The goal of this study was to provide basic data for the future development of dietary life education in elementary schools by understanding the current conditions of the program after the execution of the Dietary Life Education Support Act. We conducted a survey to understand dietary teachers` recognition of dietary life education in elementary schools. We found that teachers` recognition was low and that dietary life education in elementary schools is still carried out indirectly by focusing on nutrition knowledge. Dietary life education is carried out during lunch time and dietary life-related class hours. However teachers of lower class levels did not have any practical subject related to dietary life and responded that a lack of time devoted to dietary life education was the biggest problem with the program. Most teachers responded that dietary life education in elementary schools is necessary for the formation of students` sound dietary habits, and that the development of a system of teachers directly responsible for dietary life education is necessary. In the past, dietary life education has typically been carried out at home, but now schools are required to play a role because of family nuclearization and the increase in working couples. Therefore, to revitalize dietary life education programs in elementary schools according to the Dietary Life Education Support Act, we suggest more systematic and segmentalized studies.

• 양철영 | Cheul Young Yang