• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.12
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• pp.1929-1936
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• 2014

This study investigated purchasing behaviors of processed foods in high school students (male 94 and female 85) in the Yongin region. Frequency of eating processed foods was generally once (36.9%) or twice (32.4%) a day. Frequency according to processed food items was in the following order: confectionary (31.3%)> beverages (17.3%)> breads (12.3%)> instant noodles (11.7%) and milk or dairy products (11.7%)> frozen desserts (10.6%). The places for purchasing were a big mart (30.7%), convenience store (28.5%), and school cafeteria (26.8%). The reasons for purchasing were 'tasty' at 43.6% and 'hungry' at 35.2%. Main factors affecting purchasing were 'taste' at 70.9%, followed by price (16.2%)> quantity (5.6%)> nutrition (4.5%). The most important parts of food and nutrition labels were 'shelf-life' (67.0%) and 'calories' (57.5%). Degrees of confirmation of food and nutrition labeling were 'always' (12.3%), 'rarely' (28.5%), and 'sometimes' (59.2%). The reasons for not reading labels were 'unconcerned' (27.9%), 'too tiny lettering' (28.5%), 'hard to understand' (16.2%), and 'habitually' (15.1%). These results reflect low attention of high school students towards healthy food choices using food and nutrition labeling during purchasing. In conclusion, a specific education program for providing accurate product information as well as leading healthy purchasing behaviors should be required.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.143-157
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• 2021

This study analyzed and verified the effects of a dietary education program for Korean young adults in single-person households. The dietary education program was conducted for five weeks (from November 10 to December 8, 2020) for Korean young adults in single-person households living in Seongbuk-gu, via four face-to-face education sessions and one online education session, including both theoretical lectures and practice. The effect of the dietary education program was analyzed through the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) questionnaire for adults provided by the Korean Nutrition Society, a dietary evaluation checklist questionnaire developed by the researchers, and photovoices. The average of 'Nutrition' score increased from 51.81 to 53.20, but there was no statistically significant difference. However, there was a significant change in the 'Moderation' category (p<0.05). As for the researcher-developed dietary evaluation, the average of the 'Importance' area rose from 3.77 to 3.99, but there was no statistically significant difference. The average of the 'Practice' area rose from 3.03 to 3.57, significant results were found (p<0.05). When the pre-/post-tests were compared by the sub-categories, four elements of 'Importance', i.e., balanced meals and avoided foods, and all five elements of 'Practice' were significantly improved (p<0.05). A total of 200 photovoices were analyzed according to Social Cognitive Theory. As a result of the analysis, the deterrents that help people eat healthy homemade food were 48% environmental factors, 30% behavioral factors, and 22% individual cognitive factors. The deterrents found to hinder participants from eating healthy homemade food were 72% environmental factors and 14% individual cognitive and behavioral factors. The results suggest that the dietary education program for Korean young adults in single-person households can be an effective tool that promotes self-motivation, behavioral changes, and improvements of the surrounding environment.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.742-755
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the perceptions of the dietary guidelines for Koreans (DGK) among Korean adults based on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Methods: A total of 514 Korean adults aged 19-64 years completed a self-administered online questionnaire assessing their perceptions of DGK, sociodemographic and lifestyle factors, and subjective assessments regarding the importance of 11 nutrients and 16 food groups. The differences in the perceptions of DGK according to the characteristics of the participants were analyzed using t-tests or ANOVA. Additionally, the differences in the subjective assessments of nutrients and food groups according to the perceptions of DGK were examined using t-tests. Results: The awareness of DGK was significantly higher among participants aged 50-64 years, living in single-person households, who were physically active, with a lower frequency of eating out, and with a higher interest in dietary information (p < 0.05 for all). The understanding of DGK was significantly higher among participants aged 19-29 years, females, individuals who were under or normal weight, non-smokers, those who self-evaluated their diet as healthy, and those with a high interest in dietary information (p < 0.05 for all). Additionally, the applicability of DGK was significantly higher among participants aged 50-64 years, who were physically active, who self-evaluated their diet as healthy, and who had a high interest in dietary information (p < 0.05 for all). Participants with a higher perception of DGK tended to attribute greater importance to most nutrients and food groups compared to those with a lower perception level. However, processed meat and foods, beverages, and alcoholic drinks consistently received lower importance ratings compared to other nutrients and food groups, regardless of the perception level. Conclusion: This research suggests that the perceptions of DGK among Korean adults may vary depending on sociodemographic and lifestyle factors. Consequently, there is a need to customize and diversify the methods for providing dietary guidelines.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.504-510
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• 2024

Background: As a physiological function of body, immunity can maintain health by identifying itself and excluding others. With economic development and increasingly fierce social competition, the number of sub-healthy population is gradually increasing, and the most basic problem exposed is human hypoimmunity. Hypoimmunity can be manifested as often feeling tired, catching colds, mental depression, etc. In order to enhance immunity, eating healthy foods with the effect of enhancing immunity may become an effective choice. KRG has pharmacological effects of enhancing immunity. Because the screening and evaluation method of immune population are not unified, there are relatively few KRG immunity tests for sub-health population. It is of great significance to study the effect of KRG on people with hypoimmunity to improve sub-health status. Methods: This was a 180-day, randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. According to the trial scheme design, 119 qualified subjects were included and randomly divided into the test group taking KRG and the placebo control group. Subjects need to check safety indicators (blood pressure and heart rate, blood routine, liver and kidney function, urine routine and stool routine) and efficacy indicators (main and secondary) inspection at baseline, efficacy indicators inspection during the mid-term of the test (90th days of administration), safety and efficacy indicators inspection after the test (180th days of administration). Results: After the test, the safety indicators of placebo control group and KRG test group were basically within the normal range, and there is no significant difference in fireness score between the two groups. Through follow-up interviews, it was found that the subjects in the test group and the control group had no adverse reactions and allergic reactions such as nausea, flatulence, diarrhea, and abdominal pain during the test period. Self-comparison of the test group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were significantly improved in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) CD3 and CD4/CD8 increased significantly after the test (P < 0.05), (3) IgG, IgA, IgM and WBC increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) TNF-α decreased significantly in the midterm (P < 0.05), IFN-γ decreased significantly in the mid-term (P < 0.01), (2) NK increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), (3) monocyte increased significantly in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01). Inter-group comparison of the test group and the control group, the results of the main efficacy indicators: (1) immune related health scores were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.01), (2) IgA of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05); the results of the secondary efficacy indicators: (1) WBC of the test group was higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05); (2) monocytes of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term and after the test (P < 0.05), neutrophils of the test group were higher than that of the control group in the mid-term (P < 0.05). Conclusion: Taking KRG has no adverse effects on the health of the subjects. According to the standard of clinical trial scheme, the immune related health scores and IgA in the main efficacy indicators were positive, which shows that KRG is helpful in enhancing human immunity.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.694-708
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• 2009

The principal objective of this study was to determine the effects of smoking & drinking on the diet, nutrient intake, and overall health. A sample of 262 youths, aged 16 to 18 year-old, was randomly selected from Seoul and its vicinity. The subjects participated by answering survey questions including general questions, questions regarding health, smoking & drinking habits, dietary habits, nutrient intake, physical characteristics, and smoking cessation plans. The average height, weight, and BMI of the subjects were $173.5{\pm}6.8\;cm$, $64.8{\pm}11.8\;kg$, and $21.4{\pm}3.7\;kg/m^2$, respectively. Among the subjects, 88% appeared to be interested in health and 43.5% of youth asserted that the best way to keep healthy was to engage in regular exercise. Among 63 smokers, 52 students (82.5%) used alcoholic beverages while 11 students (17.5%) did not use alcoholic beverages, meaning that smoking was a causative factor in drinking. 55.6% of youth reported beginning to smoke in middle school, and 38.1% of them asserted that curiosity was the motive for smoking. The youth reported that the craving for smoking was highest when hungry, and the best place to smoke was the restroom. 20 students (69.0%) answered that the only way to quit smoking was just to stop. 12 students (44.4%) reported that the main reason for failures in smoking cessation attempts was a lack of intention or willpower. 87.1% of all subjects answered that they were inclined to quit smoking, and 56.7% of them would be interested in attending a smoking cessation program if they had the opportunity. Among the smoking and drinking group, 50% of drinkers began to drink in high school, and the reason for drinking given was peer pressure-40% of drinkers answered that they wished to quit drinking. 34.4% of students appeared to have breakfast everyday, but 16.4% of students answered that they had quit eating breakfast. 52.5% of all students reported that the principal reason for overeating was the presence of one's favorite food, and the smoking and drinking group reported overeating more frequently than other groups (p<0.05). 72.6% of all subjects reported eating interim meals $1{\sim}2$ times daily, 36.4% of smokers ate carbonated beverages, 38.5% ate ice cream as a interim meal, and 38.5% of the drinking and smoking groups ate fruits, 26.9% of them ate fried foods, and some of them ate fast foods as a interim meal. Among smokers, the ratio of eating fat-rich foods, and meats such as kalbi and samgyupsal more than two times per week was higher, and 54.3% of smokers ate ice cream, cookies, and carbonated beverages more than two times per week (p<0.05). The total nutrient intake of the $15{\sim}19$-year youth group was much higher than the standard value. The energy intake of the smoking group and the drinking and smoking group was significantly higher than that of the normal group (p<0.05). Intakes of phosphorus (p<0.05), cholesterol (p<0.05), and sodium (p<0.05) were the highest among all groups. Accordingly, it is recommended that practical education programs be implemented to teach young students to resist peer pressures to smoke and drink. Additionally, education that acknowledges the importance of nutrition is necessary to avoid preferential eating and overeating due to smoking and drinking.such education can also teach students to eat a balanced diet and improve their physical development.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.295-317
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• 2000

This study was conducted to prevent oral disease of primary school, middle school, and high school students, providing basic data for the development of oral health education programs. Data were collected from 898 primary school, middle school, and high school students from March 2, 1999 to May 31, 1999. The results of this study are summarized as follows; 1) The subjects of this study were primary school students(32.6%), middle school students(33.0%), and high school students(34.4%). Boy students were slightly more prevalent than girl students. That is, primary school boys were 56.3%, middle school boys were 53.2%, and high school boys were 52.6%. 2) According to the self-judgement of oral health, primary school students were better than middle/high school students and boy students were better than girl students, 63.5% of primary school students and 57.8% of middle/high school students brushed their teeth once or twice a day. 3) 76.3% of middle/high school students and 63.5% of primary school students experienced dental caries. Girl students were higher than boy students in experiencing dental caries, 35.9% of primary school students and 27.6% of middle/high school students experienced periodontal disease. 4) 22.9% of primary school students and 7.9% of middle/high school students received oral examinations periodically. Girl students showed a higher rate than boy students in primary school, while boy students showed a higher rate than girl students in middle/high school. 5) Explaining to the reasons for reluctant visits to dental hospitals and clinics, 'no time to go' was highest(22.9% of primary school students; 27.4% of middle/high school students) and the rate of 'feeling scared' was second highest. Middle/high school students were more reluctant to visit dental hospitals and clinics than primary school students. In case of problematic symptoms in the mouth, the rate of 'feeling painful or cold in teeth when eating cold or hot foods' was highest, 71.3% of primary school students was concerned about oral health, while 68.6% of middle/high school students was concerned about it. 6) In gathering to the sources of information on oral health, the rate of medical institutions was highest(30.0%) in primary school students, while the rate of family members or persons around them was highest in middle/high school students. 7) 54.9% of primary school students received oral health education, while 13.1% of middle/high school students received it. Only 4.7% of middle school and high school girls received it. In relation to dental health education, the rate of 'possibility of prevention of oral caries or disease of the gum' was highest. 79.5% of primary school students and 80.3% of middle school students answered that they would attend oral health education. 8) 60.4% of primary school students and 60.2% of middle/high school students think the purpose of oral health is to prevent dental caries and disease of the gums. In preventing dental caries, 78.8% of primary school students and 71.8% of middle school students thought that periodical oral examination was effective, 88.4% of primary school students and 88.8% of middle/high school thought that brushing one's teeth was effective and 64.1% of primary school students and 50.7% of middle school students thought that the use of toothpaste containing fluoride was effective. In preventing periodontal disease, 91.1% of primary school students and 90.2% of middle/high school students thought that brushing one's teeth was effective, while 72.4% of primary school students and 70.3% of middle/high school students thought that teeth cleaning was effective. 9) 16.0% of middle school students and 12.7% of high school students thought that their oral health condition was healthy. According to individual experiences in dental treatment, the rate of experience of middle school students was higher than that of high school students, 12.7% of middle school students received oral examinations periodically, while only 3.3% of high school students did so. 10) In cases of 'having no problematic symptoms in the mouth' and 'concerns about oral health', the rate of middle school students was higher than that of high school students. In gathering obtaining information on oral health, the rate of obtaining it through broadcast media including TV, Radio, etc. was highest in middle school students, while the rate of obtaining it through family members or persons around them was highest in high school students. 11) 81.7% of middle school students have not received oral health education. In case of girl students, 97.3% have not received it in high school students. 85.6% of middle school students and 151.2% of high school students think that oral health education is necessary. 12) According to the knowledge level of oral health, the point of high school students($26.33{\pm}2.33$) was similar to the point of high school students($26.23{\pm}2.30$). It appeared that the point of primary school students was highest($26.35{\pm}2.50$) The more concerned about oral health the students were the higher the knowledge level of oral health was. In conclusion, the middle/high school students' knowledge level of oral health was lower than primary school students. The rate of middle/high School students' experience in oral health education was too low. Therefore, it is necessary to intensify oral health education for middle/high school students. Especially, the necessity of oral health education to girl students is strongly recommended. Developing an oral health education program for primary school, middle school, and high school students, related public authority and organizations, teachers; and dentists must actively make efforts together in order to maintain healthy teeth through having students prevent dental caries and periodontal disease.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.32 no.5
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• pp.383-393
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• 2017

This study was conducted to analyze the dietary lifestyle of local Chinese consumers and to classify dietary characteristics according to their dietary lifestyle factors and dietary behaviors. This investigation was conducted for 1 month from 1 January 2017 targeting 300 adult males and females living in China using the online survey company surveymonkey. Four factors relating to dietary lifestyle were identified, gourmet factor, healthy factor, convenience factor and economic factor, and these were grouped into 4 clusters according to their dietary lifestyle factor scores. Group 1, the gourmet economy group, showed a high percentage of living alone and a high frequency of eating out, but a relatively low percentage of three regular meals per day. Their dietary lifestyle was sensitive to gourmet factors and economic factors, but less sensitive to health and convenience factors. Group 2, the wide interest group, contained a high percentage of individuals in their 30s, as well as more highly educated individuals and a higher income than other groups. Because their dietary lifestyle scores tended to be higher than those of other groups, they sought a variety of new foods and gourmet meals for enjoyment of dining and life, as well as well-being food materials and foods related to health. Group 3, the health economic group, constituted a family-type consumer group with lower income level than the other groups. Members of this group were seeking health food and natural food in their dietary lifestyle and tended to pursue a high economic profit ratio when purchasing food. Finally, group 4 showed a relatively higher percentage of women over 30 and individuals with a college level or higher education than the other groups. This group was more interested in health and taste than price and convenience, and showed the highest LOHAS orientation among middle aged Chinese women. Moreover, members of this group directly utilized their knowledge regarding nutrition in real life.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.79-89
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• 2010

Objectives: This study aims to identify health status and health risks among female marriage immigrants to Korea and to provide a basis for public health strategies to address their health issues. Methods: The participants of the study were 3,069 immigrant wives. The health examination was conducted by the Korea Association of Health Promotion (KAHP) in 2008. The participants also completed self-administered questionnaires on demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors and mental health. Results: Patterns of immigrant women's health problems differed by age and country of origin. Behavior patterns also differed by their heritage, age, and years of residence in Korea. Generally Vietnamese women fell in lower ranges of disease prevalence and health risk factors in the participant group and Japanese women presented most healthy eating habits. Filipina women showed relatively high disease prevalence than any other group. Conclusion: Immigration to Korea by marriage is relatively a new phenomenon, thus continuing surveillance and research are needed to identify health risks, behavior patterns, and their relationships. Interventions and policies for the health of migrant wives, their children and families are required.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.2
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• pp.131-139
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to obtain information related to life style characteristics, school achievement and snacking behaviors among underweight and overweight adolescents in Ulsan area. The survey was carried out by self-questionnaires with 464 adolescents (333 underweight and 131 overweight). The results were as follows: Average BMI of the subjects was $19.81{\pm}3.10\;kg/m^2$ which was normal range, but average BMI of underweight and overweight were $16.90{\pm}1.19\;kg/m^2$ and $25.38{\pm}2.16\;kg/m^2$ respectively. The 49.5% of underweight and 94.7% of overweight students have correct perception about their body image. In the sleeping time, 58.9% of underweight and 66.4% of overweight students go to bed after PM 12 o'clock. In the regularity of eating breakfast, 68.5% of underweight and 67.9% of overweight students skipping breakfast at least 5 times per week. 32.6% of the subjects had snack once or more a day. Underweight students had more frequently ate snack than overweight students. The criteria of choosing snack were taste (77.4%), nutrition (9.3%), and price (6.3%). Food as snack they frequently had fruits, milk & milk products, cookies in order. Underweight students had more dodkboki & sundae, candy & chocolate and cake & bread than overweight students, although overweight students had more milk & yogurt than underweight students. The group who had a higher school record, they significantly had more fruits, milk & milk products (p < 0.01) and had not less nutritious foods (p < 0.001). This study may provide basic information on weight status, sleeping and snacking behaviors of adolescents. Therefore they should have nutrition education program to improve their life style and snacking patterns for underweight and overweight adolescents toward healthy weight.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.5
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• pp.464-475
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• 2020

Purpose: This study compared the effects of a high glycemic load (high GL) diet and low glycemic load (low GL) diet on the body weight, body fat, blood pressure, and blood lipid indicators. Methods: Twenty-one young adults aged between 21 and 28 years who were overweighted or obese (body mass index [BMI] between 23 and 33.5 kg/㎡) before the study and after calorie reduction diets with either low GL or high GL for 2 weeks each were examined. The study was a randomized crossover design with a 2-week washout period between the 2 types of diet. The order of the low GL and high GL diet periods was randomized. The body weight, body fat, blood pressure, levels of blood lipids, fasting glucose, insulin, homeostatic model assessment (HOMA) insulin, C-peptide, and HOMA C-peptide were measured at the baseline, as well as 2, 4, and 6 weeks after starting the experiment. Results: When subjects were on the low GL diet, they lost more weight than those eating the high GL diet (mean ± SD, -2.77 ± 1.09 vs. -1.56 ± 0.78 kg; p < 0.001); there were greater decreases in body fat mass (-1.62 ± 1.19 vs. -0.88 ± 0.91 kg; p = 0.024) and BMI (-0.95 ± 0.32 vs. -0.56 ± 1.08 kg/㎡; p < 0.001). On the other hand, there were no significant differences in changes in biochemical parameters, such as blood lipids and fasting glucose levels, and blood pressure. The body weight, body fat mass, BMI, percent body fat, blood pressure, cholesterol (total, low-density lipoprotein, and high-density lipoprotein), fasting glucose, C-peptide, HOMA-insulin resistance-C-peptide levels were decreased significantly at 6 weeks. Conclusion: The low GL diet may be more effective in losing body weight, body fat mass, and BMI than the high GL diet for 2 weeks in healthy young overweight or obese adults.