.001), and the most popular reason of it was healthy and safe dietary life. As an educational method, education by a professional instructor was best supported by students, and there was a meaningful difference between boys(45.9%) and girls(54.5%), while the tentative attendance were replied by 31.9% of boys and 39.3% of girls(p<.01).Therefore a professional education program to let students be aware of food additives for advancing their dietary life is required.Grant Funding Source: Supported by Inha University