RESUMO
PURPOSE: This study examined the menu pattern, food diversity, and satisfaction of parents with the snack menus of childcare centers provided by the Center for Children's Foodservice Management (CCFM) in Jeonbuk area. METHODS: Data from 2,432 snack menus (1,321 for morning snacks and 1,111 for afternoon snacks) of March, June, September, and December 2017 from 13 CCFM in Jeonbuk area were analyzed. In addition, the participants for the survey were 247 parents in Jeonju and Kunsan. The data were analyzed using a t-test, χ²-test, and hierarchical regression analysis with SPSS v. 24.0. RESULTS: Differences in the menu pattern and food diversity were observed between morning and afternoon snack menus. The majority of snack menus (61.6%) were one menu item. The percentage of ‘G’ (20.0%) was highest in the food group patterns. The morning snacks served mainly porridge, raw fruits, and milk, and the afternoon snacks served mainly flour-based foods, juices, and milk. The awareness level of parents about the snack menus of daycare centers was 4.09±0.82, and its overall satisfaction was 4.06±0.69. In the snack-quality attribute analysis, the hygiene of foods was the most important factor, and parents judged that they were doing well. Regression analysis showed that the hygiene of personnel was the most influential variable on the overall satisfaction, followed by balance with the main meal and the portion size. CONCLUSION: Therefore, it is important to establish snack menu guidelines considering the eating behaviors of the children and to strengthen hygiene for the increasing the satisfaction of various stakeholders in daycare centers.