A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study

Objectives This study aims to examine regional differences in dietary behavior and satisfaction between urban and rural residents in Korea, identifying key factors associated with dietary satisfaction in each group to deepen understanding of these variations. Methods The data were obtained from the...

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Main Authors: Jong-Youn Rha, Sohyun Kim, Hae-Rang Lee, Juhyeon Kil
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: The Korean Society of Community Nutrition 2025-04-01
Series:Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
Subjects:
Online Access:http://kjcn.or.kr/upload/pdf/kjcn-2024-00262.pdf
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author Jong-Youn Rha
Sohyun Kim
Hae-Rang Lee
Juhyeon Kil
author_facet Jong-Youn Rha
Sohyun Kim
Hae-Rang Lee
Juhyeon Kil
author_sort Jong-Youn Rha
collection DOAJ
description Objectives This study aims to examine regional differences in dietary behavior and satisfaction between urban and rural residents in Korea, identifying key factors associated with dietary satisfaction in each group to deepen understanding of these variations. Methods The data were obtained from the Consumer Behavior Survey for Food 2022 by the Korea Rural Economic Institute. The analysis involved 6,365 adult participants, using the complex survey χ2-test and complex survey t-tests to compare dietary behavior across regions and complex survey regression analysis to explore factors related to dietary satisfaction. Data were analyzed with R 4.3.1 (for macOS; Posit PBC). Results Urban and rural areas differed in consumer characteristics such as gender, age, income, and household type, as well as in food consumption behaviors and in dietary competencies associated with purchasing and intake. Specifically, dining out and processed food consumption were more prevalent in urban areas, whereas home-cooked meals were more frequent in rural areas. Overall, dietary competencies were higher among urban residents. However, there was no significant difference in dietary satisfaction between the two regions. This finding suggests that satisfaction is based on subjective evaluations, with consumers in each region forming satisfaction in ways that align with their environment and lifestyle. Accordingly, the factors contributing to dietary satisfaction differed by region. In urban areas, information utilization competency and maintaining a balanced diet played a significant role in dietary satisfaction, whereas in rural areas, regular mealtimes were more influential. Urban consumers reported higher dietary satisfaction when meals provided a sense of appropriate convenience, whereas rural consumers showed greater satisfaction when meals were shared with family at home. Conclusion The findings indicate regional differences in food consumption behaviors and dietary competencies, as well as variations in how consumers achieve dietary satisfaction. These insights provide a foundation for developing dietary policies and programs aimed at improving dietary satisfaction.
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spelling doaj-art-2ee9d9c66aba40eda1769fb35cc28d612025-08-20T02:32:38ZengThe Korean Society of Community NutritionKorean Journal of Community Nutrition2951-31462025-04-0130214014910.5720/kjcn.2024.002621683A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional studyJong-Youn Rha0Sohyun Kim1Hae-Rang Lee2Juhyeon Kil3Professor, Department of Consumer Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, KoreaLecturer, Department of Consumer Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, KoreaAssistant Research Professor, Research Institute of Human Ecology, Seoul National University, Seoul, KoreaStudent, Department of Consumer Science, Seoul National University, Seoul, KoreaObjectives This study aims to examine regional differences in dietary behavior and satisfaction between urban and rural residents in Korea, identifying key factors associated with dietary satisfaction in each group to deepen understanding of these variations. Methods The data were obtained from the Consumer Behavior Survey for Food 2022 by the Korea Rural Economic Institute. The analysis involved 6,365 adult participants, using the complex survey χ2-test and complex survey t-tests to compare dietary behavior across regions and complex survey regression analysis to explore factors related to dietary satisfaction. Data were analyzed with R 4.3.1 (for macOS; Posit PBC). Results Urban and rural areas differed in consumer characteristics such as gender, age, income, and household type, as well as in food consumption behaviors and in dietary competencies associated with purchasing and intake. Specifically, dining out and processed food consumption were more prevalent in urban areas, whereas home-cooked meals were more frequent in rural areas. Overall, dietary competencies were higher among urban residents. However, there was no significant difference in dietary satisfaction between the two regions. This finding suggests that satisfaction is based on subjective evaluations, with consumers in each region forming satisfaction in ways that align with their environment and lifestyle. Accordingly, the factors contributing to dietary satisfaction differed by region. In urban areas, information utilization competency and maintaining a balanced diet played a significant role in dietary satisfaction, whereas in rural areas, regular mealtimes were more influential. Urban consumers reported higher dietary satisfaction when meals provided a sense of appropriate convenience, whereas rural consumers showed greater satisfaction when meals were shared with family at home. Conclusion The findings indicate regional differences in food consumption behaviors and dietary competencies, as well as variations in how consumers achieve dietary satisfaction. These insights provide a foundation for developing dietary policies and programs aimed at improving dietary satisfaction.http://kjcn.or.kr/upload/pdf/kjcn-2024-00262.pdfeatinglife styleconsumer behaviorcross-sectional studiesenvironment
spellingShingle Jong-Youn Rha
Sohyun Kim
Hae-Rang Lee
Juhyeon Kil
A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
eating
life style
consumer behavior
cross-sectional studies
environment
title A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study
title_full A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study
title_fullStr A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study
title_full_unstemmed A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study
title_short A study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in Korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons: a cross-sectional study
title_sort study on regional differences in dietary behaviors and satisfaction in korea focusing on urban and rural comparisons a cross sectional study
topic eating
life style
consumer behavior
cross-sectional studies
environment
url http://kjcn.or.kr/upload/pdf/kjcn-2024-00262.pdf
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