• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.140-156
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• 2023

Children are very sensitive to exposure to heavy metals such as mercury which can accumulate in the body. Exposure to even low concentrations of such metals is reported to be very harmful to health. An evaluation of the mercury content of meals in public elementary schools could provide information which could be used to reduce this level. Two public elementary schools were selected from 16 cities and provinces. The meals provided were analyzed in the third week of spring, summer, fall, and winter. The average mercury allowance per meal was calculated using the provisional tolerable weekly intake (PTWI) established by the government. The number of instances of excess content observed was compared by region based on the mercury allowance per meal, and the frequency of use of mercury-containing marine products that cause the excessive levels was identified. The results of analyzing a total of 575 menus revealed that the use of marine and processed marine products with a high mercury content was more in the coastal areas. The mercury content in school meals was also higher in coastal areas than in inland areas. Conversely, in inland areas, the frequency of intake of marine products and marine products with a high mercury content was low, and the amount of mercury intake in school meals was also correspondingly low. In conclusion, this study intended to provide information that could be used to make school meal menus safer. This data can be used to replace school meal menus with high mercury content in coastal areas with menus with low mercury content.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.849-857
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is to investigate 5th grade elementary school girls' effort to recognize and use nutritional labels on processed foods and restaurant meals to encourage dietary behavior. The subjects (n=976) were divided into three groups (effort group, n=711; normal group, n=193; and no-effort group, n=72) depending on level of effort for the healthy dietary behavior such as eating balanced meals, eating three meals regularly, and eating meals slowly. In the effort group, the frequency of food intake for breads, ramen, noodles and fast foods was significantly lower, while frequency of food intake for fruits and vegetables and salad was significantly higher than in the other two groups. In the effort group, the ratio of the respondents that perception of nutrition labeling on processed foods and restaurant meals was 80.5% and 31.4% and the ratio of girls who checked the nutrition labeling at their point of purchase was 71.1% and 24.7%, respectively. Reasons given for not reading nutrition labeling for restaurant meals were 'not interested' for 34.6% of the effort group, and 52.2% of the no-effort group. Therefore, it is necessary to create an educational program on healthy dietary behavior, including how to read nutrition labeling and establishment of proper body image perception for elementary school girls.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.99-116
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• 2011

The purpose of this study is to analyze the effects of the frequencies of family leisure activities and family meals and family closeness on the sociality of elementary school children. From October 1 to November 30, 2010, data were collected from 290 elementary school children and their parents residing in Seoul and Incheon. The major findings of this study were as follows. First, there was a significant difference between double-income and single-income families in the frequency of family meals single-income families enjoyed fewer family leisure activities and more family meals than double-income families did. Second, the levels of family closeness were significantly predicted by the frequencies of family leisure activities and family meals, and family meals more significantly predicted the levels of family closeness than did family leisure activities. Finally, the frequencies of family leisure activities and family meals significantly predicted the levels of children's sociality, as did the levels of family closeness. In conclusion, family leisure and family meals are important activities that enhance family closeness and children's sociality.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.6
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• pp.690-703
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• 1997

The purpose of this study were to analyze work function and labor productivity in school foodservice systems through work sampling methodology. Conventional foodservice were classified into 5 group depending on the number of meals served. Commissary school foodservices were also classified into 5 group by cluster analysis using the number of meals served, the number of satellite schools, and the duration of time for delivery of food. Work measurement through work sampling methodology was conducted in at 5 conventional and 21 commissary food -services during 3 consecutive days from September to October in 1995. Results from work measurement through work sampling methodology were as followed : The most prevalent work functions was cleaning (26.5%) and then processing (25.1%) in conventional while it was processing (30.9%) and then cleaning(25.2%) in commissary school foodservice. Delay was 22.9% and 19.7% respectively. Mean labor minutes per meal of conventional and commissary foodservics were 4.57 and 4.09 minutes, respectively : no significant difference in labor minutes per meal existed between the two systems. but mean labor minutes per meal of commissary foodsevices(1.79min) was significantly lower than that of conventional foodservice(2.33min) during work time before service (p<0.05). Productivity was significantly lower in foodservices which served less than 400 servings ; n significant differences existed among 401-70, 701-1,100 and 1,101-1,500 meals. The highest productivity was in conventional school foodservices which served 1,501-1,900meals. Labor minutes per meal of commissary school foodservice which served less than 400meals per day was significantly lower than those of foodservice which served 401-1,900meals (p<0.05). Labor minutes per meal, preparation and cleaning were positively correlation in two school foodservice systems.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.243-256
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• 2018

Objectives: We evaluated the extent to which implementation of student participation programs in serving school meals impacts student perception and satisfaction with school foodservice in middle and high school settings. Methods: Students' perception of management and satisfaction with quality attributes of school foodservice were assessed by questionnaire methods and compared by the program implementation status of student participation in serving school meals. Correlation and multiple regression analyses were performed to identify factors affecting perception and satisfaction. Results: The overall mean score for perception regarding the management of school foodservice was low (3.53 out of 10 points) and middle school students showed a higher mean score than high school students (4.10 vs. 2.94 points). In both middle and high schools, student perception was significantly higher in schools implementing the program. The average score for student satisfaction with the quality of school foodservice was 3.50 out of 5 points. Similarly, we observed a significantly higher satisfaction among middle versus high school students (3.93 vs. 3.04 points) and in schools implementing the program versus those that were not. Overall, student participation in serving school meals resulted in increases in satisfaction with school foodservice of 0.269 and 0.466 points among middle and high school students, respectively. Conclusions: Implementation of student participation in serving school meals could be used as a strategy to improve perception and satisfaction of students with their school foodservice. Establishment of guidelines of student serving participation programs encompassing different perspectives from students, dietitians and school faculties are warranted.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.103-116
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• 2014

The purpose of this study is to examine the influence of family mealtime on the childrens' school adaptation. This study uses data from the 2012 Survey on Child Education and School Involvement of Parents by the Center for Family-School Partnership Policy Research at Seoul National University. Survey data was collected from 1500 parents with school-aged children. For the data analysis, Chi sqaure test and hierarchical linear regression analyses were conducted. The results of these analyses showed that the numbers of family meals shared averaged 4.26 times per week for breakfast and 4.33 times per week for dinner. There were significant differences in the number of family meals shared together according to school level, residence area, and parent employment status, and household income. In addition, childrens' school adaptation was significantly different depending on school level, parent gender, parent education, and parent employment status. Finally, according to the hierarchical regression analyses, the number of family meals shared significantly predicted childrens' school adaptation. The greater number of family meals shared, the stronger the childrens' school adaptation. These results indicate that family mealtime has a positive effect on childrens' school adaptation. This study suggests that family mealtime is an indicator of family strength and it needs to guarantee family shared time at least to have a dinner together. This study could provide grounds for making family policy and education policy in order to guarantee family shared time.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2009

The objective of this study was to determine the overall conditions related to family meals-including perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors-among elementary school children. The data were collected from 464 male and female students attending elementary schools in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do in December 2006 to February 2007, using self-administered questionnaires. The results were as follows: 77.7% of the students regarded family meals as meals eaten with all family members living together in a household. With regard to the frequency of family meals, 40.9% of the students reported that they ate with their family 'more than once per day'. 74.7% of the students reported that they enjoyed family meals because mealtime is a time to talk with other family members. When the degree of satisfaction with life was evaluated using a Likert scale (strongly satisfied-5 points, strongly unsatisfied-1 point), the results showed a significantly higher level of satisfaction with their daily lives, health, nutritious conditions, and family care. Students had more positive psychological feelings as the frequency of family meals increases. Likewise, the groups who frequently ate family meals scored higher in positive attitudes and behaviors toward family meals, thereby implying that the consumption of family meals is associated with the promotion of familial relationships, psychological stability, and positive thinking in children. These findings indicate that attention should be directed toward increasing the frequency of family meals and creating a positive family meal environment.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.222-232
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• 2016

Purpose: Sodium intake in school meals is very high. Accordingly, many health problems have emerged. The objective of this study was to assess school dietitian's awareness and practice of sodium contents in urban and rural locations schools and suggest sodium reduction plan in school meal service. Methods: A total of 524 nationwide school dietitians from elementary, middle, and high schools in south Korea were surveyed using questionnaires to determine their awareness and practicing behavior for reducing high-salt contents in meals. Sodium reduction plan was then suggested accordingly. Results: Most school dietitians (83%, n=436) were aware of the necessities of sodium reduction in school meals. They were aware of optimum sodium levels at 700-1000 mg. However, the percentages of dietitians who had practicing behavior of using measuring utensils for seasoning were 20.7% (n=108), 14.9% (n=78), and 13.5% (n=71) in elementary, middle, and high schools, respectively (p<0.001). Dietitians in urban elementary and middle schools had significantly (p<0.01) higher practicing behavior of using measuring utensils compared to those in rural locations. Considering low levels of soup contents with high amount of leftover, the desirable soup portions to be reduced were '50-100 mL' (n=66, 12.7%) for elementary school and '100-150 mL' for middle school (n=62, 12.0%) and high school (n=57, 11.0%, p<0.001). Conclusion: Dietitians' awareness for sodium reduction was high but their practicing behavior was relatively low. Thus, continuous efforts are required to develop reduced-sodium menu by promoting the use of measuring utensils when preparing meals and by planning no soup meal day or educating students and teachers about the importances of reducing sodium in school meals.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.57-70
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• 2003

The purpose of this survey was to investigate the status of dietitians' nutrition management in school lunch program. Questionaries were distributed to 233 dietitians of elementary schools and 10 dietitians of high schools in Seoul and Incheon provinces. The statistical analysis of data was completed using SPSS program. The results were summarized as follows : 78.4% of Seoul and 48.6% of Incheon among the whole students were served their meals in the classrooms. 70.0% of dietitians were 30-39 years old and 31.4% had a career less 5-7 years old. The standardized recipe was used in 71.6% of total schools but not effectively in both provinces. The students' nutrition and preferences were the very first to be considered in menu planning in both provinces. The nutrient value of meals was evaluated by the dietitians in most schools. Nutrition surveys of the meals which students are eating at home were surveyed in 27.3% of Seoul and 53.2% of Incheon. Students' preferences were studied regularly in 65.4% of Seoul and 78.9% of Incheon, and students evaluations of meals were carried out by the school lunch program in 74.6% of Seoul, and 68.8% of Incheon. In 49.6% of Seoul and 53.2% of Incheon, leftover foods were measured for each meal. 38.5% of Seoul used per a week and 48.6% of Incheon used per 2-3 week the processed foodstuffs. In 17.2% of Seoul and 25.2% of Incheon, nutrition education was executed by direct education, but educational methods were done mostly by letterssent to students' parents(76.9% of Seoul and 85.3% of Incheon). Evaluation studies on nutrition management, and nutrition education were hardly correlated to the dietitian's career and educational level. The number of meals served by the school lunch program have no related with the students' preferences. For improvement of nutrition management of school lunch program, it is necessary to develop new nutrition management model and nutrition education program.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.129-138
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the satisfaction with school meal service and the food preference in elementary school students who are in their growth period. A total of 484 students (242 boys) participated and completed a questionnaire survey. The results indicated that the merit of school meals was the highest in 'balanced diet'. 'Food hygiene' and 'delicious food' were the most important factors in school meals. Most of the students wanted 'balance between eastern and western foods' and 'new dishes' for the menu of school meals. For the distribution of meals, 'various kinds of side dishes' and 'warmth of dishes' were mainly required. The main problems of the current environment of school meals were 'long waiting time' and 'noise of the cafeteria'. In satisfaction with the school meal service, the highest satisfactory factor was 'staffs' cleanliness', following 'arrangement of furniture in cafeteria' and 'nutrition information-providing'; whereas, the lowest factor was 'staffs' kindness'. In the preference of foods, students preferred 'white rice'; whereas they did not like 'bean rice'; and 'fried rice' was preferred. In side dishes with meat and fish, most of the meats including 'Tangsuyuk' and 'Bulgogi' were preferred. For fish, 'fried hairtail' was preferred; whereas, 'fried Spanish mackerel' was not. In case of kimchi, 'Chinese cabbage kimchi' and 'cubed radish kimchi' were especially preferred. Considering these results, intensive improvement is required to increase school meal satisfaction by understanding the students' needs. An effort to allow the students' preferences to be reflected in the menu is also needed.