Association between chewing habits, vegetable/ fruit intake, and interest in cooking in elementary school children

A questionnaire was conducted on chewing habits, dietary life, and lifestyle. The survey involved 706 fifth and sixth grade elementary school children from Osaka and Hyogo prefectures. A total of 592 students (294 boys and 298 girls) who answered all the survey items were included in the analysis. The relationship between chewing habits and dietary life, particularly vegetable and fruit intake and interest in cooking, was clarified. Furthermore, the relationship between chewing habits and mental state, and learning attitude was examined using χ2 analysis and logistic regression analysis. The chewing group consumed significantly fewer sweet drinks than the non-chewing group. Further, they ate more vegetables and fruits, had fewer food aversions, enjoyed bland dishes, showed greater interest in cooking and food, and helped with meal preparation, indicating a healthier dietary lifestyle. The chewing group exhibited better attitudes in class and learning than the non-chewing group in school. They enjoyed sports more, were less prone to irritation, and demonstrated better mental and physical health, learning attitudes, and motivation. Logistic regression analysis, with chewing habits (chewing/ not chewing) as the dependent variable, suggested that frequency of vegetable and fruit intake and interest in cooking influenced chewing habits. Additionally, chewing habits were associated with enjoying sports, learning attitudes, and motivation and were inferred to contribute to a positive school life.