An Analysis on Breakfast Skipping and Picky Eating of Junior High School and High School Students

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to specify the factors that affect the eating behaviors of high school and junior high school students, using the individual data of a survey implemented by Benesse Educational Research and Development Center in 2004. Quantitative analysis confirmed that individual attributes, lifestyle/independence, dining environment/atmosphere, family relationships (i.e., relationship with parents), and living place affect the habits of skipping meals and picky eating observed among high school and junior high school students. Further, the frequency of skipping meals may increase while the tendency towards picky eating may decrease as students progress to higher grades. It is important to work with both students and parents in the future to resolve the problematic habits of skipping meals and picky eating. This can be done by facilitating the improvement of students' lifestyle and family environment, including dining environment/atmosphere and parent-child relations. These changes support an enjoyable dining environment. In addition, we suggest conducting a regional campaign targeting convenience stores and family restaurants frequently patronized by high school and junior high school students in order to enhance their food consciousness.