Evaluation of Eating Behavior and Nutritional Status Using the Nutrition Quotient in Obese Children

In Korea, the obesity rate among children and adolescents is 15.3% and is steadily increasing. Twenty-five percent of boys are overweight, which exceeds the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development average of 23%. These phenomena are largely attributed to westernized dietary habits and insufficient exercise. Particular attention is required because 60% of obese children and adolescents will exhibit adult obesity and because obesity has negative effects such as a psychological loss of self-esteem. In addition, according to the 2012 citizen health statistics data, 7.3% of children aged 6–11 years and 17.0% of adolescents aged 12–18 years suffered from insufficient nutrient intake in Korea, and 8.4% and 7.4% of individuals in the same age groups, respectively, had excessive energy and fat intakes; as a consequence, 15.7% of kindergarteners and younger elementary school students and 24.4% of older elementary school students suffered from defective or excessive nutrient intake. Because obesity in children should not be treated or managed with medication, in contrast to adults, exercise practice, dietary habits, and lifestyles must be changed, and parental interests and efforts are essential to this process. Obese children exhibit characteristic eating behaviors such as irregular meals, overeating, increased intake of processed and instant foods, and rapid eating speeds. During childhood, systematic nutritional management via an accurate eating behavior analysis can promote the acquisition of nutrient-related knowledge and quickly and effectively promote positive attitudes toEvaluation of Eating Behavior and Nutritional Status Using the Nutrition Quotient in Obese Children