Status of Recognition, Effort, and Satisfaction of Customers on Low-Sodium Diet in Industry Foodservice

산업체 급식 피급식자들의 저나트륨식 인식 및 실천현황과 만족도

This study surveyed the status of recognition, effort, and satisfaction of customers on a low-sodium diet in industry foodservice. For recognition related to sodium intake, 34.6% answered 'sure' for awareness of WHO's recommended daily sodium intake. Recognition of healthiness of low-sodium diet scored an average of $3.77{\pm}0.8$. The most frequent dietary effort related to low-sodium diet was 'I leave the broth of soup/stew (23.7%)', and the most common reason for not making an effort related to low-sodium diet was 'I often eat out (25.2%)'. Recognition of saltiness of foodservice meals was $2.84{\pm}0.69$, and the saltiest food was 'kimchi (30.4%)', followed by 'side dish (17.9%)', 'soup/stew (16.8%)', and 'sauce (8.3%)'. Satisfaction of low-sodium foodservice meal was $3.04{\pm}0.71$. Reasons for recognition of saltiness of foodservice meal were mostly 'appropriate' or 'prefer less salty (86%)'. In the analysis of satisfaction of low-sodium foodservice meal according to occupation, satisfaction of 'level of saltiness ($F=5.046^{**}$)' scored an average of $3.18{\pm}0.72$, with the highest satisfaction from 'professionals'. Satisfaction of 'dietary behaviors related to sodium ($F=3.534^{**}$)' scored an average of $3.95{\pm}0.59$, with the highest satisfaction from 'government employees (p<0.01)'. These study results show that despite recognition of the healthiness of a low-sodium diet, efforts toward practicing the diet were less than adequate. Further, 25% felt that foodservice meal was a blend, whereas satisfaction of low-sodium diet was only 19%. Therefore, continuous education and advertisements are necessary in order to raise awareness as well as developing more concrete methods during preparation of meals, such as using a salt meter.