The Jeonju Deokjin‑gu Children and Social Welfare Meal Management Support Center (Center Director No Jeong‑ok, Professor, Department of Food Science and Human Nutrition, Jeonbuk National University (JBNU)) announced that it has successfully completed the 'Dietary Fiber Story' experiential education program to promote healthy eating habits and prevent picky eating among local children and adolescents.

Held over two months from January to February this year, the program drew strong interest, with 844 children participating across 58 children's dietary experience centers and registered institutions in Deokjin‑gu, Jeonju.

This education focused on dietary fiber — a nutrient that children may find somewhat difficult to understand — and offered a variety of age‑appropriate activities. Key elements included learning about the characteristics of soluble and insoluble dietary fiber and their roles in the human body; a 'novel physical activity' using golf clubs to explore the digestion process of dietary fiber; and hands‑on sessions using fiber‑rich mushrooms such as 'mushroom skewer making' and 'mushroom tortilla roll cooking practice' to enhance learning outcomes.

In particular, the program concentrated on reducing children's aversion to ingredients — especially mushrooms, which are often avoided by kids — by having them touch and cook the mushrooms themselves.

A teacher who participated in the program said, 'It was impressive to see children who normally avoided vegetables and mushrooms cooking the dishes themselves and eating them with enjoyment. It was a valuable time for the children to naturally recognize the importance of dietary fiber, and I would like to actively participate in similar health education in the future.'

Center Director No Jeong‑ok stated, 'Experiential education is the most effective method to prevent picky eating by helping children become familiar with ingredients,' adding, 'We hope parents will also work with their children to build the healthy eating habits learned at the center into routines at home.'

Meanwhile, the Jeonju Deokjin‑gu Children and Social Welfare Meal Management Support Center is operated with support from the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety, the Jeollabuk Special Self‑Governing Province, and Jeonju City in accordance with Article 21 of the Special Act on Safe Food Management for Children's Diets and Article 5 of the Act on Support for Meal Safety in Social Welfare Facilities for the Elderly and Persons with Disabilities. The center provides systematic hygiene, safety, and nutrition management services to meal sites that are not required to employ dietitians and is leading efforts to improve the standard of meal services in the local community.