Recognition of Environmentally-friendly Agricultural Products for School Foodservice of Nutrition Teachers and Parents in 2018 at Seongnam in Gyeonggi province / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study examined the nutrition teachers' and parents' recognition of environmentally-friendly agricultural products (EAPs) used in school foodservice. METHODS: A questionnaire survey was given to 128 school foodservice nutrition teachers in Seongnam and 189 parents from Oct. 16 to Oct. 31, 2018 at Seongnam in Gyeonggi province. The survey included information on the recognition, satisfaction, and improvement of EAPs, and the results of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: A comparison of the recognition of EAPs showed that nutrition teachers knew more about the EAPs and local government support in school foodservice than the parents. On the other hand, the parents were more aware than the nutrition teachers in that children have a higher affinity for EAPs than for general agricultural products in the school foodservice. A comparison of the level of satisfaction with the EAPs by nutrition teachers and parents revealed the nutrition teachers to be significantly more satisfied than parents in terms of the color, taste and nutrition of EAPs. Among the items that should be provided with EAPs, more than 50% of each group of nutrition teachers and parents answered that vegetables must be provided first. Some 70.9% of nutrition teachers and 84.5% of parents were aware of the certification standards of EAPs. The nutrition teachers had showed a slightly higher score than the parents in the certification system (3.51 vs. 3.25). In terms of improving the EAPs, 36.2% of nutrition teachers answered a reasonable price preferentially, whereas 56.4% of parents answered maintaining quality. In the expected effects of using EAPs, 57.9% of nutrition teachers answered an improvement of parents' satisfaction on the school foodservice. On the other hand, 38.0% of parents answered an improvement of children' satisfaction on school foodservice. CONCLUSIONS: Nutrition teachers and parents need to be educated on the certification systems that would enhance the trust in EAPs.

Status and needs of nutrition education for children's sugars intake reduction in elementary school / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study examined the status and needs of school-based nutritional education programs for reducing sugars intake in elementary schools. METHODS: A total of 230 elementary nutrition teachers participated in this study through an online survey in July 2017. RESULTS: Approximately one-third of the schools conducted nutrition education on reducing sugars intake as a main topic. The most frequent educated grade and education period were 4th and 3rd grade, and once a year. Most of the nutrition teachers answered that nutrition education related to reducing sugars intake for children was necessary. The nutrition teachers answered that first graders were the recipients in most need of nutrition education for reducing sugars but, realistically, third graders were the most suitable for nutrition education. The appropriate education topics were limited to the lower grades, such as sugars consumption related health problems, foods containing high sugars, and behaviors to reduce sugars intake; however, a wider variety of topics were selected for the upper grades. The experiment was considered to be an effective educational method for both the lower and upper grades. The most appropriate nutrition education media appeared to be a mock-up in the lower grades, and an experiment kit in the upper grades. Games and videos were highly considered to be effective media to educate students in reducing sugars consumption by voluntary participation in free time in the classroom in both the lower and upper grades. CONCLUSION: Nutrition education programs focusing on sugars intake reduction were conducted in some elementary schools, but the training time was short and the types of activities were limited. The perception and demand for nutrition education was very high. Therefore, the development and dissemination of elementary school-based nutritional education programs for sugars intake reduction is urgently needed. Moreover, to develop an effective nutrition education program, the education environment and demand in the field should be fully considered.

Analysis of Nutrition Teachers' Awareness of Necessity for an Operating School Meal Support Center in Chungnam / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the operation needs of school meal support centers (SMSC) in Chungnam-do based on analysis of nutrition teachers' perception of them. METHODS: The Chungnam government established the first SMSC in 2012. Thirteen SMSCs are currently being operated in Chungnam-do. To analyze the results quantitatively, we investigated nutrition teachers opinions regarding the necessity for SMSCs as a dependent variable and derived the independent variables based on the causal relationships with dependent variables using the ordered logit model. Those independent variables included region, school type, number of students, attitude regarding free meal policy, satisfaction with school meal policy, and preference for local food. RESULTS: Briefly, teachers in the region in which the SMSC was located more strongly supported the SMSC. In addition, teachers in public schools with a smaller number of students believed that having a SMSC is more beneficial, and that other variables also affected the necessity for SMSCs. Moreover, nutrition teachers preferred local foods rather than organic foods because of the unstable supply of organic foods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that the local government implement the policy consistently. Moreover, it was recommended that the government operate the SMSC more efficiently, enhance the roles of the SMSC as the local organization responsible for student nutritional planing and expand the coverage of agricultural products.

Analysis of Nutrition Teachers' Awareness of Necessity for an Operating School Meal Support Center in Chungnam / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: We investigated the operation needs of school meal support centers (SMSC) in Chungnam-do based on analysis of nutrition teachers' perception of them. METHODS: The Chungnam government established the first SMSC in 2012. Thirteen SMSCs are currently being operated in Chungnam-do. To analyze the results quantitatively, we investigated nutrition teachers opinions regarding the necessity for SMSCs as a dependent variable and derived the independent variables based on the causal relationships with dependent variables using the ordered logit model. Those independent variables included region, school type, number of students, attitude regarding free meal policy, satisfaction with school meal policy, and preference for local food. RESULTS: Briefly, teachers in the region in which the SMSC was located more strongly supported the SMSC. In addition, teachers in public schools with a smaller number of students believed that having a SMSC is more beneficial, and that other variables also affected the necessity for SMSCs. Moreover, nutrition teachers preferred local foods rather than organic foods because of the unstable supply of organic foods. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the results of this study, it was recommended that the local government implement the policy consistently. Moreover, it was recommended that the government operate the SMSC more efficiently, enhance the roles of the SMSC as the local organization responsible for student nutritional planing and expand the coverage of agricultural products.

Comparison of Required and Additional Man Power's Implemental Task Elements between Present and Future-oriented Duties of School Nutrition Teachers

The purpose of this study was to compare the task elements categorized into required and additional man power's implemental between present and future-oriented duties of school nutrition teachers. The survey consisted of five duties, 27 tasks, 93 task elements, and 270 work details in the task elements of school nutrition teachers. A pilot-test was first conducted on nutrition teachers to confirm the survey contents, and then a main survey was performed on 240 school nutrition teachers, using a self-administrated online method, from July 16 to September 5, 2016. To compare present and future-oriented tasks, frequency analyses were conducted. Work details in the task elements were categorized into ‘required’ and ‘additional man power's implemental’, depending on school nutrition teachers' responses, based on a 50% cut-off percentage. The results showed that 13 work details among 60 work details (21.7%) in the ‘Duty C. Safety and hygiene management of school foodservice’, and 15 work details out of 106 work details (14.2%) in ‘Duty B. Foodservice management practices’ were identified as additional man power's implemental in future oriented duties. As to ‘Duty A. Nutrition management’, only three work details among 55 work details (5.5%) were identified as additional man power's implemental. On the other hand, all work details in ‘Duty D. Nutrition·diet education and counseling and ‘Duty E. Reinforce professionalism’ were identified as “required” as school nutrition teachers' duties. These findings imply that school nutrition teachers perceive nutrition management and education as their primary duties to the fulfill school foodservice' mission of promoting students' health and fostering students' dietary behaviors. The study offers practical and governmental implications, which can encourage school nutrition teachers to perform their primary duties.

Job Perception and the Need for Job Improvement among School Nutrition Teachers in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objectives of the study were to investigate the school nutrition teachers' perception on their job and to find out recommendations needed for its improvement in order to provide a quality foodservice and nutrition education at schools. METHODS: A total of 219 school nutrition teachers in Seoul were surveyed using self-administered questionnaires. RESULTS: The perceived importance of the 16 job duties was rated 3.8 based on a 5-point scale (1: very unimportant - 5: very important). The importance of six duties including nutrition management, production management, nutrition education, and food safety management were rated over 4 point but that of record-keeping for documents, official reporting, and service management was rated the lowest. Importance-Performance Analysis showed that nutrition management, receiving/storage management, production management, menu management, food safety management, and equipment/facilities management should be emphasized to maintain the current performance of duties. The performance of the nutrition education and counseling needed to be improved since the importance scores were greater than average but the performance scores were lower than the average. Official reporting and miscellaneous jobs were rated the highest for simplification need. More than half of the respondents agreed that equipment/facilities management, miscellaneous jobs, service staff supervision, and service line supervision could be allocated to other school departments. CONCLUSIONS: School nutrition teachers should invest more time and resources on their core job duties such as nutrition management, production management, food safety management, and nutrition education for providing quality foodservice and nutrition education. To reflect the environmental changes of school foodservice, a reasonable staffing index of school nutrition teachers needs to be developed. In addition, hiring an assistant or implementing school nutrition teacher internship programs can be useful to reduce workloads of the nutrition teachers.

Job Satisfaction, Work Performance, Work Satisfaction, Perceived Needs and Self-Evaluation of Knowledge and Skills of Nutrition Teachers in Gyeonggi Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of the study was to examine job satisfaction, work performance, work satisfaction, perceived needs and self-evaluation of knowledge and skills of nutrition teachers. Survey questionnaire was administered to 106 nutrition teachers in schools of Gyeonggi area. Subjects were categorized into high- or low-job satisfaction group, and study variables were examined by job satisfaction group. Overall job satisfaction was high, with a mean score of 14.9 out of 20. High-job satisfaction group had more favorable perception regarding human relations and workplace atmosphere compared to the counterparts (p < 0.001). Work performance, examined by 12 items, was not significantly different between the two groups. However, satisfaction regarding specific work of nutrition teachers was significantly different by job satisfaction (p < 0.001). High-job satisfaction group responded that they had more knowledge and skills in areas such as food purchase management, food sanitation and safety management, equipment and facility management, nutrition education, nutrition counseling (p < 0.01), and general management & marketing (p < 0.05). High-job satisfaction group also indicated that nutrition teachers need to have more knowledge and skills than the counterparts, regarding food purchase management (p < 0.001), nutrition education (p < 0.01), nutrition counseling, general management and marketing, and teaching practices (p < 0.05). In addition, study results showed significant positive correlations among study variables. This study suggested that job satisfaction of nutrition teachers might be increased by having favorable human relations and workplace atmosphere, increasing satisfaction with specific work of nutrition teachers, and by increasing the knowledge and skills required for the work of nutrition teachers.

Perception of Nutritional Education among School Administrators, Parents, and School Nutrition Teachers at an Elementary School

The purpose of this study was to compare the perception of nutritional education among school administrators, parents, and school nutrition teachers at an elementary school. Questionnaires were distributed to 450 subjects (150 school nutrition teachers, 150 school administrators, and 150 parents) from June 15 to June 30, 2009, and 309 (84 school nutrition teachers, 104 administrators, and 121 parents) were analyzed. The results of this study were as follows. First, school nutrition teachers' perceived level (4.54) of importance of nutritional education was significantly (P<0.001) higher compared to school administrators (4.10) and parents (3.97). Second, demand for revitalization of nutritional education as perceived by parents (3.23) was significantly (P<0.001) higher compared to school nutrition teachers (2.61) and school administrators (2.51). Third, parents' satisfaction level of elementary school nutritional education was 3.23, followed by those of school administrators (2.83) and school nutrition teachers (2.50). There were significant differences in terms of satisfaction of elementary school nutritional education between school administrators, parents, and school nutrition teachers (P<0.001). Fourth, school nutrition teachers' demand for revitalization of nutritional education was significantly (P<0.001) higher at 4.24 compared to both parents (3.76) and school administrators (3.46). Fifth, with regards to bolstering nutritional education in elementary schools, it was deemed necessary for each school to have a school nutrition teacher. In conclusion, perception of nutritional education varied among school administrators, parents, and school nutrition teachers. In conclusion, a communication network between school administrators, parents, and school nutrition teachers should be established for revitalization of nutritional education at elementary schools.

School Dietitians' Satisfaction with and Needs for School Meal Service Support Centers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate school dietitians' satisfaction with and needs for School Meal Service Support Centers. A web-based on-line survey was conducted with 1,102 nutrition teachers or school dietitians using four School Meal Service Support Centers during the summer of 2011. The data from 578 respondents (52.5%), consisting of 165 (44.4%), 334 (53.4%), 41 (67.2%), and 38 (86.4%) dietitians using Seoul, Gyeonggi, Suncheon and Gyeongju centers, respectively, were analyzed. The main reason for using the centers was subsidies from local governments. The dietitians using the metropolitan centers, which were Seoul and Gyeonggi centers, tended to buy agricultural products through the centers only, and those using local centers, which were Suncehon and Gyeongju centers, bought those products from the private suppliers as well as from the centers. The dietitians' overall level of satisfaction with the centers was not high showing 3.3 out of 5 points; it was significantly associated with the operating system and services of the centers such as system efficiency, delivery accuracy, communication, and information provision rather than the agricultural products provided by the centers. The dietitians preferred joint operation of the centers by local governments and producers' groups. They wanted School Meal Service Support Centers to be evaluated every year. It was suggested that efforts should be made to improve the operation system and service of School Meal Service Support Centers for improving dietitians' satisfaction with the centers. In addition, an evaluation system for School Meal Service Support Centers should be implemented soon based on school dietitians' needs.

Nutrition Teachers' Perception of the Importance and Performance Frequency of Their Roles in the Indicators and Items on a Teacher Evaluation

This study was conducted to determine the appropriateness of the indicators and items on teacher evaluations for professional development and to provide insight for their improvement. To accomplish this, the perception of the importance and performance frequency of 318 nutrition teachers regarding their roles inherent in the indicators and items were evaluated through a survey questionnaire based on a five-point Likert scale. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a paired t-test. In addition, the reflective analysis and constant comparison method were employed to analyze the responses to the open-ended questions asking problems in the indicators and items. The results revealed that the mean scores for the importance and performance frequency of most indicators and items were over four points, which implies that most indicators and items are appropriate for evaluating the job tasks of nutrition teachers. However, it was suggested that a few items be revised or removed for their improvement and appropriateness. This study concluded that nutrition teachers should have more chances to provide nutrition education for students to enable them to perform as teachers and not simply dietitians.