RESUMO
OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to examine the satisfaction of school cafeterias among the surveyed group at two middle schools located in Seoul. METHODS: 574 out of 600 middle school students in Seoul (95.7%) completed the study. RESULTS: Satisfaction rate of school meals was significantly higher among girls (73.2%) compared to boys (45.1%). The reasons for satisfaction factors of school meals were with the taste of school meals (55.1%), menu (19.3%), nutrition (14.2%), and food hygiene safety (7.0%). Students who had a double-income family, well-educated mother and higher happiness in their life reported a higher satisfaction with school meals. Both boys and girls who consumed milk frequently showed significantly higher satisfaction with school meals. Factors that were related to satisfaction of school meals were food temperature, the amount of food (especially among boys). Variety in the menu and food distribution speed were less related to the satisfaction of meals. In the case of girls, waiting time, food distribution speed were more important to them while the kindness of school staff was a less important factor. Improvements that were needed to increase the satisfaction for the school lunch meals, from the most important to least important were as follows: variety of meals (36.6%), food distribution speed·waiting time (24.6%), taste of food (15.7%), amount of food (7.7%), hygienic management (5.1%), food quality (4.7%), kindness (3.0%), temperature of the food (2.8%). Students preferred to broadcast on campus and cooking practice for the dietary education. CONCLUSIONS: To improve school meal satisfaction, it is necessary for food distribution facilities to make improvements with regard to variety of meals and reduced waiting time.