Abstract

The present study was conducted to evaluate nutritional intake by lunch-box of middle school girls who live in Chonbuk area. Anthropometric measurements and food intake from lunch-box over a three day period were investigated in a total of 110 middle school girls from rural (n = 37) and urban (n = 73) areas. The results are summarized as follows : 1. Not all the steamed rice in the lunch-box had enough mixed-cereal. 2. In the survey of food intake by food groups, 70.5% of the food came from the cereal group. 3. The intake of protein, phosphate, Vitamins B1 and B2, niacine and Vitamin E were adequate, however, the intake of other nutrients was significantly lower than those of one-third of the Korean RDA. 4. Protein, lipid, and zinc intakes of the students from the rural area were significantly lower than those of students from the urban area, however, the carbohydrate and dietary fiber intakes of those in the rural area were significantly higher than those of the students in the urban area. 5. The percentage of calories from carbohydrate : protein : lipid ratio was 67.6 : 12.2 : 16.9 for students in the rural area and 59.2 : 14.9 : 22.5 respectively for those in the urban area. In Summary, the intake of calcium, iron, Vitamins A, B6, and D, folate and zinc from lunch-box in middle school girls was much lower than that of one-third of the Korean RDA. The intake of carbohydrate and dietary fiber of the students in the rural area was significantly higher, but that of protein, lipids, and zinc was lower than that of the students in the urban area. Therefore, nutritional education programs for both students and their parents should be provided to improve the daily food intake from lunch-box.

• Keywords: food intake; lunch-box; middle school girls