This study was performed to investigate the food habits, eating behaviors, perception of body shape, statuses of body weight control by BMI (Body Mass Index) of 732 middle school students in Gwangju and Jeonnam. The results of this study were compared among under weight (UW), normal weight (NW), and overweight (OW) groups according to BMI levels. In the OW group, female students had low scores in eating at night only, while male students had low scores in eating at night, eating speed, and food selection. All subjects wanted more height than measured. Only male students in the UW group wanted weight loss, whereas female students in the OW and NW groups did. Higher BMI in female students resulted in more weight difference between measured and wanted. All subjects responded properly themselves in perception of body shape but the OW groups showed a big difference between their present weight and wanted weights. Higher BMI in all students corresponded to more interest in concern and experience of weight management. In the male students, the reason for weight management showed high tendency in being healthy, whereas the female students had high tendency in having a slender figure. Higher BMI in all students corresponded to bigger difference between wanted and perceived body shape. In contrast, lower BMI in all students meant more stress. Greater difference between wanted and measured weight and greater difference between wanted and perceived body shape corresponded to less satisfaction in body shape. In conclusion, compared to the NW and UW groups, the OW group had overeating habits highly linked to stress. Also the OW group didn't have desirable eating behaviors and attitudes because of their greater interest in concern and experience of weight control and stress accumulation, and finally there was difference in food habits and behaviors according to the BMI level. Therefore these results suggest that effective nutritional programs should be developed including correct body image and good dietary habits.
As concerns have been raised about the increasing number of children with food allergies, the management of food allergies through the consideration of school meals is an emerging issue. This study investigated the perception and practices regarding food allergy of elementary and middle school nutrition teachers in the Jeonnam area. A total of 236 nutritionists/nutrition teachers participated in the survey and completed questionnaires. The foods most reported to cause allergic reactions were peach, eggs, peanuts, shrimps, mackerel, and milk. Participants reported that the major tasks to be completed for management of food allergies: the estimated number of students with food allergies, the offering of allergy-free or alternative foods and informing families of foods that may cause an allergic reaction. A majority of the participants (94%) recognized that the nutrition teacher has the primary role in managing students with food allergies in school. To manage these students, nutrition teachers mostly reported informing of allergic foods/ingredients in the school menu and the estimation of students with food allergy. The percentage of participants who experienced education programs on food allergies was 16.9%, whereas 97% of participants answered that a good professional education regarding allergies for nutrition teachers is required. The knowledge level evaluated with objective questions was significantly higher than the self-estimated knowledge level. In conclusion, nutrition teachers understood the tasks regarding food allergy thoroughly and that, the tasks are relatively under-practiced. To improve the management of food allergies in school meals, professional education programs regarding food allergies should be provided for nutrition teachers.
Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate satisfaction with and perception of the school meal service according to middle school students and dieticians/dietetic teachers in Gwangju area who experienced change to the free meal service and the main contents were as follows. Methods: The research subjects were 197 students (99 boys and 98 girls) and 42 dieticians/dietetic teachers were recruited. Results: Compared to the free meal service before, satisfaction of students was high (53.8%), and 69.9% of students said there was no change in the school meals, however a significant difference was observed between gender. Overall 80.2% of middle school students said that there was no change in menu, 70.6% were no change in the frequency of food with high preference, and 64.0% were no change in leftover of meals. 85.7% of dieticians/dietetic teachers said that there was no change in the student's satisfaction according to the conversion of free meal services; 59.5% of dieticians/dietetic teachers said that there was no change in the frequency of foods with high preference, the variety of vegetables was increased in the qualitative change item of food materials, and 95% of them were not aware of change in the amount of students' leftover foods. Dieticians/dietetic teachers had limitations in selecting menus with purchase and costs of food materials (26.2%) by conversion of the free meal service and their priority considered was the food cost (45.2%) when they selected menus. Change in feeding affairs was office work management (26.2%) and recipe research and development (19.0%). Conclusion: With the results of this study, the satisfaction with the school meal service was not changed in the awareness of students and dieticians/dietetic teachers. Therefore further study is needed to determine the middle school's satisfaction with school meals based on a variety of factors including the environmental food meal services.
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