• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.480-494
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• 2023

Objectives: This study sought to assess the effectiveness of community-based nutrition counseling on improving nutritional status, managing complex chronic diseases, and enhancing the quality of life for elderly individuals with chronic conditions, particularly in older adults with high levels of food insecurity and multiple chronic illnesses. Methods: Thirty elderly subjects with diabetes and hypertension who were registered at local Senior Welfare Center received individualized nutrition counseling, based on their Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E) index. Over a 16-week period, they received tailored counseling and underwent various health and nutritional assessments. The final analysis included 28 participants after two dropped out. Data analysis was conducted using the SPSS v28.0. Results: The subjects were over 70, with multiple chronic diseases including diabetes and hypertension and predominantly female. After 16 weeks, significant improvements were observed in the subjects' grip strength, and HbA1c levels, as well as in their NQ-E scores, indicating improved dietary balance and diversity. There were no significant improvements in the 'Moderation' subdomain of the NQ-E index, suggesting that this aspect requires further attention in nutritional counseling. The subjects' nutritional risk scores (NSI) were also significantly decreased, indicating less nutritional risk. Lastly, as measured by the SF-36K, the subjects' quality of life showed significant improvement in several domains including physical role performance and social function. Conclusions: This study demonstrates that tailored nutrition counseling, based on the NQ-E index, can improve elderly health, manage chronic diseases, and enhance quality of life. This approach potentially broadens the scope of community nutritionists' roles within an aging society. However, additional research is necessary to evaluate these interventions' long-term effects and sustainability.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.39 no.9
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• pp.1305-1312
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the perception and satisfaction on the nutrition counseling service for patients consuming a therapeutic diet at hospitals in Busan. The subjects were 153 inpatients at five hospitals with over 400 beds each. The research was performed through the interviewing process using questionnaires conducted from January to February, 2008. In a total of 88 patients, 57.5% had experienced nutrition counseling and were through the motives of counseling with doctors 64.2% and themselves 29.3% of the patients. In the method of nutrition counseling, 58% of the patients had an individual counseling. In the patients' perception on the nutrition counseling, 75.0% of the patients understood very well, 83.0% of them perceived the explanation as very important, 79.5% were very satisfied and 78.7% were helped in nutrition-management. On a scale of 5.00 for the nutrition counseling satisfaction, the average scores were 3.80 for 'explanation of knowledge', 3.71 for 'cognitive communication skills', 4.05 for 'effective communication skills' and 3.60 for 'facilitation skills'. The items of low scores in the nutrition counseling satisfaction were 'follow up diet-therapy after discharge', 'providing to personalized nutrition information', 'presentation of specific menu' and 'methods of menu planning'. There were significant (p<0.01) positive correlation between perception and satisfaction on the nutrition counseling. Therefore, it was suggested that dietitians increase the patients' satisfaction on the nutrition counseling with developing the model based on the patient-centered counseling.

• Journal of Wellbeing Management and Applied Psychology
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.55-65
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aims to analyze the status and realities of mental health counseling experiences among adults using the 2022 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(NHNES) data. The goal is to provide policy recommendations for enhancing mental health services. Research Methods: Utilizing secondary data analysis of the 2022 survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency(KDCPA), this study applied statistical techniques including descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression to evaluate counseling experiences based on age, gender, residential area, and income levels. Results: The study included 5,256 participants, with the highest proportion being those aged 60-69 (21.3%) and the lowest aged 19-29 (11.7%). Females constituted 56.5% of the sample, while males made up 43.5%. Older adults (60-69 and 70+) had significantly lower counseling experience rates compared to younger adults (19-29). Females had higher counseling experience rates than males, indicating gender differences in mental health service utilization. Urban residents had higher counseling experience rates than rural residents, suggesting better access to mental health services in urban areas. Lower income levels were associated with higher counseling experience rates, highlighting the need for targeted mental health support for economically disadvantaged groups. Conclusions: The study recommends developing age-specific, gender-sensitive, and regionally tailored mental health programs to improve accessibility and effectiveness. Additionally, policies should focus on enhancing mental health support for low-income individuals to address the socioeconomic disparities in mental health service utilization.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.266-275
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the perception and needs of doctors on clinical nutrition services. A cross-sectional survey design was used. The doctors' perception and needs were assessed by questionnaires that had been specifically designed for the study. The research was conducted from February 14 to March 15, 2011 for 544 doctors at 42 large hospitals (with over 400 beds). Ninety-eight percent of doctors responded that clinical nutrition service was important. The mean scores of importance on clinical nutrition service were 4.45 for 'nutrition screening at admission', 4.50 for 'treatment of malnutrition', and 4.43 for 'nutrition education and counseling'. The mean scores of needs for clinical nutrition service were 4.42 for 'individual nutrition counseling & education' 4.39 for 'nutrition management for malnourished patients' and 'nutrition management for tube fed patients'. The medical specialists showed significantly (P<0.01) higher scores than the residents on the importance and needs for clinical nutrition services. Eighty-five percent of the doctors recognized the necessity of the specialized dietitians classified by diseases. The medical specialists (93.8%) showed significantly (P<0.01) higher recognition of this necessity than the residents (77.7%). The low residents' perceptions of the importance and needs for clinical nutrition services will necessitate clinical nutrition education plans. The departments of clinical nutrition in universities should improve the ability and skills of the clinical dietitians.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.417-429
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• 1999

The status of general food service administration and nutrition education was investigated in 111 elementary schools located in Inchon Metropolitan Area by questionnaires. The results are as follows ; 1. Most schools served 5 lunches per week. Meal cost per capita was 1212.1 won in urban type school and 979.0 won in rural type school. Most schools(91.9%) had 1 regular dietitian and 1 regular cook. With increasing number of students the number of temporary employees increased significantly. Most school dietitians(86.5%) were in their twenties and had 2 year careers. 2. Most dietitians(90.1%) planned the menu based on the RDA with the first consideration in nutritional needs of the students. Many dietitians(81.8%) surveyed on the food preferences of the students at least once a year. About 86% of the schools had the food service committee which was helpful. Dietitians were the first one in charge of food purchasing and checking, and sometimes a manager in general school affairs worked together. One third of the schools used the volunteer parents in food services. 3. Most school dietitians(97.2%) gave the students nutrition education using handouts once a week. However, they could not teach the students through the classroom lecture because they are not the regular teachers. Food garbages were removed by the professional trash collecting company or by using fermentation machines or by giving them to animals as feeds. School events concerning the food and nutrition were mostly drawing pictures and composition. Only 36.4% of the school dietitians had experienced in nutrition counseling for an individual student. Most of them(99.1%) thought that individual counseling is necessary if they have enough time and chances to do.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.203-211
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• 2010

The principal objective of this study was to evaluate the perceived management performance and importance level of nutrition teachers by school administrators in the Chonbuk area. Self-administered questionnaires were collected from 142 school administrators. Statistical data analysis was completed using SPSS v. 12.0. Approximately 74.6% of the subjects were men. About 37% of subjects were principals, 33% were vice principals, and 35% were administrative directors, with over 60% aged 40~50 years(p<0.05). Among the 142 schools evaluated, 82.7% were located in urban areas and 17.3% were in rural areas. About 98% of the schools served meals in the dining room(p<0.05). Approximately 68% of the schools employed nutrition teachers and 33.4% had school dietitians(p<0.001). The result indicated that the overall importance level(4.24) was higher than the performance level(3.97)(p<0.001). In a survey of the degree of task performance by nutrition teachers, administrators regarded sanitation management was evaluated as the most important performance parameter(4.49), other management attributes as very important parameters(4.41), with nutrition counseling being much less important(2.76) and meal service being least important(3.29; except for classroom teachers). According to the title of the subjects, evaluations of administrative directors were lower than evaluations of principals and the vice principals. The results indicate that nutrition teachers should not only have meal service management as their main duty, but should also be involved in constructing a life-long health management system for students and teachers by conducting nutrition education and counseling, and should be active in the development of nutrition education programs and in the duties of sanitation management of school meals.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.299-309
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition education with nutrition services provided by dietitians who were placed in child care facilities from the Korean Dietetic Association. For this, we investigated the levels of nutrition knowledge and dietary intakes of children who attended child-care centers as well as dietary practices of children assessed by their parents. The treatment for children consisted of nutrition education and food service activities that are provided by the dietitian who have 3 to 5 years experience. Nutrition education was implemented during 10 weeks, 20 times, and a total 400 min and it's effectiveness was evaluated by questionnaire. Data were obtained for 123 children aged 4 to 5 years old who attended four child-care centers, one for a control group and 3 for intervention groups. Dietary intakes were investigated by measuring one-serving size and plate waste a of child for one-day dietary records before and after nutrition education. The levels of nutrition knowledge of children improved showing 70.80 points before to 83.45 points after nutrition education (p<0.001). Dietary intakes of the children after nutrition service increased significantly on cooked rice (133.66 g), Kimchi (19.41 g), side dish of meat/fish (48.40 g), and side dish of vegetables (24.88 g). Dietary practices of children after treatment also improved especially 'eat diverse meat, fish, egg, and bean' and 'never leave plate waste'. To summarize, this study pointed out that nutrition service and nutrition education provided by dietitians had influences on increases of the nutrition knowledge, dietary intake, and dietary practices. Therefore, placement of dietitians needs to extend to child care facilities from the 100 persons-over-capacity facility to the 50 persons-over-capacity facility, for providing professional service such as nutrition education and nutrition counseling.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.176-189
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of clinical nutrition services at various medical centers in Seoul, Korea. A questionnaire was distributed to the departments of nutrition at 44 hospitals in Seoul on July 2009. Nutritional screening carried out at a rate of 59.1% at the medical centers, and a significant difference was found according to the type of center, from 100% in tertiary hospitals to 18.8% in normal hospitals. On annual average, the numbers of inpatients, inpatients for malnutritional screening, inpatients with malnutrition, and inpatients for malnutrition management were 15,169.5, 10,870.9, 2,224.8, and 1,546.2, respectively. On average the group nutrition education was done 36.1 times/year for diabetes, 8.2 times/year for cancer, and 1.9 times/year for renal disease, and the numbers of participants 423.1, 95.1, and 31.5, respectively. On average the individual nutrition education of inpatients with diabetes was done 135.4 times/year for ordered-type, and 119.3 times/year for unordered-type, 106.2 times/year for paid-type, and 148.5 times/year for unpaid-type. The mean fee for education and counseling was the highest for peritoneal dialysis (73,090.9 won) but the lowest for heart disease (23,609.1 won). On average the individual nutrition education of outpatients with diabetes was done 234.6 times/year for ordered-type, and 2.5 times/year for unordered-type, 204.4 times/year for paid-type, and 32.7 times/year for unpaid-type. The mean fee for education and counseling was also the highest for peritoneal dialysis (63,500.0 won) but the lowest for heart disease (21,336.4 won). To implement more effective clinical nutrition service, a national medical insurance imbursement policy should be urgently instituted such that diseases left as unpaid are covered by health insurance, including all nutrition-related disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.626-635
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• 2009

The purposes of the study were to identify a comprehensive competency list related to the jobs of nutrition teachers and to compare the competency needs for nutrition teachers and dieticians' competency levels. Job functional areas and a competency list for nutrition teachers were developed based on a review of literature and revised through expert panel reviews. A total of 53 competency statements associated with 11 job functional areas were specified. Questionnaires were distributed to 457 dieticians engaged in school food service and 148 responses were returned (response rate: 32.4%). Excluding incomplete responses, 142 questionnaires were used for data analysis. Approximately half of the respondents were enrolled in an 1-year nutrition teacher certificate program, 25% in a graduate school of nutrition education, and 19% had completed an 1-year nutrition teacher certificate program. The dieticians highly rated requirements of the competencies related to sanitation and employee safety, nutrition counseling, nutrition education, and teaching practices; in contrary, their competency levels for nutrition education, nutrition counseling, and teaching practices were low. Respondents' competency levels were significantly lower than the required competency levels of effective nutrition teachers in all functional areas. A quadratic analysis based on the requirement and self-evaluation of the competencies revealed that priorities of education programs targeting school nutrition teachers or students preparing to be nutrition teachers should be placed on improving competencies related to nutrition education, nutrition counseling, teaching practices, sanitation and employee safety, menu management, and human resource management. These results can be used to develop curriculum materials for basic and continuing professional education for nutrition teachers. It is necessary to review and update competencies regularly to reflect environmental changes in school food service programs.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.12-24
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• 2016

Objectives: The objectives of the study were to investigate the school nutrition teachers' perception on their job and to find out recommendations needed for its improvement in order to provide a quality foodservice and nutrition education at schools. Methods: A total of 219 school nutrition teachers in Seoul were surveyed using selfadministered questionnaires. Results: The perceived importance of the 16 job duties was rated 3.8 based on a 5-point scale (1: very unimportant - 5: very important). The importance of six duties including nutrition management, production management, nutrition education, and food safety management were rated over 4 point but that of record-keeping for documents, official reporting, and service management was rated the lowest. Importance-Performance Analysis showed that nutrition management, receiving/storage management, production management, menu management, food safety management, and equipment/facilities management should be emphasized to maintain the current performance of duties. The performance of the nutrition education and counseling needed to be improved since the importance scores were greater than average but the performance scores were lower than the average. Official reporting and miscellaneous jobs were rated the highest for simplification need. More than half of the respondents agreed that equipment/facilities management, miscellaneous jobs, service staff supervision, and service line supervision could be allocated to other school departments. Conclusions: School nutrition teachers should invest more time and resources on their core job duties such as nutrition management, production management, food safety management, and nutrition education for providing quality foodservice and nutrition education. To reflect the environmental changes of school foodservice, a reasonable staffing index of school nutrition teachers needs to be developed. In addition, hiring an assistant or implementing school nutrition teacher internship programs can be useful to reduce workloads of the nutrition teachers.