• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.528-540
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In a healthy person, from 35 years of age, there is an annual loss of muscle mass at the rate of 1-2% and is associated with a decline in the quality of life. This study aimed to identify the particular dietary patterns associated with the risk of lower lean muscle mass in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a population-based, continuous cross-sectional annual survey. The participants of the KNHANES IV (2008-2009) and V (2010-2011) were considered for this study. The study sample consisted of 1548 postmenopausal women, aged 45-86 years. Lower lean muscle mass was defined as having appendicular skeletal muscle mass corrected for body weight less than 1 standard deviation of the young reference group aged 20 to 39 years in KNHANES IV and V. To identify the dietary pattern using factor analysis, 24-h recall data was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of lower lean muscle mass was 31.3% in this study population. Four dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis; 'Diverse', 'Western', 'Traditional', and 'Snacks and beverages'. The 'Western' pattern, highest factor loadings for flour and bread, potatoes, red meat, processed meat, eggs, and cheese, was significantly associated with a high (60%) risk of lower lean muscle mass (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.60 [1.07-2.39], P for trend = 0.01) after adjustments for potential covariates. The other 3 dietary patterns were not associated with lower lean muscle mass. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that the 'Western' dietary pattern that includes flour and bread, potatoes, red meat, processed meat, eggs, and cheese, may be associated with a higher risk of lower lean muscle mass in Korean postmenopausal women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.679-690
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Concerns about regional disparities in heathy eating and nutritional status among South Korean adults are increasing. This study aims to identify the magnitude of regional disparities in diet and nutritional status among Korean adults who completed the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were a nationally representative sample of Korean adults aged 19 years and older from the 2017 KNHANES (n = 6,126). We employed the svy commands in STATA to accommodate the complex survey design. The relative concentration index (RCI), absolute concentration index (ACI) and index of disparity were used to measure regional nutritional inequalities. RESULTS: Overweight and obese adults were more prevalent among the poor than among the rich in urban areas (RCI = -0.041; P < 0.05), while overweight and obese adults were more prevalent among the rich than among the poor in rural areas of South Korea (RCI = 0.084; P < 0.05). Economic inequality in fruit and vegetable intake ≥ 500 g per day was greater in rural areas than in urban areas in both relative size (RCI = 0.228 vs. 0.091, difference in equality = 0.137; P < 0.05) and absolute size (ACI = 0.055 vs. 0.023, difference in equality = 0.032; P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study provides useful information identifying opposite directions in the relative concentration curves between urban and rural areas. Adult overweight/obesity was more prevalent among the poor in urban areas, while adult overweight/obesity was more prevalent among the rich in rural areas. Public health nutrition systems should be implemented to identify nutritional inequalities that should be targeted across regions in South Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.116-127
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• 2018

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the coverage of the current mandatory nutrition labeling system on the nutrient intake of Koreans. Methods: KNHANES dietary intake data (2013) of 7,242 subjects were used in the analysis. KNHANES dietary intake data were collected by a 24-hour recall method by trained dietitians. For analysis, all food items consumed by the subjects were classified into two groups (foods with mandatory labeling and other foods). In the next step, all food items were reclassified into four groups according to the food type and nutrition labeling regulations: raw material food, processed food of raw material characteristics, processed foods without mandatory labeling, and processed foods with mandatory labeling. The intake of energy and five nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, saturated fat, and sodium) of subjects from each food group were analyzed to determine the coverage of the mandatory nutrition labeling system among the total nutrient intake of Koreans. Results: The average intake of foods with mandatory labeling were 384g/day, which was approximately one quarter of the total daily food intake (1,544 g/day). The proportion of energy and five nutrients intake from foods with mandatory labeling was 18.1%~47.4%. The average food intake from the 4 food groups were 745 g/day (48.3%) for the raw food materials, 54 g/day (3.5%) for the processed food of raw material characteristics, 391 g/day (25.3%) for the processed foods without mandatory labeling, and 354 g/day (22.9%) for the processed foods with mandatory labeling. Conclusions: Although nutrition labeling is a useful tool for providing nutritional information to consumers, the coverage of current mandatory nutrition labeling system on daily nutrient intake of the Korean population is not high. To encourage informed choices and improve healthy eating habits of the Korean population, the nutrition labeling system should be expanded to include more food items and foodservice menus.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2014

This study investigated factors affecting the bone mineral density (BMD) of Korean young adult women (20~30 yrs) living in Seoul, according to the state of employment. Data on BMD and anthropometric and biochemical measurements were obtained from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V) (2010~2011). BMD of the working group (WG) was generally higher than that of the non-working group (NWG). The prevalence of osteopenia, and osteoporosis between the groups was 29.0/31.5%, and 12.9/18.5% from 20~29 yrs as well as 25.5/24.1%, and 20.2/20.5% from 30~39 yrs, respectively. From 20~29 yrs, prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis in the WG was lower than that of the NWG. Alkaline phosphatase activity of the WG was lower than that of the NWG. In the WG, from 20~29 yrs, total femur BMD showed significant positive correlations with waist circumstance and BMI. In the NWG, from 20~29 yrs, total femur, femoral neck, and lumbar spine BMDs showed significant positive correlations with weight and fat mass, whereas they showed significant negative correlations with vitamin D. In the WG, from 30~39 yrs, total femur and femoral neck BMDs showed significant positive correlations with weight and free fat mass. The results of this study show that BMD of young adult women is insufficient regardless of their employment status. Therefore, practical and systematic programs are required to improve the BMD of young adult women as well as to maintain healthy bone levels.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.83-93
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the status of coffee intake in South Korea by analyzing the 4th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The results showed that 52.3% of Koreans consumed coffee at least once a day. Males consumed coffee more frequently than females and those aged 20-39 years and 40-59 years consumed coffee most frequently. Coffee drinkers consumed coffee two times a day and 138 mL each time on average. Coffee was mainly consumed either at home (44.8%) or in the workplace (36.1%); males drank coffee most frequently in the workplace and females did so at home. Milk coffee including coffee from vending machines and coffee mix (73.8%) was the most common type of coffee consumed. The results of this study would extend the understanding of the general status of coffee intake in South Korea, which has shown steady growth but remains a relatively overlooked research area.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.97-107
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• 2014

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examined the association between unemployment and suicidal ideation in Korea. Methods: We analyzed data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) IV, conducted in 2009. Statistical analysis methods used in this study were $x^2$-test, Hierarchial logistic regression analysis and other basic statistics using SPSS version 19.0. Results: The suicidal ideation of unemployment workers was 24.7% in male and 35.9% in female. After adjusting for sociodemographic characteristics and health-related characteristics, the risk for suicidal ideation of unemployment workers was significantly higher than employment workers. In men, the OR for suicidal ideation of the employed workers compared with the employed was 2.13, and in women, the OR was 1.31. Conclusions: The findings suggest the impact of unemployment status on suicidal ideation and the need for further prospective investigation that lead to interventions should be required to introduce of suicide prevention program for unemployment worker.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.709-716
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the health and oral health factors related to hypertension in Korean elderly. Methods: The study subjects were 1,527 elderly people${\geq}65$ years old who underwent physical examination and completed the health survey questionnaire of KNHANES 2014. Results: The risk of hypertension was higher in nonsmoking female elderly having poor subjective health status and low body mass index (BMI). The risk of hypertension was also higher in the elderly having poor subjective oral health status and no oral examination in the previous year. Conclusions: Health risk factors for hypertension and oral health factors may be useful measures to manage hypertension and enhance quality of life in the elderly.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.265-273
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• 2013

The insurance payment plan for dental implants in Korea has been criticized because the payment priority has not been properly established, and the benefits are concentrated among middle-class citizens. In the current study, the relationship between the oral health condition and socioeconomic status of the elderly was analyzed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). This study aims to determine the reason underlying the criticism of the insurance payment plan. The subjects were >65-year-old individuals in the 2010 and 2011 database of KNHANES. Data from 2,812 subjects were analyzed. The socioeconomic status was determined based on edentulousness, molar tooth loss, and presence of 28 teeth. According to the analysis, the average income was 1,560,000 won for edentulous elderly, 1,811,000 won for elderly who had lost molar teeth, and 1,896,000 won for elderly with 28 teeth (p<0.05). In addition, elderly with a low education level demonstrated a poor oral health condition (p<0.001). In conclusion, the insurance plan currently under examination is not properly designed for economically impoverished elderly because the plan only covers 50% of the costs and is limited to implantation of molar teeth only. This plan will not provide practical benefits to elderly with a poor socioeconomic status; therefore, the insurance payment plan needs to be improved so that the appropriate beneficiaries can be targeted.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.667-678
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to improve portion size estimation aids (PSEAs) used in the nutrition survey of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and validate the accuracy and precision of the newly developed aids. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted intensive interviews with survey experts in KNHANES and consulted with experts to collect opinions about improvement of PSEAs. Based on the results of the interviews, 5 types of PSEAs (rice bowl, earthen pots, mounds, measuring spoons, and thickness sticks) were newly developed using 3-dimensional (3D) modeling or modification of color or shape. Validation tests were conducted with 96 adults 20 years old or older. For the rice bowl and earthen pots, the participants were asked to select the more similar PSEA in size after being shown the real dishes. For the mounds, measuring spoons, and thickness sticks, the participants were presented with actual plates of food and asked to estimate the given portion sizes using the given PSEAs. RESULTS: The improved 2-dimensional (2D) picture aid for the rice bowl reflecting the size distortion by angle of view using 3D modeling was perceived more closely to the actual size than the current 2D picture (P < 0.001). The change of the color of 2D pictures and 3D models, the change of shape of the measuring spoons, and the 3-dimensionalization of the 2D mounds had no significant improvement in the subjects' perception. CONCLUSIONS: The currently used 2D PSEAs need to be fully redesigned using 3D modeling to improve subjects' perception. However, change of color or shape will not be necessary. For amorphous foods, it is suggested that more evaluation be performed before reaching a final conclusion in the use of PSEAs, or alternative ways to improve accuracy of estimation need to be explored.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.540-551
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• 2013

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is becoming an epidemic and thereby a global health problem. Further, VDD adversely affects calcium metabolism and skeletal health, and is associated with increased risk of several diseases, e.g., autoimmune diseases, several types of cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, asthma, psoriatic arthritis, and etc. To evaluate the prevalence of VDD in Korea, and then to evaluate the association of several factors with serum 25(OH)D level, the author analyzed the data of 14,456 individuals who were 10 years of age and over from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1 & 2 (KNHANES V-1 & 2) conducted by the Korean Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. As a result, among Koreans (age $${\geq_-}$$ 10years), 65.9% of males and 77.7% of females were below optimum blood serum 25(OH)D (20 ng/mL). VDD is more severe in female than in male at all age groups. In addition, the younger generations had less 25(OH)D level than older generations in Korea. The analysis by complex sample general linear model (CSGLM) suggested that blood 25(OH)D concentration was related with gender (p < .001), residence (p = .030), occupation (p < .001), anemia (p < .001) and physical activity (p < .001). In conclusion, VDD is pandemic and it is more severe in younger generations in Korea. Further, from the results by CSGLM, serum 25(OH)D status is closely related with the life style of Koreans.