• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.517-524
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There are limited studies investigating the eating patterns of children's favorite foods. The present study aimed to evaluate a wide range of children's favorite foods, derive its eating patterns, and identify factors related to the patterns. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study included 5,458 students in elementary, middle, and high schools. The survey was conducted at each school to evaluate children's favorite food intake, including the intake frequency of 31 food items or food groups, and its related factors, such as demographic, economic, and environmental characteristics and awareness of policies on children's favorite foods. Factor analysis using varimax rotation method and logistic regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Two factors were derived as major eating patterns from data of children's favorite foods: the 'unhealthy eating pattern' which mainly involves confectionery, chocolate, ramen, fried food, etc.; and the 'healthy eating pattern' which mainly involves soybean milk, vegetables, fruit juice, and nuts. A stepwise selection procedure through the regression analysis revealed that allowance, use of screen media, less awareness of policies on children's favorite foods, and less interest in health were positively related to the tendency of unhealthy or less-healthy eating patterns (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study examined that the eating patterns of children's favorite foods were associated with certain environmental characteristics and awareness about the related policies. These findings suggest that a nutrition education program regarding children's favorite foods needs to be conducted according to the characteristics of students to develop their healthy eating habits and proper choice of favorite foods.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.67-76
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the parents' perceptions of children's favorite foods. Mothers of elementary school students in Seoul were asked in a survey about their perceptions of children's favorite foods and their opinions of the related policy. Respondents pointed out the problems of children's favorite foods including insufficient sanitation, concerns with food additives, untrustworthy manufacturer, unsafe food distribution system and overuse of MSG. Overall hazardous perceptions of children's favorite foods were 2.71 out of 4.00. Most respondents believed that the children's favorite foods contained some harmful ingredients or over nutrients, and 69.2% of those respondents knew exactly which ingredients may cause children's health problems. The hazardous perception of chocolate, yogurt, sport drink and fruit drink were low compared to others, whereas hazardous perceptions and accuracy were high in candies, icebars, hamburgers and pizza, In terms of comprehensive countermeasures against unsafe children's foods, the respondents perceived that the establishment of standard amounts of nutrient value and food additives was the most important issue.

• The Korean Journal of Food & Health Convergence
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.1-4
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• 2020

This study analyzed in nutrient contents changes of adult's favorite foods between March 2019 and July 2020 after policy implementation nutrient-poor foods based on special act on safety control of adult's dietary life in Korea. Among adult's favorite foods manufactured or sold in 2020 as well as 2019, calories and key nutrients in breads, ice creams and pizzas were improved in comparison to those in the other food groups. However, most of the changes in calories or key nutrient contents exist. The newly introduced candies, breads showed slightly greater improvements in calories and key nutrient contents than in 2019. On the other hand, some negative changes were found in newly introduced chocolates in comparison to previous ones. Overall, policy implementation on foods seemed to induce changes in nutrient contents of adult's favorite foods. In particular, nutrition education is reported to have a positive impact on adult's frequency and preference for processed foods, and more systematic and continuous nutrition education measures should be devised to help adult as consumers selectively purchase healthy foods. This research is meaningful in that it is the first study to analyze the quality changes of adult's favorite foods since the high-calorie and low-nutrient food management policy.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.106-116
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• 2019

Objectives: This study examined the status of children's favorite foods intake and the relationship with the policy environment based on the Special Act on Safety Control of Children's Dietary Life for suggesting a supportive policy strategy. Methods: The subjects were 4th grade students (n=1,638) in elementary school from 45 schools collected from seven areas (Seoul, Daegu, Daejeon, Gyeonggi, Chungnam, Jeonbuk, and Gyeongnam). The children participated in a self-administered questionnaire survey in class under the supervision of the teacher. The questionnaire consisted of items, such as social demographic characteristics, frequency of intake of the children's favorite foods, and policy cognition. A t-test and ANOVA were applied to explore the relationship between the frequency of children's favorite foods intake and policy cognition. The survey was implemented from August 2016 to September 2016. Results: For the boys, the frequency of 'high-calorie low nutrient foods intake' (HCLN) was significantly higher than that of the girls (p<0.01). For the children who received information on their favorite foods from the internet, the frequency of HCLN was higher than the other sources (p<0.01). The time of TV viewing and computer usage, and smartphone usage was associated with a higher frequency of HCLN, and a lower healthy favorite food intake (all p<0.001). The intake frequency of healthy favorite foods indicated a positive correlation with the policy cognition, including policy perception, usefulness, necessity and buying intention, and educational experience. Conclusions: This study showed a correlation with the frequency of children's favorite foods intake and policy. In particular, the frequency of children's healthy favorite foods intake indicated a meaningful relationship with the policy than the frequency of HCLN. This study also found that the consumption of children's healthy favorite foods was positively correlated with the educational experience. To develop a supportive policy for a good dietary environment for children, there is a need to focus on how to collaborate with multiple levels of influences, such as the national level, school level, and family.

• Journal of Food Hygiene and Safety
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• v.31 no.3
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• pp.176-185
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• 2016

This study was performed to investigate elementary school children's awareness on children's favorite foods and their consumption behavior of the foods. This study also focused on the association between the variables and gender/grade. We conducted a cross-sectional survey with direct interview among three hundreds and six elementary school children (188 boys and 118 girls) from 13 schools of a city of Korea, using a structured questionnaire. Among the overall proportion, more than 20% of the respondents did not know children's favorite foods and/or have no information source on the foods. More than 60% of the respondents consumed children's favorite foods more than 1 to 2 times a week. Only 16% respondents got information on children's favorite foods at home and 37% at school. There were significant correlations (p < 0.05) between gender/grades and knowledge/route of information on children's favorite foods. Boys had more knowledge than girls (p < 0.05), however they showed worse attitude on children's favorite foods and consumed more the foods. The higher grade children had more knowledge, better attitude and various routes of information on children's favorite foods (p < 0.05), but consumed more the foods. The results of this study indicate that there is a discrepancy between knowledge and attitude/behavior. This study also indicate that school food-service program and food hygiene/safety education in school and at home should be improved. Strong implementation of laws for regulation of selling adulterated food around elementary school may be another step in controlling consumption of the food by school children.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.336-344
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• 1999

This study was carried out to investigate the eating behaviors and the preferences of industrial workers in Korea. This survey was conducted from May 20 to June 20, 1998 by constructed questionnaires and the subjects were 364 males and 588 females. The results obtained were summarized as follows: 1) The subjects who didn't have breakfast regularly were 41.7% because they didn't have enough time to eat. The main type of breakfast were cooked rice. 2) The subjects who used the company cafeteria were 60.5% and men used the company cafeteria more than women. The most favorite side dishes by the subjects were roasted foods and next side dishes were seasoned foods. There were not significantly different the kinds of favorite side dishes between men and women. The main reason that the subjects preferred to a specific side dish was 'delicious'. 3) Foods and dishes that the subjects could approached frequently and easily made the eating habits changed. The most favorite meal types of the subjects were Korean foods because those were good taste for the subjects. The favorite snacks by men were ramyon and those by women were rolled rice(Gimbab). 4) The pan-fried foods(Jun) were the most favorite food in the cloudy day and the salads were the most favorite food in the sunny day. The most favorite taste of the subjects were light and clear tastes and next favorite taste of the subjects was salty tastes. This study shows that the eating habit of industrial workers could be changed by easily and frequently approached food and weather. In addition, the lacks of time was main reason that the subjects couldn't have regular breakfast. Therefore, it needs to develop the desirable programs and diet menus to consider the situation of the industrial workers and weather.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.650-662
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify middle school students' caffeine intake from their favorite foods containing caffeine as well as several factors related to their intake. The objects of the investigation were 369 middle school students in the urban area of Changwon-si and 358 middle school students in the rural area of Haman-gun. The average height was 162.3cm, average weight was 52.3 kg and average BMI was 19.8. The food habit score was generally positive at an average of 3.37. The food habit scores of rural area students were higher than those of urban area students (p<.05). The average stress score was somewhat low at 2.82. The stress index for rural students was lower than that of urban students (p<.01). The recognition of caffeine in favorite foods was 8.12 out of a 12 point scale. The average nutritional knowledge score regarding caffeine was very low at 3.08 out of a 10 point scale. The main reason for selecting favorite foods was 'taste'. The percentage of students who don't check food labels was 49.1%. 'House' was the main location while 'good taste' was the biggest reason for eating caffeine-containing foods. The main side effect of caffeine intake was 'nausea'. The average daily caffeine intake for all subjects was 26.96 mg, with the urban students averaging 27.90 mg and the rural students averaging 25.99 mg. The correlations between several factors and caffeine intake were examined. Food habit showed a negative correlation with stress score and caffeine intake. Nutritional knowledge and recognition of caffeine had positive correlations with caffeine intake. Hence nutritional education about caffeine should be emphasized to improve students' healthy food habits.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.524-532
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• 2010

The Na, component of salt, can increase the risk of high blood pressure and hypertension. Especially, children are exposed to an increased risk of high sodium intake, because they often consume Na-rich processed foods and commercially prepared foods in the street. However, the database for the sodium and chloride content for these children's favorite foods is insufficient. In this study, the Na and Cl contents in 89 children's favorite foods were analyzed by using Instrumental Neutron Activation Analysis (INAA) method. The analyzed food items were presented after being classified into 33 kinds of food groups. The Na contents in 100 g children's favorite foods ranged from 0.3 mg to 35.1mg in fruits, 28.9mg to 82.5mg in milks, 127.2 mg to 602.2 mg in breads, cakes, sandwiches, and rice cakes, 2.5 mg to 1169.9 mg in candies, cookies and ice creams, 226.9 mg to 693.7 mg in commercially prepared street foods, and 103.4 mg to 875.8 mg in fast foods of westernized restaurant. Among children's favorite food groups, 100 g fried chicken, hotdog, burgers, and donuts contained an average Na of 536 mg, 553 mg, 794 mg, and 562.2 mg, respectively, so they are classified as 'high Na foods'. In contrast, 100 g fruits and dairy products contained Na an average 4.9 mg and 43.4 mg, respectively, being classified as 'low Na foods'. One serving of ramen, mandu noodle, and burger pizza can supply over 667mg Na, which is one third of the KDRI targeted intake. Likewise, the Cl contents in children's favorite foods were diverse according to food groups. The Cl contents in the analyzed foods differed from the 1.5 times of Na content, which is assumed in general. This study showed that the Na and Cl contents in children's favorite foods are very diverse. Conclusively, a strategy to reduce Na contents in the fast foods such as noodles and westernized restaurant foods is necessary for children health.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.475-488
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• 2010

The daily caffeine intake from elementary school children's favorite foods was surveyed and evaluated. Children may respond to caffeine differently from adults because they have different physiological makeup and are functionally immature. Therefore, caffeine exposure may have more serious consequences for children than for adults, irrespective of sensitivity. Their preference, perception, and intake of caffeine from children's favorite foods were investigated by questionnaire for 355 children. The order of children's preference over foods containing caffeine was ice cream and ices, confectionary, milk and milk products, and soft beverage. The daily caffeine intake of children was estimated to range from 0.16 to 917.28 mg/day, with an average of $36.04\;{\pm}\;82.7$ mg/day and $36.9\;{\pm}\;96.0$ mg/day for boys and girls, respectively. The daily caffeine intake according to body weight was $1.08\;{\pm}\;2.23$ mg/kg and $1.12\;{\pm}\;2.66$ mg/kg for boys and girls, respectively. The percentage of acceptable daily intake (ADI) of caffeine was 43.4% for boys and 44.9% for girls. The sources of caffeine for boys and girls were soft beverage (18.3 mg and 16.1 mg), milk and milk products (8.9 mg and 8.5 mg), ice cream and ices (5.7 mg and 7.3 mg), chocolate (1.6 mg and 3.2 mg), and confectionery (1.6 mg and 1.8 mg).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.95-102
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• 1988

This survey was performed to investigate the favorite foods of housewives lived in the metropolitan area and farm and fishing village, and to find the correlation of the results between those two areas. The most favorite staple foods of housewives in both areas were boiled rice, and iced noodle in noodles. The most favorite sidedishes were beef soup, pot stew with soybean paste, roasted ribs, beef, pickled wild seasame leaf, fried shrimp and pickled korean cabbage. The most favorite one in beverages was fruit punch, and in teas was coffee. Jangachies(pickled vegetables with spices) were in complete correlation, on the other hands buns, fruits, seasoned greens and broths were in the convese correlation between the metropolitan area and farm and fishing village. Teas, diet foods, meats, pan boilings, confections, noodles, somothered dishes, fried foods, boiled rices, Kimchies, rice cakes, hard-boiled foods in soy and beverages were in the general correlation between those two areas.