• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.386-401
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• 2013

This study was conducted to analyze traditional aspects of school lunch menus in Korea. We conducted a content analysis of menu-related contents included in guidelines for school lunch programs provided by 16 city and provincial education offices. In addition, the data of 10,495 menus for the third week of December 2010 and March, July, October 2011 from 557 elementary, middle, and high school were analyzed by school grade, area, and province. The results showed that there were no specific and detailed guidelines for menu planning in terms of traditional food culture in most of the guidelines for school lunch programs. However, the basic traditional menu composition was maintained in school lunch menus. The percentage of menus including rice and Kimchi was 97% and 95%, respectively, and that including Korean soup was about 72%. However, the frequency of serving Namul, Korean seasoned vegetable dish, accounted for only about 52% of the menus. The percentage of the menus following the traditional food group pattern including such five food groups as rice, Korean soup, Kimchi, Namul, and optional Korean side dish was only about 35%. The percentage of the menus following the traditional food group pattern excluding Namul from the five food groups accounted for about 30%. The traditional food group score, calculated by allocating 1 point to each of the five food groups was 4.06 out of 5 points on average. Elementary schools and schools in rural area and in Jeolla-do province served traditional menus more frequently. In conclusion, school lunch programs need to consider establishing traditional foods-based standards and relevant guidelines for school lunch, particularly for high schools and schools in urban areas and in some provinces.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.216-229
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• 2000

This study was conducted to evaluate the degree of maintenance of traditional dietary patterns in school lunch menus based on cooking methods. One week of school lunch menus for April and October and 3 dishes with high preference were obtained from school food service dietitians in 353 schools representing all of Korea's provinces and major cities. Based on cultural characteristics, a total of 992 different kinds of dishes were classified into 6 types (Korean, Western, Eastern, modified Korean, modified Eastern, modified Western). The dishes were also divided into 24 categories by cooking method. The most frequently served dish type was 'Korea' (78.4%) and the most frequently served meal followed the pattern 'rice+soup+kimchi+side dishes'. The percentage of 'Korea' side dishes other than rice, soup, an kimchi on menus was 76.3% and that for desserts was 50.8%. These figures indicate that traditional dietary patterns have been changing in the categories of side dishes and desserts. A total of 44.3% of the dishes fell under the 'Korean' category. Among the meals served, the percentage of 'Korean' dishes was relatively low, indicating that students prefer foreign foods or dishes made according to foreign cooking methods. These results suggest that in order to improve the quality of school food services, it will be necessary to search for common ground between the traditional diet and student preferences.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.155-162
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to compare the preferences for seafood in school lunch menus among elementary school students in Gyeonggi-do. A survey was carried out on 303 male/female elementary school students. As for the preferences for seafood in school lunch menus, 'like (47.2%)', 'fair (30.7%)', and 'dislike (22.1%)' were observed in that order (p<0.01). Concerning the appropriateness of seafood serving frequency, '1~2/week (44.9%)', '3~4/week (33.7%)', and 'everyday (10.2%)' were observed in that order. When the preference of favorite seafood was evaluated using a Likert scale (strongly like 5-points, strongly dislike 1-point), 'crustacea (4.34)', 'mollusk (4.21)', and 'processed food (4.11)' were observed in that order. In terms of cooking methods for seafood, 5th grade students showed higher frequency of 'grilling' and 'frying' seafood compared to others (p<0.05). As for the occurrence of seafood leftovers, 4th and 6th grade students showed higher frequency of 'sometimes' than 5th grade students (p<0.001). As for certain desires for seafood in school lunch menus, 'improvement of taste (39.3%)', 'various kinds of seafood (20.1%)', and 'variable cooking methods (18.5%)' were observed in that order. Therefore, in order to increase the intake of seafood, students should attempt to achieve proper intake though nutrition education.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.879-889
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to examine nutrition management conditions of lunch with the elementary schools and middle schools in the Changwon area. 292 students (5th and 6th graders) from three elementary schools and 330 students from three middle schools (boys, girls, and co-ed) participated in the aggregate selective plate waste measurement for 5 days. Planned menus, serving sizes and plate waste amount data were collected. Nutrient analyses for the planned, served and consumed menus at school lunches were performed by using CAN-PRO 3.0. Nutrient analyses of the planned, served and consumed menus were compared with nutrient management standard (former edition) for school lunch and 1/3 Korean Dietary Reference Intakes (KDRIs). Significant difference was found in the average consumption rate between the elementary schools (82.2%) and the middle schools (71.8%). Specifically, the consumption rates of steamed rice (p < 0.001), side dish 1 (p < 0.001), and Kimchi (p < 0.01) at the middle schools were significantly lower than those of the elementary schools. When the nutrient contents in the served menus were put into percentages to the nutrient contents in the planned menus, middle schools (92.3%) showed bigger serving loss than the elementary schools (95.4%). In the nutrient assessment comparied with nutrient management standard (former edition), middle school lunches showed comparatively less energy or less some nutrient contents against the standard than the elementary school lunches. Specifically, in case of boys in middle schools, Vitamin C was the only nutrient content that satisfied the standard in the planned menus, served menus and consumed menus. In the 1/3 KDRIs based assessment, middle schoolers were found not to be provided proper nutrients with school lunches. To improve nutrition management at middle school foodservices, dietitians should reinforce nutrient assessment for menu planning, and try to decrease serving loss and plate waste.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

The Purposes of this study were to assess high school students' nutrient consumption at the ordinary time and to analyze nutrient contents and nutrition consumption of lunch. The questionnaires for self-reported food consumption were distributed to 210 students enrolled in a boy's high school and a girl's high school located in Seoul area. A final response rate was 87.1%, excluding responses that had significant missing data. Data of self-reported food consumption and BMI(Body Mass Index) were analyzed with descriptive analysis and t-test using SPSS Win(ver. 12.0). To measure the serving size and the waste amount, data were collected for three meals in a three day period at each school. A weighed plate method was employed to measure plate wastes and consumption of the menus served. Nutrient analyses for the served and consumed menus were performed using CAN-PRO. The result of nutrient intake determined by self-reported food consumption demonstrated 74.2% of boys and 70.0% of the girls did not meet EAR(Estimated Average Requirement) for calcium. In addition, the data collection showed that 60.2% boys and 26.7% girls did not consume EAR for Vitamin B$_1$. Nutrient analyses of the served and consumed menus at school lunch were compared with 1/3 of the Dietary Reference Intakes(DRIs) for this age group. The served menus did not meet 1/3 of the Recommended Intake(RI) for calcium, iron, and vitamin B$_2$. In contrast, the menu provided to students exceeded almost five times(490%) more than the sodium needed for 1/3 of the Adequate Intake(AI). Considering the amount of the students' plate waste, intake of vitamin A and vitamin C were below 1/3 of the RI, and calcium, iron, and vitamin B$_2$ intake were also reduced. Students' sodium consumption still exceeded 1/3 of the AI at 340.0%.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.265-277
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• 2011

This study was conducted to improve the nutritional status of high school girls via lunch menu intervention. Surveys were carried out twice to evaluate basal status and status after lunch menu intervention. In the first survey nutrient intakes of 24-hour and school lunch were each estimated by 24-hour recall dietary survey and self-recording, respectively. Calcium intake was the lowest among nutrients, and stir-frying was the most preferred cooking method. Five dishes of school lunch menus which were included in the first survey were replaced with recipes containing foods with higher calcium level; anchovy stir-fried with red pepper paste, anchovy stir-fried with almond, pork stir-fried with shredded kelp, crab meat soup, and tteokbokki with cheese. In the second survey calcium intake from school lunch was significantly (p < 0.001) increased from 45.5% to 50.2% of one thirds of recommended intake (RI) after calcium enriched lunch menu intervention. Intakes of vitamin A and E were also significantly increased, whereas those of energy, thiamin, and vitamin C were decreased. Index of nutritional quality values of nutrients of 24-hour intakes (except thiamin, vitamin B6, vitamin C) is increased by intervention; however, those of calcium, folic acid, iron are still very low. Even though this study shows a possibility of improving nutrient intakes of students through school lunch menu intervention, lunch intervention by itself is not enough action to improve nutritional status of micronutrient for adolescents.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.3-8
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• 2006

This retrospective study was designed to evaluate the nutrient contributions of the five meal components of school lunch menus planned for elementary students in two school districts (District A and B) in the Midwestern state of the United States. The 4-week cycle menu was planned for two time periods (Period 1 and Period 2) following guidelines for NuMenus and general menu planning principles. Menu components of planned and served menus for two time periods were analyzed using $Nutri-Kids^{TM}$. No significant differences in the nutrient content of between Periods 1 and 2 were found for District A. District B served significantly more vitamin A and total fat in Period 1 and significantly more calories, iron, vitamin A, protein, and total fat in Period 2 than was planned. The major nutrients provided by the entree component included protein, calories, cholesterol, total fat, saturated fat, and sodium. Milk was an important source of calcium and provided approximately one-third of the total protein and vitamin A in the meal. The vegetable/fruit component was the major source of vitamins A and C. The grain/bread component provided approximately 20% of the carbohydrates among five meal components. The miscellaneous component affected the sodium and fat content of the menus. Menu planners can use the results of this study to enhance their knowledge of the nutrient contributions of each meal component and as inputs for planning menus that meet children's nutritional requirements.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.429-435
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• 2004

As the school lunch program is expanding to middle and high schools in Korea, a survey has been conducted to provide informations of the types and menus which are most favored on 190 middle and high school students in Metropolitan area. The sources/menus of foods relating to their lunches were proportionally ranked as: school food services (54.2%): individual lunch-box from home(37.4%); take-out lunch box(3.7%): school cafeterias(1.6%): and commercial restaurant, undefined, and skip a meal(1.1%). For the present practices for lunch, 52.1 and 47.9% of the students responded satisfaction on its sources and menus, respectively. A meal valued less than 2,000 won was paid by 54.9% of the respondents. In the meantime, 33.7 and 55.4% of the students were unsatisfied with lunch box from home and school cafeteria of the present lunch practices, respectively. The reasons against their satisfactions were enumerated as their preferences for take-out lunch box(22.2%), school cafeteria(21.0%), outside restaurant(17.3%), individual lunch-box from home(16.1%), school cafeterias(8.6%), and undefined (14.8%). For the individual lunch-box from home, two major obstacles, i.e., it is neither warm to eat, nor diverse/properly-sized in side dishes, were reasons for dissatisfaction of the students. The school lunch programs were blamed for its poor taste and lacks of variety and volume of the side dish which is mostly composed of kimchi, seasoned vegetables, and bulgogi. The most popular side dishes were pork- or fish cutlets, hams, and sausages while food with carrots, garlics or red peppers, vegetables like pumpkins, lotus roots, and seasoned vegetables were mostly disliked. It was concluded that the school lunch programs for middle- and high school students could be settled down by preparing with well-nourished food items that suits students' taste best and be served at right temperature.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.30 no.10
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• pp.1244-1257
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• 1997

The goals of the School Lunch Program(SLP) are to provide school children with approximately one -third of their daily nutrition requirements at a reasonable price, to foster good food habits, and to contribute to a better understanding of nutrition. In order to provide guidelines and appropriate nutritional information for SLP planning, and to identify inexpensive sources of each nutrient, representative SLP menus were analyzed for nutrient density using the Index of Nutritional Quality(INQ) and for nutrient cost. Recipes and prices of 776 meals were collected from 10 SLP primary schools in Seoul and Kyunggi province in Korea during 1995. From 4829 menu items in 776 meals, the 100 most frequently used menus were selected as representative SLP menus. From these 100 menus, eleven categories of menu were identified according to cooking methods and ingredients. Selected menus were placed into these 11 groups, with 3 to 5 menus in each except the milk group which contained only milk. The mean nutrient content, INQs, and nutrient-cost ratios were calculated for each menu and menu group. Among the 100 representative SLP menus, 'Jiajang-rice' contained the highest energy per serving portion. 'Grilled pollack ' was the highest in protein, 'Seasoned spinach ' in vitamin A, 'Spagehetti' in vitamin B1 , niacin and iron, 'Kongjorim'(hard-boiled bean with sauce) in vitamin B2 , strawberry in vitamin C, and 'fish stew ' and milk in calcium. Among the 11 menu groups, the 'One-dish' group was found to be the highest in energy , protein, vitamin A, B$_1$ and iron. The milk group was a good source of vitamin B$_2$ and calcium . The meat side dish group (panbroiled, fried or steamed )was the most suitable for providing niacin. The fruit group provided the highest level of vitamin c per portion. The nutrient densities(INQs) were found in the soup group (protein), Kimchi group(vitamin A), fruit group(vitamin B$_1$ and C), milk group(vitamin B$_2$ and calcium), stew group(niacin )and vegetable side dish group(energy, protein, vitamin B$_1$ and niacin) , vegetable side dish group(vitamin A), milk group(vitamin B$_2$ and calcium) , fruit and Kimchi groups(vitamin C), and stew group(iron). This information should be useful for school dietitians in planning most nutritious SLP menus with limited budgets. It could also be used for basic guidelines in nutrition education, and for future improvement of the SLP in Korea.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.412-418
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• 2003

To evaluate the school lunch program served by elementary schools in Muan, Korea, we examined children's preference for the dishes offered on the menus. School lunch program menus showing the food composition of 400 meals (100 meals in each season) were collected. The serving frequency of each dish on the menus was counted. Eighty-seven representative dishes were selected based on the serving frequency and preference for each dish was determined by a survey of 414 elementary school students who were served by the school lunch program. We also analyzed the nutrient contents of each representative dish. Among the prepared foods, children indicated the highest preference for desserts. Steamed rice was served more frequently as a main course than one dish meals, although children preferred one dish meals to steamed rice. Among side dishes, those that were deep-fried were the most preferred. Children indicated high preference for fruits, milk, and eggs, and low preference for fish and clams, vegetables, and beans. The serving frequency with which main courses, soups, and side dishes were served showed no correlation with children's preference for each. Preference for dishes correlated positively with nutrient contents of calories and lipids, but negatively with nutrient contents of fiber, calcium and vitamin A. According to these results we can suggest that dietitian should consider children's preference into greater consideration to increase menu acceptability and thereby reduce waste. Children need to be educated about the roles and contents of nutrients in food and the fact that preference for foods affects nutrient intake.