• Korean Journal of Child Studies
• /
• v.31 no.6
• /
• pp.107-123
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the short term effectiveness of a cognitive ability improvement service for children, which is one of the 'Investment activities for Local Community Services' conducted by the Ministry for Health and Welfare. Results indicate that the longer the period of using cognitive improvement services for children, the more positively significant influence there is on their language abilities in terms of comprehension, expression, and reading-writing. Furthermore, these influences are stronger in children of low-income families than in children from higher income families. Certainly, this type of service improves infants' language abilities regardless of the income level of their families.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.352-362
• /
• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine portion sizes and nutritional quality of foods served to children at Community Child Centers (CCCs), July 2014, in Korea. A survey was administered to foodservice employees working at CCCs. Thirty-nine participants completed the self-administered questionnaire regarding CCCs foodservice practices. In the weight test, fifteen volunteers of demonstrated typical portion sizes for $5^{th}$ grade elementary school students. Nutrition knowledge scores were significantly different between foodservice employees with experience taking a foodservice class for one year (6.04 out of 10.0 points) and those without experience (4.58 points). Foodservice employees with experience taking a foodservice class scored significantly higher in performing meal serving practices, e.g., wearing a sanitary cap and apron when serving food, than those without experience. The amount of foods served for children did not meet standard serving sizes; portion sizes of rice, soup, main dish, side dish and kimchi served by foodservice employees were 87.3%, 63.2%, 56.5%, 37.1% and 81.3% of standard serving sizes, respectively. When energy and nutrient intakes from portion sizes were calculated, energy, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin and calcium intakes did not meet standards for nutrition control of school meals. However, protein, vitamin C and iron intakes met more than 100.0% of standards. These findings suggest that foodservice employees with experience taking a foodservice class apply their knowledge to foodservice practices. Although portion sizes can influence energy and nutrient intakes in children, the actual portion sizes served by CCCs foodservice employees were inadequate and did not meet standards for serving size and nutrition. Thus, all CCCs foodservice employees need to receive foodservice education and be provided guidelines regarding portion sizes for children.