• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.693-705
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• 2013

This study was conducted to identify adults' knowledge, dietary behavior related to sodium, the attitude towards a low-salt diet, and to examine the relation between these variables. The participants were 366 adults in Jeonbuk area. The data were analyzed using Pearson correlation coefficients, ANOVA and Duncan test with SPSS v. 12.0. The score for participants' knowledge about sodium was 12.32 points of a possible 16, the score for dietary behavior related to sodium was 45.74 points of a possible 70, and their score for attitude towards a low-salt diet was 30.35 points of a possible 50. The knowledge showed significant differences by gender (p<.05), and concern about health (p<.05). The dietary behavior of sodium use showed significant differences by gender (p<.001), age (p<.001), educational level (p<.05), job (p<.001), income (p<.05), BMI (p<.05), smoking (p<.01), drinking (p<.01), exercise (p<.05), regularity of health checkup (p<.001), and concern about health (p<.01). The attitude towards a low-salt diet showed significant differences by gender (p<.001), age (p<.001), job (p<.001), income (p<.001), smoking (p<.05), regularity of health checkup (p<.001), and concern about health (p<.001). There was a significant positive correlation between knowledge about sodium, dietary behavior related to sodium, attitude towards a low-salt diet. Dietary behavior related to sodium showed a positive correlation with attitudes towards a low-salt diet. In conclusion, it is necessary to consider the related factors for the development and implementation of systematic education programs that can encourage and promote preventive dietary behavior for disease, e.g. stomach cancer, and hypertension among adults.

• 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 Society of Food Culture
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.523-530
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• 2018

The purpose of this study was to develop a technology commercialization strategy by analyzing the consumer preference for low-sodium instant noodle ramen, which has a sodium content of 1,730 mg or less. For the commercialization of such low-sodium ramen, this study examined how much consumers would pay through an analysis of consumer preference by conjoint analysis. This study surveyed 1,004 men and women in their 20 s and 50 s between the ages of 20 and 50 years in Korea using an online survey. If the price of conventional instant noodle ramen is KRW 4,000 (approximately USD 3.57) per 5 packs for one pack of 5 servings in a supermarket, this study surveyed how much more they respondents would pay if the sodium was reduced by 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0%. The study found that if sodium was reduced by 10.0, 20.0, and 30.0%, the respondents would pay as much as KRW 4,180, KRW 4,307, and KRW 4,515, respectively. The attributes of low-sodium instant noodle ramen were examined according to the degree of sodium reduction, vegetable protein ingredients, brand, where to buy and price with each level. The Marginal Willingness To Pay (MWTP) was analyzed as follows. If the sodium content of ramen soup is reduced by 1.0%, the amount that can be paid would be KRW 105.78. Respondents could pay KRW 1,673 more for famous brand ramen than an unknown brand ramen. The study results indicated that when a new product is developed and released, it can be expected to increase sales of the new product by understanding the foreseeable value that consumers could pay for and realize the technological commercialization of the technology.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2012

This study was done to explore the effect of Korean women's salt usage behavior on their sodium intake and excretion according to aging. Dietary sodium intake and salt usage behavior were analyzed to compare the difference between young and middle-aged women. One hundred fifty six young women and 77 middle-aged women without hypertension or any current medication were recruited. Body mass index, waist hip ratio, blood pressure were measured from each subject. Salt usage behaviors were surveyed with questionnaire, sodium intake with 24-hr recall method, and sodium excretion with spot urine. Middle-aged women were more obese than young women according to body mass index and waist hip ratio. Blood pressure was significantly higher for the middle-aged. Young women consumed more fats and middle-aged women more carbohydrates. Middle-aged women consumed more sodium and potassium, and excreted more sodium. Among questionnaire items, kimchi, soup or pot stew, or salted vegetables were found to be related with high sodium diet. Salted vegetables and salted nuts and potato chips were significantly correlated with young women's high sodium diet, while soy sauce on fried food, kimchi, salted vegetables accounted for middle-aged women's high sodium diet. With these results, we concluded that middle-aged women consumed more carbohydrates, less fat, and more sodium and potassium than young women. Middle-aged women frequently choose kimchi, soup or pot stew, or salted vegetables, and they contribute to high sodium intake. We recommend to choose low-salt kimchi, less soup or pot stew, and more fresh vegetables for lower sodium diet.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.812-825
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated the importance and performance level of sodium reduction practices in school meal service by school nutrition teachers and dietitians, and compared them according to school level and placement of the school nutrition teacher. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online survey was conducted with 608 nutrition teachers and dietitians in schools in the Republic of Korea from September 28 to November 12, 2021 (response rate: 57%). The questionnaire comprised 11 items related to sodium reduction practices (purchasing, food preparation and serving, and education). The importance and performance level of each item was rated on a 5-point scale. The mean differences were analyzed using t-tests or one-way analyses of variance and Duncan's post-hoc tests. An importance-performance analysis was performed on sodium reduction practices. RESULTS: Participating in sodium reduction education, sodium reduction education for cooks, and sodium reduction education for students were assessed to have high importance but low performance. Overall, the higher the school level, the lower was the importance level of sodium reduction practices. The performance in kindergartens and elementary schools was higher than that in middle and high schools. The importance in the purchasing category perceived by dietitians was lower as compared to nutrition teachers. In addition, the performance in the purchasing, food preparation and serving, and education categories perceived by dietitians was lower than those of nutrition teachers. CONCLUSION: Sodium reduction education for nutrition teachers and dietitians, cooks, and students should prioritize practicing sodium reduction in school meal service. Specific guidelines for managing sodium reduction at all stages-purchasing, food preparation, and serving-should also be developed. The results could be used as basic data to reduce the sodium content in school meals.

• Safe Food
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.30-35
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• 2013

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.168-175
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• 2017

This study surveyed the status of recognition, effort, and satisfaction of customers on a low-sodium diet in industry foodservice. For recognition related to sodium intake, 34.6% answered 'sure' for awareness of WHO's recommended daily sodium intake. Recognition of healthiness of low-sodium diet scored an average of $3.77{\pm}0.8$. The most frequent dietary effort related to low-sodium diet was 'I leave the broth of soup/stew (23.7%)', and the most common reason for not making an effort related to low-sodium diet was 'I often eat out (25.2%)'. Recognition of saltiness of foodservice meals was $2.84{\pm}0.69$, and the saltiest food was 'kimchi (30.4%)', followed by 'side dish (17.9%)', 'soup/stew (16.8%)', and 'sauce (8.3%)'. Satisfaction of low-sodium foodservice meal was $3.04{\pm}0.71$. Reasons for recognition of saltiness of foodservice meal were mostly 'appropriate' or 'prefer less salty (86%)'. In the analysis of satisfaction of low-sodium foodservice meal according to occupation, satisfaction of 'level of saltiness ($F=5.046^{**}$)' scored an average of $3.18{\pm}0.72$, with the highest satisfaction from 'professionals'. Satisfaction of 'dietary behaviors related to sodium ($F=3.534^{**}$)' scored an average of $3.95{\pm}0.59$, with the highest satisfaction from 'government employees (p<0.01)'. These study results show that despite recognition of the healthiness of a low-sodium diet, efforts toward practicing the diet were less than adequate. Further, 25% felt that foodservice meal was a blend, whereas satisfaction of low-sodium diet was only 19%. Therefore, continuous education and advertisements are necessary in order to raise awareness as well as developing more concrete methods during preparation of meals, such as using a salt meter.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.5
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• pp.478-490
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• 2013

Dietary habit of excess sodium consumption is formed mainly by excessive salt intake from the younger age and this may lead to hypertension, stroke, and stomach cancer. This study was performed to estimate the salt content in kindergarten meals and provide basic data on meal providers' dietary attitude to sodium intake for nutrition education. We collected data on161 food items from 16 institutions in Gyeonggi-do and salt content was calculated from salinity and weight of individual food items. The average salt content from lunch meals was 2.2 g, which was about daily adequate intake of sodium for children aged 3 to 5 years old. Greatest contributor to the salt content in a meal was soup and stew (47.8%). The most salty dishes were sauces and kimchi followed by stir-fried food, deep-fried food, braised food, and grilled food. The salt content was higher in soup and stew despite of low salinity, due to the large quantity per serving. The salt contents of soups and kimchi were 40.6% and 14.3%, respectively of the total salt content in dish groups. Staff members and caregivers at home who prepared food for the child showed preference for one-dish rice meal, dried fish and salted mackerel, and broth when eating soup, stew, and noodles. Caregivers showed higher sodium index score and had higher preference for processed food such as Ramen, canned food, and ham compared with staff members (p < 0.05). These results suggested that monitoring salt content of kindergarten meals and nutrition education for those prepare meals for children are needed to lower sodium intake in childhood.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.30-43
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• 1997

This study was conducted to investigate the attitude of dietitians on meat products and consumption of meat products in meal service of elementary school. Eight hundred and forty two questionnaires collected from each district of the country were statistically analyzed. Dietitians showed preference of ham and packed meat to other meat products. Dietitians had a good image on meat product regarding it as a good source of protein, imported food and diversely used food for cooking. Whereas 50% and 25.8% of dietitians concerned about the high content of preservative and sodium, respectively. More than 96% of dietitians suggested the food processing company to decrease the addition of preservatives, coloring agents, color formers and sodium. Fifty nine percent of dietitians responded they would increase the consumption of meat product if it is processed to food with low sodium, low cholesterol, low fat and no persavatives. Dietitians used ham for cooking once or twice a month. The reason they used the meat product for meal service was the preference of students and readiness of meat product for cooking. The dietitian's favorite cooking method was roasting ham or sausage with vegetable. Dietitians responded the first thing they checked for purchasing meat product was the date of processing and the term of validity.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.132-146
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Various sodium reduction policies have been implemented. However, there are limitations in the aspect of actual field applicability and efficiency. For effective sodium reduction, cooperation with the field is required and consumer preference must be considered. Thus, this study aimed to develop a low-sodium burger considering field applicability and consumer preference. MATERIALS/METHODS: Focus group interviews and in-depth interviews on the sodium reduction measures were conducted with nine professionals in related fields to discuss practical methods for sodium reduction from September 7 to 21, 2018. By reflecting the interview results, a burger using a low-sodium sauce was developed, and preference analysis for sodium in the burger sauces and finished products was performed. The consumer preference for low-sodium burgers was evaluated on 51 college students on November 12, 2018. RESULTS: The results of the professional interview showed that it is desirable to practice sodium reduction gradually, and by reflecting this, the burger sauce was prepared by adjusting the ratio of refined salt to 15%, 30%, and 50%. The sodium content of the burger using low-sodium sauce was 399 mg/100 g in the control group, 362 mg/100 g in the H1 group, and 351.5 mg/100 g in the H2 group, showing a 9.3-11.9% decrease in sodium in the H1 and H2 groups. The preference evaluation on the low-sodium burgers showed a higher preference for burgers with 9.3-11.9% sodium reduction, which did not affect the overall taste. CONCLUSIONS: This study examined the potential for sodium reduction in the franchise foodservice industry. An approximate 10% sodium reduction resulted in an increase in consumer preference without affecting the strength of the taste. Thus, if applied gradually, sodium reduction at practical levels could increase the consumer preference without changing the taste or quality and could be applied in the franchise foodservice industry.