Cardiovascular disease is a major cause of death in Australia. The Tick Program by the National Heart Foundation was designed to assist consumers in making healthier food choices. The aim of our study was to evaluate the awareness of university students regarding the Tick Program as a sustainable approach in preventing the onset of cardiovascular disease (CVD) in youth. Following Ethics Committee approval, a cross-sectional study was undertaken in 2006 to measure university students’ level of awareness of the Tick Program using a self-administered survey form. Inclusion criteria were full-time university students who have lived in Australia for a minimum duration of twelve months and do their own shopping. Students of less than 18 years of age were excluded from the study. Of 110 university students surveyed, 97 questionnaires were successfully completed (response rate: 88%). Overall there was a high level of awareness (72.2%) of the Tick program, which was also considered trustworthy by a majority of participants, with a mean rating of 3.87 (on a scale of 1 to 5). Tick-approved products were also considered a healthier choice by participants (mean 4.06 out of 5). Participants were also asked to identify potential barriers limiting the use of the Tick in making purchase decisions. The most important barrier identified to the Tick program was the limited range of Tick-approved products. A significant proportion of respondents also believed there was limited publicity of the program. The Tick Program is considered to be trustworthy and the approved products were regarded as healthy, with the results showing that participants have confidence in the Tick Program. This research also highlighted the potential areas for improvement of the Tick Program.
Cardiovascular Diseases ; Food Preferences ; Students ; Universities ; Australia

The principal objective of this study was to determine how weaning by mothers of preschool children between the ages of five and seven years influences the children's eating habits and food preferences. The results of this study will help to educate mothers about good weaning practices and facilitate the development of weaning programs by providing basic data on the subject. The results demonstrated significantly positive correlations between children's scores on eating habits and the level of vigorous weaning practices, the consistency of their practice, and the child's reaction to the foods provided (p<0.001). A positive correlation was noted between the frequency of providing solid food and the preference toward the food, with the exception of boiled rice and brightly colored vegetables. Thus, the results of this survey showed that the frequency and variety of solid foods that mothers try to actively provide their young children affect their food preferences and eating habits in general. These conclusions suggest that mothers should be educated about the significance of proper weaning so that their children can develop appropriate eating habits, and that there should be nutritional education for mothers, regarding the best weaning practices.
Child ; Child, Preschool ; Eating ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Mothers ; Vegetables ; Weaning

The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary behaviors, processed food preferences, and awareness levels of nutrition labels among female university students living in middle region by breakfast eating. A total of 243 students (breakfast eating group: 153, breakfast skipping group: 90) were surveyed from April to May of 2011. The results are summarized as follows: Skipping breakfast (SB) group had a significantly higher frequency of skipping lunch and dinner compared with the eating breakfast (EB) group (P<0.05, P<0.01, respectively). In the EB group, food labels were identified sometimes (31.8%), frequently (29.1%), and rarely (28.5%). In the SB group, food labels were identified rarely (33.3%), sometimes (27.8%), and frequently (26.7%). The EB group used food labels for comparing price and weight of products more frequently than the SB group (P<0.05). In the EB group, nutrition labels were identified sometimes (38.0%), frequently (28.1%), and rarely (24.8%). In the SB group, nutrition labels were identified rarely (32.6%), sometimes (30.3%), and frequently (21.4%). The EB group used food labels for identifying nutrient contents more often and for weight control more less than the SB group (P<0.05, P<0.05, respectively). The main reason for not identifying nutrition label of the processed foods was 'not being interested (55.5%)' in the SB group (P<0.05). Therefore, education programs that emphasize the importance of eating breakfast, and reading food and nutrition labels need to be developed for university students.
Breakfast ; Eating ; Female ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Lunch ; Meals

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study measured the effects of a taste education program developed in Korea on food neophobia and willingness to try novel foods in school children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: One-hundred and twenty school children (aged 7-9 years) residing in Seoul participated in 12 sessions of a taste education program for 3 months. The Korean taste education program was adapted from "Les classes du goût" by J. Puisais and modified to suit a Korean education environment. The study subjected school children to pre- and post-programs on food neophobia and willingness to try novel foods (WTNF), in addition to children's food neophobia in their parents. A total of 101 survey data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0. RESULTS: Regarding the effects of taste education, scores of food neophobia significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the posttest, mean (m) score (4.10 ± 1.19) decreased compared to the pretest (4.39 ± 1.00), and WTNF significantly increased (P < 0.001) in the pretest (m) score (0.48 ± 0.33) compared to the pretest (0.32 ± 0.34). This result indicates verification of the study hypothesis. CONCLUSIONS: Food neophobia scale (FNS), an index that measures personal food preference [1,2], showed a very weak correlation with behavioral willingness to taste novel foods (WTNF). Therefore, it is expected that the two scales measure different things. However, considering that the traits of food neophobia are not easily changed, the taste education program was administered in a remarkably effective manner.
Child* ; Education* ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Korea ; Parents ; Seoul ; Weights and Measures

This article aims to summarize the development and application of menu engineering technique, 'Menu Engineering Modified by Preference (MEMP)'. The site selected for this project was a foodservice operation in Yonsei University residence hall. Sales and food costs data were collected from the daily sales reports for 1 month, and the survey of food preference was conducted during May, 1999. Statistical data analysis was completed using the SAS/Win 6.12 for descriptive analysis. The calculation for menu analysis were carried out with MS 2000 Excel spreadsheet program. This MEMP technique developed had 6 category criteria and 2 dimensions of the contribution margin (CM) and the menu mix modified% (MMM%). The MMM% was calculated by the sales volumes and also weighted by food preference. The CM and MMM% for each item were compared with a mean menu CM as well as a 70% rule. Four possible classifications by MEMP were turned out as 'STAR', 'PLOWHORSE', 'PUZZLE', 'DOG'. 'STAR' items were the most popular and profitable items and required to maintain rigid specifications for quality. The decision actions for 'PLOWHORSE' menu items which were relatively popular, but yield a low menu average CM included combining a plowhorse item with lower cost products and reducing the frequency of serving or serving size. There was a need for 'PUZZLE' items to be changed in the menu combination, improve recipe, and promote menu. The last 'DOG' items were desired to be deleted. This study demonstrates that menu information can be interpreted more easily with MEMP. The use of MEMP is therefore an effective way to improve management decisions about menu of university residence hall foodservice.
Classification ; Commerce ; Data Interpretation, Statistical ; Food Preferences ; Serving Size

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of the foodservice management practices, the equipment ratio of sanitary facility/equipment, and dietitians' perceptions of (i) the barriers to sanitary management and (ii) the sanitary management performance level in the welfare institutions for the disabled in Korea. The survey was conducted during the period from September 7 to October 15, 2006. A total of 91 institutions (response rate 74.6%) were analyzed by using SPSS (windows ver. 14.0). The average number of meals served per day per an institution was 379. The majority (93.4%) of dietitians made decisions in procurement. The major part of the purchase was made through private contract. The factors affecting menu planning were nutrition, food preference, and cost, in the order of importance. Among the food items, fruits were infrequently served, while protein source foods and green leaf vegetables were almost daily served. The equipment ratio of sanitary facilities/equipment was 45%, which was relatively low. Most dietitians perceived 'limited availability of facilities and equipment'and 'the lack of support from financing department'as the major barriers in implementing a desirable sanitary system. Sanitary management performance in 'the food ingredient'was perceived as the lowest, while that in 'the uniform'showed the highest. The results of this study suggest that a proper supporting program on securing the facility/equipment and adequately trained employees are needed for successful sanitary management. Also, a more frequent supply of fruits for the disabled is recommended.
Contracts ; Food Preferences ; Fruit ; Korea ; Meals ; Menu Planning ; Sanitation ; Vegetables

The study was conducted to assess school dietitians' preferences for traditional foods, to determine the association with their perception and usage status, and to develop the strategies to increase its utilization of traditional foods in school lunches. The information was obtained by the self-administered questionnaire from the subjects, which were 198 dietitians in schools located in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do. According to the preference for traditional foods, subjects were distributed into three groups (High = 54, Medium = 128, Low = 16). The significances of differences between groups were determined using SPSS 12.0 at p < 0.05. Compared to the dietitians with lower (medium and low) preferences, those with high preferences answered that they had better knowledge (p < 0.001) for traditional foods, and served them more in school lunches (p < 0.01). Also, more dieticians in the high preference group not only felt that they need to train school administrators (p < 0.01) as well as themselves (p < 0.05), but also were currently providing students with the nutrition education on traditional foods (p < 0.05). The results presented the evidence suggesting that having dietitians with higher preference for traditional foods can offer an effective strategy to increase the opportunities for schoolchildren to be exposed to traditional foods. Development of the standard recipes for use in school lunches by the government or the association was answered as the best strategy to increase the use of traditional foods, regardless of the dietitians' preferences.
Administrative Personnel ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Lunch ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Obesity has become a worldwide public health concern. In particular, obesity caused by excessive energy intake was widespread which has strong causal relationship with food preference behaviors. In this review, we would briefly talk about characteristics of feeding behaviors inducing obesity, as well as the possible neurophysiological mechanisms involved in food preference formation and development. Meantime, we would introduce some regulation strategies to deal with obesity which mainly based on the current feeding behaviors of the obese.
China ; Feeding Behavior ; Food Preferences ; Health Policy ; Humans ; Obesity

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current nutritional labeling practices in the processed foods industry. Package labels provide consumers with reliable nutritional information, which has been considered a useful aid for food selection and a potent educational tool for nutrition in a daily life. To assess the nutritional composition labeling and nutritional claims on the food package labels in the Korean market, 2,691 processed foods were purchased from a wholesale market in August, 2004, under the food categories specified in the 2004 Food Code. Nutritional composition labels were found on 674 out of the 2,691 processed foods items. The study findings were as follows. Milk and dairy products showed the highest percentage(56.6%) of nutritional composition labeling among the food categories, while 86.2% of processed foods carried inappropriate types of nutrition labels. The title of nutritional composition labeling was ordered according to the nutritional composition presented on the top part of the box. The regulations method which it indicates was 77.8%. The expression unit of the nutritional composition labeling was per 100g(32.8%) or per OOg (29.4%). Of total processed foods, 83(3.1%) offered nutritional claims in their labels. These claims were divided into two ways: nutrient content claims and nutrient comparative claims. The most frequently used term in nutrient content claims was "contained"(67.2%). "More" or "Plus" were frequently used term in nutrient comparative claims(11.2%). Calcium was the most popular among nutrients claimed by processed foods(34.3%).
Calcium ; Dairy Products ; Food Preferences ; Milk ; Social Control, Formal

The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumption and perception of high caloric-low nutrient dense foods in middle school students in the Daegu. Among 550 questionnaires distributed to students in Daegu, 528 (256 boys and 272 girls) were analyzed. A little higher than 80% of students ate snacks everyday, and 43.4%, 29.0%, and 8.1% ate snacks once, twice, and three times or more per day, respectively. Snacks and foods most frequently consumed were ice cream, fried noodles, drinks, cookies, and baked goods. Energy supply from snacks was 104.8~356.9 Kcal/intake while that from meal substitution foods was 520.7~980 Kcal/intake. Students' knowledge score of high caloric-low nutrient dense foods was 6.51+/-3.02 out of 10 points. Sixty percent of students did not read nutrition labels, but 67.9% of them thought that they need nutrition education by nutrition teachers. Students recognized the criteria of high caloric-low nutrient dense foods as well as proper food selection for essential educational items, It was concluded that effective education should be implemented in middle schools by nutrition teachers for students to develop good habits in selecting snacks and foods.
Food Preferences ; Humans ; Ice Cream ; Meals ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Snacks