Foodservice Management in Institutions for the Disabled in Korea

장애인 복지시설의 급식 및 영양관리실태

The residents of institutional settings for the disabled people are likely to be a potentially nutritional at-risk groups. The objective of the present study was to investigate the current nutrition and foodservice management in institutions for the disabled using a survey questionnaire. The majority (85%) of the institutions was using a simple pre-set menu that consists of rice, soup or stew, kimchi, and two other side dishes. Some twelve percent of the institutions served only one side dish. The residents were consuming a diet of a low diversity with insufficient amounts of micronutrient rich foods. As a protein source, legumes and soybean curds, and eggs were served 90% and 94% of the time, while beef, pork or poultry, a better iron source, was served less than 2-3 times per month. Fruits were most infrequently served food items in these facilities with 38% of the facilities serving fruits only 2-3 times per month. With regard to the nutrition and health care management, the physical examination on the residents was conducted annually in 88.8%, routine hemoglobin measurement peformed in 66%, and nutrition education was conducted in 10.9% of the surveyed facilities. The foodservice and nutrition management manual will help ensure a safe and better quality foodservice for the disabled people, which is necessary for the improvement of health and nutrition of these people.