Development of Nutritionally Balanced Weaning Foods for Korean Infants II -investigating the conditions of weaning and demand for nutritionally balanced weaning food development-

영유아를 위한 영양적으로 균형된 이유 보충식의 개발을 위한 연구 II -이유 실태 및 이유 보충식 개발을 위한 요구사항 조사-

Infanthood is a crucial period when mental and emotional developments take place along with physical growth. Adequate supply of nutrition is essential during this period and there is an urgent need for proper education and guidance on balanced nutrition. Therefore, this study tried to set the direction for developing baby food by investigating the conditions of weaning status and mothers perspectives on weaning. According to the result of this study, the average period when interviewees began weaning of their infants is 4.1 months and finishing period of weaning is 14.2 months on average. The frequency of consuming commercial weaning food is once a week. As high as 88.4% and the fruit juice was mainly used as the starting weaning food. The consumtion rate, more than once a day, is as high as 60%, they use commercial weaning food for convenience, especially when they are out. The 65% of surveyed group show rather dissatisfactory view about the commercial weaning food, and wanted improvements and changes. Interviewees wanted to obtain the information on baby food sold in the market and how to prepare baby food through technical literatures, and they frequently relied on commercial baby food due to its convenience. The most desired type of baby food was semi-solid paste in a disposable package that can be stored at room temperature.