• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2012

We compared the dietary behaviors and living habits of Han Children living in both China and Korea to find any influences from the different living environments. Three hundred $5^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ -grade children in China and two hundred thirty three $5^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ -grade children in a Chinese school in Korea were surveyed via questionnaire. Mean BMI was higher and sleeping hours were lower in the children living in Korea compared to the children living in China. Mean age and education level of the parents were higher in the children living in Korea. Most of the dietary behaviors discovered via the questionnaire showed similar tendencies in the two groups. However, in terms of skipping breakfast, deviating in food habits, snacking before sleeping, and snacking right after eating a meal, the children living in Korea showed significantly higher frequencies. Also, children living in Korea showed significantly lower frequencies of overeating, snacking while watching TV or using the computer, and eating food when stressed, than children living in China. In living habits, children living in Korea do less regular exercise and use buses or cars more frequently for short distance transportation and spend more time to watch TV or computer than the children living in China. Therefore, it seems that different living environments may somewhat influence the dietary behaviors and living habits of children even if they have the same ethnic background.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.349-363
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient intakes, nutritional knowledge, food habits, and lifestyle behaviors of moderately or severely obese children living in the Kyonggi-do area. The subjects in this study were 37 obese children with an obesity index higher than 130% in the forth to sixth grades of elementary school. Anthropometric measurements, 24-hour recall of dietary intakes, and a survey on nutritional knowledge, food habits, and lifestyles behavior were conducted in the 37 obese children (25 boys and 12 girls). The average age, body weight, BMI, and R$\ddot{o}$hrer Index were 12.4 years, 68.6 kg, $29.6kg/m^2$, and 194.9 in boys and 12.7 years, 65.7 kg, $29.8kg/m^2$, and 201.8 in girls, respectively. The percentage of correct answers on nutritional knowledge and nutritional attitude score/max score were 85.8% and 23.0/50 in boys and 87.0% and 17.5/50 in girls, respectively. Except for calcium (85.3%) in girls and calcium (62.7%) and folic acid (83.3%) in boys, the average daily nutrient intakes percentages of nutrients were greater than the DRIs values (107.9~327.3% in boys and 103.0~416.0% in girls). This study showed the existence of some problems associated with obesity, such as higher frequency of skipping breakfast, irregular meal times, unbalanced diet, lack of intake of some nutrients, low nutritional attitude, lack of physical activity, and time management in obese children. These results suggest that a systematic education program including nutritional education on balanced diet, good eating habits and behaviors, and importance of eating breakfast and meal regularity must be emphasized to improve nutrient intakes and food habits in obese children. Obese children also require a more concentrated program that includes physical activity, weight reduction, and weight maintenance strategies to improve their life habits.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 2003

To evaluate the school lunch program served by elementary schools in Muan, Korea, we examined children's preference for the dishes offered on the menus. School lunch program menus showing the food composition of 400 meals (100 meals in each season) were collected. The serving frequency of each dish on the menus was counted. Eighty-seven representative dishes were selected based on the serving frequency and preference for each dish was determined by a survey of 414 elementary school students who were served by the school lunch program. We also analyzed the nutrient contents of each representative dish. Among the prepared foods, children indicated the highest preference for desserts. Steamed rice was served more frequently as a main course than one dish meals, although children preferred one dish meals to steamed rice. Among side dishes, those that were deep-fried were the most preferred. Children indicated high preference for fruits, milk, and eggs, and low preference for fish and clams, vegetables, and beans. The serving frequency with which main courses, soups, and side dishes were served showed no correlation with children's preference for each. Preference for dishes correlated positively with nutrient contents of calories and lipids, but negatively with nutrient contents of fiber, calcium and vitamin A. According to these results we can suggest that dietitian should consider children's preference into greater consideration to increase menu acceptability and thereby reduce waste. Children need to be educated about the roles and contents of nutrients in food and the fact that preference for foods affects nutrient intake.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.55-66
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• 2009

This study was aimed to examine nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and eating habits of elementary school students and to examine if their characteristics differ by gender. Subjects were 5th and 6th graders of an elementary school (n = 317) in Seoul, and the survey was done during July 2007. Mean height, weight, BMI of subjects was 148.1 cm. 41.7 kg, 19.0, and 14.3% of subjects were categorized as the overweight/obese group. Anthropometric data were not significantly different by gender. Mean score of nutrition knowledge was 14.9 out of 20 showing moderate knowledge levels, and girls scored higher on nutrition knowledge than boys (p < 0.05). Subjects showed knowledge deficit in areas such as nutrients, food groups and specific weight control information. The percentages of correct answers regarding meals for brain function were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). They got nutrition information mainly from mass media and family/relatives. The mean score of dietary attitudes was 41.2 (possible score: 10-50) indicating somewhat positive attitudes, and the score of eating behaviors was 34.8 (possible score: 15-45). Subjects showed problems in eating habits such as having unbalanced diets and snack foods. 82.6% of subjects had unbalanced meals, and these percentages were higher in girls (87.2%) than in boys (78.1%, p < 0.05). Vegetables and fish/shellfish were the most disliked foods. Specific eating behaviors, such as eating slowly, eating grains and having processed foods less frequently, were better in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). Results also showed that majority of subjects need to improve specific behaviors including having diverse foods, eating meals slowly, having meals at regular times, having adequate foods in each food groups, and eating sweets or salty foods less frequently. Only 52.7% of subjects perceived their body images as normal, and 56.4% had experience of weight control. Reasons for weight control were different by gender (p < 0.05). Based on these findings, nutrition education for school children should focus on modifying eating habits or eating behaviors, by suggesting practically applicable methods and providing nutrition information that is interesting and suitable to school-aged children.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.240-252
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• 2010

The purpose of this research was to develop risk communication (RC) strategy and educational web-site on food additives for elementary students and their parents to improve their perception on food additives and dietary life. First of all, a survey was conducted from 1,200 elementary children and their parents to diagnose the perception and information needs on food additives. The survey revealed that most children and their parents did not have enough knowledge on food additives and demanded the safety information on food additives. Second, previous researches on food communication were analyzed to develop a risk communication model, and it was directly applied in this study. Third, a web site (www.foodnara.go.kr/foodaddy) was developed to upload the education materials along with up-to-date information and classroom activities for teachers on food additives. Fourth, the developed homepage was evaluated by applying to about 100 children and parents each, and majority of them showed high levels of understanding (children 85.7%, parents 79%) and satisfaction (children 77.2%, parents 64%), and the effect of getting over the prejudice against food additives was observed. The RC model developed in this study could be applied to any food risk communication, and the content and materials in this web site including booklets, animations, and quiz could be used effectively to promote the communication on food additives. In the future, it will be necessary to advertise the web site to be utilized by various consumer levels and to update the contents continuously by developing consumer-friendly communication materials.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.230-238
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• 2003

Television is a powerful and persuasive teacher. It has the potential to influence perceptions, knowledge, beliefs, and behaviors, thus nutritionists need to be aware of the nutrition-related information (NRI) in television programming and the effect this information has on viewers. The purpose of this article was to review research published in peer-reviewed journals between 1988 and 2003 that examined the NRI embedded in American television programming, which is exported to over 125 nations, and its impact on nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and/or behaviors. This review revealed that, for the past 15 years, NRI was commonly included in both television advertisements and shows. Advertised foods were mainly high in fat, sodium, and/or sugar. In addition, the NRI embedded in food advertisements tended to be misleading or inaccurate. Prime-time television shows included numerous NRI containing scenes every hour, with situation comedies having the most and real-life re-enactment shows the least. Overall, low nutrient density foods accounted for approximately 40 percent or more of all food references on prime-time television shows. In television shows, foods were mostly consumed as snacks rather than meals and children often ate more nutritious foods than adults. Although relatively few studies have examined the impact of television programming on viewers, those that do exist indicate that as children watch more television, nutrition knowledge and understanding declines while misconceptions about nutrition increase. Advertising influences children's food purchase requests and subsequent purchases by adults, with the most requested and purchased foods being high in sugar, fat, and/or salt foods. Existing research indicates that television must be acknowledged as a major source of NRI and a potentially powerful influence on dietary practices.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.449-461
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• 2007

This study was conducted to investigate the changes of physical and psychological factors of obese children, obesity indices and blood serum levels, food habits and body and self-esteem after a weight control program. The results from this study were as follows: Participants of the study involved 20 boys (48.8%) and 21 girls (51.2%) totaling 41 children. Children's weight control experiences were 90.2% and parents' were 59.5%. Among methods of weight control, children and parents both used exercise and reduced amounts of meals. Sixty-one percent of the children had breakfast almost everyday. The reasons of skipping breakfast were having no time to eat by 44.4% and 50% of children watched TV while having a meal and they considered taste (55.3%) and nutrition value (21.1%) when choosing food. After the weight control program, the children's body fat percent (%) significantly decreased from 40.3% to 35.4% (p < 0.01). There was significant difference of boys and girls' hip circumferences (92.9 cm, 91.4 cm, p < 0.01) after the program but there was only a slight change in their WHR (0.91, 0.92). Girls' waist circumferences significantly decreased from 75.0 cm to 73.0 cm (p < 0.05) and there was a significant increase in HDL-cholesterol, 50.0 (mg/dL) to 55.2 (mg/dL), (p < 0.05). Knowledge levels of obesity significantly increased from 2.5 to 5.1 in the girls' cases (p < 0.001). Nonetheless, attitudes of weight control and food habits score had not changed a lot. After the program, both the boys and girls' body-esteem had significantly increased (p < 0.01) but self-esteem had not changed. These results suggest that a body weight control program must be included in nutrition education, exercise and psychotherapy to improve body and self-esteem of obese children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.213-220
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• 2012

This study was conducted on 4th and 5th grade elementary school students in Daegu, Korea for the purpose of promoting health and proper dietary habits. A children food safety education program was developed and its effects evaluated on 4th and 5th graders (3,932 students for 4th year, 4,438 students for 5th year) at 46 elementary schools, which were under the jurisdiction of the four educational bureaus of Daegu city. Education was conducted in accordance with an education design plan, of which there were two goals, including know the contents of 'special act on children's dietary life safety management' and 'practice proper hand-washing'. 'Special act on children's dietary life safety management' was explained, and the education curriculum included proper hand-washing for prevention of food poisoning, quality certification mark on children's favorite foods, harmful foods such as unsanitary and adulterated foods, and green food zone. Flash songs, PowerPoint, 'glitter burger' notice note, and banner were used as education media. It was found that the awareness level of items related to 'special act on children's dietary life safety management' increased significantly after education (p<0.001). 'Necessity of nutrition education and children's food safety' also increased significantly (p<0.05) after education. Lastly, children answered that they washed their hands more often after education (62.9%) than before (60.7%).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.39-46
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• 2022

This study aimed to investigate the effect of the five senses activities involving food ingredients on the eating behavior of infants. The study was carried out four times over 6 months. We surveyed 65 nursery school infants and teachers who were registered at the 2020 Guro-gu Center for Children's Food Service Management in Seoul. They participated in the five senses education specialization project. The results of the study showed that the scores relating to unbalanced diet, hygiene management, dietary attitude, and dietary manners were visibly higher than those before participating in the five senses educational activities. In addition, there was a significant difference in the perception of the food ingredients used in the five senses education activities. Finally, as a result of investigating the types of education used before, during, and after the five senses education activities, and the need for education by type, cooking activities were observed to rank higher than other activities in all questions. Based on this, if dietary guidance is provided through a variety of five senses education activities over a long period rather than as a one-time event, it will be beneficial to the children's healthy eating habits.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.180-190
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in food habits, eating behaviors and food frequency by gender and regions in upper grade elementary school children in Korea. Subjects of this study were 1,211 children, 645 boys and 566 girls, attending 6 elementary schools (4th, 5th and 6th graders). 389 children lived in Seoul and 822 children lived in other regions. Mean height, weight and BMI of subjects were 142.4 cm, 38.7 kg and $18.8\;kg/m^2$ respectively. 70.5% of the subjects had breakfast every day and 12.4% of the subjects skipped breakfast. There were significant differences between boys and girls in causes of skipping breakfast, overeating, meal volume, and duration of meals. Girls showed more desirable eating behavior than boys (p < 0.001). Scores for specific eating behaviors such as unbalanced diet and intake of meats and vegetables were better in girls (p < 0.001), and boys ate meals faster than girls (p > 0.001). There were significant differences between Seoul and other regions in eating behavior. Eating behavior scores of children in other regions were higher than in Seoul (p < 0.01). Children in Seoul had a higher frequency of watching television with meals. Frequency of fruits (p < 0.001), milk products (p < 0.01), and meats (p < 0.05) of children in Seoul were higher than other regions. Otherwise the frequency of simple sugar products of children in other regions was higher than Seoul (p < 0.001). Frequency of green vegetables was higher for girls than boys, and frequency of fast foods was higher for boys than girls. These results showed that in nutrition education programs designed to improve the nutritional health of elementary school children, we need to focus more on differences in the children's food habits and eating behaviors by gender and regions. In consideration of these differences, such educational programs need to have a different emphasis for each gender and regions to serve its specific needs.