Impact of the established healthy canteens and restaurants in Shanghai on usage of oil， salt， and sugar， and on nutritional knowledge and behavior of diners / 上海预防医学

ObjectiveTo evaluate the changes of the usage of oil， salt， sugar and nutritional knowledge and behavior intervention among diners before and after the establishment of healthy canteens and restaurants in Shanghai. MethodsA comprehensive intervention was conducted through the establishment of healthy canteens and restaurants， encompassing interventions such as oil， salt， and sugar management， improvement of nutritional environment， staffing and training activities， and nutrition labeling guidance. A pre-post self-controlled study design was used to compare changes in oil， salt and sugar usage， as well as diners’ knowledge and behaviors related to nutrition and nutrition labeling， before and after the intervention. ResultsAfter intervention， the total usage of oil， salt， and sugar per meal in the canteens and restaurants decreased by 18.33%， 14.83%， and 13.66%， respectively，and all had statistically significance differences（P<0.001）. The awareness rate of "cooking oil intake"， "salt intake"， and "added sugar intake" among diners increased from 24.07% to 38.04%， 58.52% to 71.28%， and 26.85% to 45.01%， respectively. The awareness rate of "daily food types" and "weekly food types" increased from 43.07% to 56.53% and 49.52% to 64.32%， with significant differences （P<0.001）. The rate of understanding the content of nutrition labels increased from 66.91% to 76.90%， the awareness rate of nutrition labels increased from 53.59% to 69.06%， the rate of active reading of nutrition labels among diners increased from 73.38% to 81.23%， and the rate of selecting and purchasing food based on the information of nutrition labels increased from 69.27% to 77.79%， all of which were statistically significant （P<0.001）. ConclusionThe comprehensive interventions carried out through the creation of healthy canteens and restaurants have significantly impact on usage of oil， salt， and sugar， as well as on the nutritional knowledge and behaviors of diners.

Study on Sodium Reduction: 'Healthy Restaurant for Sodium Reduction'

This study compared total sodium amounts in 'Healthy Restaurant for Sodium Reduction' menu items located in Seoul, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang in 2011 and 2012. In addition, this study explored reduced sodium cooking methods in 'Healthy Restaurant for Sodium Reduction'. This study monitored and collected menu samples from a total of 103 restaurants participating in 'Healthy Restaurant for Sodium Reduction' in 2011 and 2012. We also surveyed restaurant employees to identify reduced sodium cooking methods in 2012. The results showed significant reductions in total amounts of sodium in menu items of restaurants located in Seoul, Chungcheong, and Gyeongsang between 2011 (310.8+/-156.8 mg/100g) and 2012 (211.6+/-110.3 mg/100g). Amounts of sodium in all seven foodgroups showed significant reductions between 2011 and 2012: 'Gook/Tang' (from 226.6+/-127.7 mg/100g to 168.5+/-74.3 mg/100g), 'Jjigae/Jeongol' (from 385.8+/-111.7 mg/100g to 257.1+/-82.53 mg/100g), 'Noodle/Dumpling' (from 263.8+/-116.9 mg/100g to 194.1+/-55.6 mg/100g), 'Gui' (from 390.3+/-120.6 mg/100g to 258.8+/-92.7 mg/100g), 'Steamed dish' (from 305.3+/-124.3 mg/100g to 175.6+/-76.6 mg/100g), 'Bob' (from 273.7+/-162.5 mg/100g to 167.1+/-93.1 mg/100g), and 'Stir-fried dish' (from 368.6+/-116.6 mg/100g to 219.0+/-72.4 mg/100g). The survey results showed that responses for 'Reducing salt amount' were 75.7%, responses for 'Using enchovy stock, shrimp, radish, or fruit soup' were 64.1%, and responses for 'Liking the taste because it is bland' were 50%. This study indicates that 'Healthy Restaurant for Sodium Reduction' nutrition policy was successful for reducing sodium contents of restaurant menu items, and also consumers were satisfied with the tastes.

Restaurateur's Willingness to Participate in the Healthy Restaurant Program in Seoul

This study examined the restaurateur's willingness to participate in the healthy restaurant program. Using a structured self-administered questionnaire, data on subjects' personal, business and management characteristics, willingness to participate in the healthy restaurant program and the perception of healthy restaurant program were collected from 145 restaurateurs in Seoul. Descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, and logistic regression were used in the analysis. Half of respondents (50.3%) were willing to participate in the healthy restaurant program. Years of business (OR = 2.584, 95% CI = 1.049-6.369), consideration of food quality (OR = 0.321, 95% CI = 0.147-0.702), and awareness of importance of nutrition or health information (OR = 2.416, 95% CI = 1.082-5.391) were significant indicators for restaurateur's willingness to participate in the healthy restaurant program. Hence, strategic activities to inform the benefit of healthy restaurant program for both restaurateurs and consumers are necessary.