A Study on the Eating Habit and Eating Out Behavior of the University Students in the Gyeonggi Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study investigated difference of general eating habit and eating-out behavior between men and women of university students in Gyonggi area. The survey was conducted from 1 March to 1 April 2010, in Gyeonggi area. Self-administered questionnaires were collected from 250 students in Gyeonggi area. The research results show, first of all, that they eat twice a day, and they usually do not eat breakfast. The main reason why they do not eat breakfast is that they do not have enough time to eat. Between men and women, there is significant difference in eating amount and eating speed at 0.001 levels. Men's problems of eating behavior are irregular meal time and speed of eating time, and in case of women, they do not have a meal regularly and overeat at one time. Second, they usually eat out for a meal and gather with friends once to three times a week. Also, the lunch set-menu promotion is the most preferred one. Third, when men choose a restaurant, they consider in order of taste, convenience, amount, and service; women consider in order of atmosphere, taste, convenience, and service. Taste is the most important for men; atmosphere is the most important consideration for women. Taste (at 0.01 levels), sanitation (at 0.05 levels), and atmosphere (at 0.001 levels) are significantly different between men and women in choosing restaurant.

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.

Development of the Computer-assisted Nutrition Education Program of Eating-out Guidance for Teenagers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study aimed to develop a nutrition education internet program for correcting the eating-out behaviorial problems of youth. A survey was performed to investigate the eating-out behavior patterns of youth by questionnaires. A nutrition education program was developed on the basis of the survey results, and evaluated by teenagers. The results of the developed homepage are summarized as follows: The contents of this program (www.health14.net) consist of 'x Health (Teenager, My Health, Healthy life, Beautiful life)', '+ Nutrition (To find slow foods, Fast foods campaign, Selecting fast foods, The best menu for eating-out, Recipes for health, Golden bell nutrition quiz)', '/ Information (Diet mini-homepage, Q & A, My knowhow, Game, Community)' and 'Basic Menu (home, Log in, Information and news, Mini-homepage, Site map, Free bulletin board)'. It can be used as educational material for dietary behaviorial changes in school. Also teachers and parents could get information on eating-out menus. Through this site, we anticipate contributing to nutritional health promotion by correcting the eating-out habits of youth.