Changes in Eating-Out Frequency according to Sociodemographic Characteristics and Nutrient Intakes among Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: The quality of out-of-home foods is an increasingly important issue due to increasing popularity of eating out. The objective of this study was to analyze the relationship of eating-out frequency with general characteristics, dietary habits, and nutrient intakes among Korean adults. METHODS: This study collected data from 2010– 2015 KNHANES. The total number of participants was 33,427 Korean adults aged 19 years and older. All statistical analyses were conducted using SAS software version 9.3. RESULTS: Eating-out more frequently was associated with younger, unmarried, employed, urban resident, higher income, higher education, and being male. Regarding dietary behavior, subjects with skipping breakfast and taking snack behavior showed a tendency to eat out more frequently. Meanwhile, energy, carbohydrate, protein, fat, and sodium intake were higher in subjects with ≥ 5/week eating-out frequency than those in subjects with < 5/week eating-out frequency. CONCLUSION: This study provides important insights into the effect of targeted public health education and policies.