This research analyzed the hematological index and health related habits such as alcohol drinking, smoking and exercise, by classifying 539 middle-aged men (age: 40 - 59) into a normal weight group, an overweight group and an obese group, according to BMI (body mass index). As a result, 33.6% (n = 181) of subjects had a BMI of 23 or less and 30.2% (n = 163) were overweight and 36.2% (n = 195) were obese (BMI > 25). The average systolic/diastolic blood pressures of total subjects were 130.96mmHg and 80.38mmHg, respectively. And the average pressure of normal subjects was 126.85/77.57mmHg, which was significantly lower than in overweight and obese subjects. Diastolic blood pressure shows significant differences among the three groups. The overall average cholesterol level of normal subjects was 193.81mg/dl, which was significantly lower than those in overweight subjects. Those in obese subjects were significantly higher than in overweight subjects. The GOT (glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase), GPT (glutamic pyrutic transaminase), ${\gamma}$-GTP (gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase) levels of obese subjects were significantly higher than in the overweight subjects. Frequency of alcohol drinking showed no significant difference among the groups. The smoking ratio in the obese group was higher than in the normal and overweight groups. The ratio of smokers was 53.1 %, and the alcohol drinking ratio was 81.0% of the total subjects. The frequency of drinking showed significant correlations with systolic blood pressure (p < 0.05) and diastolic blood pressures (p < 0.01) and ${\gamma}$-GTP (p < 0.01). The duration of smoking showed a negative correlation (p < 0.01) with diastolic blood pressure, total cholesterol and ${\gamma}$-GTP. On the other hand, exercising frequency showed negative correlations with blood glucose, ${\gamma}$-GTP and GPT(p < 0.01). These hematological indices were correlated with health related habits such as alcohol drinking, smoking and lack of exercise, and to be the cause of chronic diseases. Therefore, proper nutritional education is needed to establish advisable health related habits to maintain proper body weight. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 63-68, 2006)

Adipose tissue has now been recognized as a rich source of metabolically active molecules that include leptin and angiotensinogen (AGT), the precursor of angiotensin II (Ang II). Both of which have been implicated in the pathogenesis of metabolic alteration and hypertension associated with obesity. In this study, we examined the relationship between body mass index (BMI), adipocyte size, leptin, Ang II secretion and mRNA expression in human adipose tissue obtained from female subjects. Leptin and Ang II were analyzed using specific radioimmunoassay kits following a 48hour tissue culture. Leptin and Ang II secretion varied from 1.4 - 72.1ng/g and 0.8 - 57.3pg/g of tissue respectively. These large individual variations limit significant correlation between BMI, leptin and Ang II secretion. Ang II secretion was significantly higher in the obese than the non-obese (p < 0.05) and positively correlated with BMI. However, no difference in leptin secretion between the obese and the non-obese was observed and leptin secretion showed negative correlation with BMI. No difference in leptin and AGT mRNA expression in adipose tissue between the obese and the non-obese was observed. Although several limitations of this study, we found increased Ang II secretion in obese patients compared with non-obese patients, and positive correlation between AGT and BMI. Observed difference in AGT expression between the obese and the non-obese in this study might be of importance in relation with obesity related hypertension. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 69-75, 2006)

By improving body composition, such as fat, lean body mass and total body weight, an exercise program can be an effective treatment of obesity. The effects of exercise on obesity have been confirmed via various approaches such as type, intensity, duration, frequency, and combination with diet. Combined exercise and diet is the most efficient strategy for weight loss, and exercise alone could improve metabolism irrespective of weight loss. In addition, physical activity, including exercise, is emphasized to avoid a 'yo-yo' phenomenon. Exercise increases lipolysis stimulated by such factors as catecholamine, growth hormone (GH), and hormone sensitive lipase (HSL). Moreover, changes in insulin and cortisol through exercise affect adipose tissue, which is known as not only an energy storage locale, but also as an endocrine organ. Adipocytokines secreted by adipose tissue respond to signals that modulate metabolism and inflammation. Exercise has generally shown positive effects on adipocytokines, and these effects increase in conjunction with a hypocaloric diet. However, a long duration and a high intensity of exercise could induce an inflammatory response. This review summarizes the effects of exercise on obesity treatment, which contributes to the exercise and nutritional fields, particularly of community nutritionists. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 76-89, 2006)

Asian Americans is a minority population contributing approximately 4% to the total population of the United States, however it is one of the fastest growing populations. Although Asian Americans as a group have socioeconomic profiles that are similar to white Americans, significant variations exists within and across Asian ethnic groups. The top ten leading causes of death for Asian Americans includes cancer, heart diseases, stroke, unintentional injuries, diabetes, influenza and pneumonia, chronic lower respiratory disease, suicide, nephritis, and septicemia. The prevalence of obesity is lower among Asian Americans, however this should be taken with considerations specific to Asians. High salt and low calcium consumption seem to be dietary risk factors for Asian Americans, although dietary patterns are changing with acculturation. Factors affecting dietary patterns are discussed in this paper. A proactive nutrition education approach for Asian Americans should be promoting maintaining 'healthy' aspects of ethnic diets and adopting 'healthy' American diets. Collaboration with nutrition educators in Asian countries would be helpful to overcome limited resources available for researching and developing nutrition education messages and materials for Asian Americans. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 90-95, 2006)

This study compares brand equity of the fast food industry between Korea and the Philippines. This comparison is conducted by measuring a price premium that the college students in both countries would pay for hamburgers. Three popular fast food chains in each country, Lotteria, McDonalds', and Burger King in Korea and Jollibee, McDonalds', and Burger King in the Philippines, were chosen for the study. Utilizing a brand-based comparative approach, the findings of the study indicated that Burger King showed the highest brand equity for the premium brand image in both countries, whereas both local brands had a lower brand equity compared to international brands. The results of the study provide useful information for international and local brand managers that wish to establish strategies for a brand image, as well as to manage brand equity effectively. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 96-101, 2006)

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of the popularity of menu items in nutrient consumption of school-aged children participating in a School Breakfast Program. The weighed plate waste method was used to determine the nutrient intake of students. The nutrient intake was evaluated based on the popularity of the menu item, gender, and grades. The average intakes of all nutrients except energy, fiber, and sodium were well within the goals. Actual nutrient intake varied based upon the popularity of $entr{\acute{e}}es$ and the popularity of menu items was a main effect in nutrient content of meals. When the most popular $entr{\acute{e}}es$ were served, school-aged children's energy intake and School Breakfast Program participation rate increased. Saturated fat and sodium intakes also were higher than the goal when the most popular $entr{\acute{e}}es$ were served. The significant main effect was grades for total fat (p < 0.05) and calcium (p < 0.05), which was qualified by the two-way interaction between gender and grades for saturated fat (p < 0.05), protein (p<0.1), iron (p<0.01), vitamin C (p<0.01) and carbohydrates (p<0.001). Gender itself was not a significant main effect. Based on the findings, the suggestions for educating school-aged children on more healthful breakfast food choices and reformulating recipes for the popular $entr{\acute{e}}es$ are made. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 102-106, 2006)

Sensory factors are important determinants of appetite and food choices but little is known about factors affecting taste acuity and preference of Koreans. Any factors causing deficits in sweet taste perception may lead to over consumption of simple sugar, which is related to several chronic diseases. This study was conducted to determine factors affecting sweet taste sensitivity and preference. Subjects were 30 government employees who were serving as school dietitians or in the area of public health while they were studying in the program for the qualification to become nutrition teachers. Sweet taste threshold and the optimally-preferred sweetness of omija jelly were determined by a sensory evaluation and general characteristics, health-related lifestyles, dietary habits and food preferences were determined using a self-administered questionnaire. For the subjects of this study, detection threshold concentration of sucrose solution was $0.184{\pm}0.06%$ and optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly was $13.88{\pm}2.28%$ and there was no significant correlation between the sweet taste sensitivity and preference. Subjects who had higher(${\ge}4$ out of 10) physical or psychological stress and who had late getting-up time (after 7am) tended to have lower sweet taste threshold (higher sensitivity) than their counterpart. The sweet taste preference determined by optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly tended to be lower in the subjects who eat slowly. Those who answered in the questionnaire to prefer sweet foods did have significantly higher optimally-preferred sucrose concentration of omija jelly. Further research is required to determine whether decreased sensitivity and increased preference for sweetness can increase the actual intake of simple sugar. (J Community Nutrition 8(2): 107 -113, 2006)