Perception and importance for country-of-origin labeling at restaurants in college students in Jeju / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed the perception and importance of country-of-origin labeling at restaurants in 500 college students in Jeju surveyed from April 15 to May 5, 2016 with the aim of providing basic data. A total of 465 questionnaires out of 500 were used as base data for this study. METHODS: The data were analyzed using descriptive analysis, χ2-test, and t-test using the SPSS Win program (version 21.0). RESULTS: Regarding food safety-related dietary behaviors, average score was 3.65 points (out of 5), and ‘put the food in a refrigerator or freezer immediately (4.07)’ showed the highest score, whereas ‘cool rapidly hot food prior to putting it in the refrigerator (3.08)’ showed the lowest score. Regarding the awareness of country-of-origin labeling at restaurants, 67.5% of subjects were aware of it. With regard to dietary behavior of food safety, the high group showed a higher score than the low group (p < 0.001). Regarding reliability of the system, 4.9% of subjects indicated ‘very reliable’ and 45.4% ‘somewhat reliable’. For perception of subject's country-of-origin labeling, the average score was 3.77 (out of 5). Regarding checking country-of-origin labeling at restaurants, 68.0% of subjects checked country-of-origin labeling, and the high group in the safety-related dietary behavior score ranking showed a higher rate (79.3%) than the low group (57.1%) (p < 0.001). With regard to importance by item, 'honest country-of-origin labeling of restaurants' showed the highest score at 4.27 (out of 5). CONCLUSION: It is necessary to provide continuing education for college students in order to enhance their perception of country-of-origin labeling at restaurants. Moreover, a systematic and appropriate support and control system by the government and local government needs to be developed in order to improve country-of-origin labeling at restaurants.

Perception on food allergy labelling and management of nutritional education among higher grade elementary school students in Jeju area / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to examine the prevalence of food allergy, food allergy knowledge, and perception on food allergen labelling along with management of substitute meals in school foodservice in elementary school students in Jeju, South Korea. METHODS: Six elementary schools in Jeju-si were randomly selected, and the higher grade elementary school students (n=1,500), from fourth graders to sixth graders, were surveyed using a questionnaire in July 2014. A total of 1,000 responses were used for data analysis. RESULTS: The percentage of students who had experienced food allergy was 16.7%; 26.4% had been diagnosed as having a food allergy by doctors. Milk, crabs, and shrimps were the most frequent allergenic foods with common symptoms including urticaria followed by itching, and vomiting. As the student's grade went up, the knowledge scores on food allergy showed a significant increase. Although students with and without food allergy experience had a similar level of knowledge on food allergy and perception on food allergen labelling, students with food allergy experience had a significantly lower level of healthy dietary practices. Last, only 20.4% of students with food allergies were offered substitute meals by school foodservices, and 30.8% of students received food allergy education. CONCLUSION: For prevention and management of food allergies in school foodservice, schools should provide an individualized substitute meal plan and food allergy education to students, parents, and teachers.

A study of total sugar intake by middle school students in Jeju Province / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate total sugar intake and sugar intake-related dietary habit and nutrient intake of middle school students. METHODS: Subjects included 1,184 middle school students (476 males and 708 females) residing in Jeju. This research analyzed daily dietary intakes of subjects using the 24 hour recall method and surveyed the dietary habit related to total sugar intake using questionnaires. Descriptive analysis, chi-square test, t-test, and ANOVA, using the SAS program were used for analysis of data. RESULTS: The average daily total sugar intake was 60.3 g (male 50.5 g, female 66.9 g). Total sugar intake per meal was 6.5 g (10.8%) from breakfast, 9.0 g (14.9%) from lunch, 11.8 g (19.6%) from dinner, and 33.0 g (54.7%) from snacks. Food groups that contribute to the majority of total sugar intake were grains and their products (23.0 g), milk (11.0 g), fruits and their products (7.3 g), sugars and sweets (6.1 g), and vegetables and their products (5.8 g). In terms of total sugar intakes by cooking methods, desserts showed a greater amount than main and side dishes, and indicated in order of amount as follows: bread and cookies (11.5 g), dairy products (7.5 g), ice cakes (6.2 g), beverages (5.3 g), and fruits (4.5 g). Total sugar consumption was high for rice and side dishes such as noodles (10.2 g), fried foods (2.9 g), stir-fried foods (2.0 g), and cooked rice with seasoning (1.7 g). The daily intake of natural sugar, added sugar, and natural and added sugar was 18.3 g, 35.8 g, and 6.2 g, respectively. The high sugar intake group, which was over 20% of the energy from total sugar intakes, consumed significantly less Fe, Zn, vitamin B6, niacin, and vitamin E than the low sugar intake group, which was below 20%. CONCLUSION: Total sugar intake of second graders of middle schools on Jeju Island was 60.3 g/day, mostly obtained from snacks (54.7%). Therefore, nutritional education for proper selection of better snacks and for reduction of dietary sugar intake is needed for middle school students.

A study of dietary intake of total sugars by elementary students in Jeju province / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to estimate total sugar intake and sugar intake-related dietary habit and nutrient intake of elementary school students. METHODS: Subjects included 701 elementary school students (351 boys and 350 girls) residing in Jeju. The research analyzed a sample and was carried out using the 24 hour recall method and one day consumption of total sugar. RESULTS: The average daily total sugar intake was 55.3 g (male 53.1 g, female 57.6 g). Total sugar intake per meal was 6.3 g (11.4%) from breakfast, 6.9 g (12.5%) from lunch, and 7.2 g (13.0%) from dinner, 34.9 g (63.1%). Major food groups of total sugar were milks (17.04 g), grains and their products (12.79 g), fruits and their products (9.40 g), and sugars and sweets (7.30 g). In analysis of the amount of total sugar consumption from several recipes, much was taken in from dessert and snacks such as dairy products (15.08 g), bread and snacks (6.4 g), beverages (5.5 g), fruits (5.1 g), and ice cakes (4.8 g). Total sugar consumption was high for rices and side dishes such as noodles (5.1 g), stir-fried foods (2.3 g), fried foods (1.4 g), cooked rice with seasoning (1.4 g), and hard-boiled foods (1.1 g). In comparison of total sugar consumption for sugar sources, daily intake of natural sugar, added sugar, and natural and added sugar were 25.8 g, 23.3 g, and 6.2 g, respectively. High sugar intake group, which was over 20% of the energy from total sugar intakes, consumed significantly less Fe, Zn, and niacin than the low sugar intake group, which was below 20%. CONCLUSION: Total sugar intake of fifth graders of elementary schools on Jeju Island was 55.4 g/day, and it was usually intake from snacks. Therefore, elementary school students need nutritional education for proper selection of better snacks and for reduction of dietary sugar intake.

A study of the major dish group, food group and meal contributing to sodium and nutrient intake in Jeju elementary and middle school students / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The objective of this study was to investigate the differences of sodium intake in the diet according to the kind of meal, food group, and dish group. METHODS: A dietary survey was conducted using the 24-hour recall method from April to May, 2009. The study subjects consisted of 701 elementary and 1,184 middle school students in the Jeju area. Mean sodium intake and the percentage contribution of meals and each dish and food group to daily sodium intake were calculated. RESULTS: The daily sodium intake was 2,868.4 mg and 3,032.5 mg in elementary and middle school students. For elementary school students, breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack provided approximately 18.0%, 35.1%, 32.8%, and 14.1% of total daily sodium intake, and for middle school students, 15.3%, 40.2%, 29.1%, and 15.5%, respectively. Major food groups for sodium intake were spices (1,252.5 mg in elementary, 1158.0 mg in middle school students), vegetables and their products (409.0 mg, 495.6 mg), cereal and grain products (322.4 mg, 647.8 mg), and fish and shellfish (255.3 mg, 336.6 mg). Except cereal and grain products, sodium intake of the food groups mentioned above was greater at lunch and dinner than at breakfast and snack. And, the elementary and middle school students obtained 5.9% and 9.8% of total daily sodium intake from cereal and grain products at snack. Among the 29 dish groups, the highest dish groups contributing to dietary sodium intake were soup and stew and tang/jeongol, consuming 19.8% (elementary school students) and 25.4% (middle school students) of daily sodium intake. The following major dish groups contributing to dietary sodium intake, in order, were kimchi, seasoned vegetables, grilled dish, stir-fried dish, and a la carte. By meals, the percentage of sodium intake from soup, kimchi, stew, fried dish, and stir-fried dish at school lunch was high, from noodles, grilled dish, and a la carte at dinner, and from bakery/snacks and noodles at snack. CONCLUSION: Sodium intake from the various side dishes at school lunch was high and noodles and bakery/snacks were popular snack foods in elementary and middle school students in Jeju area. In order to lower the intake of sodium, students need to be educated about eating less soup and choosing better snacks.