Ongoing research concerning the lifestyle and food eating behavior of children/students has been conducted in northern Thailand since 1997. Three regions, urban Chiang Mai, rural Samoeng, and the mountain village of Bokao, linked together by a life route, have been chosen as survey areas in the present study. A questionnaire survey, hearing, observation, etc. were used to collect data which were analyzed by such statistical methods as correspondence and cross analyses. The regional difference and school grade difference in formal daily meals within the respective regions were examined. Among the urban children/students, a high ratio of missing morning meals, eating midnight snacks, and snack-eating as a substitute for formal meals were observed. Furthermore, morning meals were made the lightest among the three formal meals. Eating alone by children, dining out, and eating bread were also recognized. In the rural area, the traditional manners and customs are still strong, not only in eating behaviors (e.g. eating glutinous rice) but also in other conscious actions. In the mountain village, the highest proportion of meals is eaten among those three areas, and home-cooked dishes are eaten as a family meal. However, the mealtime is the shortest, and it seems that their meals are very frugal. Children/students who miss morning meals often have a high level of irritability. Of those who eat night snacks, many also miss morning meals. Eating bread has recently become more widespread in Thai eating behavior and become very popular in the city. Children/students recognize it a kind of cake. Children/students who usually eat meals alone tend to eat bread, so eating bread might promote 'eating meals alone' in the future.

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