Secular trends in dietary patterns among South Korean primary school-aged children based on the 2007-2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Abstract

Objective: This study aimed to identify dietary patterns and examine their associations with sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics among South Korean primary school-aged children.

Methods: Data from 10,173 children aged 6-12 years who participated in the 2007-2022 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Their dietary intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall, and dietary patterns were derived from the energy contributions of 26 food groups through cluster analysis.

Results: Three patterns were identified: rice-based pattern (47.3%), flour-based pattern (17.7%), and diversified type (35.1%). From 2007 to 2022, the prevalence of the rice-based pattern declined substantially (56.6%-32.6%), whereas that of the diversified type markedly increased (27.3%-47.0%). Survey-weighted analyses revealed that the dietary patterns were significantly associated with age, household income, vigorous physical activity, meal-skipping, eating-out frequency, and dietary supplement use (all, P<0.05). Children following the flour-based pattern tended to be older, skip breakfast more often, and engage in less vigorous physical activities. The rice-based pattern included a higher proportion of children from low-income households, whereas the diversified type showed more favorable socioeconomic characteristics and family breakfast practices. Overall, the rice-based and flour-based patterns were associated with less favorable lifestyle behaviors than the diversified type.

Conclusion: Dietary patterns among South Korean primary school-aged children appear to be closely related to socioeconomic status and daily health behaviors. Nutrition education and public health interventions promoting balanced diets, reduced meal skipping, and healthier lifestyles during childhood are needed.