Abstract
The soundness of a program of homemaking education at the elementary level is dependent in large part upon the adequate understanding of the conditions of pupils at home. From this point of view, a preliminary investigation was made to view the food practices at home of pupils in first, second and fifth grades, through a questionnaire distributed to parents. Results showed clear differences in problems between lower and upper grade pupils. The main cause for less appetite at mealtime for the younger ones were related to between-meal snacks. This report, hence, concentrated on analyzing between-meal snacks of second graders (N=36), from recordings taken by pupils from Dec. 25, 1966 to Jan 6, 1967. Results are summarized : 1. Means of acquiring snacks : Snacks are prepared or given at home, with a few exceptions when permitted to buy outside the home. This is the substantial pattern shown, but there is lack of parent's deliberation on this problem. 2. Variation in snacks when buying snacks shows. items tied to TV programs, items with coupon ballots, and chocolate sweets are prefer red, therefore highly related to tooth decay (80% of second graders as compared to 20% of first graders). Consequently, guidance is necessary toward a wholesome diet with due regard to between-meal snacks, especially for the lower grades.
