• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.6
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• pp.719-723
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: South Korean's sodium consumption level is more than twice the upper limit level suggested by the WHO. Steep increases in the prevalence of hypertension and cardiovascular disease in Korea necessitate more effective sodium reduction programs. This study was conducted in order to compare sodium intake-related eating behaviors and key psychosocial factors according to age group and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using an online survey, a total of 1,564 adults (20-59 years old) considered to be geographically representative of South Korea were recruited and surveyed. The major outcomes were perceived behaviors, knowledge, intentions, and self-efficacy related to sodium intake. RESULTS: The results show that perceived behavior and level of self-efficacy related to low sodium consumption differed by age and gender. Female participants showed better behavior and intention towards low sodium intake than male counterparts. Young participants in their 20s showed the lowest intention to change their current sodium intake as well as lowest self-efficacy measures. CONCLUSIONS: Future sodium reduction interventions should be developed with tailored messages targeting different age and gender groups. Specifically, interventions can be planned and implemented at the college level or for workers in their early career to increase their intention and self-efficacy as a means of preventing future health complications associated with high sodium intake.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-53
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abdominal obesity is associated with metabolic disorders, and, in recent years, its prevalence in Korea has continuously increased. The change of lifestyle, particularly diet, is critical for the reduction of abdominal obesity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention focused on dietary self-efficacy and behaviors on the improvement of abdominal obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Abdominally obese adults with additional cardiovascular risk factors were recruited through 16 medical facilities in South Korea from the year 2013 to 2014. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an intensive intervention group (IG) that received a multi-component intervention to reduce abdominal obesity, by mainly focusing on dietary attitude and dietary behavior change, and a minimal information intervention group (MG) that received a brief explanation of health status and a simple recommendation for a lifestyle change. The interventions were provided for 6 mon, and health examinations were conducted at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-mon follow-ups. A path analysis was conducted to identify the process governing the changes in abdominal obesity. RESULTS: The IG showed an improvement in self-efficacy for eating control and diet quality at 6-mon follow-up. Abdominal obesity improved in both groups. Waist circumference was observed to be decreased through the path of "improved self-efficacy for eating control in food availability-eating restriction-improved dietary quality" in IG. Most changes in follow-ups were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intensive program targeting the modification of dietary behavior influenced management of abdominal obesity, and the effect occurred through a step-by-step process of change in attitude and behavior. Generally, improvements were also seen in the MG, which supports the necessity of regular health check-ups and brief consultation. The results can be used for further development and implementation of more successful interventions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.927-938
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• 1998

Epidemiological studies have indicated that a relationship between overweight and cardiovascular disease exists. To assess the relationship of unfavorable changes in serum lipid concentrations, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), blood sugar and blood pressure to anthropometric variables, nutrient intakes and dietary behavior,64 obese children were chosen as subjects and 24-hour dietary intake, dietary behavior as well as blood pressure, apolipoprotein B, lipoprotein(a), three kinds of cholesterol concentrations were measured in November 1976. More than half(57.8%) of the children had serum cholesterol concentrations over 175mg/d1, and 26.6% of them had over 200mg/d1 and this group could be classified as a high risk group. Abdominal obesity as measured with waist circumference and waist hip ratio was negatively co..elated to high density lipop개tein(HDL) cholesterol. Dietary behavior rather than nutrient intakes appeared to have associations with unfavorable lipid profiles. Total dietary behavior scores and fish and bean product consumption had strong correlations with potentially atherogenic lipoprotein concentrations. This study suggests that fir the early prevention of cardiovascular disease, waist hip ratio together with obese rate should be included in selective programs to identify risk group of children in Korea. furthermore, interventions in cardiovascular disease risk groups in obese children should emphasize maintenance of ideal body weight through reducing body fat and adopting desirable dietary behaviors such as increasing intake of fish or bean products. (Korean J Nutrition 31(5) : 927~938, 1998)

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.84-88
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to identify dietary patterns among children and adolescents in Korea and to examine their associations with obesity and some blood profiles. One day food consumption data measured by 24-hour recalls on 2704 subjects aged 1 to 19 were used from 2001 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. The data of blood profiles available in the ages of 10 or older was also used. After categorizing each food consumed into 29 food or food groups, five dietary patterns were derived through a factor analysis and subjects were classified into three major dietary patterns via a cluster analysis using the factor scores. Three dietary patterns were identified as 'traditional diet' (25.6%), 'westernized-fast food' (6.2%), and 'mixed diet' (68.2%). The 'traditional diet' pattern had a higher percentage in boys. Both the 'traditional diet' and the 'westernized-fast food' had higher proportions of adolescents (12-19 y) than younger children, while the 'mixed diet' had a higher percentage of preschool children (1-5 y). Obesity rate analyzed within each age group showed no differences among 3 dietary pattern clusters. Blood pressure and all plasma profiles were not different among dietary patterns when adjusted with age and gender. Conclusively, children and adolescents in Korea had three distinct dietary patterns, which were associated with gender and age. These patterns could be useful to plan nutrition interventions for teenager health promotion.

• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.151-160
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the effect of type of body shape perception on health concern, depression, dietary restriction and exercise practice in university students. Methods: A descriptive design was used. Data were collected from 308 university students by using structured questionnaires. Results: The results showed that 65.6% of the students believe that they are overweight. There are no differences in health concern, depression, and exercise practice among the skinny perception group, satisfaction group, and obesity perception group. However, there was a significant difference in dietary restriction among the three groups (p<.001). The type of body shape perception was significantly associated with dietary restriction (p=.007). Conclusion: Integrated and effective interventions are necessary for university students to establish healthy body image and learn healthy weight control.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.24-30
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• 2006

Disparities in health and disease between various population subgroups, such as racial and ethnic groups, are a major focus of public health research but also pose considerable challenges. Diet is a key contributor to disparities in many chronic diseases and conditions. Therefore, in order to understand and address racial and ethnic health disparities, it is important to characterize the dietary patterns of the populations of interest. African Americans are at higher risk for many diet-related chronic disease conditions, such as obesity, type II diabetes, cardiovascular disease, and many cancers relative to other racial/ethnic groups in the United States. In this report, I describe the diet-related chronic disease profiles of African Americans, characterize their dietary patterns and food preferences, identify demographic, psychosocial, environmental, and cultural factors that may affect their dietary choices, and propose strategies for improving the dietary and health profiles of African Americans.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.483-495
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• 2004

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the perimenstrual discomforts and dietary intake levels among normal women. Method: A prospective and descriptive study examined 38 women aged 23 46years of age. The data collection period lasted from April 1 to June 30, 2003. The participants were asked to keep a diary recording perimenstrual symptoms and food intake for 50 days. Results: There was a significant difference in physical symptoms of perimenstrual discomforts (F=6.95. p=.001). but there was no significant difference in dietary intake level according to three different phases of a menstrual cycle. The significant dietary intake variables correlated to PMS included energy, protein, Vitamin E, Vitamin $B_2$, niacin, Vitamin $B_6$, folic acid, phosphorus, iron, and zinc. They were negatively related to perimenstrual discomforts. Conclusion: Balanced diet intake will be necessary for not only the perimenstrual discomforts but also the general health promotion of the entire population. The dietary and nutritional assessment should be done prior to nursing interventions, and nutritional counseling and education should be given based on individual differences. In a further study, the effects of dietary composition on specific symptoms will be replicated with a large sample, and development of a diet intervention program for perimenstrual discomforts is recommended.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.158-164
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• 2004

This study was conducted to define dietary patterns and to evaluate the effects of socioeconomic, acculturation and lifestyle factors on dietary patterns among 2,746 Korean- Americans in California. It was a cross-sectional telephone survey based on a representative sampling of individuals with a Korean surname using residential phone listings. It was conducted using a food frequency questionnaire that covered 20 food items, socioeconomic variables such as age, gender, income, education and acculturation, and lifestyle factors such as body weight, alcohol consumption, smoking, exercise and consumption of fast food. Four dietary patterns were identified: American Foods (AF), American Breakfast (AB), Korean Foods (KF) and Vegetables (Ⅴ). AF was associated with younger men, acculturation and fast food consumption. AB was associated with women, higher education, current smoking and fast food consumption. KF was associated with acculturation and lower socioeconomic status. Ⅴ was associated with lifestyle factors such as smoking, exercising and fast food consumption. The results of the study showed that socioeconomic and lifestyle factors influenced the dietary patterns of Korean- Americans. This should be considered when dietary interventions are designed for Korean-Americans to improve their health status.

• Journal of Korean Clinical Nursing Research
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.157-165
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to identify the effect of food craving, patient activation, and family support on dietary self-care performance in hemodialysis patients. The study will provide baseline data for developing nursing interventions to improve hemodialysis patients' dietary self-care. Methods: The data was collected from 132 patients who regularly underwent outpatient hemodialysis between October 26 and November 12, 2022. Frequency and percentage, mean and standard deviation, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Scheffé test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis were used to analyze the data, and all analyses were performed using SPSS 27.0. Results: The average scores of the main variables were 39.55±7.42 for food craving, 77.37±10.50 for patient activation, 63.62±11.72 for family support, and 38.21±5.54 for dietary self-care. The factors affecting the dietary self-care were age (β=.36, p<.001), family support (β=.36, p<.001), and patient activation (β=.20 p=.007). The total explanatory power of all variables was 34.0% (F=18.20, p<.001). Conclusion: Based on these results, it is necessary to consider the characteristics of age and improve the level of family support and patient activation when developing programs to improve dietary self-care in hemodialysis patients.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.165-177
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• 2016

Objectives: This study attempted to compare adolescents' dietary behaviors and perceptions by gender in order to recommend useful strategies for nutrition interventions. Methods: Subjects were 2,363 middle school (MS) and high school (HS) students. They completed a self-administered questionnaire on their interest in diet and health, dietary perceptions, nutrition knowledge, dietary practices, and dietary environment at home. Data were analyzed using t-test, $x^2$-test, and simple regression analysis by gender and by school groups Results: Overall, girls obtained higher scores than boys did for "interest" (MS: p<0.001; HS: p<0.01), "dietary perceptions" (MS: p<0.001; HS: p<0.01), and "knowledge" (MS: p<0.01; HS: p<0.001). Regarding "dietary practices," no gender differences were observed among MS students, however, among HS students, boys obtained higher scores-reflecting good practices-than girls did (p<0.01). In all subjects, dietary environment at home was strongly associated with dietary practice than other variables (MS boys: ${\beta}$=0.435, p<0.001; MS girls: ${\beta}$=0.492, p<0.001, HS boys: ${\beta}$=0.271, p<0.001; HS girls: ${\beta}$=0.429, p<0.001). Conclusions: We observed gender differences in some of the variables such as knowledge and perception among adolescent students. Educational programs and core strategies that consider these gender differences need to be developed. Specifically, for girls, educational programs should focus on facilitating dietary recommendation adherence, whereas for boys, the program could focus on improving dietary knowledge and perceptions.