This study examined the sweet taste perception, perception of sugar reduction, and utilization of nutrition labeling according to the awareness of the self-perceived sugar intake reduction of university students in Chungbuk Area. The subjects (n=419) were divided into two groups: Awareness of Sugar Intake Reduction (ASIR) group, male=110, female=109; Non Awareness of Sugar Intake Reduction (NASIR) group, male=115, female=85. The overweight/obesity was significantly higher in the ASIR group than in the NASIR group for both male and female students. The sweet taste perception was significantly lower in the ASIR group in male students than in the NASIR group. The purchase level of a product with reduced sugar instead of the original products was significantly higher in the ASIR group in male students than the NASIR group. Beverage purchases after identifying the sugar content were significantly higher in the ASIR group in male students than in the NASIR group. The necessity of nutrition labeling education was significantly higher in the ASIR group both male and female students. Based on these results, the correct perception of sugar reduction and continuous and practical nutrition education of sugar intake reduction need to maintain healthy dietary habits in university students.

Nutrition labeling can provide information in order for people to select products suitable for their own health, and sodium content labeling for processed foods is important since sodium is one of the main causes of cardiac diseases. This study had carried out to propose the desirable sodium content labeling by conducting surveys on the awareness of sodium content in processed foods, understanding of sodium content labeling, and requirements for new sodium comparative claims. The survey period was from 12th of September, 2016 through the 24th, during which a self-administered questionnaire survey was given to 1,003 persons through demographic quota sampling by age and region. As a result of the survey, 66.0% of respondents assuring nutrition labeling answered they check sodium content labeling, whereas 83.2% were aware of excessive intake of sodium having a negative effect on health. Exactly 49.9% of respondents answered that the current system for nutrition labeling on processed foods does not help one to understand the content of sodium, whereas 72.9% answered they wanted to compare sodium contents with those of other products when buying or taking processed foods. As 92.5% cited the importance of sodium comparative claims made by processed foods, preparation of a new system for food labeling should be considered by which consumers can easily compare sodium contents with those of other similar products.

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the changes in perception concerning nutrition labeling and students' availability of processed foods and is to investigate parents' awareness of nutrition labeling through the 'Education program on safety management of children's dietary life' conducting directly to the fifth grade elementary school students (4,105 persons) by the nutrition teacher in each school. The part that checked when purchasing processed food before and after the students' education, the name of manufacturer (p<0.05), raw material and content (p<0.001), food additives (p<0.001), nutritive components (p<0.05) etc. were significantly improved. An idea about nutrition labeling has increased after the education, the question items in 'it is reliable' (p<0.001), 'satisfied' (p<0.01) were significantly increased particularly. In spite of one time education, it showed positive changes such as it can be possible to get desired nutrition information. Thus, although it was one time training conducted in the situation that can not be carried out formal education due to school environment, a variety of practical education of children's dietary life is required targeting comprehensive senior students, the education is considered to be conducted for children as well as parents.