Effect of Eating with Family or Alone on the Self-rated Mental or Physical Health: The Elementary School Children in Daejeon Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of eating with family or alone on the self-rated mental or physical health and then work out strategies of making people recognize the importance of eating with family and its practice. Study subjects were 610 primary school 5th- and 6th-grade students in Daejeon Area. A questionnaire survey was carried out. 57.9% of students had working mothers. The frequency of meal in a day was 2.90 +/- 0.42 and this frequency was lower in students who had working mothers (p < 0.05). The frequency of skipping breakfast (times/week) was 1.02 +/- 1.77. The frequencies of eating alone (times/week) were 1.04 +/- 1.65 for breakfast and 0.97 +/- 1.52 for dinner. Also, the frequency of eating alone for dinner was higher in students who had working mothers (p < 0.001). When the frequency of eating alone for breakfast or dinner was higher, the frequencies of skipping breakfast and dinner were also higher (for all, p < 0.01). When the frequency of eating alone for breakfast or dinner was higher, the self-rated positive mental health were lower (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively) and the self-rated negative mental health (for dinner, p < 0.05) and the self-rated negative physical health was higher (p < 0.05 and p < 0.01 respectively), thus presenting negative health. The frequencies of eating with family (times/week) were 3.37 +/- 2.50 for breakfast and 4.14 +/- 2.19 for dinner. Also, the frequency of eating with family for dinner was lower in students who had working mothers (p < 0.01). When the frequency of eating with family for breakfast was higher, the frequency of skipping breakfast was lower (p < 0.01). When the frequency of eating with family for dinner was higher, the frequency of skipping dinner was lower (p < 0.01). In addition, when the frequency of eating with family for breakfast or dinner was higher, the self-rated positive mental health were higher (for both, p < 0.01) and the self-rated negative mental health was lower (for breakfast, p < 0.01) and self-rated negative physical health were lower (for both, p < 0.01), thus presenting positive health. Therefore, in order to maintain positive health, it is necessary to recognize the importance of eating with family at home and educate people to carry out a systematic and continuous dietary life, thus increasing eating with family and reducing eating alone and skipping a meal.

The Interrelations among Nutrition Education, Satisfaction with School Lunch, School Lunch Leftovers and Self-rated Mental or Physical Health: The Elementary School Children in Daejeon Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the interrelations among current status of nutrition education, satisfaction with school lunch, school lunch leftovers and self-rated mental or physical health in order to find out the effective method of nutrition education. For this, a questionnaire survey of 623 primary school 5th and 6th-graders in Daejeon area was carried out. The eating places were classrooms (41.1%) and restaurants (58.9%). A 59.2% of students have received nutrition education and the opportunity of receiving nutrition education was more in 5th-graders than in 6th-graders (p < 0.001). The score of nutrition knowledge was 9.4 +/- 2.8 out of 15. When the score of nutrition knowledge was higher, the practical use of nutrition knowledge was higher (r = 0.134, p < 0.01); the score of school lunch leftovers were less (r = -0.116, p < 0.01); and the score of self-rated mental health was more positive (r = 0.198, p < 0.01). The practical use of nutrition knowledge was 2.9 +/- 1.1 out of 5. When the practical use of nutrition knowledge was higher, satisfaction with school lunch was higher (r = 0.105, p < 0.01); school lunch leftovers were less (r = -0.103, p < 0.01); the score of self-rated positive mental health was higher (r = 0.293, p < 0.01); and the scores of self-rated negative mental health (r = -0.119, p < 0.05) and physical health (r = -0.126, p < 0.01) were lower, thus rating their health more positively. The score of satisfaction with school lunch was 3.4 +/- 1.0 out of 5. When the satisfaction with school lunch was higher, the score of school lunch leftovers was less (r = -0.216, p < 0.01); the score of self-rated positive mental health was higher (r = 0.147, p < 0.01); and the score of self-rated negative health was lower (r = -0.121, p < 0.01). The score of school lunch leftovers was 2.9 +/- 1.4 out of 5. When the school lunch leftovers were less, self-rated positive mental health was significantly higher (r = -0.146, p < 0.01); and the scores of self-rated negative mental health (r = 0.135, p < 0.01) and physical health (r = 0.223, p < 0.01) were significantly lower, thus presenting positive health. Therefore, in order to maintain positive health condition, it is necessary to carry out nutrition education, which is able to raise the nutrition knowledge and practical use of nutrition knowledge, school lunch satisfaction and to reduce the school lunch leftovers.

A Comparative Study on the Designer-Oriented Current Status of Menu Book Designs in the Restaurants of Incheon Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the designs of the menu books as an important tool of marketing and then present its improvement strategies. For this, the investigator comparatively examined the current status of menu book designs of the restaurants in Incheon area with 295 managers and then analyzed menu book designs by its designers. Menu book designers were printing houses (42.0%), specialized business (31.9%) and managers/employees (26.1%). 51.5% of menu books were impossible to substitute partially. Even there were seasonal menus or event menus, 27.5% of them were impossible to replace menu books partially; therefore, it was impossible to take a prompt action for seasonal or event menus. The easiness of understanding the terminology in menu books was average 2.74 +/- 0.45(3-point scale). The harmony of menu book design with restaurants was average 2.46 +/- 0.51 (3-point scale). Comparing to the menu books designed in specialized business, the menu books designed in printing houses or by managers/employees were uniform in type sizes (p < 0.001), had no menu photos (p < 0.001) and explanations (p < 0.001), and did not classify menus by groups (p < 0.001) in general. In addition, profit-making menus were not properly emphasized (p < 0.001), thus making the design of menu books a little improper. Therefore, it is necessary to educate managers in the restaurants to understand the importance of menu books and thus improve it. In addition, by maintaining close communication with designers of menu books, managers in the restaurants must ensure for their menu books to be designed appropriately, thus making their menu books play the role of an important marketing tool.

Effects of Low Glycemic Index Nutrition Education on the Blood Glucose Control in Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus

This study was intended to assess the effects of low glycemic index (LGI) nutrition education on dietary management and glycemic control of patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus. The subjects were 48 sex-matched patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus, aged 66.5 +/- 6.2 years, visiting a public health center. They were divided into two groups: the control group (males 10, females 14) and the educated group (males 10, females 14). The educated group was provided with a LGI nutrition education program for 7 weeks. The control group was educated only one time for general diabetic education. Anthropometric indices, knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index carbohydrates, dietary glycemic index (DGI) and glycemic load (DGL), fasting blood glucose, and HbA1c were assessed. In the educated group body weight, body mass index and systolic blood pressure (from 138.0 +/- 18.9 mmHg to 130.6 +/- 15.0 mmHg) were significantly reduced after the nutrition education (p < 0.05). The scores of knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index carbohydrates increased significantly in the educated group. Dietary glycemic index and glycemic load of the educated group decreased significantly from 103.4 +/- 67.6 to 45.4 +/- 27.1 (p < 0.001), and from 173.3 +/- 135.9 to 66.8 +/- 50.4 (p < 0.001), respectively. Also fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels of the educated group significantly decreased from 124.5 +/- 28.8 mg/dL to 96.7 +/- 21.6 mg/dL (p < 0.001) and from 7.1 +/- 1.3% to 6.4 +/- 1.2% (p < 0.05), respectively. The score of knowledge and perception of efficacy of low glycemic index significantly correlated with fasting blood glucose and HbA1c levels negatively. DGI, DGL and duration of diabetes significantly correlated with HbA1c level positively. From stepwise multiple linear regression analysis, DGI, DGL and the duration of diabetes were extracted as factors influencing HbA1c level of the subjects. The results of this study suggest that low glycemic index nutrition education programs is an effective intervention measure for the glycemic control in type 2 diabetic patients.

Comparison of Students' Satisfaction with a Meal of College Foodservice by Operating System / 대한지역사회영양학회지

College foodservice (FS) demands highly-developed operation technique which can provide adequate nutrients to their students, as well as to guide better eating habits and to meet students' various desires. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to improve college FS satisfaction with food items by comparing 2 contract-managed and 2 self-operated college FS in Daejeon and Chungnam area. According to the results, 59.1% of students frequently (over 3 times per week) took meals at college cafeteria and the main reason for using college cafeteria was the low-price of meal, although the students' satisfaction degree with price of meal was lower in contract-managed FS than in self-operated FS. There were no differences in the food satisfaction degrees with overall appraisal of food items between 2 operating systems of college FS, but the satisfaction degrees with all food items were high in male as compared with female. The higher the negative self-perceived clinical symptoms scores, the lower the satisfaction with foods, which suggests that the health state of students was one of the factors that influenced college FS satisfaction. According to stepwise multiple regression analysis, 'taste of boiled rice', 'overall appraisal of boiled rice', 'overall appraisal of soup', and 'variety of side dish', in decreasing order, were the most relatively important attributes for overall customer satisfaction with food taste of college FS. Finally, there should be further studies on important management factors to improve college FS satisfaction according to 2 operating systems.

Comparison of Students' Satisfaction with Sanitary, Environment, and Service of College Food Service by Operating System / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to improve college food service satisfaction with sanitary, environment and service by comparing 2 contract-managed and 2 self-operated college food services in Daejeon and Chungnam area. According to the results, sanitation and environment satisfaction degrees of contract-managed college food services were higher than those of self-operated food services. The satisfaction degrees with service were also higher in contract-managed food services than self-operated food services except the category of quick food delivery. In all categories comprising the food service satisfaction, the satisfaction degrees were lower in female students than in male students. There were more negative self-perceived clinical symptoms in female students than male students. The higher the negative self-perceived clinical symptoms scores were, the lower the satisfaction degrees with food service were, which suggests that the health state of students was one of the factors that influenced college food service satisfaction. There was no difference between contract-managed and self-operated food services in terms of satisfaction with overall food taste and overall satisfaction degree. The average satisfaction degree for the contract-managed food services in terms of price relative to food quality was lower than that for self-operated food services. According to stepwise multiple regression analysis, 'overall food taste', 'price relative to quality', 'kindness of employees', 'coping with proposed opinions' and 'quickness of food delivery' in decreasing order, were the most relatively important attributes for overall satisfaction. There should be further studies on important management factors to improve satisfaction with sanitary, environment and service by self-operated college food service.

Comparison of Students' Satisfaction with a Meal of College Foodservice by Operating System / 대한지역사회영양학회지

College foodservice (FS) demands highly-developed operation technique which can provide adequate nutrients to their students, as well as to guide better eating habits and to meet students' various desires. The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to improve college FS satisfaction with food items by comparing 2 contract-managed and 2 self-operated college FS in Daejeon and Chungnam area. According to the results, 59.1% of students frequently (over 3 times per week) took meals at college cafeteria and the main reason for using college cafeteria was the low-price of meal, although the students' satisfaction degree with price of meal was lower in contract-managed FS than in self-operated FS. There were no differences in the food satisfaction degrees with overall appraisal of food items between 2 operating systems of college FS, but the satisfaction degrees with all food items were high in male as compared with female. The higher the negative self-perceived clinical symptoms scores, the lower the satisfaction with foods, which suggests that the health state of students was one of the factors that influenced college FS satisfaction. According to stepwise multiple regression analysis, 'taste of boiled rice', 'overall appraisal of boiled rice', 'overall appraisal of soup', and 'variety of side dish', in decreasing order, were the most relatively important attributes for overall customer satisfaction with food taste of college FS. Finally, there should be further studies on important management factors to improve college FS satisfaction according to 2 operating systems.

Comparison of Students' Satisfaction with Sanitary, Environment, and Service of College Food Service by Operating System / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to provide basic data to improve college food service satisfaction with sanitary, environment and service by comparing 2 contract-managed and 2 self-operated college food services in Daejeon and Chungnam area. According to the results, sanitation and environment satisfaction degrees of contract-managed college food services were higher than those of self-operated food services. The satisfaction degrees with service were also higher in contract-managed food services than self-operated food services except the category of quick food delivery. In all categories comprising the food service satisfaction, the satisfaction degrees were lower in female students than in male students. There were more negative self-perceived clinical symptoms in female students than male students. The higher the negative self-perceived clinical symptoms scores were, the lower the satisfaction degrees with food service were, which suggests that the health state of students was one of the factors that influenced college food service satisfaction. There was no difference between contract-managed and self-operated food services in terms of satisfaction with overall food taste and overall satisfaction degree. The average satisfaction degree for the contract-managed food services in terms of price relative to food quality was lower than that for self-operated food services. According to stepwise multiple regression analysis, 'overall food taste', 'price relative to quality', 'kindness of employees', 'coping with proposed opinions' and 'quickness of food delivery' in decreasing order, were the most relatively important attributes for overall satisfaction. There should be further studies on important management factors to improve satisfaction with sanitary, environment and service by self-operated college food service.

Factors Associated with Breakfast Skipping in Elementary School Children in Korea / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The objective of this study was to examine relationships between breakfast skipping and ecological factors related to eating practice. Participants were 537 children (male: 274, female: 263) from two elementary schools in Kyunggido (School A) and Seoul (School B). Analysis included cross-tabulation of demographics, factors related to eating practice and weight status, frequency of breakfast skipping and types of breakfast and the number of foods at breakfast by schools. Logistic regression were conducted to identify the factors associated with breakfast skipping. Children in school B showed higher socioeconomic status by living environment and the type of fathers' job than those in school A. Eighty six percent of children in school B and 75% in school A ate breakfast 5 times and more per week. School and father's occupation differences correlated with the frequency of breakfast, but not mother's employ status was not. After controlling school, type of father's job, mother's employ status, eating breakfast 5 times and more was associated with eating with other family members, feeling hungry before breakfast, normal weight status, eating Korean traditional meal type and number of food eaten at breakfast. The results stress the need for intervention programs aimed at decreased skipping breakfast among elementary school children. While programs need to reach all children skipping breakfast, approaches need to be suitable to in particular those from low socioeconomic backgrounds.

Effect of obesity on the Satisfaction with School Lunches and the Behavior of Leaving Lunch Food in Elementary School Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

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.