• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.139-149
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of obesity on the satisfaction with school lunches and school lunch leftovers of elementary school children in the Kyeonggi area. The study was carried out on 235 children(male : 111, female :124) in December of 2000. The results are summarized as follows. A Rohrer index was used to define obesity. The proportions of severe underweight, underweight, normal, overweight, and obese were 0.9%, 16.6%, 57.9%,17.0%, and 7.7% respectively. For the data analysis, the subjects were divided into 3 groups : an underweight group(Rohrer index 109 including severe underweight), a normal group(Rohrer index 110-140), and an obese group(Rohrer index 141 including overweight). With regard to the satisfaction with school lunches, the proportions of children who were satisfied, neutral, and unsatisfied were 27.2%, 59.6% and 13.2% respectively. The proportion of the satisfaction with school lunches was significantly higher in the male group than in the female group(p〈0.05), and the proportion of the dissatisfaction with school lunches was significantly increased with obesity index(p〈0.05). The largest proportion of children who were satisfied with school lunches answered they felt hungry(56.3%) and the food tasted good(42.2%). Children sho were not satisfied with school lunches answered that the food was not tasty(93.5%), they did not have ant appetite(9.7%), and others. The children not finishing school lunches(leftovers) occasionally or always were 47.7% of the subjects. The behavior of leaving lunch foods was not significantly related to the gender or the frequency of eating snacks, wile it was positively related with dissatisfaction with school lunches(p〈0.01), obesity index(p〈0.05), and the decreased frequency of eating meals per day(p〈0.01). The reasons of school lunch leftovers were food dislikes(67.9%), excess of quantity(39.3%), tastelessness(31.3%), poor appetite(13.4%), and other. The children eating meals twice, 3 times, and 4 times per day were 18.7%, 74.9%, and 6.4% of the subjects respectively. The proportions of the obese and the satisfaction with school lunches were not changed significantly according to the frequency of eating meals, while the proportion of children leaving school lunches was significantly higher in the group of eating meals twice per day than in the other groups(p〈0.01). The frequency of eating snacks was not related to the obesity index, the proportion of school lunch leftovers, or the frequency of eating meals, while the proportion of satisfaction with school lunches was significantly higher in the group of eating snacks 1-2 times per day than in the other groups(p〈0.01). In conclusion, it is necessary to have children enjoy school lunches with efforts to improve the food´s taste in the school food services and to reexamine the serving sizes for the children, in addition to the nutrition education for the children to eat a variety of foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.369-380
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• 1991

A study of eating behavior was conducted among 274 children of Nan Hyang elementary school, located in low income area of Seoul, where a school lunch program is not operated. During weekdays, 19.6% of children ate breakfast and 18.4% ate supper alone or with their siblings. The school provided boxed lunches for 10.5% of the children with governmental funds, who were chosen by the school based on their household income. But the percentage of the children skipping breakfast was 14.6%, lunch 10.3% and supper 8.0%. The results of nutritional analysis of the children who had three meals a day and those of children skipped one of the regular meals were compared. The group who had three meals consumed more nutrients except vitamin C than the group skipped meal (p<0.01). Most common meal pattern was consisted of cooked rice, Kimchi and side dishes. When the children didn't have afternoon classes, 10.0% of the children ate Ramen only at home without any side dishes. Among the protein sources, the beans and bean products were the most common items. When we studied the three different lunches such as A) the boxed lunches provided by school, B) the boxed lunches from home and C) the lunches ate at home, the A) lunches provided the most common items. When we studied the three different lunches such as A) the boxed lunches provided by school, B) the boxed lunches from home and C) the lunches ate at home, the A) lunches provided the milk products, fruits, ice cakes${\cdots}$etc. Their favorite foods were fruits, yoghurt, Chinese black noodle, and sweet potatoes whereas being not prefered foods, were aromatic vegetables. It seemed that the increasing rate of working mothers and the overflooding of instant foods have caused to neglect children's meal management. To solve these problems, nutrition education and extend of school lunch programs should be emphasized.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.149-163
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the feasibility of application of the draft nutritional standards for school lunches in the Republic of Korea (South Korea) from the supplier perspective. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In November 2018, a pilot operation was conducted at 104 participating schools for 2 weeks each by applying the draft standards A and B. To evaluate the ease and appropriateness of application of the standards, we analyzed the nutritional values and food cost of the school lunches for 2 weeks before and for 4 weeks under the pilot operation. We conducted an online survey of school dietitians or nutrition teachers of the participating schools to evaluate the feasibility of application of the standards in school lunch sites. RESULTS: The proportions of schools of which lunches met the reference values of the school's own nutritional standards were 19.2% for the standards A and 21.2% for the standards B. The food cost of school lunches applying the standards A (KRW 2,880) was significantly lower than that of school lunches applying the standards B (KRW 3,030) or the existing standards (KRW 2,980). As a result of the survey, the mean score for the ease of application was significantly higher for the standards B (2.75) than for the standards A (2.24). The proportions of school dietitians or nutrition teachers reporting no problem in meeting an existing food cost standard were 72.5% for the standards A and 61.8% for the standards B, respectively. The overall appropriateness of application was higher for the standards B, because almost two-thirds (58.8%) of the respondents answered that the standards B were more appropriate than the standards A. CONCLUSION: The standards B were more feasible to apply as nutritional standards for school lunches than the standards A from the supplier perspective.

• 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.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.98-107
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• 2011

This study was conducted via survey of 300 enrolled male and female high school students in the Chungnam area. The survey focused on students' dietary habits, changes in dietary habits based on the school lunch menu, and satisfaction of school lunches, in order to identify new methods for changing dietary habits and improving satisfaction of school lunches. Regarding the general characteristics of those surveyed, most were 17 years old, and of the same gender. Ninety-nine percent of those surveyed lived in farming areas, and the majority of students' parents graduated from high school and are self-employed. Research on dietary habits according to gender found that male students ate more regularly than did female students, with a difference of (p<0.001) between the two genders. Regarding the degree of which students ate only what they want, differences of (p<0.05) were found between the genders. The types of snacks frequently consumed were found to be flour-based snacks for the male students, whereas the females mostly consumed sweet foods and bread snacks. Research on satisfaction of school lunches according to gender also showed a difference of (p<0.5). Specifically, 48.7% of male students responded 'average', whereas only 45.3% of female students responded in the same way. The reason for dissatisfaction of school lunches were quality and nutrition for the male students (30%) and taste for the female students (60.4%), with a significant difference according to gender (p<0.05). Regarding the types of food most left over, both female and male students answered fish, bean curd, and soy products.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.879-889
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine nutrition management conditions of lunch with the elementary schools and middle schools in the Changwon area. 292 students (5th and 6th graders) from three elementary schools and 330 students from three middle schools (boys, girls, and co-ed) participated in the aggregate selective plate waste measurement for 5 days. Planned menus, serving sizes and plate waste amount data were collected. Nutrient analyses for the planned, served and consumed menus at school lunches were performed by using CAN-PRO 3.0. Nutrient analyses of the planned, served and consumed menus were compared with nutrient management standard (former edition) for school lunch and 1/3 Korean Dietary Reference Intakes (KDRIs). Significant difference was found in the average consumption rate between the elementary schools (82.2%) and the middle schools (71.8%). Specifically, the consumption rates of steamed rice (p < 0.001), side dish 1 (p < 0.001), and Kimchi (p < 0.01) at the middle schools were significantly lower than those of the elementary schools. When the nutrient contents in the served menus were put into percentages to the nutrient contents in the planned menus, middle schools (92.3%) showed bigger serving loss than the elementary schools (95.4%). In the nutrient assessment comparied with nutrient management standard (former edition), middle school lunches showed comparatively less energy or less some nutrient contents against the standard than the elementary school lunches. Specifically, in case of boys in middle schools, Vitamin C was the only nutrient content that satisfied the standard in the planned menus, served menus and consumed menus. In the 1/3 KDRIs based assessment, middle schoolers were found not to be provided proper nutrients with school lunches. To improve nutrition management at middle school foodservices, dietitians should reinforce nutrient assessment for menu planning, and try to decrease serving loss and plate waste.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.29-40
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• 2000

The purposes of this study were to (a) measure plate waste of school lunches, (b) evaluate the nutrients actually consumed by students in elementary school foodservice. The survey was conducted between May 11 and July 1, 1998 through the practical measurement and questionnaires. Statistical data analysis was completed using SAS program for descriptive analysis and T-test. The results were summarized as follows: 1. The mean plate waste of menu group were soup, vegetable side dishes, kimchi, and meat side dish in order. 2. There was little difference between estimation and weighing of plate waste. 3. The satisfaction of children with school lunches were significantly higher for boys(73.55%) than for girls(71.13%). The highest level of the satisfaction was meat side dishes among boys and girls. 4. The majority reasons for leaving leftover were 'too big portion' and 'food is not tasty'. 5. There was significant negative correlation between plate waste and student's satisfaction. In summary, increased satisfaction with school lunches in most menus resulted in decreased plate waste rate. 6. Comparison of $\frac{1}{3}$ RDA, energy, vitamin A and calcium were below recommended allowances for boys while energy vitamin A, calcium and iron were for girls. In general, the nutrient intake was more adequate for boys than girls because of the girl's lower allowances.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.465-474
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• 1995

The purpose of this paper was to grasp some aspects of use of imported foods at the rural homes with the growing generation. So we put some questions to the 399 middle school and high school students. The results were as follows: (1) The number of the homes using the imported foods, which marks 56.9% of the whole, was higher than the number of the homes not using the ones. (2) Even though the use of imported foods had no relation with the occupations of the student's mothers, the degree of living quality, the situations of food consumption, and so on, however the use ratio was high at the homes of middle class. (3) The students of the home of using imported foods favored the traditional diets, and marked 63% of the objective students of investigation. The students who like the western style of diets marked the high frequency of the use of the imported foods. On the other hand, the students who like the Chinese foods used the meat and fishes and processed foodstuffs among the imported foods. (4) The frequency of instant foods for the carried lunches showed the meaningful relation with frequency of use of imported foods. (5) In the view of use of instant foods for the lunches, the group of people who carried the lunches 3 or 5 times per week used the imported meat foods, the other group who carried the lunches 1 or 2 times per week marked the high frequency of having coffee and tea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.668-676
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between the students' levels of involvement in school lunch service and their satisfaction levels with the service. A survey was conducted with $5^{th}\;and\;6^{th}$ grade elementary students eating school lunches. Out of 1,680 questionnaires distributed to the students from 14 schools, 1,254 complete questionnaires $(74.6\%)$ were analyzed. The questionnaire included two 5-point multi-item scales for measuring levels of involvement in and satisfaction with school lunch service, respectively. A factor analysis grouped 20 items measuring school lunch satisfaction into three factors: 'food satisfaction', 'nutrition & sanitation satisfaction', and 'service & environment satisfaction'. As a result of multiple regression analyses controlling the influence of such variables as students' grades, gender, school location, years and places of eating school lunches, students' levels of involvement in school lunch service was proven to be positively associated with levels of school lunch satisfaction overall, as well as satisfaction levels in regard to 'food', 'nutrition & sanitation', and 'service & environment', respectively. It was suggested that efforts such as nutrition education to increase students' levels of involvement in school lunches could be a useful strategy to improve students' satisfaction with school lunch service.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.550-559
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• 2010

The study was conducted to assess school dietitians' preferences for traditional foods, to determine the association with their perception and usage status, and to develop the strategies to increase its utilization of traditional foods in school lunches. The information was obtained by the self-administered questionnaire from the subjects, which were 198 dietitians in schools located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. According to the preference for traditional foods, subjects were distributed into three groups (High = 54, Medium = 128, Low = 16). The significances of differences between groups were determined using SPSS 12.0 at p < 0.05. Compared to the dietitians with lower (medium and low) preferences, those with high preferences answered that they had better knowledge (p < 0.001) for traditional foods, and served them more in school lunches (p < 0.01). Also, more dieticians in the high preference group not only felt that they need to train school administrators (p < 0.01) as well as themselves (p < 0.05), but also were currently providing students with the nutrition education on traditional foods (p < 0.05). The results presented the evidence suggesting that having dietitians with higher preference for traditional foods can offer an effective strategy to increase the opportunities for schoolchildren to be exposed to traditional foods. Development of the standard recipes for use in school lunches by the government or the association was answered as the best strategy to increase the use of traditional foods, regardless of the dietitians' preferences.