Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

[Korean]
Foodservice management and nutrition education status and needs for individuals with developmental disabilities in welfare facilities in Seoul and Gyeonggi, Korea: a cross-sectional study: Mi-ra Lee, Youngmi Lee, Yun Hee Chang, Yujin Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2026;31(2):192-204. Published online April 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2026.00087

Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study aimed to examine the current status of foodservice management and nutrition education practices, and the needs for individuals with developmental disabilities in welfare centers in Seoul and Gyeonggi, South Korea, and to compare the differences according to dietitians’ level of understanding of developmental disabilities.
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted among dietitians working at 65 welfare centers, and data from 45 centers were analyzed. The questionnaire assessed general characteristics, foodservice operations, nutrition education practices, perceived needs, and the understanding of developmental disabilities. Participants were classified into high- (n = 17) and low-understanding (n = 28) groups based on their self-rated understanding of developmental disabilities. Data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 29.0 (IBM Corp.).
Results
All centers provided one daily meal (lunch), with one cook serving an average of 116 individuals. Only 11.1% of centers implemented nutrition education, primarily limited due to insufficient time and low expectations regarding the effectiveness of nutrition education. Overall, no significant differences were observed between the two groups in most aspects of foodservice management and nutrition education practices, although some specific items showed significant differences. The high-understanding group reported a significantly greater perceived need for nutrition education and placed higher importance on rapport-building and situational response skills. These findings suggest that structural constraints, including staffing, budget, and limited resources, may play a greater role than individual- level understanding in shaping foodservice and nutrition education practices.
Conclusion
Welfare centers showed limited capacity to provide tailored foodservice and systematic nutrition education for adults with developmental disabilities. Strengthening staffing standards, improving foodservice environments, and developing standardized educational materials that consider communication levels are necessary. Moreover, expanding professional training opportunities for dietitians and establishing institutional support systems are essential to enhance sustainable nutrition education practices.

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[Korean]
Differences in lunch nutrient intake and nutritional adequacy among Korean older adults by meal site: a cross-sectional analysis of the 2018–2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data: Daeun Choi, Sunhee Seo; Korean J Community Nutr 2026;31(2):205-213. Published online April 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2026.00045

Abstract PDF: Objectives
This study aimed to examine whether the dietary quality of congregate lunches differs according to meal location among older adults and to identify meal settings that may represent gaps in nutritional oversight. Specifically, this study compared lunchtime nutrient intake and adequacy among older adults eating at workplaces, welfare centers, and religious institutions.
Methods
Data were obtained from the 2018–2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The participants included 487 adults aged ≥ 65 years who reported consuming lunch at institutional meal sites, including workplaces (n = 187), welfare centers (n = 145), and religious institutions (n = 155). Nutrient intakes, nutrient adequacy ratio (NARs), and the mean adequacy ratio were compared using complex-sample general linear models with Bonferroni post-hoc tests, adjusting for sex, age, and total energy intake.
Results
Socioeconomic characteristics were broadly comparable across groups, but nutrient intake and dietary quality differed according to meal location. In food-group analyses, meat intake was lowest among participants eating at religious institutions, and dairy intake also differed significantly across settings. In nutrient adequacy analyses, NAR for carbohydrate, thiamin, and niacin differed significantly by meal location. However, except for carbohydrate, most nutrient-specific NAR remained below 1.0 across all groups, indicating insufficient adequacy relative to one-third of the recommended intake from lunch alone.
Conclusion
The dietary quality of congregate lunches among older adults differed according to meal location. Although nutrient inadequacy was common across settings, older adults eating at religious institutions showed relatively lower adequacy for some nutrients, particularly thiamin and niacin. These findings suggest that nutritional support should be strengthened across congregate meal services, with particular attention to less structured community-based settings such as religious institutions.

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[Korean]
A comparative study on nutritional status and diet-related subjective perceptions according to free meal service utilization among older adults living alone in Korea: a cross-sectional study: Minju Jeong, Dayeon Shin; Korean J Community Nutr 2026;31(2):165-177. Published online April 30, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2025.00339

Abstract PDF: Objectives
To assess whether the use of free meal services is associated with diet quality among older adults living alone in Incheon, Korea, by comparing the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E), index of nutritional quality (INQ), and mean adequacy ratio (MAR).
Methods
A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 5 to April 24, 2025 using one-to-one interviews and partially self-administered questionnaires. After excluding cases with missing responses or energy intake of < 500 kcal/day, 119 participants were analyzed (56 men and 63 women). A single 24-hour recall was used to calculate INQ and MAR. NQ-E was evaluated using total and subdomain scores. Group comparisons and sex-stratified multiple linear regression analyses were performed.
Results
Diet-quality indicators were higher among service users than among non-users. INQ for thiamin and riboflavin was significantly higher in men than in women. Meanwhile, INQ for zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, and folate was higher in women than in men. In both sexes, MAR was higher among users than among non-users (men: 0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2; women: 0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2; P < 0.001 for all). Differences in NQ-E total scores were small. Among women, the practice subdomain score was higher in users than in non-users (66.0 ± 16.4 vs. 55.2 ± 15.5; P = 0.016), and the proportion in upper grades was greater (P = 0.030). Regression analysis showed that service use was negatively associated with NQ-E in men (P = 0.007) and positively associated with MAR in women (P = 0.010).
Conclusion
Use of free meal services was associated with improved diet quality, as reflected by MAR and INQ for specific nutrients, and with higher NQ-E practice scores observed in women than in men. Policies should prioritize food-insecure groups and support sustained participation.

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[Korean]
Comparison of the Sodium and Sugar Reduction Practices at Samsam Foodservices and General Foodservices in Daegu: Sung-young Kwon, Kilye Kim, Yeon-Kyung Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2021;26(4):270-279. Published online August 31, 2021; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2021.26.4.270

Abstract PDF

Objectives
The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of the sodium and sugar reduction practices of the Samsam foodservice project of Daegu, in comparison with that of general foodservices in Daegu. Methods: A survey was conducted on 80 Samsam foodservice workers and 80 general foodservice workers from Sep. to Oct. 2020. We compared each worker's taste preferences, stage of behavior change and dietary behavior regarding sodium and sugar, and each foodservice's practices regarding sodium and sugar reduction. Results: There was no significant difference between the salty taste and sweet taste preferences between the workers at the Samsam foodservices and those at the general foodservices. The percentage of foodservice workers in action or maintenance stage of behavior change for eating less salty was higher in the Samsam foodservices than in the general foodservices (P < 0.05). In addition, regarding the degree of saltiness and sweetness of meals, the workers at the general foodservices perceived their meals to be saltier (P < 0.001) and sweeter (P < 0.01) than the workers at Samsam foodservices. The workers at Samsam foodservices had fewer salty dietary behaviors compared to the workers at general foodservices (P < 0.01). The sodium reduction practice was significantly higher in the Samsam foodservices than the general foodservices (P < 0.001), especially in “efforts to make the food as bland as possible overall” (P < 0.001), and “serving less soup and stew” (P < 0.001). The sugar reduction practice too was significantly higher in the Samsam foodservices than the general foodservices (P < 0.001). Conclusions: The Samsam foodservices were shown to be better in the practice of sodium and sugar reduction compared to general foodservices. Therefore, it is necessary to provide continuous and practical support and incentives at the national level to expand the sodium and sugar reduction practices in foodservices.

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Comparison of participant and non-participant perceptions on healthy restaurant for sodium reduction: a qualitative study
Jeehee Pyo, Mina Lee, Yunjeong Jang, Minsu Ock
Nutrition Research and Practice.2023; 17(3): 503. CrossRef

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[English]
A Case Study on Quality Improvement of the Food Services for Patients: Focused on Satisfaction Offered Menu and Differentiated Service: Seung Lim Lee, Yu Kyung Chang; Korean J Community Nutr 2004;9(2):225-232. Published online April 30, 2004

Abstract PDF: The objective of this study is to investigate how patients satisfaction are affected by satisfaction with the patient menu and differentiated service resulting from QI activities and to evaluate the efficiency of QI activities. In order to improve satisfaction with menus through QI activities, this study strengthened meal round, examined the quantity of food waste produced by patients, diversified one-dish menus and used seasonal food as much as possible to reflect patients' tastes to the maximum. With regard to cooking, additionally, it strengthened sampling and standardized recipes to maintain the constancy of taste and cooking/seasoning. From July 2003, dining time was changed from 08 : 00 to 07 : 30 for breakfast and from 17 : 30 to 18 : 00 for dinner. Statistical data analyses were completed using the SPSS 11.0 program. The results can be summarized as follows: The goal of QI was to improve food service by raising the score of "Satisfaction with Offered Menus" from 3.49 before QI to 3.55 after QI and differentiating nutrition service at the VIP ward. The score of "Satisfaction with offered menus" after QI was 3.56, and services related to the VIP ward were 7 dishes per meal, meal round once per day and the use of a napkin for a spoon in setting the table. In addition a variety of dishes were used in order to heighten the visual effect. Among the 10 items included on the patient satisfaction questionnaire, 8 items showed higher scores before QI. "Taste of meals" (p <0.05), "Satisfaction with offered menus" (p <0.05), "Kindness of meal serving assistants" (p <0.05) and "Cleanliness of clothes & features" (p <0.05) of VIP ward were significantly higher than those of a general ward.

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[English]
A Case Study on Quality Improvement of the Food Services for Patients: Focused on back-up orders: Seung Lim Lee, Yu Kyung Chang; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):755-762. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this research which, surveyed target hospitals, was to evaluate job operations by surveying the influences of Quality Improvement (QI) activities in various divisions related to a decrease in their back-up orders. Statistical data analyses were completed using the SPSS 11.0 program. The results can be summarized as follows : Before QI there were 147 cases of back-up orders ; after QI there were 83 cases, decrease of 64 cases. This was 44%, less than the projected goal of 50%. For each item, there was a decrease of 40 nurse cases, 9 patients and patron cases, 9 test.surgery. deliverly cases and 5 doctor cases after QI. The registering of midnight meals was not shown after QI, due to the Order Communication System (OCS) settlement. After performing QI, the average manual operation per month was reduced from 840 minutes to 498 minutes, of which the difference was 342 minutes, and the average of 342 minutes per month could be used for the peculiar operation of each division. This QI activity provided a good opportunity for establishing cooperation among divisions in providing meals to patients through interactions among divisions. It was recognized that these interactions were effective only when medical services were achieved through organized cooperation among divisions. Among the 7 items included on the patient satisfaction questionnaire, "satisfaction with offered menus" (p < 0.01) showed significantly higher scores before QI. However "satisfaction with meal times" (p < 0.01) showed significantly lower scores before QI.

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[English]
The Case Study of the Nutrition Services for Patients as a Result of the Changes in Food Services Management: Seung Lim Lee, Yu Kyung Chang; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(1):83-90. Published online February 28, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between changes in the Department of Nutrition and patient satisfaction, following the changes in Food Services Management. Statistical data analyses were completed using the SAS/Win 6.12 program. The results can be summarized as follows. The working environment for dietitians and cooking and meal serving assistants was improved following to a change catering of food service management. The number of dietitians who worked in medical nutritional therapy and food services was increased from one to four, and the number of dietary consultations and meal rounds were increased 2.5-fold and 5-fold, respectively after the change services were implemented. Among the 10 items included in the patient satisfaction questionnaire, "Taste of meals" (p < 0.01) and "Satisfaction of offered menus" (p < 0.01) showed significantly higher scores before the catering. "Kindness of meal serving assistant" this increase was not statistically significant, showed increased satisfaction after the catering, however.

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