• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.174-182
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• 2014

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 ($310.8{\pm}156.8mg/100g$) and 2012 ($211.6{\pm}110.3mg/100g$). Amounts of sodium in all seven foodgroups showed significant reductions between 2011 and 2012: 'Gook/Tang' (from $226.6{\pm}127.7mg/100g$ to $168.5{\pm}74.3mg/100g$), 'Jjigae/Jeongol' (from $385.8{\pm}111.7mg/100g$ to $257.1{\pm}82.53mg/100g$), 'Noodle/Dumpling' (from $263.8{\pm}116.9mg/100g$ to $194.1{\pm}55.6mg/100g$), 'Gui' (from $390.3{\pm}120.6mg/100g$ to $258.8{\pm}92.7mg/100g$), 'Steamed dish' (from $305.3{\pm}124.3mg/100g$ to $175.6{\pm}76.6mg/100g$), 'Bob' (from $273.7{\pm}162.5mg/100g$ to $167.1{\pm}93.1mg/100g$), and 'Stir-fried dish' (from $368.6{\pm}116.6mg/100g$ to $219.0{\pm}72.4mg/100g$). 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.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.6
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• pp.635-640
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study was conducted to evaluate the feasibility of a sodium reduction program at local restaurants through nutrition education and examination of the health of restaurant owners and cooks.SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was a single-arm pilot intervention using a pre-post design in one business district with densely populated restaurants in Seoul, South Korea. The intervention focused on improving nutrition behaviors and psychosocial factors through education, health examination, and counseling of restaurant personnel. Forty-eight restaurant owners and cooks completed the baseline survey and participated in the intervention. Forty participants completed the post-intervention survey. RESULTS: The overweight and obesity prevalences were 25.6% and 39.5%, respectively, and 74.4% of participants had elevated blood pressure. After health examination, counseling, and nutrition education, several nutrition behaviors related to sodium intake showed improvement. In addition, those who consumed less salt in their baseline diet (measured with urine dipsticks) were more likely to agree that providing healthy foods to their customers is necessary. This study demonstrated the potential to reduce the sodium contents of restaurant foods by improving restaurant owners' and cooks' psychological factors and their own health behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: This small pilot study demonstrated that working with restaurant owners and cooks to improve their own health and sodium intake may have an effect on participation in restaurant-based sodium reduction initiatives. Future intervention studies with a larger sample size and comparison group can focus on improving the health and perceptions of restaurant personnel in order to increase the feasibility and efficacy of restaurant-based sodium reduction programs and policies.