A Study of Early Child Care Center Teachers' Attitudes for Meal and Snack Guidance between Sweden and Korea / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The objective of this study was to compare early child care center teachers' attitudes for meal and snack guidance between Sweden and Korea. Participants were 251 early child care center teachers (Sweden: 134, Korea: 117) working in Goetebory, Sweden, and Seoul, Korea. The survey was conducted from December in 2003 to February in 2004. SPSS programme was used for statistical analysis. Sixty five point eight percent of the Korean early child care center teachers provided a certain amount of foods for children. But 20.9% of Swedish provided a certain amount of foods for children, 79.1% of them provided the amount a child wanted. Sixty one point seven percent of Korean teachers allowed a child leave foods on the plate, but 95.5% of Swedish teachers asked a child eat all food on the plate. When a child didn't want to eat, 61.1% of the Korean teachers fed him/her, but 11.0% of the Swedish teachers did. Only 42.4% of the Swedish teachers allowed a children eat sweets, but 92.9% of Korean did. The Swedish teachers' perception for food guidance were eating by child himself/herself > washing hands before eating > having appropriate table manner > eating as talking with friends > not playing during the meal time, while the Korean teachers' was taking various food > having appropriate table manner > eating by child himself/herself, not playing during the meal time > washing hands before eating. The Swedish teachers thought 'eating as talking with friends' and 'eating by child himself/herself' is important, where as the Korean's did 'eating without making noise', 'not playing during the mealtime' in the eating behavior. For 'brushing teeth after meal' the Swedish teachers' score (1.5) was lower than the Korean (4.2). The results is necessary to improve meal and snack guidance for Korean early child care center teachers' education.

Recommended Dietary Allowances for Young Children and Food Guideline for Preschool Children in Sweden / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study is to offer information related to recommended dietary allowances for young children and food guidelines for preschool children in Sweden. Sweden, located in Europe, is the most developed country for young child care system. Swedish nutrition policy background, Swedish recommended dietary allowances for young children, and food guidelines of early childhood education center in Sweden were used. The number of Swedish child care centers increased from 70,000 in 1970 to 700,000 in 2000. The Swedish Institute of Public Health promoted children's indoor and outdoor activity. The aim of the Swedish public health contains children's safety, good food habits, and eating food safely. Swedish Food Administration made recommended dietary allowance and food guidelines for children care centers. The aim of food guidelines was to increase energy, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber intake. Swedish RDA contains minimum and maximum intake as well as mean intake for macro and micro nutrients. The fat intake ratio of energy is increased for younger children. For preschool children, the food guideline is determined by dietary allowances for breakfast, lunch, and snack respectively. Food guideline contains meal time schedule, menu for each meal using food model, amount of food for age group, and recommended dietary allowance for each meal. It is recommended for Korean early childhood education center: 1) Korean RDA for young children should be made range of intake, minimum and maximum intake. 2) Food guideline should be make for Korean child care center. 3) Korean child care centers should offer an afternoon snack twice for children who retun home late. 4) Nutrition education program for preschool teachers should be developed for children's good eating habits and health promotion.