• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.244-257
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• 2017

Nutrition labeling can provide information in order for people to select products suitable for their own health, and sodium content labeling for processed foods is important since sodium is one of the main causes of cardiac diseases. This study had carried out to propose the desirable sodium content labeling by conducting surveys on the awareness of sodium content in processed foods, understanding of sodium content labeling, and requirements for new sodium comparative claims. The survey period was from 12th of September, 2016 through the 24th, during which a self-administered questionnaire survey was given to 1,003 persons through demographic quota sampling by age and region. As a result of the survey, 66.0% of respondents assuring nutrition labeling answered they check sodium content labeling, whereas 83.2% were aware of excessive intake of sodium having a negative effect on health. Exactly 49.9% of respondents answered that the current system for nutrition labeling on processed foods does not help one to understand the content of sodium, whereas 72.9% answered they wanted to compare sodium contents with those of other products when buying or taking processed foods. As 92.5% cited the importance of sodium comparative claims made by processed foods, preparation of a new system for food labeling should be considered by which consumers can easily compare sodium contents with those of other similar products.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.497-508
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutrition education using materials based on social cognitive theory. Education topics focused on improving health-related and dietary self-awareness and behavior capability in adolescents. Methods: Participants were recruited from a middle school for girls; 67 students (educated group, n=34 and control group, n=33) participated. The education group received 12 lessons in club activity class. Self-administered surveys were conducted for each group before and after the nutrition education program. The questionnaires consisted of variables such as self-efficacy, outcome expectation, outcome expectancy, knowledge, and dietary practices based on the social cognitive theory. Education satisfaction was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale for two sections: a) teaching and learning and b) education results. The data were analyzed using a t-test and Chi Square-test (significance level: p < 0.05). Results: In the education group, post-education, there were significant differences in self-efficacy (p < 0.05), knowledge (p < 0.01), and dietary practices (p < 0.05), whereas outcome expectation and expectancy did not show any significant differences. None of the variables showed any significant differences in the control group. Educational satisfaction scores were $4.38{\pm}0.12$ (teaching and learning) and $4.14{\pm}0.15$ (education results). Conclusions: This study showed that improving adolescent's awareness and behavior capability has a positive effect on their dietary practices. Moreover, this study suggested that a theory-based determinant should be considered to improve dietary behavior among adolescents.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.945-958
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial skill for selecting sustainable and healthy food options, necessitating the identification of vulnerable groups in the community using valid measurement tools. Identifying weak domains in FL is essential for enhancing the overall FL. This study examined the FL levels of Seoul citizens based on their sociodemographic characteristics and assessed the relationship between FL, food intake, and weight status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study employing representative samples of Seoul citizens. Data collection occurred from September to October 2021, with 4,039 citizens aged 18 yrs and above participating in face-to-face surveys. Thirty-three FL items were assessed, comprising 14 items in the nutrition and safety (NS) domain, eight items in the cultural and relational (CR) domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological (SE) domain. In addition, data on food intake sufficiency and obesity status were collected. The descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: Men, students, young adults, older citizens, and people experiencing food insecurity had the lowest scores for all the FL domains. The highest quartile group of NS scores had a higher probability of consuming adequate servings of vegetables and fruits, with significant linear trends observed (P for trend < 0.05). In all three FL domains, the odds ratio for obesity was significantly lower in the groups with high FL scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A close relationship was observed between low FL, obesity, and food intake, even after controlling for other covariates. Vulnerable groups with low FL were also identified. Therefore, it is essential to develop programs to improve FL and the health and well-being of these groups.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.342-352
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• 2016

Purpose: This study conducted an Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) of selective attributes of Home Meal Replacement (HMR) as well as it examined the consumers' needs and willingness to buy HMR products to explore the need for developing more HMR products. Methods: This study was conducted among domestic consumers living in Seoul and its metropolitan areas, in the age range from the 20s to the 50s, and who had experience in purchasing HMR products. From the 490 surveys retrieved, 472 (96.3%) valid surveys were analyzed. Results: The analysis of the frequency of consuming HMR products showed the following results: 247 respondents answered '1-3 times a month' (52.3%); 167 respondents stated '1-2 times a week' (35.3%). With respect to the reason of purchase, 'simplicity of the recipe' was the most common, accounting for 188 respondents (39.8%), followed by 'time efficiency' accounting for 172 respondents (36.4%). Analysis of the demand for bibimbap (mixed rice) HMR products showed that 'chicken bibimbap' had the highest preference with 5.32 points, followed by 'bulgogi bibimbap' (5.08 points), and 'kimchi bibimbap' (4.96 points). In the case of HMR products that need to undergo further development, 'low-sodium products' received the highest points of 5.41 points, followed by 'small packaged products' (5.05 points), and 'functional products' (4.98 points). The factor analysis of the 13 selective attributes showed that they can be divided into 3 factors. The IPA analysis of the selective attributes of HMRs showed 'hygiene', 'taste', 'easy to go packaging', 'convenience in intake', and 'accessibility' in the 1st quadrant. In the 2nd quadrant, 'price' and 'freshness' were shown as the factors. In the 3rd quadrant, 'easy to serve', 'familiar food menu', and 'consistent menu' were shown as the leading factors, and in the 4th quadrant, 'saving labor' was the only factor. Conclusion: Based on these results, the research concludes that with respect to developing HMR products, there is a high demand for low sodium, low calorie, small packaged products; thus, showing the need to develop various HMR products for customer satisfaction. Furthermore, it shows that there is a need to consider developing HMR products that can maintain freshness at an affordable price.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.6
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• pp.495-507
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• 2021

Objectives: This study examined regional differences in the intake of dietary total fat and saturated fatty acid (SFA) and their food sources among Korean adults. We also investigated the associations of SFA intake with metabolic diseases by region. Methods: This study included 13,926 adults (≥ 19y) who participated in the 2016 ~ 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. The regions were divided into urban and rural areas according to the administrative districts where the participants lived. Using dietary data obtained from a 24-h recall, intake of total fat and SFA and their food sources were assessed by region. Metabolic diseases included obesity, abdominal obesity, and elevated total cholesterol and their association with SFA intake by region were examined using multiple logistic regression. Results: Of the participants, 19.6% lived in rural areas. In urban areas, the total fat and SFA intakes were higher than in rural areas: 21.2% of energy (%E) came from total fat and 6.9%E from SFA in urban areas, whereas 18.0%E came from total fat and 5.8%E from SFA in rural areas. The percentage of participants who exceeded the dietary reference intakes for total fat and SFA in urban areas was 16.5% and 41.9%, respectively, but 43.4% of participants in rural areas showed lower intake levels for total fat compared to the reference level. Young adults did not show regional differences in fat intake, and the percentage of subjects who exceeded the reference for SFA was high both in urban (58.5%) and rural (55.7%) areas. Among middle-aged and older adults, intake of fatty acids except for n-3 fatty acid was significantly higher in urban areas than in rural areas. About 69% of older adults in rural areas showed a lower intake of total fat compared to the reference level. The food sources for total fat and SFA were meat, soybean oil, eggs, and milk in both areas. The intake of fat from eggs, milk, mayonnaise, and bread was higher in urban areas, but the intake of fat from white rice and coffee mix was higher in rural areas. The SFA intake was positively associated with elevated serum total cholesterol in urban areas (4th quartile vs. 1st quartile, OR: 1.22, 95% CI: 1.06-1.40, P for trend: 0.043), but not in rural areas. Conclusions: Regional differences in total fat and SFA intakes and their food sources were observed among Korean adults. Our findings may help plan nutritional strategies to ameliorate regional health disparities.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.507-516
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed at evaluating the dietary intakes of Korean adolescents affected by food insecurity, in comparison with those who were food secure. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study used one day 24-hour dietary recall data from the $6^{th}$ Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study subjects consisted of 1,453 adolescents of whom 695 were middle school-aged and 758 were high school-aged. Food security status was assessed using the 18-item questionnaire. Nutrient intake was evaluated in terms of nutrient density, insufficient intake, and excessive intake for selected nutrients, in addition to meeting the appropriate range for total energy intake and energy intakes from carbohydrate, sugar, protein, fat, and saturated fatty acids. Food intake was evaluated in terms of food group servings and dietary diversity score (DDS). RESULTS: The percentages of food insecurity were 11.1% for middle school-aged adolescents and 16.8% for high school-aged adolescents. Food insecure middle school-aged adolescents had higher intake of carbohydrate (P = 0.006) but lower intake of fat (P = 0.010) and saturated fatty acids (P = 0.005) than their food secure counterparts although the intake of both groups was in the recommended ranges. Nutrient intake among high school-aged adolescents was generally similar regardless of food security status. Both food secure and insecure adolescents showed insufficient intake of vitamin A, vitamin C, and calcium, and excessive sodium intake. They additionally had low prevalence of meeting appropriate intake ranges for energy, carbohydrate, and sugar. Food intake in terms of food group servings and DDS was also similar regardless of food security status among both age groups, with low intakes of foods from fruit and dairy groups. CONCLUSIONS: Except for a few nutrients among the middle school-aged adolescents, dietary intakes among Korean adolescents did not differ by food security status in this study.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.119-131
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Happiness is an important factor in life, and food literacy (FL) has been emphasized as a core concept for a happy and healthy life. This study examined the level of happiness of Seoul citizens according to their sociodemographic factors and their association with FL. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study used the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study conducted on 4,039 Seoul citizens from September to October 2021. FL was measured using a validated questionnaire consisting of 33 items from 3 sub-domains: 14 items in the nutrition and safety domain, 8 items in the cultural and relational domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological domain. Statistical analysis involved descriptive statistics and multivariate regression analysis. RESULTS: Various sociodemographic factors, such as household income, subjective health status, and food insecurity, were found to be associated with the level of happiness. The level of FL was also associated with the happiness scores. After adjusting for variables associated with happiness, the participants with the highest quartile FL scores were 7.32 times more likely to respond that they were happy than those with the lowest FL score. Three FL domains and total FL showed linear increases in overall happiness after controlling for subjective health status and sociodemographic factors (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: After adjusting for the related covariates, higher levels of FL were associated with higher scores in happiness. Based on this study, it would be meaningful to evaluate ways to intervene in FL to improve the level of happiness among the general population.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.9-19
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• 2022

This study was conducted to analyze the status of medical food selection process in hospitals within Busan and Gyeongnam area. The survey was distributed to 396 hospitals (general, tertiary and long-term care hospitals) and finally 68 surveys were used for analysis. The questionnaire consisted of 9 general items and 10 items related to enteral nutrition (EN). From the survey we found out that general hospitals and tertiary hospitals normally hire clinical dietitian, while long-term care hospitals hire dietitians with no further qualifications (χ² = 27.918, p < 0.001). A significant relationship was found between hospital size and the priority for choosing medical foods for patients (χ² = 11.852, p < 0.05). In general and tertiary hospitals, medical foods were provided exactly according to the doctor's prescription, whereas in long-term care hospitals, only half followed the doctor's direction and half of them provided the products that has been conventionally used. There was also a significant relationship between hospital size and the method for determination of nutrition requirements (χ² = 20.496, p < 0.001). Finally, the priority of considerations when developing a 'medical food guidelines' was shown in the following order; 1) the type of medical food that can be selected according to the disease state, 2) the nutrient content and comparison table for commercial products, and 3) how to manage complications that may occur when supplying medical food for patients. Developing an EN practice guideline for making a sensible selection of medical foods will provide a valuable information for better patient care.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.148-160
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• 2000

The purpose of this research was to analyze the tasks on foodservice ․ clinical nutrition service in hospital dietetic departments. A survey of 30 hospital food and nutrition service departments was undertaken and detailed informations were collected from each, including surveys of 176 dietitians and 30 foodservice managers. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SAS/win 6.11 package for descriptive analysis and t-test. The results of this study can be summarized as follows : Regarding dietitian's training period, 38.6% dietitians answered that they spent 1~2 years in mastering food service management. 28.4% dietitians replied that they needed 2~3 years in learning clinical nutrition management. It was shown that 48.9% dietitians were engaged in food service management, while 26.7% were engaged in clinical nutrition and 26.7% were engaged in both. The 13 elements of food service management showed low performance level. These elements were food temperature, food intake, menu selection, contaminated substances and serving mistake and reliance on hospital food. These should be controlled with caution. The average score of dietitian's life satisfaction within the work place was 3.42 out of 5. The most dissatisfactory element was physical environment of the workplace. 5 elements for improving nutrition service activities showed low performance level with high importance score. Problem analysis showed low difference score between importance and performance level. Hospitals under contract foodservice management received higher points on clinical nutrition performance(P<.05) than hospitals under self-operated foodservice management.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.428-441
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• 2004

This study focused on developing and assessing the effectiveness of maternal and child nutrition education materials that can be used conveniently at health centers. Focus group interviews with pregnant women, research of websites for pregnant women, and questionnaire-based surveys on community residents' needs for maternal and child nutrition services were conducted as preliminary study. The focus group interviews were conducted ten times, with five or six women, and the needs assessment was carried out on 884 pregnant or lactating women. The contents of the education materials developed based on the preliminary study were made up of the pregnant women section and the lactating women section. The entire material was composed of lecture materials, guidelines for educators, and handout materials for mothers, in the form of CD and booklets. The lecture materials were made using MS Power Point and the guidelines were wrote specifically, including basic information, main points to the lectures, and lesson plans, so that even non-professionals can easily use them. The effectiveness of the education materials was assessed based on a pretest and posttest method. The reliability of the test instrument was measured by Cronbach alpha, which was 0.75. The results were that the participants' nutrition knowledge scores showed a significant increase(p<0.05) from 3.79$\pm$0.33 to 3.96$\pm$0.34, and their attitudes changed positively after the education (p<0.05).