Abstract
This study was designed to assess the perception and use of weaning diets and to serve as a guideline of processed weaning diets through a survey focused on the Gwangju-Jeonnam regions. The following results were obtained. Most subjects mixed 'home-made' and 'commercial' weaning diets and considered weaning diets as 'a diet for supplementing insufficient nutrition'. The most frequently used type of weaning diet was 'a kind of gruel with vegetables or meat', followed by 'boiling powder with water' and 'grinding or crushing fruits'. Two thirds (68%) of subjects had experienced buying weaning diets, mainly a powder type. The most common reason to buy weaning diets was 'troublesome', followed by 'excellent nutrition', 'convenient to go out', and 'don't know how to make'. The following results according to factors were found. The types of provided and of weaning diets were significantly different by age; the understanding of weaning diets, by education and mothers' employment; and where to get information about weaning diets, by economic status. The highest request for developing weaning diets was a type of 'powder' and 'gruel', and the highest cooking type was 'adding boiling water', followed by 'a semi-cooking product' and 'a finished product'. 'Retort pouch' package, a 'single' package unit, and 'keeping cold' were also requested by the participants. A desirable package unit in developing weaning diets was significantly different by mother's employment; the cooking type of product, by economic status; a way to keep product, by mother's employment; and package types, by education and economic status. When weaning diets were made by environmentally friendly agriculture, 69.5% of subjects were willing to purchase them. With the increase in economic status, education, and employment rate, the use of weaning diets on the market will increase. For this reason, correct nutrition education is needed. With the increasing demand for environmentally friendly agriculture, a variety of weaning diets should be developed to meet this demand.
