• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.444-450
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• 2009

This study examined the preferred salinity levels of soups by different demographic groups in order to establish desirable serving conditions for soups with respect to customer satisfaction and health. The salinity levels were measured in August and November to determine seasonal variations using a digital salinity measuring device. Four demographic groups totaling 1,723 individuals were surveyed from institutional foodservice establishments (IFEs) in elementary schools (ES: male 202/female 194), middle-high schools (MHS: 268/216), universities (UNIV: 208/238), and companies (COM: 182/215) in Seoul. Various thin or thick soups typically offered in foodservice establishments were served salty (1.2%) and less salty (0.4%) at $55{\pm}2^{\circ}C$ in a 50 mL portion. The preferred salinities of the soups were found to be 0.71%, 0.79%, 0.76%, and 0.74% for ES, MHS, UNIV, and COM, respectively. Men had 0.02~0.08% higher preferences than women in ES, MHS and UNIV. The customers also preferred higher salinity levels in November than in August, and in thick soups than in thin soups. The salinities preferred by school children were significantly (p<0.01) lower than those of soups by the IFEs. A similar observation was made for MHS, in which each IFE served the soups with significantly (p<0.01) higher salinities than those preferred by the students. Again, at two COM IFEs, the salinities of the soups served were significantly higher than those preferred by the customers. However, for one of UNIV, the salinity of the served soup was significantly (p<0.05) higher than that preferred by the students, while in the two other UNIV no significant differences were noted between the salinity of the served soup and the level preferred by customers. The surveys showed that 9 out of 12 IFEs served soups having salinities that were significantly higher than those preferred by customers. In particular, regardless of preference, the MHS group was served soups with higher salinity levels than the other demographic groups. The salinities of the soups provided by the IFEs were unnecessarily high for the levels preferred by the customers. Therefore, IFEs should make an effort to serve soups that are less salty soups to enhance public health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.227-239
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare weight control behaviour, eating habits and health-related life habits according to the obesity degree by body fat percentage (%Fat) among middle-aged women. The subjects were 170 middle-aged women who lived Gunsan City, and they were assigned to one of the following groups based on their %Fat; normal weight group (18% - < 28%), overweight group (28% - < 33%) and obesity group (over 33%). The height, body weight, %Fat, the circumference of waist and hip of them were measured. Eating habits and health-related life habits were evaluated based on questionnaires. The results were as follows. Their weight, %Fat, body mass index (BMI), relative body weight (RBW), waist, hip, and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were significantly higher in the obesity subjects when compared to the normal and overweight subjects. Self-perception for weight (p < 0.001), desire for weight control (p < 0.01), and reasons of weight control (p < 0.05) were different among three groups. The main skipped meal was breakfast (67.9%), reasons of skipping meals were different among three groups (p < 0.05), and main reasons were "lose one's appetite" and "have not enough time". Food habits score for each food was not significantly different among three groups, but eating the meal on thinking with food combination in normal group was higher than overweight and obesity group (p < 0.01). Correlation coefficients of food habits score and anthropometric measurements were that salty of food was negative and food habits scores were positive correlation for anthropometric measurements and obesity index (p < 0.05 - p < 0.001). Frequency of exercise and fitting exercise for body were different among three groups (p < 0.05). Obesity group was lower frequency of exercise than the other groups. Regular diet was positive correlation with food combination (p < 0.01), taking fish (p < 0.05), taking vegetables (p < 0.01), taking bean products (p < 0.01) and food habits score (p < 0.01), frequency of eating out and snacks were negative correlation with taking fruits and fishes. Therefore, proper nutritional education for middle-aged women in obesity group is recommended regular diet, good food habits and exercise. The middle-aged women must decrease the frequency of eating out, snack and the salty foods, and increase the fruits and vegetables. They must have healthy life styles for exercise, smoking, and drinking.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.9-16
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• 2010

To establish a globalization strategy for Korean food, it is important to ascertain foreign consumer's taste preferences and to evaluate their sensory perceptions of Korean food. In concert with previous studies, the most preferred food were Bulgogi and Galbi. However, respondents showed somewhat different preferences for other foods. Chinese and other Asian participants preferred Galbitang and Samgyetang, while Japanese participants preferred Pajeon, Galbitang and Japchae, and Western participants preferred Galbitang, Mandu and Bibimbap. The most preferred condiment was hot pepper paste (the representative condiment of Korea) and the least preferred one was ginger. Hot pepper paste was preferred most by Japanese participants, while Chinese participants tended not to prefer ginger and other Asian participants excepting those from China and Japan disliked vinegar most. Foreign consumers tended to consider Korean food as sweet, salty and very hot. Chinese participants considered Korean food to be 'plain' and 'light and washy' in taste, while Japanese participants considered Korean food to be 'greasy' and 'thick and sticky'. Chinese participants considered typical servings to be inadequate, while Japanese participants considered the servings as excessive.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.424-434
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• 2002

Food habit, eating-out pattern, smoking and drinking habits of 814 elderly (aged over 60) living in Incheon were surveyed by questionnaire. The ratio of the elderly who have balanced meals at moderate amount was slightly higher in urban area. Urban elderly tended to have mild foods, while rural elderly preferred hot and salty foods. Score for food habit was higher in urban elderly and there was no difference between male and female elderly. Most urban elderly had their meal at the public facilities for elderly, while most rural elderly used general restaurant and public room for elderly. Korean foods were the most favorite menu when ate out. Ratio of elderly who have difficulties in chewing was 21.2 and 39.6% for urban and rural elderly, respectively. Many elderly, especially more than 70% of female elderly, prepared the meals for themselves. Rural elderly smoked and drank more than urban elderly and male elderly did more than female elderly.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.265-273
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• 1999

Elderly Koreans living in Muju Gun, Jeonbuk were divided into two groups with ages(65~74 years old group & over 75 years old group) and surveyed with questionnaire to investigate their dietary status and those factors affected with ages. The score of food habit in both sexes showed a falling tendency as their ages increased. Compared with elderly men, elderly women showed lower quality of diet. Elderly Korean were more consumed cereals and green vegetables than milk, egg, meat & fish, seaweed and fats & oils. As education level increased, the food habit score showed a rising tendency. The correlation coefficient between the score of food habit and education level was positive in illiterate and school graduates. The score of food habit of living together with their family was higher than those of living alone or living with their spouse. As household income increased, the food habit score showed a rising tendency. In the case of self consciousness of socioeconomic status was middle, food habit score is higher than those of very low. Dental status of eldery people did not affect food habit score. Palatability showed no significant correlation with age. Elderly Koreans prefered sweet taste than salty, sour, and bitter taste.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.422-431
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• 2015

This study analyzed the dietary status of Southeast Asian workers living in South Korea in order to provide basic data to develop a program that allows workers to map desirable eating habits while living in Korea. Questionnaires were completed by 251 Southeast East Asian workers living in South Korea. From our study, we found that respondents ate three meals a day, and Vietnamese had less regular meal times than others. Thai, Cambodian, and Myanmar workers ate snacks several times a day, as they did in their own countries. For adapting Korean food, Vietnamese and Cambodian workers had difficulties due to spicy and salty flavors while Thai and Myanmar works had difficulties due to unfamiliar ingredients and cooking method. Thai workers were the fastest to adapt to Korean food, and the Thai ratio of eating homeland food daily was highest. Male respondents ate more often than women. Workers had access to cooking facilities in their house and usually ate more homeland food than workers that did not have access to cooking facilities. By providing understanding of dietary patterns of Southeast Asian workers, these results can be used as basic data to develop a program for Korean food adaptation.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.631-641
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preschool children's taste preferences on their intake of nutrients and the degree of dental caries. The subjects were 126 preschool children (boys 62 and girls 64) in Daegu area. Their taste preferences and food intake were investigated and their teeth were also examined. The energy intake of boys (1550 kcal) were significantly higher than that of girls (1441 kcal). Daily dietary intakes of nutrients-except niacin and vitamin C-were higher than those of RDA. Vitamin B$_1$ intake of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly lower than that of the other group (p<0.05). Vitamin B$_2$ intake of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly higher than that of the other group (p<0.05). Vitamin C intake of the group preferring a hot taste was significantly higher than that of the other group (p<0.05). The group with a preference for sweet had more experiences of dental caries and more decayed teeth than the other group, but which is not significant. The experiences of dental caries were negatively correlated with protein intake (p<0.01). The decayed teeth were negatively correlated with energy and protein intakes (p<0.01). Our data suggested that taste preferences are associated with vitamins intake and the degree of dental caries in preschool children. It means the sweet preference increased the experiences of the dental caries.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.357-366
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• 1995

This study was undertaken to investigate college students' perception and preference of Korean traditional foods during November in 1994. 493 students in Taejon area were asked to fill out the questionaires. The collected data were analyzed by SAS package. The average height and weight were 173.04 cm, 64.46 kg for male and 161.73 cm, 49.33 kg for female. Students living their own home were 48.8% and self-lodging students were 30.2%. Male have a meal for hunger and female for pleasure (p<0.002). They choose their foods based on the taste (84.6%) and nutrition (8.2%). 85.5% of students prefer Korean traditional foods. Most students think that the Korean traditional foods should be succeeded and developed. However, they want the taste of Korean traditional foods to be changed for their preference. Kimch'i is the most favorate fermented foods. The fermented fish products and jang-atchi are the most unfavorate ones. They don't like too salty taste and strong smell of the Korean fermented foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.15 no.5
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• pp.413-422
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• 2000

This study was undertaken to investigate meal pattern, nutrition knowledge and food preference of 438 rural middle school students living in ChunNam area. As far as nutrition knowledge is concerned, most subjects did not answer correctly on the items of basic five food groups, animal fat and vegetable oil, empty source of soft drink, nutrient requirement and water's role in energy metabolism. However they responded well on the item of iron deficiency and dietary source of Ca. Male students were significantly better in the answering the items of dietary source of energy and nutrient requirement than females, while female students were significantly better on the items of water's role in energy metabolism related to obesity. Generally the respondents did neither consume oil often nor consider consumption of salty food. Furthermore, only 38.6% of subjects drink milk daily in spite of understanding dietary source of Ca, which suggested that they should incorporate nutrition knowledge into dietary behavior. The preferred foods for most subjects were fruit, kimbab and ice cream. Contrastingly the food that they did not prefer was fermented vegetable probably due to strong flavor.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.20-28
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• 2015

In this study, the eating out behavior and recognition of salinity in restaurant food in Jecheon area were examined. Demographic characteristics of the subjects, eating out behavior and perception of salinity in food purchased in restaurants were surveyed. Also salinity of the high Na-containing menus were measured using salimeter. Exactly 51.6% of the study subjects usually ate out more than one to two times per week. A large percentage (88.6%) of the subjects mentioned that they ate more than half the amount of liquid in their dishes. The study participants recognized that the salt concentrations of stews, soups and noodles in their orders were high. JJamppong was recognized as the most salty among nine kinds of eating out menus, whereas mulnaengmyeon was the least. Although the recognized salt concentration of mulnaengmyeon was relatively low, this dish had the highest salinity out of nine eating out menus. Relative salinities of eating out menus were higher than absolute salinity mostly except yukgaejang. It is necessary to supply exact nutrition information and widely implement nutrition labeling. Furthermore, consumers should personally be careful to limit consuming food with high sodium levels when dining at restaurants and eat less liquid in dishes.