ABSTRACT
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of dietary education carried out by dieticians or nutrition teachers at elementary, middle, and high schools in Gyeonggi province. We compared dietary education status not only among school level but also between dieticians and nutrition teachers. METHODS: The survey using self-administered questionnaires was conducted by dieticians or nutrition teachers at 91 schools (43 elementary schools, 33 middle schools, and 15 high schools) in Gyeonggi province in December, 2015. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding general characteristics of respondents, current status of dietary education, opinion about dietary education methods, and cooperation level of persons concerned. RESULTS: The placement rate of nutrition teachers was 50.5% overall. Only 36 out of 91 schools conducted regular dietary education, and the percentage of schools conducting regular dietary education was significantly different according to school level with the lowest percentage in high schools, equivalent to 20% (p = 0.003). The average annual dietary education time was 12.4 hours, and it was very low in high schools (5.1 hours) and in schools without a nutrition teacher (1.6 hours). The levels of cooperation and support from principals, teachers, parents, and students were significantly lower in high schools than elementary and middle schools (all p < 0.001) and in schools without a nutrition teacher than schools with a nutrition teacher (all p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The results show that the level of dietary education is not enough and needs to be improved, especially at middle and high schools and at schools without a nutrition teacher. Government support polices need to be implemented to encourage dietary educational activities.
Subject(s)
Humans , Education , Nutritionists , Parents , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Chewing difficulty is a factor contributing to a poor nutritional status in the elderly. The aim of this study was to examine disparities in food and nutrition intakes among Korean elderly people with and without chewing difficulty. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized data from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2013. The study subjects included males and females over 65 years of age who were not required to adhere to a special diet due to disease or sickness. They were divided into groups according to their chewing ability. Those who found chewing “very difficult” or “difficult”, were combined to form the chewing difficulty group. Similarly, those who found chewing “moderately difficult”, “easy”, and “very easy” were combined to form the normal chewing group. RESULTS: Of the 999 subjects, 47.7% had chewing difficulties and the prevalence of chewing difficulty was higher in females than in males (P = 0.03) and higher in those 75 years of age and over than in younger individuals (P < 0.001). The chewing difficulty group had a significantly lower intake of fruits and vegetables (P < 0.05) and lower vitamin C and potassium intake than those in the normal group. Comparison of the percentages of Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) in the two groups indicated that the intake of most nutrients (energy, vitamin C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, and iron) were significantly lower in the chewing difficulty group than in the normal group. In particular, calcium intake was inadequate (51% of KDRIs) in the chewing difficulty group. CONCLUSIONS: The results indicate that chewing difficulty is closely related to food and nutrient intake in the elderly and can result in vitamin and mineral intake deficiencies. It is evident that the care of elderly subjects with chewing difficulty is essential for maintaining a healthy lifestyle.