• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.474-484
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• 2020

Objectives: The number of schools offering school lunches has increased in China. This study examined the dietary quality of the lunches consumed by Chinese school-age children and adolescents, with a focus on comparing school lunches with home lunches. Methods: The first weekday 24-hour dietary recall data of 6~17-year-old students (n=1,084) from the 2011 China Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed. The subjects were divided into the school lunch group and the home lunch group, and the dietary quality of lunches was compared between the two groups among 6~11-year-old students (n=634; 177 in the school lunch group and 457 in the home lunch group) and 12~17-year-old students (n=450; 144 in the school lunch group and 306 in the home lunch group), respectively. Frequently consumed foods, amount of food group intake, food group intake pattern, Dietary Diversity Score (DDS), and Dietary Variety Score (DVS) were examined. Results: The most frequently consumed foods in both lunch groups were rice and pork. An excessive intake of meat and insufficient intake of seafood were noted in both lunch groups. The school lunch group showed a lower level of vegetable consumption than the home lunch group (P=0.017 in 6~11-year-old students, P=0.003 in 12~17-year-old students). Although more students ate meals with a better dietary pattern in the school lunch group than the home lunch group, there were no significant differences in DDS and DVS between the two groups. Conclusions: Overall, the dietary quality of lunches was not superior in the school lunch group compared to the home lunch group. This suggests that much room remain for improving dietary quality of school lunches in China.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2004

As the school lunch program is expanding to middle and high schools in Korea, a survey has been conducted to provide informations of the types and menus which are most favored on 190 middle and high school students in Metropolitan area. The sources/menus of foods relating to their lunches were proportionally ranked as: school food services (54.2%): individual lunch-box from home(37.4%); take-out lunch box(3.7%): school cafeterias(1.6%): and commercial restaurant, undefined, and skip a meal(1.1%). For the present practices for lunch, 52.1 and 47.9% of the students responded satisfaction on its sources and menus, respectively. A meal valued less than 2,000 won was paid by 54.9% of the respondents. In the meantime, 33.7 and 55.4% of the students were unsatisfied with lunch box from home and school cafeteria of the present lunch practices, respectively. The reasons against their satisfactions were enumerated as their preferences for take-out lunch box(22.2%), school cafeteria(21.0%), outside restaurant(17.3%), individual lunch-box from home(16.1%), school cafeterias(8.6%), and undefined (14.8%). For the individual lunch-box from home, two major obstacles, i.e., it is neither warm to eat, nor diverse/properly-sized in side dishes, were reasons for dissatisfaction of the students. The school lunch programs were blamed for its poor taste and lacks of variety and volume of the side dish which is mostly composed of kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and bulgogi. The most popular side dishes were pork- or fish cutlets, hams, and sausages while food with carrots, garlics or red peppers, vegetables like pumpkins, lotus roots, and seasoned vegetables were mostly disliked. It was concluded that the school lunch programs for middle- and high school students could be settled down by preparing with well-nourished food items that suits students' taste best and be served at right temperature.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.163-173
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• 2005

School Lunch Program (SLP) should provide adequate and qualitative nutritional food for student's growth and proper food habit. With this fact, this study divided 524 middle school students who resided in Jeonju, Jellabukdo into two groups, SLP or non SLP according to whether they were provided SLP or not. Then this research estimate each group's nutritional knowledge, nutritional attitude, dietary behavior, balance of three meals, and health checking their clinical symptom to investigate the effects of the SLP. This research applied anthropometric data, questionnaires and food intake data using 24 hours recall method. Each group's age average was same as 14.0 years old respectively. The average score of nutritional knowledge and condition of balance of lunch were significantly higher in SLP group than those of non-SLP group, although, there were no significant differences in the scores of nutritional attitude, dietary behavior, and balance of breakfast and dinner within both groups. This research showed that SLP had positive role on nutritional knowledge and balanced lunch. However, current SLP is not sufficient to cause change the nutritional attitude and dietary behavior. To make more applicable and effective result of SLP leading nutritional attitude changes and development of appropriate dietary behavior, certain level of nutritional education to the student may be important.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.194-206
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify dietitians' perception and purchasing pattern of fruits in elementary school lunch program. This study was conducted using mail survey from September 15 to October 30, 2006. Survey questionnaire was developed based on in-depth interview with three school food service dietitians. A total of 100 school food service dietitians in Seoul were participated. Based on the frequency analysis results, over half of respondents(69%) provides fruits every week, and 23% of respondents provides them twice a week. Strawberry, watermelon, apple, and mandarin were identified as the most frequently served fruits in Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter, respectively. Sixty two percent of respondents indicated they offered imported fruits, such as banana and pineapple, less than 10% of total fruits. Ninety three percent of respondents selected private contract when they purchase fruits, and forty four percent of dietitians decided fruits purchasing procedure by themselves. Respondents addressed "Apples and Pears were appropriate for a dessert." and "Apples and Pears supply nutrition such as calorie and vitamin." as the advantages of offering apples and pears in school lunch menu. They also indicated difficulty in preparation work and many leftovers as the disadvantages of offering apples and pears. When purchasing apples and pears, dietitians considered taste as the first criteria and price as the second. Respondents perceived that elementary school students preferred apples and pears in a neutral level. Respondents also had higher preference for an-sim apples which can be eaten without peeling for school lunch menu and higher intentions to provide in school lunch menu. The survey results also found that respondents' intention to offer apples in school lunch menu was higher than intentions to offer pears. The implications to increase the chance of fruits offering in school lunch menu were discussed.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.358-368
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• 2006

This study was conducted with 262 middle school student(118 boys, 144 girls) to examine their satisfaction, meal preference and improvement of school lunch program(SLP) in Jeonju area. Major plate waste ranked high in soup, fishes, vegetables, Kimch and rice. The overall reason for plate waste were listed as being tasteless and disliking food except for rice. In the case of rice, it because of too big portion size. On the satisfaction with SLP, the lowest satisfaction category was waiting time for meal. The changes after taking part in SLP of students ranked in having a regular meal time(31.4%), lessening to eat snack except for regular meals(18%) and correcting habit about picking favorite food(15.2%), in order. The improvement on SLP of students were listed as more appetite food, various side-dishes, squaring of the western and eastern food and so on. To improve the satisfaction SLP and provide a high quality service, it should be needed to make proper dining space, increase the frequency of survey on complaints and taste of students and reflect the menu plan.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.208-221
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• 2000

Perceptions and concerns of parents about elementary school lunch service were investigated by questionnaires in March, 1998. Five hundred and ten parents were selected randomly from schools in the city area, the rural area or the islands in Incheon Metropolitan city. 95% of parents preferred the school lunch service because nutritious food was available to the children regardless of family income or mother's occupation. Meal cost per capita was in the range of 1,000 and 1,200 won, which satisfied most parents (74%). Moreover, many parents (68.8%) were willing to pay extra money to support the school lunch program and they actually had such experiences (82.4%). More than 90% of the respondents wanted to be adviced about the menu. Subjects chose nutrition and sanitation(25%), taste (18%), and meal size (16%) as aspects of improvement in school lunches. Parents wanted to participate in serving foods, cooking, and washing dishes once (23%) or twice (31%) a year and they considered this as a good opportunity to join the school activities. 98% of parents showed very positive responses to the nutritional education provided by the school dietitian.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.5
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• pp.400-404
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• 2010

School lunches serve to improve nutritional status and to promote the health of children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the portion sizes of school lunches served and consumed in Japanese elementary schools. In addition, gender difference in servings and consumption were also studied. A cross-sectional study was undertaken between October 2007 and February 2008 in schools located in Tokyo and Okayama, Japan. A total of 192 fifth-grade children attending four elementary schools participated in this study. Weighed plate waste methods and observation were used to collect dietary data for two non-consecutive days. The proportion of children who chose staple foods along with main dishes and/or side dishes for at least one day was higher in boys than in girls (respectively, for staple food: 42.1% vs. 9.3%, for main dish and/or side dish: 68.4% vs. 44.3%, P < 0.001). The ratio of initial amount served to amount offered was $0.88{\pm}0.11$ for boys and $0.84{\pm}0.10$ for girls (P < 0.05). The ratio of amount consumed to amount offered was $1.04{\pm}0.19$ for boys and $0.88{\pm}0.12$ for girls (P < 0.001). Weight was related to amount consumed both in boys (r = 0.222, P < 0.05) and in girls (r = 0.201, P < 0.05). These findings suggest that the nutritional standards of school lunch programs should take into account gender differences. Clearly, boys were more likely to consume more than the initial amounts served due to their higher propensity to take second helpings. Boys feel few reservations about taking second helpings to adjust their total intake. However, school lunch plans should take into consideration girls' reluctance to do so, by serving appropriate initial portion sizes.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.123-131
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the preference trend of frequently served meals in the elementary school lunch program. Therefore, this evaluation was surveyed on frequently served meals in the elementary school lunch program in Inchon. Also, this study was surveyed on food preference using questionnaire including frequently served food items. Statistical analysis of data was completed using SAS program. The results of this survey was as follows: 1. Freqrenctly served foods were 56 food items including 5 boiled rice, 3 one course dishes, 10 soup & pot stewes, 10 fresh & boiled salads, 8 stirred fries, 7 stewes, 6 grill & fries, 3 kimchies and 4 desserts. 2. Students liked barley bab more than the other kinds of cooked rice. One course dishes were preferred most by the subjects. Among soup & pot stewes, fermented soybean paste stew showed lower preference than the other kind of stewes. Among fresh & boiled salads, fruits salad was the most favore, whereas, root of bellflower salad was the most hated. Among side-dishes by different preparation method, stir fries, stewes, grill & fries, kimchies, dessert were prefered most by the subjects. There were significant difference between male and female students for most given foods except soup & pot stewes. Female students showed higher preference for most given foods except fresh & boiled salads, kimchies, dessert than male students.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.67-90
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• 2005

In this study, to improve the quality of school lunch in local colleges, we conducted a survey on students who attend 2 year colleges in Jeju region. With its own unique regional characteristics and the change of its school lunch program from direct management to consignment, there were some questions about how each factor in school lunch program affects on students' satisfaction with it and we tried to present helpful data to improve school lunch programs in each region. The survey took place from May 5 to May 10, 2005 covering the colleges only in Jeju region. There were 200 sets of questionnaires issued and distributed to the students who are currently using school lunch programs. Only 168 sets were retrieved and processed statistically. 2 sets out of 168 questionnaires had to be thrown away because there were wrong entries of some questions, which made overall retrieving rate 83%. In this study, SPSS 10.0 , one of the statistical package programs, was used as an analyzing tool to make Frequency Analysis. To verify credibility, Cronbach's Alpha Element Analysis was done and T-test and ANOVA was also made. After Recurrence Analysis for elements of satisfaction regarding main factors that is considered to be important to customers, we found that importance of following factors: appearance of food, incongruity between main and side dishes, availability of seasonal food, availability of preferred menu, absence of food stock, waiting time, accessibility of food counters, space between chairs, presentation of a menu, food tray's shape, and color of food trays. The importance of those showed high but satisfaction with the same factors was low. So the primary improvement on these factors should be made to increase satisfaction. Finally we concluded that in large extent, importance of each factor definitely affects on students' satisfaction.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.6
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• pp.809-814
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• 2006

The satisfaction of elementary school children and their parents with the school lunch program by foodservice system was assessed by questionnaire. The subjects Participated in this survey were 1,136 students, first-6th grade elementary school children and 1,140 parents in Seongnam area. The result was as follows: the satisfaction score for school lunch program by foodservice system was rated as 'high'. Students' and parents' satisfaction score were 3.63 point and 3.62 point (5-point Likert rating scale), respectively. Difference of satisfaction score by grades was that high grade students were significantly lower than low grade students' (P<0.001). Five grade students' score was 3.23 point and 2 grade students' score was 4.04 point. Children's favorite food types were meat, dessert, cooked rice and fried food. The least preferred food types were green and seasoned vegetable, kimchi, soup and fish. Students felt shortage of favorite foods and a lot of dislike foods. Parents answered that thorough sanitary management (22.5%) and use of good quality foodstuffs (11.5%) were the most important factors in improvement of the school lunch program.