Inflammation is one mechanism through which cancer is initiated and progresses, and is implicated in the etiology of other conditions that affect cancer risk and prognosis, such as type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and visceral obesity. Emerging human evidence, primarily epidemiological, suggests that walnuts impact risk of these chronic diseases via inflammation. The published literature documents associations between walnut consumption and reduced risk of cancer, and mortality from cancer, diabetes, and cardiovascular disease, particularly within the context of the Mediterranean Diet. While encouraging, follow-up in human intervention trials is needed to better elucidate any potential cancer prevention effect of walnuts, per se. In humans, the far-reaching positive effects of a plant-based diet that includes walnuts may be the most critical message for the public. Indeed, appropriate translation of nutrition research is essential for facilitating healthful consumer dietary behavior. This paper will explore the translation and application of human evidence regarding connections with cancer and biomarkers of inflammation to the development of dietary guidance for the public and individualized dietary advice. Strategies for encouraging dietary patterns that may reduce cancer risk will be explored.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, we determined the anti-inflammatory activities and the underlying molecular mechanisms of the methanol extract from Erigeron Canadensis L. (ECM) in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophage cells. MATERIALS/METHODS: The potential anti-inflammatory properties of ECM were investigated by using RAW264.7 macrophages. We used western blot assays and real time quantitative polymerase chain reaction to detect protein and mRNA expression, respectively. Luciferase assays were performed to determine the transactivity of transcription factors. RESULTS: ECM significantly inhibited inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS)-derived NO and cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2) derived PGE2 production in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. These inhibitory effects of ECM were accompanied by decreases in LPS-induced nuclear translocations and transactivities of $NF{\kappa}B$. Moreover, phosphorylation of mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPKs) including extracellular signal-related kinase (ERK1/2), p38, and c-jun N-terminal kinase (JNK) was significantly suppressed by ECM in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Further studies demonstrated that ECM by itself induced heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) protein expression at the protein levels in dose-dependent manner. However, zinc protoporphyrin (ZnPP), a selective HO-1 inhibitor, abolished the ECM-induced suppression of NO production. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that ECM-induced HO-1 expression was partly responsible for the resulting anti-inflammatory effects. These findings suggest that ECM exerts anti-inflammatory actions and help to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the potential therapeutic values of Erigeron Canadensis L.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this research was to study the different long term effects of consumption of dietary oil sources with varying omega-6/omega-3 (${\omega}-6/{\omega}-3$) polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFAs) ratios on bone marrow fatty acid level, ex vivo prostaglandin $E_2$ ($PGE_2$) release, and mineral content of bone in rabbits. MATERIALS/METHODS: For this purpose, weaning and female New Zealand white rabbits were purchased and randomly divided into five groups and offered ad libitum diets containing 70 g/kg of added oil for 100 days. The dietary lipid treatments were formulated to provide the following ratios of ${\omega}-6/{\omega}-3$ fatty acids: 8.68 soy bean oil (SBO control), 21.75 sesame oil (SO), 0.39 fish oil (FO), 0.63 algae oil (DHA), and 0.68 algae oils (DHA/ARA). DHA and ARA are two types of marine microalgae of the genus Crypthecodinium cohnii. RESULTS: The dietary treatments had significant effects on the bone marrow fatty acids of rabbits. Rabbits fed the FO diet, containing the highest ${\omega}-3$ PUFA concentration, and those fed the SBO diet showed the highest ${\omega}-6$ PUFA. On the other hand, a positive correlation was observed between Ex vivo $PGE_2$ level and the ${\omega}-6/{\omega}-3$ dietary ratio. Significant effects of dietary treatment on femur Ca, P, Mg, and Zn contents were observed in both genders. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of the current study clearly demonstrated that dietary PUFA, particularly ${\omega}-6/{\omega}-3$ and ARA/EPA ratios are important factors in determining bone marrow fatty acid profile, and this in turn determines the capacity of bone for synthesis of $PGE_2$, thereby reducing bone resorption and improving bone mass during growth.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The objectives of this study were to investigate the effects of lycopene on the migration, adhesion, tube formation capacity, and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) activity of endothelial progenitor cells (EPCs) cultivated with high glucose (HG) and as well as explore the mechanism behind the protective effects of lycopene on peripheral blood EPCs. MATERIALS/METHODS: Mononuclear cells were isolated from human peripheral blood by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation. EPCs were identified after induction of cellular differentiation. Third generation EPCs were incubated with HG (33 mmol/L) or 10, 30, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ of lycopene plus HG. MTT assay and flow cytometry were performed to assess proliferation and apoptosis of EPCs. EPC migration was assessed by MTT assay with a modified boyden chamber. Adhesion assay was performed by replating EPCs on fibronectin-coated dishes, after which adherent cells were counted. In vitro vasculogenesis activity was assayed by Madrigal network formation assay. Western blotting was performed to analyze protein expression of both phosphorylated and non-phosphorylated p38 MAPK. RESULTS: The proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity of EPCs treated with 10, 30, and $50{\mu}g/mL$ of lycopene plus HG were all significantly higher comapred to the HG group (P < 0.05). Rates of apoptosis were also significantly lower than that of the HG group. Moreover, lycopene blocked phosphorylation of p38 MAPK in EPCs (P < 0.05). To confirm the causal relationship between MAPK inhibition and the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced cellular injury, we treated cells with SB203580, a phosphorylation inhibitor. The inhibitor significantly inhibited HG-induced EPC injury. CONCLUSIONS: Lycopene promotes proliferation, migration, adhesion, and in vitro vasculogenesis capacity as well as reduces apoptosis of EPCs. Further, the underlying molecular mechanism of the protective effects of lycopene against HG-induced EPC injury may involve the p38 MAPK signal transduction pathway. Specifically, lycopene was shown to inhibit HG-induced EPC injury by inhibiting p38 MAPKs.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abundant consumption of seaweeds in the diet is epidemiologically linked to the reduction in risk of developing cancer. In larger cases, however, identification of particular seaweeds that are accountable for these effects is still lacking, hindering the recognition of competent dietary-based chemo preventive approaches. The aim of this research was to establish the antiproliferative potency and angiosuppressive mode of action of Stoechospermum marginatum seaweed methanolic extract using various experimental models. MATERIALS/METHODS: Among the 15 seaweeds screened for antiproliferative activity against Ehrlich ascites tumor (EAT) cell line, Stoechospermum marginatum extract (SME) was found to be the most promising. Therefore, it was further investigated for its anti-proliferative activity in-vitro against choriocarcinoma (BeWo) and non-transformed Human embryonic kidney (HEK 293) cells, and for its anti-migratory/tube formation activity against HUVEC cells in-vitro. Subsequently, the angiosuppressive activity of S. marginatum was established by inhibition of angiogenesis in in-vivo (peritoneal angiogenesis and chorioallantoic membrane assay) and ex-vivo (rat cornea assay) models. RESULTS: Most brown seaweed extracts inhibited the proliferation of EAT cells, while green and red seaweed extracts were much less effective. According to the results, SME selectively inhibited proliferation of BeWo cells in-vitro in a dose-dependent manner, but had a lesser effect on HEK 293 cells. SME also suppressed the migration and tube formation of HUVEC cells in-vitro. In addition, SME was able to suppress VEGF-induced angiogenesis in the chorio allantoic membrane, rat cornea, and tumor induced angiogenesis in the peritoneum of EAT bearing mice. A decrease in the microvessel density count and CD31 antigen staining of treated mice peritoneum provided further evidence of its angiosuppressive activity. CONCLUSIONS: Altogether, the data underline that VEGF mediated angiogenesis is the target for the angiosuppressive action of SME and could potentially be useful in cancer prevention or treatment involving stimulated angiogenesis.

BACKGROUND: Acanthopanax divaricatus var. albeofructus (ADA) extract has been reported to have anti-oxidant, immunomodulatory, and anti-mutagenic activity. MATERIALS/METHODS: We investigated the effects of ADA extract on two mouse models of Alzheimer's disease (AD); intracerebroventricular injection of ${\beta}$-amyloid peptide ($A{\beta}$) and amyloid precursor protein/presenilin 1 (APP/PS1)-transgenic mice. RESULTS: Intra-gastric administration of ADA stem extract (0.25 g/kg, every 12 hrs started from one day prior to injection of $A{\beta}1$-42 until evaluation) effectively blocked $A{\beta}1$-42-induced impairment in passive avoidance performance, and $A{\beta}1$-42-induced increase in immunoreactivities of glial fibrillary acidic protein and interleukin (IL)-$1{\alpha}$ in the hippocampus. In addition, it alleviated the $A{\beta}1$-42-induced decrease in acetylcholine and increase in malondialdehyde levels in the cortex. In APP/PS1-transgenic mice, chronic oral administration of ADA stem extract (0.1 or 0.5 g/kg/day for six months from the age of six to 12 months) resulted in significantly enhanced performance of the novel-object recognition task, and reduced amyloid deposition and IL-$1{\beta}$ in the brain. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggest that ADA stem extract may be useful for prevention and treatment of AD.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Myocardial cell death due to occlusion of the coronary arteries leads to myocardial infarction, a subset of coronary heart disease (CHD). Dietary fiber is known to be associated with a reduced risk of CHD, the underlying mechanisms of which were suggested to delay the onset of occlusion by ameliorating risk factors. In this study, we tested a hypothesis that a beneficial role of dietary fiber could arise from protection of myocardial cells against ischemic injury, manifested after occlusion of the arteries. MATERIALS/METHODS: Three days after rats were fed apple pectin (AP) (with 10, 40, 100, and 400 mg/kg/day), myocardial ischemic injury was induced by 30 min-ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery, followed by 3 hr-reperfusion. The area at risk and infarct area were evaluated using Evans blue dye and 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) staining, respectively. DNA nicks reflecting the extent of myocardial apoptosis were assessed by TUNEL assay. Levels of cleaved caspase-3, Bcl-2, and Bax were assessed by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Supplementation of AP (with 100 and 400 mg/kg/day) resulted in significantly attenuated infarct size (IS) (ratio of infarct area to area at risk) by 21.9 and 22.4%, respectively, in the AP-treated group, compared with that in the control group. This attenuation in IS showed correlation with improvement in biomarkers involved in the apoptotic cascades: reduction of apoptotic cells, inhibition of conversion of procaspase-3 to caspase-3, and increase of Bcl-2/Bax ratio, a determinant of cell fate. CONCLUSIONS: The findings indicate that supplementation of AP results in amelioration of myocardial infarction by inhibition of apoptosis. Thus, the current study suggests that intake of dietary fiber reduces the risk of CHD, not only by blocking steps leading to occlusion, but also by protecting against ischemic injury caused by occlusion of the arteries.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Ultraviolet B (UVB) irradiation on skin can induce production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), which cause expression of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and collagen degradation. Thus, chronic exposure of skin to UVB irradiation leads to histological changes consistent with aging, such as wrinkling, abnormal pigmentation, and loss of elasticity. We investigated the protective effect of the standardized green tea seed extract (GSE) on UVB-induced skin photoaging in hairless mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Skin photoaging was induced by UVB irradiation on the back of Skh-1 hairless mice three times per week and UVB irradiation was performed for 10 weeks. Mice were divided into six groups; normal control, UVB irradiated control group, positive control (UVB + dietary supplement of vitamin C 100 mg/kg), GSE 10 mg/kg (UVB + dietary supplement of GSE 10 mg/kg), GSE 100 mg/kg (UVB + dietary supplement of GSE 100 mg/kg), and GSE 200 mg/kg (UVB + dietary supplement of GSE 200 mg/kg). RESULTS: The dietary supplement GSE attenuated UVB irradiation-induced wrinkle formation and the decrease in density of dermal collagen fiber. In addition, results of the antioxidant analysis showed that GSE induced a significant increase in antioxidant enzyme activity compared with the UVB irradiation control group. Dietary supplementation with GSE 200 mg/kg resulted in a significant decrease in expression of MMP-1, MMP-3, and MMP-9 and an increase in expression of TIMP and type-1 collagen. CONCLUSIONS: Findings of this study suggest that dietary supplement GSE could be useful in attenuation of UVB irradiation-induced skin photoaging and wrinkle formation due to regulation of antioxidant defense systems and MMPs expression.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The number of diabetic patients has recently shown a rapid increase, and delayed wound healing is a major clinical complication in diabetes. In this study, the wound healing effect of Hominis placenta (HP) treatment was investigated in normal and streptozotocin-induced diabetic mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four full thickness wounds were created using a 4 mm biopsy punch on the dorsum. HP was injected subcutaneously at the middle region of the upper and lower wounds. Wounds were digitally photographed and wound size was measured every other day until the 14th day. Wound closure rate was analyzed using CANVAS 7SE software. Wound tissues were collected on days 2, 6, and 14 after wounding for H/E, immunohistochemistry for FGF2, and Masson's trichrome staining for collagen study. RESULTS: Significantly faster wound closure rates were observed in the HP treated group than in normal and diabetes control mice on days 6 and 8. Treatment with HP resulted in reduced localization of inflammatory cells in wounded skin at day 6 in normal mice and at day 14 in diabetic mice (P < 0.01). Expression of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 2 showed a significant increase in the HP treated group on day 14 in both normal (P < 0.01) and diabetic mice (P < 0.05). In addition, HP treated groups showed a thicker collagen layer than no treatment groups, which was remarkable on the last day, day 14, in both normal and diabetic mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, HP treatment has a beneficial effect on acceleration of cutaneous wound healing via regulation of the entire wound healing process, including inflammation, proliferation, and remodeling.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The standard pattern of Brazilian food consumption is based on the combination of rice and beans served together in the main meals. This study assessed the effects of Brazilian-staple calorie-restricted (BS-diet) dietary advice, with brown rice and beans, on metabolic parameters, body composition, and food intake in overweight/obese subjects. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Twentyseven subjects were randomly assigned to a conventional-type calorie-restricted diet (CT-diet) (n = 13) or a BS-diet (n = 14). Glucose metabolism, lipid profile, anthropometric and body composition parameters, and food intake were measured before and after 16 weeks. Paired t-tests/Wilcoxon tests were used for comparison of differences from baseline and unpaired t-tests/Mann-Whitney tests were used for comparison of differences between the groups. RESULTS: After16 weeks, both groups showed reductions in weight and waist circumference (P < 0.02), and the BS-diet group showed a decrease in body fat (P = 0.0001), and significant improvement in glucose metabolism (fasting plasma glucose, glucose and insulin areas under the curve, Cederholm index, and HOMA2-$%{\beta}$) ($P{\leq}0.04$) and lipid profile (cholesterol, triacylglycerol, LDL-c, VLDL-c, and cholesterol/HDL-c ratio) ($P{\leq}0.05$). In addition, the BS-diet group showed significant improvement in HOMA2-$%{\beta}$, compared to the CT-diet group (P = 0.03). The BS-diet group also showed a significant reduction in energy, lipids, carbohydrate, and cholesterol intake ($P{\leq}0.04$) and an increase in fiber intake ($P{\leq}0.001$), while the CT-diet group showed a significant reduction in intake of energy, macronutrients, PUFA, and cholesterol ($P{\leq}0.002$). CONCLUSIONS: These results demonstrate the benefits of the BS-diet on metabolic parameters in obese subjects.

BACKGROUD/OBEJECTIVES: It is hypothesized that obese people with dyslipidemia is more likely to have increased oxidative stress and decreased antioxidant status, in comparison with the controls who were obese without dyslipidemia. Thus, the aims of the present study were to determine the dietary intakes, plasma adipokines, and antioxidative systems between obese with dyslipidemia and obese without dyslipidemia were investigated. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Female subjects who were between 20 and 55 years old, and whose BMI was 23 or greater were recruited. Subjects who met the criteria of $BMI{\geq}23$, total cholestero ${\geq}200mg/dL$, LDL cholesterol ${\geq}130mg/dL$, and $TG{\geq}110mg/dL$ were categorized Obese with dyslipidemia. Anthropometric measurements and blood biochemical tests were conducted. The diet survey was conducted by a trained dietitian using two days of 24 hour dietary recall. The lipid peroxidation, the plasma total antioxidant capacity (TAC), the activities of antioxidantive enzymes, and various antioxidantive vitamins levels were determined. RESULTS: Plasma adiponectin and leptin levels were also determined. There were no significant differences for age, Body Mass index (BMI), and body fat (%), waist-size between two groups. Obese with dyslipidemia had significantly high levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, LDL-cholesterol, the ratio of total cholesterol/HDL-C, and the ratio of HDL-C/LDL-C, respectively. Blood alkaline phosphatase level was statistically different between the two groups (P < 0.05). No statistical significance in dietary intake between two groups was shown. In case of obese with dyslipidemia group, the levels of GSH-Px (P < 0.05) and catalase (P < 0.05) as well as adjusted blood retinol (P < 0.05) and tocopherol level (P < 0.05) were significantly low. However, the plasma concentration of leptin was significantly high (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Obesity with dyslipidemia was shown to have high arthtrogenic index, depleted antioxidant status, and higher blood leptin levels which suggest higher risks of oxidative stress and cardiovascular diseases.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study objectives were to examine the participation rate in food assistance programs and explore the factors that contribute to such participation among the Korean elderly population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study sample comprised 3,932 respondents aged 65 years or older who were selected from a secondary data set, the fourth Korean Welfare Panel Study (KoWePS). The factors, related to participation in programs were examined based on the predisposing, enabling and need factors of the help-seeking behavior model. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to select the best contributors among the factors related to program participation. RESULTS: The predisposing rate in food assistance programs was 8.5% (7.1% for men and 10.4% for women). When all variables were included in the model, living without spouse, no formal education, low income, having social security benefits and food insecurity in elderly men, and age, low income, having social security benefits and feeling poor in elderly women were significantly related to a higher tendency to program participation. CONCLUSIONS: The predisposing and need factors, such as living without spouse, low education level, food insecurity and feeling poor were important for program participation, as well as enabling factors, such as household income and social security benefits. A comprehensive approach considering these factors to identify the target population for food assistance programs is needed to increase the effectiveness and target population penetration of these programs.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This research was conducted to develop a construct model regarding the dietary style, late night snacking choice attributes and health promotion behaviors of industrial workers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The surveys were collected during the period between January and February 2013. A statistical analysis of 888 industrial workers was conducted using SPSS 12.0 for Windows and SEM (Structural Equation Model) using AMOS (Analysis of Moment Structure) 5.0 statistics package. RESULTS: The results of the correlations between all variables showed significant positive correlations (P < 0.05). Results of factors analysis on dietary styles were categorized into five factors and health promotion behaviors were categorized into four. The reliability of these findings was supported by a Cronbach's alpha coefficient of 0.6 and higher for all other factors. After obtaining the factors from processing an exploratory factor analysis and the end results supported the validity. In an attempt to study the late night snacking choice attributes in accordance to dietary styles and the health promotion behaviors of industrial workers, a structural equation model was constructed and analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: All tests proved the model satisfied the recommended levels of the goodness on fit index, and thus, the overall research model was proved to be appropriate.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Korean ordinary diets are referred to be good for human health in worldwide. However it is uncertain whether they provide microminerals enough for growth and health of teenagers. A main purpose of this study was to identify micromineral contents in school meals. MATERIALS/METHODS: The fifty cuisines were collected from elementary schools and middle schools in Gyeongnam area. The contents of Fe, Zn, Cu and Mn among microminerals were analyzed by using ICP-OES method. Data were expressed as mean, standard deviation and range value and linear regression analysis performed. RESULTS: Fe level of Pangibuseotpaprika-salad was the highest among side-dishes (average $346.6{\mu}g$) and Zn level of Sullung-tang was highest among soups (average $229.1{\mu}g$). Cu level of Buchu-kimchi was the highest among kimchies (average $217.5{\mu}g$) and Mn level of Gumeunkongyangnyum-gui was highest among side-dishes (average $198.4{\mu}g$). Generally cooked-rices as main dish had relative smaller amounts of microminerals than the other cuisines. The results showed that the ratio of Cu : Fe : Zn was approximately 12 : 4 : 1 and the relationship between Fe versus Zn or Fe versus Cu was significantly positive. CONCLUSION: Comparing to Korean Dietary Recommended Intakes (KDRI) level, school meals provided not sufficient amount (<25% DRI) of Fe, Zn or Mn, while they did excessive amount (>125% DRI) of Cu.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) is a strong independent predictor of future cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk. We evaluated the relationship between hsCRP and dietary intake in apparently healthy young women living in southern Vietnam. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Serum hsCRP was measured and dietary intake data were obtained using the 1-day 24-hour recall method in women (n = 956; mean age, $25.0{\pm}5.7$ years) who participated in the International Collaboration Study for the Construction of Asian Cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES) in 2011. RESULTS: Women in the high risk group (> 3 mg/L) consumed fewer fruits and vegetables, total plant food, potassium, and folate than those in the low risk group (< 1 mg/L). A multiple regression analysis after adjusting for covariates revealed a significant negative association between hsCRP and fruit and vegetable consumption. A logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) of having a high hsCRP level in women with the highest quartiles of consumption of fruits and vegetables [OR, 0.391; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.190-0.807], potassium [OR, 0.425; 95% CI, 0.192-0.939] and folate [OR, 0.490; 95% CI, 0.249-0.964] were significantly lower than those in the lowest quartiles. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that, in young Vietnamese women, an increased consumption of fruit and vegetables might be beneficial for serum hsCRP, a risk factor for future CVD events.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The inverse relationships of combined fruits and vegetables intake with blood pressure have been reported. However, whether there are such relationships with salty vegetables has rarely been investigated in epidemiologic studies. We evaluated the relation of combined and separate intake of fruits, vegetable intakes, and salty vegetables, as well as sodium and potassium, with blood pressure among the middle-aged and elderly populations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The present cross-sectional analysis of a prospective cohort baseline survey was performed with 6,283 subjects (2,443 men and 3,840 women) and free of hypertension, diabetes, cardiovascular diseases, and cancer. Dietary data were collected by trained interviewers using food frequency questionnaire. RESULTS: The significantly inverse linear trend of diastolic blood pressure (DBP) was found in fruits and non-pickled vegetables (81.2 mmHg in the lowest quintile vs 79.0 mmHg in the highest quintile, P for trend = 0.0040) and fruits only (80.9 mmHg in the lowest quintile vs 79.4 mmHg in the highest quintile, P for trend = 0.0430) among men. In contrast, sodium and sodium to potassium ratio were positively related with blood pressure among men (DBP, 78.8 mmHg in the lowest quintile vs 80.6 mmHg in the highest quintile, P for trend = 0.0079 for sodium; DBP, 79.0 mmHg in the lowest quintile vs 80.7 mmHg in the highest quintile, P for trend = 0.0199 and SBP, 123.8 mmHg in the lowest quintile vs 125.9 mmHg in the highest quintile for sodium/potassium). Kimchies consumption was positively related to DBP for men (78.2 mmHg in the lowest quintile vs 80.9 mmHg in the highest quintile for DBP, P for trend = 0.0003). Among women, these relations were not found. CONCLUSION: Fruits and/or non-pickled vegetables may be inversely, but sodium, sodium to potassium, and Kimchies may be positively related to blood pressure among men.

BACKGROUNDS/OBJECTOVES: Family has an impact on dietary intake of children as a proximal food environment and family structures are changing and becoming more diverse. This study was performed to identify the association between family structure and food group intake of children aged 3-18 years in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 3,217 children with complete data on variables for household information, dietary intake and sampling weights were obtained from 2010-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Children's family structure was classified into 3 groups (Living with both parents, Living with one parent and Living without parents). To evaluate children's food group intake, scores of individual food groups ('Grains', 'Meat, Fish, Eggs and Beans', 'Vegetables', 'Fruits' and 'Milk and Dairy products') was calculated from percent adherence to the recommended servings of the Korean Food Guidance System (KFGS). 'Food group mean score' was obtained by calculating the average of five food group scores. RESULTS: After adjusting for age, sex, number of family members, and household income, children living with both parents had higher scores in 'Fruits' (P < 0.01), 'Milk and Dairy products' (P < 0.05), and mean score of individual food group score (P < 0.001) compared to children living with one parent. Individual food group scores and mean scores of individual food group scores were associated with different socio-demographic factors in study children. Family structure was associated with 'Fruits,' 'Milk and Dairy products' score and mean scores of food group scores. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggested that different approach might be required to solve nutrition problem in children depending on their family structure and other socio-demographic factors.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of moderate caloric restriction on ${\beta}$-cell function and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese Korean women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty-seven obese pre-menopausal Korean women participated in a 12-week calorie restriction program. Data on total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, blood pressure, leptin and anthropometrics were collected. A dietary intake assessment was based on three days of food recording. Additionally, ${\beta}$-cell function [homeostasis model assessment of ${\beta}$-cell (HOMA-${\beta}$), insulinogenic index (ISI), C-peptide:glucose ratio, and area under curve insulin/glucose ($AUC_{ins/glu}$)] and insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and Matsuda index (MI)] were recorded. RESULTS: When calories were reduced by an average of 422 kcal/day for 12 weeks, BMI (-2.7%), body fat mass (-10.2%), and waist circumference (-5%) all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After calorie restriction, weight, body fat percentage, hip circumference, BP, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, plasma glucose at fasting, insulin at fasting and 120 min, $AUC_{glu}$ and the insulin area under the curve all decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), while insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, QUICKI and Matsuda index) measured by OGTT improved significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate weight loss due to caloric restriction with reduction in insulin resistance improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese women and thereby may help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.

BACKGROUND: A higher frequency of family meals is associated with good dietary habits in young people. This study focused on the relationships of family meal frequency with food neophobia and personality traits in adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHOD: For this purpose, we administered a survey to 495 middle school students in Seoul metropolitan city, after which the data were analyzed using the SPSS (18.0) program. Pearson correlation was used to determine the relationships among dietary habits, personality traits, and food neophobia according to frequency of family meals. RESULTS: Dietary habits, personality traits, and food neophobia all showed significant differences according to the frequency of family meals. Further, eating regular family meals was associated with good dietary habits (P < 0.001) and was linked with improved extraversion, agreeableness, conscientiousness, emotional stability, and openness/intellect (P < 0.001). On the other hand, it showed a negative relationship with food neophobia (P < 0.001). The relationship between dietary habits and food neophobia showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01). The relationship between dietary habits and personality traits showed a positive correlation (P < 0.01). Lastly, the relationship between personality traits and food neophobia showed a negative correlation (P < 0.01). Conclusion: Based on the results of the study, the frequency of family meals affects dietary habits, personality traits, and food neophobia in adolescents.