• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.190-196
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• 2015

Restaurants implement menu labeling to provide nutritional information to customers in an attempt to help customers select healthy menu items. Considering the increase in food-away-from-home consumption, the purpose of this study was to identify motivators and barriers in restaurant customers regarding use of menu labeling. Data were collected from a survey on restaurant customers in Seoul, Korea. The findings of this study indicate that customers used menu labeling for health reasons. However, barriers to using menu labeling were identified as small font size, difficulty in locating nutritional information display, and difficulty in interpreting nutritional information. In addition, they also suggested expanding the scope of menu labeling for restaurants by including chain restaurants with less than 100 units. The findings of this study offer strategies for the government to improve menu labeling practices for customers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.20 no.6
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• pp.548-556
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• 2019

The purpose of this study is to analyze the impact of dietary lifestyles and demographic characteristics on the Brand image of restaurants with Nutritional labeling to provide basic marketing data for establishing differentiated Brand image strategies for restaurant businesses. To that end, the SPSS21.0 (ver.) program, frequency analysis, descriptive statistics, factor analysis, reliability analysis, correlation analysis, and multiple linear regression analysis were conducted to verify the hypothesis. As a result, the Brand image of restaurants with Nutritional labeling improved as the metropolitan area sought safety, non-capital area sought taste, males sought health, and females sought safety. In terms of age, it was analyzed that as more people in their 20s sought taste, those their 30s and 40s sought safety, and both married and unmarried people sought safety, the Brand image of restaurants with Nutritional labeling improved. In other words, it could be seen that people with Dietary lifestyles who pursued health and safety had positive images of restaurants with Nutritional labeling regardless of residential area, age, gender, marital status, or whether they had children.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.544-551
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• 2014

This study investigated customer perception of nutrition labeling at fast-food restaurants in Korea. Five hundred and fourteen customers with previous experience at fast-food restaurants were surveyed in July 2012 in Korea. A total of 502 completed questionnaires were analyzed (98.0%). The questionnaires asked about the general characteristics of the subjects, their perceptions and opinions of nutrition labeling at fast-food restaurants, any nutrients they would like to see included in nutrition labels, and their preferred nutrition labeling methods at fast-food restaurants. Of the respondents, 59.4% were male and 40.6% were female; 42.4% indicated that they eat at fast-food restaurants two to three times a month. Half of respondents (54.2%) knew of nutrition labeling of fast-food restaurants, with females being more aware than males. Males trusted nutrition labeling at fast-food restaurants more than females did, and more males than females responded that nutrition labeling helps when selecting healthy menu items. As for satisfaction with nutrition labeling at fast-food restaurants, males were more satisfied than females, and customers between 30 and 39 years old showed the highest rates of satisfaction. Calories was the criterion that most respondents (66.3%) wished to pre-displayed, followed by sodium and trans fat levels. Respondents mostly preferred nutrition labels at fast-food restaurants to be in the form of symbolic icons (36.5%). The results of this study can help shape the application of nutrition labeling at fast-food restaurants and can be used to help establish guidelines for nutritional education for customers in Korea.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.667-672
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To encourage healthier food choices for children in fast-food restaurants, many initiatives have been proposed. This study aimed to examine the effect of disclosing nutritional information on parents' meal choices for their children at fast-food restaurants in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online experimental survey using a menu board was conducted with 242 parents of children aged 2-12 years who dined with them at fast-food restaurants at least once a month. Participants were classified into two groups: the low-calorie group (n = 41) who chose at least one of the lowest calorie meals in each menu category, and the high-calorie group (n = 201) who did not. The attributes including perceived empowerment, use of provided nutritional information, and perceived difficulties were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The low-calorie group perceived significantly higher empowerment with the nutritional information provided than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.020). Additionally, the low-calorie group was more interested in nutrition labeling (P < 0.001) and considered the nutritional value of menus when selecting restaurants for their children more than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.017). The low-calorie group used the nutritional information provided when choosing meals for their children significantly more than did the high-calorie group (P < 0.001), but the high-calorie group had greater difficulty using the nutritional information provided (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that improving the empowerment of parents using nutritional information could be a strategy for promoting healthier parental food choices for their children at fast-food restaurants.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.106-119
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to examine restaurant customers' use of menu labeling and their perception of menu labeling attributes. Further, the study investigated relations of menu labeling use behavior, and perception of menu labeling attributes with behavioral intentions toward menu labeling. Using a self-administered survey conducted for 2 weeks from the 2nd week of October, 2015, data were collected from restaurant customers who were exposed to menu labeling over 3 months at the time of the survey. A total of 426 respondents completed the survey. Respondents were asked about use of menu labeling, usefulness, ease of understanding, accuracy, and demographic information. There was a difference in menu labeling use behavior according to age, whereas respondents aged 50 years or over showed significantly higher use of menu labeling than those in 20s (P<0.001). Perceptions of menu labeling attributes positively affected behavioral intentions towards menu labeling. While all three menu labeling attributes, 'usefulness', 'ease of understanding', and 'accuracy', were positive factors for behavioral intentions towards menu labeling, usefulness was the biggest attribute explaining behavioral intentions (P<0.001). The study findings offer implications that can be applied to academics, the foodservice industry, and government in an attempt to nurture a healthy eating environment through provision of nutritional information at restaurants.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.243-250
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the effect of nutrition labeling formats on parents' food choices for their children at different restaurant types. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online survey was conducted with 1,980 parents of children aged 3-12 years. Participants were randomly assigned to fast food or family restaurant scenarios, and one of four menu stimuli conditions: no labeling, low-calorie symbol (symbol), numeric value (numeric), and both low-calorie symbol and numeric value (symbol + numeric). Participants selected menu items for their children. Menu choices and total calories were compared by nutrition labeling formats in each type of the restaurant. RESULTS: Low-calorie item selections were scored and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) was conducted for an interaction effect between restaurant and labeling type. In the fast food restaurant group, parents presented with low-calorie symbols selected the lowest calorie items more often than those not presented with the format. Parents in the symbol + numeric condition selected significantly fewer calories (653 kcal) than those in the no labeling (677 kcal) or numeric conditions (674 kcal) (P = 0.006). In the family restaurant group, no significant difference were observed among different labeling conditions. A significant interaction between restaurant and labeling type on low-calorie selection score (F = 6.03, P < 0.01) suggests that the effect of nutrition labeling format interplays with restaurant type to jointly affect parents' food choices for their children. CONCLUSIONS: The provision of easily interpretable nutritional information format at fast food restaurants may encourage healthier food choices of parents for their children; however, the effects were negligible at family restaurants.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.420-429
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• 2009

The purposes of this study were to investigate the perception of nutrition labeling on restaurant menus, and to analyze the differences among subject's characteristics, eating-out behaviors, and dietary attitudes. Information concerning general characteristics, health status, eating-out behaviors and dietary attitudes of subjects was collected by a structured questionnaire. From January 5th to February 27th in 2009, 406 questionnaires were completed by 157 males and 249 females. Statistical analyses were performed using by SPSS 14.0 package program. The perception of the importance of nutrition labeling was 3.89, while knowledge of whether restaurants provided sufficient nutrition information scored 2.26 indicating that being highly conscious of nutrition labeling, respondents did not view the supplied information as sufficient. Nutritional perception was greater in females and varied in both genders with age and health status. Significant differences concerning the perceptions of nutrition labeling were evident, based on eating-out behaviors and dietary attitudes. The results imply that nutrition labeling on restaurant menus should be based on consumer characteristics. Relevant nutrition labeling might help improve health by encouraging proper dietary habits and providing valuable nutritional information. Recognition of the importance of nutrition labeling and strategic implementation of labeling in menus would be prudent strategies for restaurant managers. (Korean J Community Nutrition 14(4) : 420${\sim}$429, 2009)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.432-438
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• 2015

The purpose of menu labeling is to offer eating environments with improved healthy food selection. Similar to U.S. policies, the Korea government enforces the Special Act on Children's Food Safety and Nutrition for provision of nutritional labeling in chain restaurants. Considering the importance of dining services for college students and their interests in health, this study examined college students' perception toward nutrition information provided by university dining services. A survey was conducted for university students. Students' recognition of nutrition information for university dining services was lower than recognition of nutrition information for commercial food services. The most common reason cited by students for considering nutrition information of university dining services was customer rights, followed by health maintenance. Students showed a high tendency to use nutrition information of university dining services. College students' motivation for knowing nutrition information of university dining services included health and value interests. Students' knowledge of nutrition had a positive effect on their intention to know nutrition information. The findings of this study offer university administrators and contract food service management companies directions for developing menu labeling for university dining services.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.12
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• pp.2068-2075
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to investigate the perception of university students on nutritional information according to food and nutrition labeling systems. A total of 310 customers, who visited family restaurant, were surveyed by a self-recorded questionnaire from March 2006 to April 2011. A total of 286 respondents were surveyed; of the respondents, 108 were males and 178 were females. Two surveys were conducted on the perception of the respondent's health: once in 2006 and once in 2011. According to these surveys, 63.6% and 54% of respondents perceived themselves as unhealthy, respectively. When ordering a meal, respondents were more concerned with price rather than taste, nutrition, new menu items, and food presentation. Compared with 2006, in 2011 more respondents felt that family restaurants provided enough nutritional information and practical use of that information to their customers. When surveyed, respondents felt that the total calories played a significantly higher role in ordering food than foods with higher nutritional values. There was a significant increase in satisfaction with the current nutrition labeling system; in 2006, $2.87{\pm}0.99$, and 2011, $3.35{\pm}0.84$. There was also a significant increase in individuals who felt that there was a need for an ingredient labeling system; $3.68{\pm}0.9$ in 2006 and $4.32{\pm}0.61$ in 2011. There was also a higher demand for nutritional information; $2.85{\pm}0.66$ in 2006, $3.06{\pm}0.65$ in 2011. From these results, it was concluded that the nutrition labeling system adopted by family restaurants did not affect the degree of customers' interest in nutritional information. Contrast to the results, the amount and frequency of nutritional information provided to customers have increased continuously since 2006. Therefore, the nutrition labeling system and recommended dietary allowance should be expanded in order to promote a healthy diet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.46 no.10
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• pp.1243-1252
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• 2017

There are limited programs for low sodium intake based on the nutrition education model for housewives who cook family meals. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effects of model-based nutrition programs for low sodium intake among housewives residing in Seoul by incorporating social cognitive theory. A questionnaire survey before and after education was conducted on 140 housewives who participated in the 'Low Sodium Nutritional Education Program' delivered by a district public health center for 12 weeks from November 2015 to January 2016. The contents of the nutrition education program and program evaluation items were based on the action plans for 'Less Sodium Healthy Practice' suggested by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The results show that program participants showed a lower preference for sodium, higher selection of low sodium dishes from restaurants or cafeteria if available, and increased awareness of the need of restaurants to serve low sodium dishes compared to before. In terms of behavioral changes, there were significant improvements in checking nutrition labeling and selection of foods with low sodium, use of low sodium food products, use of natural seasonings to reduce salt intake, and consumption of fast foods and processed foods. On the other hand, requesting less salty meals when ordering and introducing restaurants or cafeterias with healthy and low sodium menus turned out to be difficult to put into practice. In conclusion, the nutrition education program for sodium intake reduction for housewives was effective in increasing knowledge, environment recognition, and behaviors related to low sodium intake but not behaviors related to physical environmental factors. Therefore, further nutrition education programs and practices for sodium intake reduction should be comprehensively implemented with improvement of physical environments for low sodium intake.