Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

[Korean]
Behavioral intention toward planetary health diet among adult users of government worksite cafeterias in Seoul, South Korea: a mixed-methods study based on the theory of planned behavior and focus groups interviews: Ji-Won Kang, Su-Jin Lee, Sil-Ah Kim, Ji-Yun Hwang; Korean J Community Nutr 2025;30(3):224-236. Published online June 30, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2025.00108

Abstract PDF PubReader ePub: Objectives
To reduce urban carbon emissions, in this study, we aimed to suggest strategies for disseminating the planetary health diet (PHD) guidelines to adult cafeterias in a government worksite in Seoul based on the theory of planned behavior (TPB) and focus group interviews (FGI).
Methods
A total of 132 adults who worked at a government worksite in Seoul and used its cafeteria were included for a TPB-based survey. Factor analyses and multiple regression were used to investigate the relationships between attitude (cognitive•affective), subjective norms, and perceived behavioral control (PBC, internal•external) and the behavioral intention to adopt the PHD. To identify the contextual factors related to PHD dissemination, 14 participants underwent in-depth interviews.
Results
Affective attitudes and PBC (internal•external) constructs of the TPB were significantly related with the intention to adopt PHD: external PBC (β = 0.324, P < 0.001), internal PBC (β = 0.269, P < 0.01), and affective attitudes (β = 0.226, P < 0.05). The FGI results highlighted the insufficiency of simply providing healthy meals to encourage the adoption of PHDs, but that menu development and natural acceptance strategies are needed to increase palatability. In addition, the need for strategies to promote PHDs at an organizational level was identified, as it is directly influenced by the company of partners with whom one dines. Furthermore, users' perceptions of how “Meals for the Planet” are delivered and suggestions for its improvement were also interpreted.
Conclusion
Our results suggest that users' beliefs, convictions, and emotions are important while promoting or educating individuals about sustainable PHDs. Our findings are expected to help local governments or private group cafeterias that wish to introduce PHDs in the future, given the growing importance of environmentally conscious eating.

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[Korean]
Facilitators and barriers to achieving dietary and physical activity goals : focus group interviews with city bus drivers and counseling dietitians: Yongmin Jo, Suhyeun Cho, Young-Hee Han, Taisun Hyun; Korean J Community Nutr 2023;28(5):376-391. Published online October 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2023.28.5.376

Objectives
Our previously published study showed that a workplace nutrition intervention program with personalized goal setting and smartphone-based nutrition counseling improved dietary habits and physical activity in city bus drivers who were overweight/obese. This study explored the facilitators and barriers that participants faced in achieving their dietary and physical activity goals six months after the intervention.
Methods
The study included bus drivers and dietitians who participated in the intervention program. Three focus group interviews were conducted with 10 bus drivers (divided by two groups based on their achievement of set goals) and five dietitians who had provided nutrition counseling.
Results
Willpower was the most important intrapersonal facilitator for drivers to achieve their goals. Other factors that promoted behavioral changes were nutrition counseling by dietitians, trackable physical activity using smartwatches, and setting of practical and achievable goals. Meanwhile, the most important barriers identified were occupational factors such as long driving hours, short breaks, and shift work. Other barriers were environmental factors such as availability of snackable food, accessibility to convenience stores, and cold weather. Family and colleagues were perceived as both facilitators and barriers. In addition, dietitians identified a lack of knowledge about healthy diet as one of the barriers.
Conclusions
Our results suggested that the workplace environment should be improved and that nutrition intervention programs at the workplace could encourage bus drivers to practice healthy eating habits. The facilitators and barriers identified in this study should be considered when planning a nutrition intervention program for bus drivers.

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Process evaluation of a mobile healthcare program among employees with overweight and obesity: a 12-week intervention study investigating the role of engagement
Imhuei Son, Jiyoun Hong, Young Hee Han, Bo Jeong Gong, Meng Yuan Zhang, Woori Na, Cheongmin Sohn, Taisun Hyun
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2023; 28(6): 466. CrossRef

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[English]
The Development of a Nutrition Education Program for Low-income Family Children by applying the Social Cognitive Theory and Health Belief Model: Saes Byoul Lee, Yu Ri Jeong, Hyo Jin Ahn, Min Ji Ahn, Su A Ryu, Nam E Kang, Se Young Oh; Korean J Community Nutr 2015;20(3):165-177. Published online June 30, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2015.20.3.165

Abstract PDF Supplementary Material PubReader

OBJECTIVES
Based on individual and environmental characteristics of low-income children, we developed a nutrition education program for school-aged children from low-income families according to effective use in social welfare centers.
METHODS
We conducted in-depth group interviews to assess program needs in 28 participants, 10 low-income school-aged children and 9 of their care givers, 9 social workers and 9 care-givers. Theoretical backgrounds of our program were heath belief model and social cognitive theory considering motivation, action and environment characteristics.
RESULTS
Based on the findings of this qualitative study, we developed major program themes and contents. Five selected key themes were 'balanced diet', 'processed food', 'food hygiene and safety', 'Korean healthy traditional diet', and 'family cooking' to induce changes in dietary behaviors. Main findings of in-depth group interviews included 'child's active participation', 'simple and easy to understand messages', and 'environmental constraints' such as a lack of child care at home, limited budget of social welfare centers, and less qualified educators for nutrition and health. Each lesson was constructed as a 1-hour program particularly emphasizing activity-based programs, including cooking and teamwork exercises. Program contents in each session consisted of activities that could induce outcome and value expectations, self-efficacy, perceived benefits, and barriers and cues to actions regarding diet behavior.
CONCLUSIONS
We developed a nutrition education programthat is rarely available for low-income children in Korea, considering theoretical bases. Further studies are needed to validate our program.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

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Clinical Nutrition Research.2024; 13(1): 8. CrossRef
Developing educational programs to increase awareness of food additives among elementary school students
Soo Rin Ahn, Jae Wook Shin, Jung-Sug Lee, Hyo-Jeong Hwang
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2024; 57(4): 451. CrossRef
A Qualitative Study of the Awareness and Influencing Factors of the Dietary Habits of the Male and Female Workers' at a Manufacturing Facility in Gwangju
Ji Suk Yim, Young-Ran Heo
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2022; 27(1): 12. CrossRef
Evaluation of the Need for Obesity Prevention Education Programs through Analysis of Factors Affecting Student Obesity Factors in Seoul during the COVID-19 Pandemic
Seoung Hi Kim, Seonyeong Baek, Min Jeong Choi, Sunny Ham
Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2022; 32(3): 214. CrossRef
Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Program Designed to Reduce Sugar Intake in Preschool Children
Ma-Young Yeom, Youn-Ok Cho
Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association.2016; 22(3): 179. CrossRef
Status of Dietary Life Related Knowledge, Self-Efficacy, Food Preference and Dietary Behavior of Preschoolers in Kyunggi Area
A Reum Lee, Ye Lee Yu, Hye Jin Kim, Kyung A Kim, Kyung Won Kim
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2016; 21(3): 274. CrossRef
Perception on Optimal Diet, Diet Problems and Factors Related to Optimal Diet Among Young Adult Women Using Focus Group Interviews: Based on Social Cognitive Theory
Hye Jin Kim, A Reum Lee, Kyung Won Kim
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2016; 21(4): 332. CrossRef

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