Objectives This study investigated the nutritional differences between sweet and salty snacks and beverages in South Korea (Korea) and the United States (US). Nutritional content and healthiness were determined using back- and front-of-package nutrition labeling (FoPNL) systems.
Methods Three snack and three beverage categories popular in Korea and the US were selected. Statistical data were used to determine the top 10–15 best-selling products in each category in each country. The selected products included chips (n = 15), cookies (n = 10), chocolate (n = 13), carbonated drinks (n = 10), fruit juices/drinks (n = 10, 5/5), and energy drinks (n = 10). The study excluded products that were artificially sweetened. Nutritional information and percentages of fruit and vegetable content in each product were collected from brand websites and grocery stores in each country. The FoPNL system was used to assess the healthiness of the products, which included multiple traffic light labels, a Health Star Rating, and a Nutri-Score.
Results Overall, Korean snacks contained significantly more protein, total fat, saturated fat, and cholesterol than US snacks. However, the US chips and carbonated drinks contained more sodium, while the US energy drinks contained more caffeine than Korean products. The serving size of US carbonated drinks was significantly larger than that of Korean drinks, whereas the serving size of US chips was smaller than that of Korean products. The FoPNL system classified the majority of products as ‘less healthy.’
Conclusion Our results suggest that Korean and US food manufacturers should improve the nutritional quality and/or serving size of commonly consumed food products. Policymakers in both countries should work to improve the presentation of ingredient and nutrient information on nutritional labels to assist consumers in making healthier food choices.
OBJECTIVES Stress during adolescence is related to undesirable nutritional intake and negatively affects the growth and development. This study was performed to investigate the relationship among life stress, dietary behaviors and the intake of high-fat containing snacks in male and female high school students in Gyeonggi-do area. METHODS The subjects were 700 high school students (350 males, 350 females) in Gyeonggi-do from July to September 2014 and the survey was performed by using questionnaire that included general characteristics, dietary behaviors, high-fat containing snacks intake, and daily life stress. RESULTS There was a gender difference in health-related life style and dietary behaviors, and the life stress was significantly higher in female students than in male students. For health-related life style, exercise frequency, hours of sleep and conversation time with parents had significantly negative correlations with life stress, while smoking and perceived stress had significantly positive correlations with life stress. For dietary behaviors, the frequency of eating-out had a significantly negative correlation with life stress, while the changes in amount of meal intake under stress had a significantly positive correlation with life stress. The fat intake of ‘high-stress group’ was significantly higher and high-fat containing snacks consumed by this group consisted of cookies, honey bread and fried foods. CONCLUSIONS It is necessary to develop appropriate programs for the emotional stability and stress relief of adolescents that provide continuous nutrition education focused on proper snack intake, desirable dietary behaviors and nutritional aspects.
Citations
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The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of occasional mid-morning snacks (MMS) on dietary behaviors and school life among elementary students. The students, mothers, and teachers from two elementary schools in Seoul were selected. The schools have been provided a steamed sweet-potato or potato, or a piece of ricecake or cake with a pack of milk as MMS 3-4 times a month for more than 3 years. Most students were satisfied with the MMS. Mothers and teachers reported that their children or students were happier, more active, and more energetic in school with MMS. Furthermore, the students answered that they could drink milk better on the day when the school provided MMS. Many students felt that it was relevant to serve a simple menu at lunch time if they were served MMS. Also, students became more interested in school meals or foods with MMS. In addition, mothers who had jobs wanted more frequent MMS. The degree of satisfaction about MMS of the teachers was higher than that of students or mothers. Many teachers thought that their students drank milk better with MMS and further, that it made students to drink more milk on other days. In conclusion, MMS had positive effects on the dietary behavior and school life of elementary students. Therefore, it can be a good option for eliminating skipping breakfast because it provides more nutrition, makes students drink more milk, and allows students to enjoy school activities more.
This study investigates the relationship of smoking on daily intake of nutrients and snacks in the Chungnam and Daejeon high school students. Up to date scientific nutrition education and counseling programs in the regular school system is needed for a professional nutrition education teacher. The primary objective of this study was to provide useful information to nutrition education teachers. A survey was conducted with 400 high school students in the Chungnam and Daejeon areas. 381 out of 400 questionnaires were analyzed with SPSS 12.0K. The subjects were composed of 49.8% male, 50.1% female and 40.9% regular high school students, 59.1% business high school students and smokers 43.1%, non-smokers 56.9%. 43.4% of smokers had been smoking since middle school. On analysis of daily nutrient intakes, 16 out of 19 nutrients except animal calcium, Vitamin A and Vitamin C were much more consumed by the smoking group than the non-smoking group non-significantly. Especially vegetable fat and Vitamin E were higher in the smoking group than the non-smoking group(p < 0.05). The intake ratio of carbohydrates: protein: fat was similar in the two groups (smoking group 55 : 15 : 29, nonsmoking group 56 : 15 : 28). Intakes of Vitamin B1 and potassium in comparison with the Korean dietary reference intakes (KDRI) were under 50% in both groups. However, sodium was taken over 200% compared to KDRI in both groups. Intakes of Vitamin C in the smoking group were as low as 76.5% in comparison to KDRI. Smokers need to increase the intakes of Vitamin C considering that smokers need to intake Vitamin C two times than non-smokers. Nutrient intakes from snacks in the smoking group were higher than the non-smoking group. Nutrients that originated from snacks which took over 20% among daily nutrient intakes were 12 nutrients (energy, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, P, Fe, K, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C, Vitamin E, dietary fiber) in the smoking group compared to 7 nutrients (energy, vegetable protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, Vitamin B2, Vitamin C) in the non-smoking group. The smoking group was significantly paying more money for snacks each month than the non-smoking group was (p < 0.01). Periods of consumption were irregular in the smoking group(p < 0.05) and the smoking group was used to taking snacks in the morning compared to the non-smoking group. The smoking group preferred sweets and high calorie food over other snacks in comparison of the non-smoking group. The nonsmoking group had better eating habits than the smoking group