Jieun Oh

Background/Objectives: Healthy Food Corners (HFCs) are zones in Korean convenience stores meant to promote healthier choices, yet how consumers respond to them remains unclear. Drawing on the Stimulus–Organism–Response (S-O-R) framework, this study examined consumer awareness and the perceived necessity of HFCs, identified preferences for their spatial and visual design, and exploratorily tested whether perceived necessity links awareness to healthy-food purchase intention. Methods: A cross-sectional online survey of 409 convenience store users aged 14–59 years in the Seoul metropolitan area was analyzed using hierarchical regression and bootstrapping mediation. Results: A descriptive contrast was observed between awareness and perceived necessity: awareness of the HFC was low (three-item composite M = 2.90 ± 1.66), whereas perceived necessity was substantially higher (M = 4.86 ± 1.25), indicating that consumers valued the concept even with limited prior exposure. Consumers preferred HFCs in ready-to-eat refrigerator sections, with clear zoning labels, horizontal grouping, green color schemes, and eye-level placement, and these preferences differed by age. In an exploratory mediation analysis, awareness predicted perceived necessity, which in turn strongly predicted purchase intention; the indirect effect was significant (0.188, 95% CI [0.128, 0.251]) while the direct effect was non-significant, a pattern consistent with full mediation. Because perceived necessity was assessed with a single item, this pathway is interpreted cautiously. Purchase intention was self-reported rather than behaviorally assessed. Conclusions: Overall, the findings suggest that HFCs may function as distinct, strategically positioned spatial nudges; however, design recommendations are based on consumer-stated preferences and require confirmation through behavioral research. The results have implications for food environment policy in Korea, with the caveat that generalizability to other countries and retail systems warrants caution.

Objectives: This study analyzed the current evaluation indicators used for early childhood programs by the Center for Children’s and Social Welfare Foodservice Management (CCFSM) in South Korea and developed a logic model-based performance evaluation framework to improve the system through outcome-oriented assessment.Methods: The study comprised four stages. First, existing on-site evaluation indicators were mapped onto a logic model framework to assess their suitability for evaluating program effectiveness. Second, focus group interviews were conducted with stakeholders and experts to examine their understanding of, and perceived limitations in, the current evaluation system. Third, new outcome indicators were developed using checklist items for hygiene, safety, and nutrition management implemented across centers, and program effectiveness was evaluated using these indicators. Fourth, additional indicators were developed to assess the effectiveness of child-targeted nutrition and dietary education programs, and their practical applicability was examined.Results: The current evaluation indicators focused primarily on structural (input) and process measures, with limited emphasis on outcomes reflecting the ultimate program goals. Few indicators directly assessed improvements in children’s health and dietary behaviors, and existing outcome measures relied largely on subjective satisfaction surveys completed by facility directors and parents. Based on the logic model, the proposed outcome indicators included, in the mid-term, improvements in hygiene, safety, and healthy eating practices scores, and, in the long-term, reductions in foodborne illness and food allergy incidents, increased fruit and vegetable intake, and decreased sodium and sugar intake.Conclusion: The findings highlight the need to transition the CCFSM evaluation system toward a performance-oriented framework. A logic model-based evaluation system would improve accountability and better align evaluation practices with policy objectives, whereas phased implementation would help minimize operational burden on practitioners.

Background/Objectives: Government-supported school food and nutrition education depends on whether teachers can locate and use relevant programs and resources. This study identified teachers’ perceived priority topics and examined their awareness, use, and barriers regarding government resources in Korea. Methods: A nationwide voluntary online survey was completed by 1273 elementary, middle, and high school teachers between October and November 2024. Resource outcomes were analyzed in the full sample, whereas the educational needs assessment was limited to 575 teachers who had directly implemented a program supported by the Korean Ministry of Food and Drug Safety (MFDS). Participants rated the perceived importance and self-reported current implementation of 32 topics. Topic priorities were assessed using paired comparisons with false discovery rate adjustment, Borich scores, and the Locus for Focus model; exploratory subgroup and multivariable analyses examined variation in the importance–implementation gaps. Results: Perceived importance exceeded self-reported current implementation for 31 of the 32 topics after false discovery rate adjustment. The leading priorities included late night eating, adolescents and caffeine, healthier convenience store food choices, excessive weight control practices, and eating disorders. The overall importance–implementation gap was larger among elementary than middle/high school teachers (0.284 vs. 0.149, p < 0.001), and this difference remained after multivariable adjustment (B = −0.122, p = 0.001). Awareness and use were lower for the MFDS YouTube channel than for the food safety information website; lack of awareness was the most common reason for not using education-specific resources. Conclusions: Government agencies should combine classroom-ready, developmentally tailored content with active dissemination and teacher training. The identified priorities reflect the perception of teachers with direct implementation experience and should be complemented by future studies using observed implementation measures and student outcomes.

Background/Objectives: School-based food and nutrition education is an important public health strategy for developing healthy dietary behaviors during childhood and adolescence. However, limited qualitative evidence describes how nutrition teachers, who are simultaneously responsible for school meals, perceive established educational priorities and emerging needs. This study explored current and future priorities for school-based food and nutrition education in South Korea. Methods: Two online focus group interviews were conducted with eight nutrition teachers working in elementary, middle, and high schools. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed using qualitative content analysis procedures. Results: Current priorities included foundational nutrition and food-related knowledge, balanced eating, environmental issues, low-sodium and low-sugar diets, understanding school meals, prevention of eating disorders and chronic diseases, and table manners and picky eating. Future needs centered on food choice and food literacy, sustainable diets, interdisciplinary education, and understanding diverse food cultures. Across themes, participants described a shift from primarily knowledge-focused instruction toward applied dietary competence, a broadening from individual disease prevention toward health and sustainability, and stronger integration of classroom education with school meals and other subjects. Conclusions: From the perspectives of the participating nutrition teachers, the findings provide formative evidence for curricula and interventions that combine foundational nutrition science with food-choice skills, age-appropriate preventive messages, sustainable dietary practices, and opportunities for behavioral application in the school meal setting. Future quantitative and intervention studies, including nationally representative samples, are needed before robust national priorities can be established.

Aims: Managing postprandial glycaemic variability is crucial for preventing metabolic diseases. Although the effects of a vegetable‐first meal sequence on blood glucose levels have been well documented, there is limited research on consecutive, repeated meal sequencing for healthy young women. This study investigated the effects of 3‐day repeated interventions on glycaemic profiles in this population. Materials and Methods: In this randomized crossover trial, 33 healthy Korean women consumed isocaloric test meals under four conditions: (1) VPC (vegetables‐protein‐carbohydrates meal sequence) with 35 min meal limit; (2) CPV (carbohydrates‐protein‐vegetables meal sequence) with 35 min meal limit; (3) TGR (all together without sequence) with 35 min meal limit; (4) NTL (no meal intake time limit). Glycaemic profiles and variability were examined by continuous glucose monitoring over 3 h after each meal. Results: Compared to CPV, TGR and NTL, the VPC reduced the glucose incremental area under the curve for 0–1 h and 0–2 h and mean glucose for 0–1 h ( p < 0.05). VPC also resulted in lower peak glucose and delayed time‐to‐peak compared to CPV ( p < 0.0001). Time in range was the highest for VPC and VPC significantly reduced the mean amplitude of glycaemic excursion (MAGE) compared to all other sequences ( p < 0.05). Conclusions: VPC improves postprandial glycaemic control, demonstrating consistent benefits across different meal constraints, including unrestricted eating (NTL). Optimizing meal sequencing represents a potential strategy for managing metabolic health and preventing early‐onset type 2 diabetes in young women.

Sevenband grouper (Hyporthodus septemfasciatus) is a premium aquaculture species with a high-protein, low-fat profile, yet cooking-related quality data remain limited. This study evaluated the effects of boiling, steaming, oven cooking, and microwave cooking on the physicochemical, flavor-related, and microstructural properties of grouper fillets. Weight loss differed significantly among methods (p < 0.001); oven cooking produced the greatest loss (32.42 ± 3.17%) and boiling the least (16.66 ± 3.89%). Shear index decreased after cooking; boiling produced the softest texture (75.57 ± 28.49 g·s), while steaming remained the firmest (192.46 ± 9.12 g·s; p < 0.001). pH and lightness (L*) increased after heating in most methods, but microwave-cooked samples showed pH similar to raw fish, whereas oven cooking produced the greatest yellowness (b* = 21.54 ± 0.44). E-nose analysis (PC1 = 53.79%, PC2 = 20.51%) separated moist-heat samples from oven-cooked samples. E-tongue analysis showed increased sourness after oven and microwave cooking and decreased saltiness after microwave cooking, while umami showed no clear change. Microstructural analysis showed the widest inter-fiber spacing in oven-cooked samples, matching greater moisture loss. These findings provide physicochemical, flavor-related, and microstructural data for sevenband grouper and support future processing and product development.

The livestock sector is a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. With rising meat demand in Asia, balancing sustainability and nutrition is critical. This study assessed the environmental and nutritional impacts of partially replacing conventional meat with cultivated meat in the Korean diet using a hybrid life cycle assessment integrating greenhouse gas emissions and nutritional indicators. Substitution scenarios of 10–75% were modeled for beef, pork, and chicken, incorporating emission variability to evaluate trade-offs. Beef substitution achieved the largest emission reductions, up to 74.6%, while pork showed moderate benefits and chicken variable outcomes. Nutritionally, cultivated meat improved protein-to-fat ratios across scenarios, particularly in chicken substitution, with modeled protein increases up to 355% and fat reductions up to 325%. Overall, results indicate environmental performance depends on baseline meat type, while nutritional outcomes remain favorable. These findings provide preliminary evidence relevant to sustainable development discussions in future food systems.

Objectives: We mapped trends in studies on dietary behaviors, nutritional status, and nutrition-related education among individuals with developmental disabilities in Korea over the past decade to identify research gaps and inform future research and policy development.Methods: A scoping review was conducted using three major Korean academic databases (RISS, KISS, and DBpia). Studies published between 2015 and September 2025 were identified using combinations of keywords related to developmental disabilities, dietary behavior, nutrition, and health-related interventions. Eligible studies included empirical studies and secondary research (e.g., systematic or scoping reviews) conducted in Korea that focused on dietary behaviors, nutrition, health promotion, or nutrition-related education for individuals with developmental disabilities. Thirty-six studies met our inclusion criteria and were analyzed based on study design, study population, disability type, research topic, and publication period.Results: Observational quantitative, qualitative, intervention-based experimental, and evidence synthesis accounted for 27.8%, 13.9%, 22.2%, and 36.1% of all included studies, respectively. Children and adolescents (27.8%) and adults (25.0%) were the most frequently studied populations, with limited studies focusing on professionals or teachers. Most studies targeted individuals with developmental disabilities as a combined group (61.1%), followed by those specifically targeting autism spectrum disorder. Research topics included dietary behaviors and nutritional status, nutrition-related education and interventions, health promotion, and medical or clinical issues, with many small-scale and shortterm intervention studies.Conclusion: Although research on dietary and nutrition-related issues among individuals with developmental disabilities in Korea has expanded in scope and methodology, significant limitations remain. Future research should adopt longitudinal and community-based approaches, incorporate diverse populations, and strengthen policy-oriented nutrition support systems to promote sustainable health and quality of life for individuals with developmental disabilities.

Ingyeong Ko, Hae Jin Park, Hyunsoo Kim, Kwang Suk Ko, and Jieun Oh. Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition 2026;55:115-24. https://doi.org/10.3746/jkfn.2026.55.2.115

Background: Adolescence is a formative period for lifelong dietary patterns, yet Korean adolescents show low fruit and vegetable intake, high sugar and sodium consumption, and rising obesity, highlighting the importance of multidimensional assessment that integrates behavioral, cultural, environmental, and competency-related factors. Methods: A total of 1010 adolescents aged 12–18 years completed an online cross-sectional survey assessing food intake, dietary and physical activity behaviors, dietary culture, and Food Literacy (FL) competencies. Standardized scores were used for hierarchical and K-means clustering to identify dietary practice patterns, and between-cluster differences were examined using ANOVA. Correlation and regression analyses were conducted to examine associations between Dietary Guideline Adherence (DGA) and FL. Results: Four clusters were identified—selective intake–low support (20.4%), regular habits–unbalanced intake (33.3%), high adherence (23.2%), and low adherence (23.1%)—with significant differences in DGA total and domain scores (p < 0.001). The high-adherence cluster showed balanced intake, regular routines, and strong household support, whereas the low-adherence cluster showed poor diet quality, irregular behaviors, and lower socioeconomic status. FL differed across clusters (p < 0.001) and correlated with DGA (r = 0.496, p < 0.01). Total FL predicted DGA (β = 0.496, p < 0.001), explaining 25% of its variance (R² = 0.246). Conclusions: Adolescent diet quality appears to be associated with behavioral, cultural, and competency-related factors. These findings suggest that cluster-specific strategies—such as fat–sugar–sodium reduction, promotion of low-sodium and diverse diets, and maintenance of balanced-dietary patterns—may support tailored school- and community-based nutrition programs and inform further longitudinal and intervention research.