Researchers looked at what Korean teenagers ate between 2007 and 2022 to see how their eating habits changed. They studied nearly 7,700 teens and found three main eating patterns: one focused on bread, meat, and dairy; one centered on rice; and one based on convenient, processed foods. The biggest change? More teens are eating like Westerners with bread and meat, while fewer are sticking to traditional rice-based meals. The study also found that girls who eat lots of convenient foods tend to skip breakfast and feel worried about their weight, while boys who eat rice-based diets have higher obesity rates. These findings suggest that Korean teens’ diets are becoming more Westernized, which could affect their health.

The Quick Take

  • What they studied: How Korean teenagers’ eating habits have changed over 16 years and whether different groups of teens eat differently based on their sex and income level
  • Who participated: 7,679 Korean teenagers between ages 12 and 18 who answered questions about what they ate in the past 24 hours as part of a national health survey
  • Key finding: Korean teens are eating more Western-style foods (bread, meat, dairy) and less traditional rice-based meals. Girls who eat lots of convenient, processed foods are more likely to skip breakfast and worry about their weight. Boys who eat rice-based diets have higher rates of obesity.
  • What it means for you: If you’re a teenager or parent, this suggests paying attention to eating patterns matters for health. The shift toward processed and Western foods may be linked to weight concerns and skipped meals, especially in girls. This research suggests families might benefit from being intentional about meal planning and breakfast habits.

The Research Details

This study used information collected from a large national health survey in South Korea that happened every few years from 2007 to 2022. Researchers asked teenagers what they ate in the previous 24 hours and grouped their answers into three main eating patterns based on which foods appeared most often. They used a statistical method called cluster analysis, which is like sorting people into groups based on similar eating habits.

The researchers then looked at whether these eating patterns were connected to other health information, like weight status, income level, and whether teens skipped meals. They compared boys and girls separately because eating habits can be different between sexes. Finally, they tracked how these patterns changed over the 16-year period to see if teens were eating differently in 2022 compared to 2007.

This approach is important because it shows real-world eating patterns that teenagers actually follow, rather than just looking at individual foods. By tracking changes over 16 years, researchers can see long-term trends in how a whole population’s diet is shifting. Separating boys and girls helps identify that different groups might need different nutrition advice.

This study is based on a large, nationally representative sample of Korean teenagers, which means the findings likely reflect what’s happening across the country rather than just one school or region. The researchers used a standard method (24-hour recall) that’s commonly used in nutrition research. However, the study only looked at Korean adolescents, so results may not apply to teenagers in other countries with different food cultures. The data comes from a government health survey, which adds credibility.

What the Results Show

The researchers found that Korean teenagers follow three main eating patterns. About 45% eat a rice-based diet (traditional Korean style), about 33% eat bread, meat, and dairy (more Western style), and about 21% eat lots of convenient, processed foods.

The most striking finding is that over 16 years, more teenagers started eating the Western-style pattern with bread, meat, and dairy, while fewer teenagers stuck with the traditional rice-based diet. This shift happened in both boys and girls.

For boys, eating a rice-based diet was connected to higher obesity rates and living in lower-income households. Boys who ate the Western-style pattern (bread, meat, dairy) were more likely to come from higher-income families and use supplements.

For girls, eating lots of convenient foods was connected to being older, skipping breakfast, drinking alcohol, eating out every day, and feeling overweight. This group of girls seemed to have less healthy eating habits overall.

The study found important differences between boys and girls in how their eating patterns connected to health. Boys’ weight problems seemed more connected to what type of diet they followed, while girls’ eating patterns were more connected to skipping meals and eating out frequently. Income level also played a role—wealthier families’ teenagers ate more Western-style foods, while lower-income families’ teenagers ate more rice-based diets.

This research adds to existing knowledge by showing that the shift toward Western eating patterns in Asia is happening even among teenagers, not just adults. Previous studies have shown this trend in adult populations, but this study confirms it’s happening in younger people too. The finding that convenient food patterns are connected to skipped breakfasts and weight concerns matches what other research has shown about processed foods and teen health.

This study only looked at Korean teenagers, so the findings may not apply to teenagers in other countries. The study used a 24-hour recall method, which depends on people remembering what they ate—some people might not remember accurately. The study shows connections between eating patterns and health outcomes, but it doesn’t prove that one causes the other. For example, we can’t say that eating convenient foods causes girls to skip breakfast; it might be that girls who skip breakfast then eat convenient foods. The study also doesn’t explain why these changes are happening or what factors are driving the shift toward Western foods.

The Bottom Line

Based on this research, teenagers and families should consider: (1) Being intentional about eating breakfast, especially if you tend to eat lots of processed foods; (2) Including more whole foods and traditional meals in your diet rather than relying on convenient, processed options; (3) Being aware that eating patterns can affect weight and overall health. These recommendations have moderate confidence because the study shows connections but doesn’t prove cause-and-effect.

This research matters most for Korean teenagers and their families, as well as parents and health professionals in other Asian countries experiencing similar dietary shifts. It’s also relevant for anyone interested in how eating habits change over time in different cultures. This research is less directly applicable to teenagers in Western countries where Western-style eating is already the norm, though the findings about convenient foods and skipped breakfasts may still be relevant.

Changes in eating habits and their health effects typically take weeks to months to become noticeable. If a teenager shifts to eating breakfast regularly and reducing processed foods, they might notice improved energy levels within 2-4 weeks. Weight changes typically take 8-12 weeks to become apparent. Long-term health benefits from better eating patterns develop over months and years.

Want to Apply This Research?

  • Track daily breakfast consumption (yes/no) and count servings of processed/convenient foods versus whole foods. This creates a simple daily habit tracker that connects to the study’s key findings about breakfast skipping and convenient food consumption.
  • Set a specific goal like ’eat breakfast 5 days this week’ or ‘reduce convenient food meals from 4 to 2 per week.’ Use the app to log meals and get reminders for breakfast time. This directly addresses the study’s findings about breakfast skipping in certain groups.
  • Track eating patterns weekly by categorizing meals into the three patterns identified (rice-based, Western-style with bread/meat/dairy, or convenient foods). Monitor energy levels and how you feel after different meal types. Over months, track any changes in how you feel about your weight and health.

This research describes eating patterns and their associations with health outcomes in Korean teenagers but does not prove that one causes the other. These findings are specific to Korean adolescents and may not apply to other age groups or populations. This information is for educational purposes and should not replace advice from a doctor, registered dietitian, or other qualified healthcare provider. If you have concerns about your eating habits or weight, please consult with a healthcare professional who can provide personalized guidance based on your individual health needs.