• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권4호
• /
• pp.1791-1796
• /
• 2014

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is a leading cause of cancer death among Vietnamese Americans, yet screening remains underutilized. We investigated the effectiveness of a culturally tailored DVD intervention in promoting CRC screening among unscreened Vietnamese Americans age 50 and over. Materials and Methods: Using a community-based participatory research approach, we conducted a trial comparing twenty-eight subjects who received a mailed DVD in Vietnamese, with twenty-eight subjects who received a mailed brochure in Vietnamese. Subjects completed telephone surveys at baseline, One-month, and one-year. The primary outcome was receipt of screening. Secondary measures were participants' knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about CRC screening. Two focus groups explored the intervention's acceptability and effectiveness. Results: At one year, CRC screening rates of 57.1% and 42.9% were observed in experimental and control group respectively (p=0.42), Subjects in both groups showed increased knowledge about CRC after one month. Focus group findings revealed that the DVD was an effective method of communicating information and would help promote screening. Conclusions: The findings suggest that culturally tailored, linguistically appropriate content is more important than the type of media used. This relatively low intensity, low cost intervention utilizing a DVD can be another useful method for outreach to the often hard-to-reach unscreened population.

• 대한영양사협회학술지
• /
• 제19권2호
• /
• pp.124-139
• /
• 2013

Unlike studies of Europeans and Americans, many epidemiological studies of the Korean population have indicated that their risk for cardiovascular disease does not decrease with a vegetable-rich diet. The different dietary practices of Koreans, who consume salted vegetables instead of fresh vegetables (common in the Western diet), has been suggested as a reason for this observation. Korea is in a period of rapid epidemiologic transition, which includes dietary and disease patterns; therefore, this study investigated differences in the food consumption pattern and blood lipid profiles of Koreans compared to Europeans and Americans. The identification of dietary patterns related to blood lipid abnormalities was carried out using the 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey data from 14,056 subjects. Dietary patterns were analyzed according to food group and nutrient intake. Blood lipid abnormalities were classified into three groups: hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and low HDL cholesterolemia (hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia). The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia was 12.4%, 16.2%, and 27.7% respectively. In our analysis, the low consumption of all food groups was related to hypercholesterolemia. The high consumption of vegetable-containing foods, alcoholic beverages, and the low consumption of milk products were associated with hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Thus, unlike Europeans and Americans, the low consumption of all food groups is related to hypercholesterolemia and a low consumption of milk products is related to hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia. Dietary pattern might play a role in epidemiologic transition of Korean. Also, this study implies necessity of further research using longitudinal data.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권8호
• /
• pp.4705-4709
• /
• 2013

Background: Cambodian Americans have high rates of chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection and liver cancer. There is very limited information about the utility of community health worker (CHW) approaches to cancer education for Asian American men. We have previously reported our positive findings from a trial of CHW education about HBV for Cambodian Americans who had never been tested for HBV. This report describes similarities and differences between the outcomes of our CHW HBV educational intervention among Cambodian American men and women. Methods: The study group for this analysis included 87 individuals (39 men and 48 women) who were randomized to the experimental (HBV education) arm of our trial, participated in the CHW educational intervention, and provided follow-up data six months post-intervention. We examined HBV testing rates at follow-up, changes in HBV-related knowledge between baseline and follow-up, and barriers to HBV testing (that were reported to CHWs) by gender. Results: At follow-up, 15% of men and 31% of women reported they had received a HBV test (p=0.09). HBV-related knowledge levels increased significantly among both men and women. With respect to HBV testing barriers, women were more likely than men to cite knowledge deficits, and men were more likely than women to cite logistic issues. Discussion: Our study findings indicate that CHW interventions can positively impact knowledge among Cambodian American men, as well as women. They also suggest CHW interventions may be less effective in promoting the use of preventive procedures by Cambodian American men than women. Future CHW research initiatives should consider contextual factors that may differ by gender and, therefore, potentially influence the relative effectiveness of CHW interventions for men versus women.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
• /
• 제16권5호
• /
• pp.515-524
• /
• 2001

Differences in dietary intake of Korean Americans (KA) by the length of residence in the U.S. were studied in relation to health and disease patterns in Michigan. Of 1860 questionnaires mailed, 637 (34.3%) responded with demographics, anthropometrics, self-reported disease patterns, lifestyle, and dietary patterns (93-item FFQ developed for KA). Complete responses were available for 498 people (263 men,253 women, aged 30-87 yr), who were then divided into three groups based on the number of years lived in the U.S.: 15y, 16-25y, 26y. Age-adjusted weight, height, BMI, and waist to hip ratio were within the normal ranges and did not differ among the three groups. Chronic diseases frequently reported in men and women (age-adjusted) included hypertension (14.4%, 14.1%), digestive diseases (5.4%, 8.5%), diabetes (3.6%,4.9%), and arthritis(3.3%, 12.5%), respectively. The length of residence in the U.S. was inversely associated with the age-adjusted prevalence of digestive diseases (12.4%, 6.5%, 0.4% in men, 13.0%, 11.7%, 0% in women). The length of residence was positively associated with health consciousness, receiving regular health care, taking supplements regularly, and exercising, while inversely related to smoking. The majority favored American foods for breakfast and Korean foods for dinner. Foods frequently consumed included cooked rice (w/other grains). kimchi, coffee (w/cream and sugar),bread (white and dark), citrus juice, milk (low fat and skim), lettuce and cucumber, apple, seaweed, and soda. Intake frequency of the Korean starch food group was inversely associated with the length of residence for both men and women (p<0.001), but not with the American starch food group. Fat intake did not differ by the length of residence in the U.S. The dietary changes were associated with the length of residence and chronic disease patterns for the first generation of KA, which should be further examined 'for the subsequent generation of KA.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• 제7권1호
• /
• pp.32-37
• /
• 2009

The quality assurance (QA) is of utmost importance in biobanks when archived biomaterials are distributed to biomedical researchers. For sample authentication and cross-contamination detection, the two fundamental elements of QA, STR genotyping is usually utilized. However, the incorporated number of STR markers is highly redundant for biobanking purposes, resulting in time and cost inefficiency. An index to measure the cross-contamination detection capability of an STR marker, the mixture probability (MP), was developed. MP as well as other forensic parameters for STR markers was validated using STR genotyping data on 2328 normal Koreans with the commercial AmpFlSTR kit. For Koreans, 7 STR marker (D2S1338, FGA, D18S51, D8S1179, D13S317, D21S11, vWA) set was sufficient to provide discrimination power of ${\sim}10^{-10}$ and cross-contamination detection probability of ${sim}1$. Interestingly, similar marker sets were obtained from African Americans, Caucasian Americans, and Hispanic Americans under the same level of discrimination power. Only a small subset of commonly used STR markers is sufficient for QA purposes in biobanks. A procedure for selecting optimal STR markers is outlined using STR genotyping results from normal Korean population.

• 한국문헌정보학회지
• /
• 제31권2호
• /
• pp.59-77
• /
• 1997

우리나라는 좁은 국토와 과밀인구 문제를 해결하고 세계로 뻗어가려는 정책적인 배려로 많은 국민들이 해외로 이민을 가고 있다. 특히 미국은 가장 많은 해외교포들이 살고 있는 곳으로 한국인 2세, 3세 등 교포 1세의 자녀들이 하루가 다르게 늘어가고 있으므로 그들에게 한국인으로서의 의식의 뿌리를 심어주기 위한 교육적 배려가 필요한 때라고 생각한다. 아동문학도서는 한국인으로서의 혈통을 갖고 태어났지만 한국의 역사와 문화, 가치관을 제대로 교육받기 어려운 환경 속에서 성장하는 교포 후세들에게 어떠한 가르침보다도 훨씬 강력하고 효과적으로 한국인으로서의 문화의식과 전통, 역사에 대한 깨우침을 줄 수 있는 도구가 될 것이다. 또 그러한 문학도서는 미국을 형성하고 있는 다른 민족의 어린이들도 읽을 수 있는 것으로서 그들에게 한국의 문화와 역사를 알려줄 수 있는 매개체가 되어 한국과 한국인을 이해시킬 수 있는 자료가 된다. 본 논문은 이러한 문제의식에서 출발한 것으로 영어로 된 아동문학도서 속에 나타난 동아시아계 주인공들의 일반적 특성을 조사하는데 그 일차적인 목적이 있고 또한 같은 동아시아 문화권에 속해 있는 중국과 일본, 한국계 미국인들이 아동문학 도서 속에서 어떻게 다르게 묘사되고 있으며 그들의 문화와 역사, 전통을 이국에서 어떻게 지키면서 미국에 동화되어 가는지를 비교해 보는데 이차적인 목적이 있다.

• 한국식품조리과학회지
• /
• 제30권6호
• /
• pp.704-715
• /
• 2014

This study was performed to examine attitude, perception, and sensory evaluation of Jjigae HMR (Home Meal Replacement) for Americans in the L.A. area. Attitude and perception of Jjigae were conducted by 128 consumers. The questions were as follows: 1) frequencies and attitude toward soup and stew, 2) experience and frequency of Korean food intake, 3) awareness of Korean Jjigae. A total of 69.5% of American had previous experience with Korean foods. However, the frequencies of Korean food intake were once every few months (27.4%) or once a year (18.9%). The 20.2% of consumers selected Kimchi-jjigae as the best-known Korean Jjigae, and 17.1% of consumers had previous experience with Kimchi-jjigae. However, the 23.7% of consumers did not have experienced with Jjigae. Sensory evaluation was conducted using Sundubu-jjigae and Kimchi jjigae. Overall liking and flavor liking were conducted by Americans using a nine-point scale (1: Dislike extremely - 9: Like extremely). The degree of intensity for sensory attribute was also rated using a nine-point Just-About-Right(JAR) scale (1: not nearly spicy/sour enough, 5: Just-About-Right, 9: too spicy/sour). Purchasing intention was rated using a five-point scale (1: Definitely would not purchase, 5: Definitely would purchase). Overall liking and flavor liking of two jjigae (Sundubu-jjigae & Kimchi-jjigae) had a value higher than five on the nine-point scale. The level of spiciness of Sundubu-jjigae was suitable for consumers whereas spiciness of Kimchi-jjigae was significantly different from the JAR value of five points on the nine-point JAR scale, showing that Kimchi-jjigae was significantly spicier than JAR point. Purchasing intention had a value higher than three on the five-point scale.

• Diabetes and Metabolism Journal
• /
• 제42권6호
• /
• pp.488-495
• /
• 2018

Background: Skeletal muscle plays a major role in glucose metabolism. We investigated the association between thigh muscle mass, insulin resistance, and incident type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) risk. In addition, we examined the role of body mass index (BMI) as a potential effect modifier in this association. Methods: This prospective study included 399 Japanese Americans without diabetes (mean age 51.6 years) who at baseline had an estimation of thigh muscle mass by computed tomography and at baseline and after 10 years of follow-up a 75-g oral glucose tolerance test and determination of homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). We fit regression models to examine the association between thigh muscle area and incidence of T2DM and change in HOMA-IR, both measured over 10 years. Results: Thigh muscle area was inversely associated with future HOMA-IR after adjustment for age, sex, BMI, HOMA-IR, fasting plasma glucose, total abdominal fat area, and thigh subcutaneous fat area at baseline (P=0.033). The 10-year cumulative incidence of T2DM was 22.1%. A statistically significant interaction between thigh muscle area and BMI was observed, i.e., greater thigh muscle area was associated with lower risk of incident T2DM for subjects at lower levels of BMI, but this association diminished at higher BMI levels. Conclusion: Thigh muscle mass area was inversely associated with future insulin resistance. Greater thigh muscle area predicts a lower risk of incident T2DM for leaner Japanese Americans.

• 한국식생활문화학회지
• /
• 제22권2호
• /
• pp.289-298
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study is to examine the Americans' perception on Korean food by analyzing the articles of the New York Times which is the best quality newspaper in America. The number of articles of the New York Times on Korean food were 111 from 1980 to 2005. The average yearly articles was 1.3 form 1980 to 1989, 4.1 from 1990 to 1999, and 9.5 from 2000 to 2005. A large number of articles(54.1%) concerning Korean foods were restaurant reviews based on the experiences in dining at Korean restaurant in America. Main authors of restaurant reviews were Eric Asimo(14), Florence Fabricant(11), and Mark Bittman(8). The kinds of Korean foods reported in the New York Times were 111 which included staple food(21), subsidiary food(82) dessert(4) and Japanese Food(4). There were 15 recipes on Korean food reported in the New York Times including 3 items on Kimchi and 3 items on Bulgogi. The New York Times said Kimchi, Buigogi, Galbi, Pajeon, and Bibimbop were popular among Americans. The New York Times described Korean foods as exhilarating, robust, bold, rustic, healthful, incendiary, assertive, lusty, and exuberant. There were many favorable comments on Korean foods in the New York Times.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology and Pharmacology
• /
• 제17권6호
• /
• pp.479-484
• /
• 2013

Given the CYP3A4 and CYP3A5's impact on the efficacy of drugs, the genetic backgrounds of individuals and populations are regarded as an important factor to be considered in the prescription of personalized medicine. However, genetic studies with Korean population are relatively scarce compared to those with other populations. In this study, we aimed to identify CYP3A4/5 polymorphisms and compare the genotype distributions among five ethnicities. To identify CYP3A4/5 SNPs, we first performed direct sequencing with 288 DNA samples which consisted of 96 Koreans, 48 European-Americans, 48 African-Americans, 48 Han Chinese, and 48 Japanese. The direct sequencing identified 15 novel SNPs, as well as 42 known polymorphisms. We defined the genotype distributions, and compared the allele frequencies among five ethnicities. The results showed that minor allele frequencies of Korean population were similar with those of the Japanese and Han Chinese populations, whereas there were distinct differences from European-Americans or African-Americans. Among the pharmacogenetic markers, frequencies of $CYP3A4^*1B$ (rs2740574) and $CYP3A5^*3C$ (rs776742) in Asian groups were different from those in other populations. In addition, minor allele frequency of $CYP3A4^*18$ (rs28371759) was the highest in Korean population. Additional in silico analysis predicted that two novel non-synonymous SNPs in CYP3A5 (+27256C>T, P389S and +31546T>G, I488S) could alter protein structure. The frequency distributions of the identified polymorphisms in the present study may contribute to the expansion of pharmacogenetic knowledge.