• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.997-1011
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• 2017

This study aimed to evaluate the applicability of "food and nutrition standards for child care setting in the Seoul Metropolitan Government" using quantitative and qualitative surveys and lay the groundwork for future expansion. To evaluate the understanding and applicability of each item of the standards and utilize goodness of fit as an evaluation item to improve practicality of the child care center's health foodservice, we surveyed 82 child care centers, kindergartens, and community children centers in Seoul by e-mail through the Seoul Metropolitan Government in November 2015. Using focus group interviews with directors of child care centers and kindergartens as well as dieticians of child care support centers who had conducted public foodservice in Seoul, the appropriateness of each standard was finally reviewed, and amendments to extend this standard were derived. Results of the survey show an understanding of 86.9% and an applicability of 80.7%. Moreover, the applicability of the evaluation items for assessing improvement of health foodservice practices at the child care center was 82.6%. Qualitative evaluation of the applicability of standards through focus group interviews identified four factors for extended application: necessity of a guideline for separate food ingredient suppliers, conformity of the basis and purpose of the item, consideration of contextual situations, and necessity of establishing a Seoul-level foundation. Therefore, guidelines for the standards should be suggested for those providing public food services for children. Furthermore, separate guidelines categorized by items that food ingredient suppliers need to provide should be mandatory or recommended. Evaluation of the applicability of the standards suggests that revising and supplementing the guidelines in order to extend the standards can contribute to health promotion and a sustainable environment for children using public foodservice. Follow-up studies and supports are needed for sustainable food and nutrition management programs.