Effect of Nutrition Education on Improving Dietary Attitudes, Food Habits and Food Frequency - Female in Twenties Shift Work in Gyeonggi Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of nutrition education on improving dietary attitudes, food habits and Food Frequency of 32 female shift workers by administering questionnaires. Dietary nutrient consumption data were obtained from the female shift workers by using 1 day 24-hr recall. The results were as follows: Score on 'Concerns about health (p < 0.05)' was significantly higher after-training. Dietary attitude (32.3 vs. 34.9, p < 0.01) and food habits (60.2 vs. 67.1, p < 0.01) were significantly higher after thetraining. Scores on 'Eating a lot of food that I want to eat is more important than nutrition (p < 0.01)', 'I have a tendency to use instant foods when I am busy (p < 0.01)', 'I am interested in information on nutrition and health (p < 0.01)' were significantly higher after the training. Scores on 'I have three meals a day (p < 0.001)', 'I have breakfast regularly (p < 0.01)', 'I take vegetables other than kimchi at every meal (p < 0.01)', 'I drink milk every day (p < 0.001)', 'I eat fruits every day (p < 0.01)', and 'I apply nutrition knowledge to daily life (p < 0.001)' were significantly higher after the training. Protein (p < 0.05), fiber (p < 0.05), vitamin C (p < 0.01), and calcium (p < 0.001) intakes were significantly higher after the training. These results showed that nutrition education had improved the dietary attitudes, food habits, and nutrient intakes. Therefore, we conclude that providing more systematic and appropriate nutrition education to shift workers during their tenure of office period is likely to improve dietary attitudes, food habits, and nutrient intakes.

A Comparison of Salty Taste Assessments and Dietary Attitudes and Dietary Behaviors Associated with High-Salt Diets in Four Regions in Korea / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare regional differences in salty taste assessments, nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes and dietary behaviors associated with high-salt diets in four national regions in Korea (Region 1: Seoul, Sokcho, Region 2: Buyeo, Jecheon, Gong Ju, Region 3: Daegu, Gyeongsan, Region 4: Jeon Ju). Subjects were 860 persons who participated in sodium reduction campaign. The result of the salty taste assessment by region was not significantly different. The nutrition knowledge score of subjects in Region 1 was the highest. Dietary attitude scores that showed preference for high-salt diets of Region 2 and Region 4 subjects were higher than those of Regions 1 and 3 subjects (p < 0.001). Dietary behavior scores were not significantly different among regions. The correlation between sodium intake and salty taste assessment was significant (p < 0.01). Older subjects who had high blood pressure levels and lower nutrition knowledge were more likely to have high sodium intakes. Even though the salty taste assessment and dietary behavior scores by region were not significantly different, the salty taste assessment scores had a significant negative correlation with nutrition knowledge and had a significant positive correlation with dietary attitude and dietary behavior in terms of preference for high-salt diets. Therefore, nationwide education regarding salt intake reduction and health and a campaign to encourage favorable attitudes and behavioral changes regarding consumption of a no-salt / low-salt diet is needed.

Nutrition Knowledge and Eating Behaviors of Elementary School Children in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was aimed to examine nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and eating habits of elementary school students and to examine if their characteristics differ by gender. Subjects were 5th and 6th graders of an elementary school (n = 317) in Seoul, and the survey was done during July 2007. Mean height, weight, BMI of subjects was 148.1 cm. 41.7 kg, 19.0, and 14.3% of subjects were categorized as the overweight/obese group. Anthropometric data were not significantly different by gender. Mean score of nutrition knowledge was 14.9 out of 20 showing moderate knowledge levels, and girls scored higher on nutrition knowledge than boys (p < 0.05). Subjects showed knowledge deficit in areas such as nutrients, food groups and specific weight control information. The percentages of correct answers regarding meals for brain function were significantly higher in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). They got nutrition information mainly from mass media and family/relatives. The mean score of dietary attitudes was 41.2 (possible score: 10-50) indicating somewhat positive attitudes, and the score of eating behaviors was 34.8 (possible score: 15-45). Subjects showed problems in eating habits such as having unbalanced diets and snack foods. 82.6% of subjects had unbalanced meals, and these percentages were higher in girls (87.2%) than in boys (78.1%, p < 0.05). Vegetables and fish/shellfish were the most disliked foods. Specific eating behaviors, such as eating slowly, eating grains and having processed foods less frequently, were better in girls than in boys (p < 0.05). Results also showed that majority of subjects need to improve specific behaviors including having diverse foods, eating meals slowly, having meals at regular times, having adequate foods in each food groups, and eating sweets or salty foods less frequently. Only 52.7% of subjects perceived their body images as normal, and 56.4% had experience of weight control. Reasons for weight control were different by gender (p< 0.05). Based on these findings, nutrition education for school children should focus on modifying eating habits or eating behaviors, by suggesting practically applicable methods and providing nutrition information that is interesting and suitable to school-aged children.

Perception of Nutrition Labeling on Restaurant Menus among Adults in Suwon / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purposes of this study were to investigate the perception of nutrition labeling on restaurant menus, and to analyze the differences among subject's characteristics, eating-out behaviors, and dietary attitudes. Information concerning general characteristics, health status, eating-out behaviors and dietary attitudes of subjects was collected by a structured questionnaire. From January 5th to February 27th in 2009, 406 questionnaires were completed by 157 males and 249 females. Statistical analyses were performed using by SPSS 14.0 package program. The perception of the importance of nutrition labeling was 3.89, while knowledge of whether restaurants provided sufficient nutrition information scored 2.26 indicating that being highly conscious of nutrition labeling, respondents did not view the supplied information as sufficient. Nutritional perception was greater in females and varied in both genders with age and health status. Significant differences concerning the perceptions of nutrition labeling were evident, based on eating-out behaviors and dietary attitudes. The results imply that nutrition labeling on restaurant menus should be based on consumer characteristics. Relevant nutrition labeling might help improve health by encouraging proper dietary habits and providing valuable nutritional information. Recognition of the importance of nutrition labeling and strategic implementation of labeling in menus would be prudent strategies for restaurant managers.

Dietary Habits, Food Frequency and Dietary Attitudes by Gender and Nutrition Knowledge Level in Upper-grade School Children / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to examine dietary habits, food frequency and dietary attitudes by gender and nutrition knowledge level in upper-grade school children. Subjects were 223 boys and 208 girls attending 13 elementary schools (5 th and 6 th graders). A self-administered questionnaire was developed to assess nutrition knowledge, dietary habits, food frequency, and dietary attitudes. Nutrition knowledge score assessed by 19 questions was significantly higher in girls than in boys. There were significant differences between boys and girls in several items in dietary habits such as enough breakfast time, dinner regularity, number of side dishes, eating speed, type of snack after dinner, and degree of saltiness of dishes. Girls consumed staple foods such as rice, noodles or bread more frequently, and consumed less frequently ramyun, fried foods, fast foods, and Chinese foods than boys. In addition, girls had more positive dietary attitudes in trying to reduce fast foods, Chinese foods, ramyun and fried foods. Also children in the high or moderate nutrition knowledge level groups had better dietary habits in frequency of meals, frequency of breakfast, enough breakfast time, dinner regularity, activity during the meal, number of side dishes, eating speed, type of snack after dinner, and better food choices by eating staple foods and vegetable side dishes, meats and beans more frequently, and fried foods, doughnuts/ cakes, Chinese foods less frequently, and had better dietary attitudes in breakfast, vegetables and fruit intake than children in the low nutrition knowledge level group. Our results showed that dietary habits, food frequency and dietary attitudes were different by gender and nutrition knowledge level. These results suggest that in developing nutrition education program for elementary school children, the differences between gender and nutrition knowledge level should be considered. Nutrition education in elementary schools may change dietary habits and dietary attitudes through increasing nutrition knowledge.

Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Attitudes, Dietary Habits and Awareness of Food-Nutrition Labelling by Girl's High School Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to investigate the nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and dietary habits of girl's high school students in Kunsan, and to investigate their recognition of food-nutrition labeling. The results are summarized as follows. General nutrition knowledge is relatively low, with an average of 0.57. It was shown that high school female students skipped breakfast rather than lunch or dinner, with a skipping rate of 28.9% for breakfast, 0.7% for lunch, and 8.6% for dinner. Regarding snacks, 35.5% of all the surveyed students had 1 snack per day, with 31.9% having them between lunch and dinner. The most popular snacks include biscuits (22.3%), noodles (18.3%) and bakery (13.3%). The most popular response was that students 'sometimes checked' the food label of processed domestic and imported processed food. The level of satisfaction with food labels is moderate, with an average of 2.96, out of 5. The most satisfactory title about food labels was 'helpful for food selection' with 3.19. On the other hand, the least satisfactory title was 'understands the label' with 2.78. Regarding the identification of the nutrition labeling, the highest response was 'sometimes watched, sometimes not,' with 40.5%. Products which were most often checked were milk/milk products (3.44), snacks/bread (3.33), and soft drinks (3.07). Among nutrition labeling items, total calories was the most important, followed by fat, carbohydrate, cholesterol and calcium. The question regarding the knowledge of nutrition labeling rated an average of 0.58 (out of 1). There was a significant positive correlation between the degree of the nutrition label verification and the dietary attitude score, along with the nutrition labeling knowledge and the nutrition knowledge score of the subjects. On the other hand, the degree of the nutrition label verification and the knowledge on nutrition labeling had a significant negative correlation. Hence, it is of the opinion that education on properly reading nutrient information is necessary to enable adolescents to apply that in real life. Furthermore, labeling nutritional information on processed food through a more comprehensive method is deemed necessary as a supporting measure.

Improvement of Dietary Attitudes of Elementary Students by Nutrition Labeling Education / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to improve the dietary attitudes of elementary students through nutrition labeling education. A class of fifth-grade elementary students was selected and educated for basic nutrition and reading of nutrition labeling for 8 weeks by using education materials from the KFDA. After the education, the children were subjected for the practice of reading nutrition labeling during winter vacation, and the changes in their dietary attitudes and practice were measured by using questionnaires for children and their parents along with measuring physical changes. The results were as follows: The level of nutritional knowledge was improved significantly after the education (p < 0.05). Nutrition labeling education increased the children's frequency of reading nutrition labeling from 34.2% to 57.9% while purchasing processed foods (p < 0.05), and 92.1% of the children answered that their dietary attitudes improved by nutrition labeling education. However, no improvement in physical measurements was observed after education. This result suggested that 8-week of education were not enough to show the improvement in physical measurements, and long-term and repeated education is necessary. After the education, most children answered that they recognized the benefit of reading nutrition labeling and they would read the nutrition labeling when purchasing processed foods. Parents also recognized the necessity of nutrition labeling education in school and suggested the need of nutrition labeling be easy to read. The above results suggested that nutrition labeling education is an effective way for improving dietary attitudes of children.

Application of a Practical Nutrition Education Program, KHIDIKIDS, for the Improvement of Dietary Attitudes and Habits of Elementary Students

The purpose of this study was to improve the dietary attitudes and habits of elementary students in lower classes through a 12-week practical nutrition education program called KHIDIKIDS, which was developed by Korea Health Industry Development Institute (KHIDI) in 2004 based on the 2003 Children's Dietary Guidelines of the Ministry of Health and Welfare of Korea. KHIDIKIDS has never been applied in the field, therefore, another purpose of this study was to evaluate the program in the school education and suggest the ideas for the improvement. KHIDIKIDS was applied to a class of 2nd-grade elementary students consisting of 28 children in Seoul during the fall semester of 2005, and the effect of the program was measured by using questionnaires for the students and their parents. The statistical analysis of the study was conducted by using SPSS WIN 11.5 program, and the results were as follows: The children's knowledge on nutrition was improved significantly by KHIDIKIDS education (p < .001), such that the average score on nutritional knowledge increased from 8.32 to 9.64 after education. This practical nutrition education program also improved the dietary attitudes and habits of children especially in healthy body weight, daily exercise, and having breakfast (p < .05). Parents also showed very positive responses for the nutrition education. During the application of KHIDIKIDS in the field, the followings were indicated for adjustment; First, some education content of the week was too much to be finished in a class hour and more hours need to be allocated. Second, some terminology need to be adjusted to help the students understand easily. Thirdl, the order of the '5 Basic Food Groups' needs to be matched with the order of each food group in the 'Food Tower' not to make children be confused. Above results showed that KHIDIKIDS was effective for the improvement of dietary attitudes and habits of lower elementary students. However, further educational effects would be achieved when the education was started from the 1st to higher grades along with the parents' participation.

A Comparative Study on the Dietary Attitudes, Dietary Behaviors and Diet Qualities of Food and Nutrition Major and Non-major Female University Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to compare dietary attitudes, dietary behaviors and diet qualities of Food and Nutrition major and non-major female students at a university located in Inchon. The subjects included 74 female Food and Nutrition majors and 45 non-Food and Nutrition major female university students. This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire, and the data were analyzed by a SPSS 10.0 program. The nutrient intake data collected from Three-day recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program and then the diet quality was estimated using the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). There was no significant difference in dietary behaviors between Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors. However, most of the female university students had poor eating habits, such as overeating, unbalanced meals, and skipping of meals. In particular, more than 50% of the female university students skipped breakfast. As for weighing themselves once a week, changing dietary lifestyles, calculating food calories and having interest in information on nutrition and health, the ratio of Food and Nutrition majors was significantly higher as compared to that of the non-majors. There was a significant difference in food consumption frequency except for milk and milk products, and iron-rich foods between the Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors. However, there was a significant difference in the frequency scores of iron-rich foods between the Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors. The MAR of Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors were 0.80 +/- 0.13, 0.79 +/-0.13, respectively. However, in the Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors, the NARs of calcium were 0.61 +/- 0.21 and 0.59 +/-0.20, and that of iron were 0.61 +/-0.21 and 0.59 +/-0.16, respectively, which was extremely low when compared to that of the other nutrients. This result was similar to that of the INQ. Therefore, nutritional education is necessary if female university students are to practice optimal nutrition, including well-balanced diets and eating foods of high nutritional quality.

Comparison of Dietary Attitudes and Attitudes to the School Lunch Service of Elementary and Middle School Students Living in the Same Region / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine dietary attitudes of students and changes in their attitudes toward the school lunch service. The participants of the study were 483 students ranging from third grade elementary school students to middle school sophomores living in the Seoguipo area of Jeju Island. The subjects were asked to complete questionnaires under the supervision of their teachers or dietitians, and data were grouped into elementary school 3rd and 4th grades, elementary school 5th and 6th grades; and middle school 1st and 2nd grades for each gender. There were no significant differences among the groups with respect to their regularity of food intake, dietary considerations, or the frequency of imbalance in their diets. In the case of female participants, their frequency of snacking decreased as their grade level increased. In general, the overall changes in dietary attitudes became more negative as their grade level increased. Male students demanded increased serving sizes of both staple food and side dishes, while female students demanded increased serving sizes dishes, but not staple food as their grade levels increased. there was also an increase in the number of student sin higher grades who discarded or did not eat enough their entire meals. The major reasons for not eating the food were : no taste to the food and not proper saltiness of food. These results may suggest that school dietitians need to pay more attention to increased taste and proper seasoning of meals. Students suggested that the school lunch service should be continued, but that it needs improvement. Students in higher grades were more aware of the importance of the environment in which the meal was provided. Also, an early education in nutrition and healthy diets seemed important in preparing them for following a healthy lifestyle in later life.

A Comparative Study on Dietary Habits and Dietary Attitudes among Middle School Students with Different Obesity Indexes / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The object of this study was done to assert the dietary habits, food intake, and dietary attitudes of 332 middle school students in a small city. The subject were divided into doe groups based on weight length index (WLI). Anthropometric data showed that the mean height and weight were 169.5 +/-8.2 cm and 55.1 +/-11.5 kg in the male students and 158.9 +/-5.9 cm and 48.1 +/-7.6 kg in the female students. The mean WLIs for male and female students were 103.0 +/-19.7 and 96.3 +/-12.8, respectively. Of the male students 27.9% and of the female students 32.1% were underweight, and of the male students 28.9% and of the female students 13.0% were overweight based on WLI index. Lack of good dietary habits in the overweight group tended to be the highest, the normal group was the second highest, and the underweight group was the lowest. The regularity of eating breakfast and flood prejudice scores in the overweight group were significantly higher than those in the normal and underweight group. With respect to flood intake, the normal group tended to consume grains, yellow or green vegetables, vegetables with light color, fruits, milk, yogurt, cheese\`, seaweeds, fat-floods, instant floods, sweet floods, carbonated drinks, and spicy and salty floods more frequently. The underweight group tended to consume meat-ham, eggs, fish and fried, stir-fried flood more frequently In dietary attitudes, the overweight group tended to have more favorable dietary attitudes, and the normal group tended to have negative dietary attitudes. The underweight group showed more negative responses to trying to eat/drink milk, yogurt, or cheese everyday than the overweight groups. It might be suggested that more effective nutritional programs should be developed and implemented to ensure good dietary habits in middle school students, including the overweight, as well as the underweight group. Further research on the comparison of dietary characteristics is needed, with consideration of the subjects' WLI.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Nutrition Education Program for Hypertensive Patients at the Community Level / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease which is considered the leading cause of death in Korea. Since nonpharmarologic dietary intervention is recommended as the first step in the management of hypertension, evaluation of intervention programs is needed to formulate strategies for improving patients' dietary adherence. This study was designed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of a hypertension nutrition education program (HNEP) at a public health center, by assessing changes in nutrition knowledge, food attitude, self-efficacy, dietary behavior, and nutrient intake after program completion. An HNEP was conducted in Suwon city for 5 months in 1999 by a public health center. The program provided 3 sessions of group education with individual nutrition counseling. Thirty-five patients participated fully in the program out of 62 enrollees. Data about nutrition knowledge, food attitude, self-efficacy, dietary behavior, and intake (24-hour recall) were collected before (baseline) and after the program. Post program results indicate the following : 1) nutrition knowledge and perception of importance of nutrition significantly increased, 2) food attitudes also improved, 3) the self-efficacy for maintaining a low salt diet was increased significantly, whereas self-efficacy for maintaining a low fat diet or dietary guidelines was not improved, 4) frequency of intake of processed food, animal fat, and sweets as well as frequency of dining out were significantly reduced, 5) nutrient intake was not improved after the program, 6) the most serious barrier for participating in the program and practicing diet therapy was lack of time and willingness. In conclusion, it appears that HNEP might improve food attitudes, individual perceptions and self-efficacy for desirable eating behavior, but it might not improve dietary intake. It follows then, that a long term intervention program may need to increase effectiveness of patient dietary adherence.

Strategies of Improve Elderly Nutrition through Nutrition Education : Evaluation of the Effectivenss of the Program / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The increased number of elderly in Korea presents great challenges for community nutrition programs. Strategies to enchance elderly nutrition are needed, as well as dietary advice that are reality-based and tailored to the need of the elderly. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the overall effectiveness of an elderly nutrition improvement program(ENIP), by assessing changes in nutrition knowledge, attitudes, and behavior after program completion. ENIP was conducted in Suwon for 4 months in 1998 at 5 centers for the elderly. The program provided individual nutrition counseling and brief biweekly group education sessions. To stimulate participation and motivation, the elderly in two centers were served free milk packs(200ml) three time a week during the program(milk+education group), and the elderly in 3 other centers were served yoghurt on the program day(education group). Altogether, 102 subjects finished the program(milk+education group 67 ; education group 35). Data about nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, diet records(24 hour recall) and dietary habit was collected before(baseline) and after the program(follow-up). The Drop-out rate for the milk+education group(2.9%) was significantly lower than that for the education group(30.0%)(p<.001). The Nutrition Knowledge fo females milk+education group increased significantly after the program, but no significant differences were observed in other groups. Over 60% of all the elderly showed positive responses to the healthy eating attitudes. Energy, protein, vitamin A, riboflavin, Calcium and Potassium intakes improved in the male milk+education group. The Vitamin C intake improved in the male education group. Energy and vitamin A intakes improved in the female milk+education group and energy, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, Ca nad P in the female education group. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of food intake changes on overall nutrient quality. For all elderly, the fish intake explained 12.6% of the variance, followed by candy intake and vegetable intake(model R2=19.6%). Dietary habits such as meal time regularity and salty food reduction were markedly improved in both groups. Sixty-one percent of the milk+education subjects stated their participation was voluntary and active, while 51% of education subjects did. Sixty four percent of the subjects stated their interest on diet increased remarkably through program participation. Considering the results, it is conjectured that ENIP had a great impact on nutrient intake, dietary attitudes and habits. Milk supplement showed no direct effects on elderly nutrition improvement, but it encouraged the program by reducting drop-out rates and inducing voluntary participation. Therefore milk supplement could enhance the community nutrition education program. Moreover it is strongly suggested that the ENIP be expanded to other communities.

Effects of Nutrition Education on Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Attitudes, and Food Behavior of College Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrition education on nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and food behavior of college students. The subjects of this study were 350 college students attending a university. The education group students received nutrition education three hours per week during a 4-week period offered in a 'Home Economics' course. A total of 150 students in the education group and 200 students in the non-education group completed pre-test questionaires examining nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and food behaviors. Major findings were as follows : nutrition knowledge, and food behavior of the education group were improved compared to the non-education group. But significant changes were not observed in dietary attitudes in the education group. There were higher correlations between nutrition knowledge and dietary attitudes score, and between dietary attitudes and food behavior score at the posttest than those at the pretest. These results suggest that nutrition education for college students can effectively improve their nutrition knowledge and food behaviors.