The rating instrument to evaluate the quality of nutrition information websites was developed and ten websites which were maintained by nutrition expert(s) and frequently linked to other related sites were evaluated. The rating instrument with 15 questions on credibility, content, purpose, and design was developed. Eleven college students majoring in Food and Nutrition rated each question as ´Yes´, ´No´, ´Cannot tell´ while visiting each site. The questions rated most often as ´Yes´ were ´Is it capable for a user to interact with a responsible person for the site?´, ´Is the information provided by nutrition expert?´, ´Does the information fit in with dietary guideline?´ in the order. The questions rated most often as ´No´ were ´Is the source of the information indicated?´, ´Is the purpose of the site stated?´, and ´Is an internal search engine working?´, indicating these categories need betterment. The questions rated most often as ´Cannot tell´ were ´Is the information current?´, ´Is the information provider credible?´, indicating that these may be difficult questions for college students to evaluate.
Individuals or institutions who are providing nutrition information on the internet now or plan to provide later are expected to consider the problems pointed out in this study, and offer highly qualified information to the users in an effective way. Various rating instruments to evaluate the quality of nutrition information websites can be developed based on a variety of criteria. It is, however, to be desired that a standardized rating instrument would be developed by a leading group of nutrition experts, and the results of site review with the instrument be open to the public in order to improve the quality of Korean nutrition information on the internet.
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