• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.655-661
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• 2008

The prevalence of atopic dermatitis (AD) in children has increased dramatically in recent years. Although AD has genetic determinants, this rapid increase is most likely due to changes in environmental influences--for example, dietary changes. The purpose of this case-control study was to assess the relationship between the risk of developing AD and dietary factors, including eating habits, food intake, and the consumption of various functional foods in children at ages of 7 or 8 years. 143 AD patients and 335 healthy children participated in this study. A mini-dietary assessment was utilized to evaluate the food intake and dietary patterns of the children, and other information, including demographic and socioeconomic characteristics, eating habits, and the frequency of functional food use was collected using a questionnaire. The results demonstrated that, among the demographic and socioeconomic factors assessed in this study, female gender, mother's employment, and the family history of AD significantly increased the risk of AD. However, no differences in dietary habits and specific food intake between AD patients and healthy controls were identified. On the other hand, the frequencies of taking multivitamin supplements, Spirulina, or gamma-linoleic acid were significantly higher in AD patients than in the controls. These data indicate that alterations in eating habits and the intake of certain foods may not be a critical cause associated with the risk of AD in school-age children, and caution should be taken in recommending food elimination diets for the purpose of preventing AD. Further studies are required in order to determine whether the intake of specific nutrients could contribute to the increase or prevention of the development of AD in school-age children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2024

Purpose: Sodium is essentially required for homeostasis and physiological functions, but excessive sodium consumption increases the risk of obesity and other chronic disorders. Korean studies on the sodium-obesity relationship are limited, and thus, this study was undertaken to determine the nature of the relationship between sodium intake and obesity in Korean adults. Methods: Forty-two participants were divided into 2 groups according to body mass index (BMI, non-obese BMI < 25 kg/m², obese BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Dietary intakes and eating habits were analyzed using 3-day food records and a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric data were obtained from bioimpedance results, and fasting glucose and lipid levels were measured. Results: Mean weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and body fat mass were greater in the obese group than in the non-obese group for men and women. Skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass were higher in obese women than in non-obese women. Biochemical data were no different in these two subgroups except triglycerides (TGs), which were higher in obese women. Nutrient intakes were not significantly different in obese and non-obese groups. However, obese men consumed excessive sodium, while obese women consumed slightly more than non-obese women. Obese men preferred salty foods and tended to overeat. Positive correlations were found between sodium intake and weight in men and percent body fat mass (PBFM) in women. Correlation analysis (adjusted for energy intake) of the relation between sodium intake and obesity-related factors showed sodium intake was positively correlated with PBFM and TG in women. Conclusion: This anthropometric and biochemical data analysis emphasizes the need for awareness and interventions to mitigate the health risks of elevated sodium consumption. Our findings should aid future studies on the relationship between sodium and obesity and contribute to preventing and managing this metabolic condition.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.523-533
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Given that adolescents watch Mukbang (eating broadcast) more frequently than other age groups, interest in the potential health effects of watching Mukbang and Cookbang (cooking broadcast) is growing. This study aimed to determine the status of watching Mukbang and Cookbang among Korean adolescents and its relationship with their dietary behaviors. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used data from the 18th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey, conducted in 2022 (n = 51,850). The study included the frequency of watching Mukbang and Cookbang and the self-rated impact of watching them. Dietary behaviors included consumption of the following items: fruits (≥ once a day), vegetables (≥ 3 times a day), fast foods (≥ 3 times a week), late-night snacks (≥ 3 times a week), caffeinated drinks (≥ 3 times a week), and sweet-flavored drinks (≥ 3 times a week). Furthermore, obesity, weight loss attempts during the past 30 days, body image distortion, and inappropriate methods to control weight were also included. RESULTS: Among adolescents, 70.6% watched Mukbang and Cookbang, and 13.2% watched them more than 5 times a week. Approximately 27.6% of the adolescents responded that they were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang. Adolescents who frequently watched Mukbang and Cookbang consumed less vegetable and fruit; however, the likelihood of consuming fast food, late-night snacks, sugary drinks, and caffeinated drinks increased. In addition, they were more likely to attempt inappropriate weight-loss methods and become obese. Adolescents who responded that their eating habits were influenced by watching Mukbang and Cookbang were more likely to have unhealthy eating behavior compared to the group who responded that their habits were not influenced by these shows. CONCLUSION: Watching Mukbang and Cookbang is common among Korean adolescents and is associated with unhealthy dietary behaviors. Prospective studies, including broadcasting content, should evaluate the impact of Mukbang and Cookbang on health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.253-264
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• 2024

Objectives: This study investigated the association between eating habits and the utilization of dietary supplements (DSs) according to food-related lifestyle (FRL) among Korean adults. Methods: This study included a total of 300 participants (150 men and 150 women) in their 20s to 60s living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province. We identified two groups by factor and cluster analysis: an 'active pursuit' group and a 'passive pursuit' group. Differences in eating habits and DS utilization between the two groups were analyzed by chi-square test and t-test. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the effect of variables on DS consumption according to FRL. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in terms of age, alcohol drinking frequency, total dietary score, change in DS consumption after coronavirus disease 2019, and current DS consumption (P < 0.05). The proportion who perceived many health benefits of DSs was higher in the 'active pursuit' group than in the 'passive pursuit' group (P = 0.003). The most commonly consumed type of DSs was multivitamins & minerals for the 'active pursuit' group, and omega-3 fatty acids for the 'passive pursuit' group. The 'an active pursuit' group consumed DSs 2.93 times more (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.44-5.97) compared to the 'passive pursuit' group, after adjusting for confounders. In the 'active pursuit' group, the health pursuit (odds ratio [OR] = 6.54, 95% CI: 1.44-29.61) and rational consumption pursuit factors (OR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08-0.83) were associated with DS consumption, whereas only the health pursuit factor had a significant association (OR = 5.37, 95% CI: 2.08-13.88) within the 'passive pursuit' group. However, total dietary score and DSs consumption did not show a relationship. Conclusions: By understanding the consumption characteristics of DSs according to FRL, this can serve as basic data necessary for promoting health through the utilization of DSs and healthy behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.289-298
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• 2002

This study was conducted to find sensitive indicator of food intake and specific food group related to cognitive function and to analyze the pathway among factors affecting food intake and cognitive function of the aged. 179 people over 50 years old were investigated and all the data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 package. Food frequency was more sensitive indicator to show the relationship between food intake and cognitive function of the aged than the numbers of standard amount of food eaten. Consumption of grains and starch, meat, fish, eggs and beans were strongly related to cognitive function of the aged and intake of vegetables and fruits also have relationship with it. Moreover, the more frequent eating the carbohydrate and the protein, the higher the cognitive level of the aged. Age, education period, income, blood pressure, duration after retirement, frequency of physical activity and BMI were correlated with food intake and cognitive function of the aged. Among them, age and frequency of physical activity were most strongly correlated with food intake, and education period with cognitive function of them. This investigation shows that more stable intake of carbohydrate and protein containing foods need to be supplied to low income aged and the importance of physical activity of the aged must be emphasized with food intake for better life of the aged.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.3
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• pp.288-299
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the weight fluctuations in college students during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and identify lifestyle and dietary changes related to weight gain. Methods: An online survey was conducted on 270 college students from September 22 to October 26, 2021. A logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the relationship of weight gain with the general characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary changes of the students. Results: Among the respondents, 42.9% of men and 44.7% of women reported weight gain. The main reasons given for weight gain were reduced activities due to restrictions during lockdown and diet changes, mainly relating to delivered or fast foods. Among the general characteristics and lifestyle factors poor perceived health (odds ratio [OR], 3.97, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.98-7.96) and being underweight (OR, 0.19, 95% CI, 0.05-0.83) were significantly associated with weight gain. With respect to the diet, increased frequency of eating breakfasts (OR, 4.44, 95% CI, 1.76-11.21), decreased frequency of eating snacks (OR, 0.35, 95% CI, 0.16-0.77), decreased frequency of fruit intake (OR, 3.0, 95% CI, 1.32-6.80), increased frequency of carbonated and sweetened beverage intake (OR, 2.74, 95% CI, 1.26-5.99) and increased frequency of fast food consumption (OR, 2.32, 95% CI, 1.14-4.70) were significantly associated with weight gain. Conclusion: The COVID-19 pandemic affected weight gain and caused lifestyle and dietary changes. Specific health and nutrition management plans should be prepared for handling future epidemics of infectious diseases based on the results of surveys conducted on larger sample size.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.473-486
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• 2014

This study examines the relationships between dietary self-efficacy, social support, depression, and weight-control behavior of children and adolescents. A total of 593 students (280 children and 313 adolescents) from schools in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Daegu were surveyed using scales for dietary self-efficacy, social support, depression, and weight-control behavior. The data were analyzed through a frequency analysis, means and standard deviations, a t-test, a one-way ANOVA, the Tukey test, the Pearson's correlation, and a stepwise multiple regression analysis. According to the results, weight-control behavior was more likely in girls than boys, high-school students than elementary-school students, and obese/overweight students than normal/underweight students. The factors influencing children's weight-control behavior were general eating habits, the BMI, depression, food choice, and family support, in that order, and those influencing adolescents' weight-control behavior were general eating habits, gender, and the BMI, in that order. These results are expected to be useful as basic data for developing weight-control programs for children and adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2004

Purpose : This study was undertaken in order to find out the actual correlation between skipping breakfast of school-aged children and their mothers. Method : The subjects of this study were 724 children and their mothers. The subjects were selected from two schools out of six offices of education in Busan between December 1 and December 20, 2002. The collected data was analyzed through real numbers, percentage, mean and standard deviation, cross tabulation, $\chi^2$-test, t-test, F-test, Scheffe-test and Pearson correlation coefficient using the SPSSWIN 11.0. Results : The results of this study are summarized as follows. 48.6% of children skipped breakfast while 54.7% of mothers skipped breakfast. The case that both children and mothers skipped breakfast were 37.1%. The correlation of children's skipping breakfast and their mothers characteristics was statistically significant(r=.288(p<0.001). There was relationship between the life styles of children and their mothers, but there was no relationship between life styles and the frequency of skipping breakfast. Conclusion : children are affected by or depend on their mothers eating habits and other tendencies in daily life.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.620-629
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary and the living habits of 606 university students located in the Chonnam area. The subjects included 290 freshmen (47.9%) and 316 undergraduate students (52.1%). This survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire. Most students (73.9%) skipped breakfast because of lack of time (65.8%) of the cases. Self-reported eating habits problems were eating irregular meal (52.8%), overeating (21.1%), unbalance diet (13.0%) and skipping meal (7.3%). The type of favorite snack was biscuit (31.8%) and cup Ramyon(31.8%). The weight control was higher in freshmen compared to undergraduate. The rates of smoking in freshmen and undergraduate were 21.0% and 26.6% respectively. The coffee intake and alcohol drinking frequency was higher in undergraduate compared to freshmen. The living habits of undergraduate students were undesirable. Therefore they should have a nutritional program to improve their food habits and the dietary behaviors for students' health. And nutritional education program should be organized practically and systematically.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.302-312
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• 2004

This study aimed at examine dietary attitude, eating behavior and food preferences of children in child care center. The children involved in this study were 153 boys and 134 girls, aged 3 to 6 years old. The eating frequency of breakfast and the number of meal times a day were significant difference according to sex(P<0.01). Reason for skipping breakfast was ‘no appetite’(49.3%). It was found that 51.5% of the children belonged to ‘fair’ in food habit score, while children in ‘poor’ and in ‘excellent’ were 25.0% and 9.7% respectively. There was no significant difference in food habit score between boys and girls. Their preferred staple foods were ‘cooked rice’ and ‘Chajangmyon’, their preferred soup was ‘seaweed soup’. Also, their most preferred side dishes with animal foods were ‘fried chicken’ and ‘Bulgogi’. The preference of ‘hard boiled soybean curd’ and ‘pan fried soybean curd’ among the side dishes with vegetable foods were significant according to the obesity index(P<0.05). Children preferred side dishes with animal foods to those with vegetable foods. First considered item in meal preparation was child's favorite(58.1%). Mother's response to child's unbalanced diet was ‘trying to persuade the child’(56.6%). It was significant according to mother's occupation(P<0.01). The nutritional management program at child care center is required to enhance the nutritional status of children. Also the nutritional education for the children and their meal planners is required for better growth and health promotion of preschool children.