• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.205-216
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: While many obesity studies have pointed out the importance of meal regularity, few have conducted empirical analyses using data from food diaries. We examined the association between meal regularity (i.e., meal time regularity [MTR] and calorie intake regularity [CIR]) and weight loss. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We collected food diary data from 637 women who had participated in commercial weight loss programs for 28-168 days (4-24 weeks). This study defined "meal regularity" in terms of two concepts: MTR and CIR. MTR refers to how regularly people eat their meals (i.e., at certain times each day), whereas CIR refers to how regularly people consume a certain amount of calories at each meal. We conducted multiple regression analyses. RESULTS: MTR (model 1: β = -2,576.526, P < 0.001; model 2: β = -1511.447, P < 0.05; model 3: β = -1,721.428, P < 0.05) and CIR (model 1: β = -1,231.551, P < 0.01; model 2: β = -2,082.353, P < 0.001; model 3: β = -1,343.490, P < 0.01) turned out to be significant determinants of the amount of weight loss in breakfast, lunch, and dinner contexts. While meal regularity (i.e., MTR and CIR) was significantly associated with weight loss, daily calorie intake from meals was not significantly associated with the amount of weight loss (model 1: β = 0.13, P > 0.05; model 2: β = 0.11, P > 0.05; model 3: β = 0.14, P > 0.05). Subjects who consumed an equal amount of calories per meal throughout the day lost more weight than those who did not (model 4: β = -3,675.51, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Eating each meal (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) at a certain time every day may increase weight loss success. Also, consuming the same amount of calories at each meal may help weight loss success.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.4
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• pp.269-274
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• 2008

Consuming regular meals has been studied in relation to better health, while higher regularity of eating-out has been linked to obesity. This study examined whether acculturation was associated with regularity of meals, eating-out, and overweight in Korean Americans. Pre-tested questionnaires were mailed to a U.S. national sample with Korean American surnames, and 55% of the deliverable sample responded, producing 356 usable questionnaires. Acculturation was measured using a two-culture matrix model and Gordon's theoretical work, and showed there were three distinct groups (acculturated, bicultural, and traditional). Only 36% reported that they regularly ate three meals a day. Breakfast was the least frequent meal of the day with 43% reporting eating breakfast everyday. More than half (58%) reported that they usually eat out or get take-out food at least once a week. After controlling for age, sex, income, education, and working status, higher acculturation was related to greater regularity of eating-out, but not meal regularity. A total of 28% of men and 6% of women were overweight (BMI>25), and there were significant and positive relationships between body weight status and acculturation in men but not women. However, no significant relationships between frequency of meals and eating-out and overweight status were present. This study did not find significant relationships of meal regularity and eating-out with body weight, however, given the positive relationship between acculturation and eating-out among the subjects and the well-established relationship between eating-out and obesity, nutrition education about skipping meals and eating-for Korean Americans may be useful to prevent such relationships from developing.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.687-701
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to assess dietary variety by food habits(regularity of meal time, regularity of repast, repast of breakfast, lunch, and supper, number of suppers and night snacks per week, and duration of meal) in 138 female university students residing in Bucheon and its adjacent area. Food habits were assessed via a self reporting questionnaire, and a 3-day dietary recall survey was conducted by interviewing. Dietary variety was assessed by dietary diversity score(DDS), meal balance score(MBS), and dietary variety score(DVS). The average DDS, MBS, and DVS were $3.87{\pm}0.57$, $7.27{\pm}1.48$, and $12.59{\pm}3.14$, respectively. The DDS($2.21{\pm}0.83$) of the breakfast in the group in which the regularity of meal time per week was 5~7 days was significantly higher($p$ <0.01) than the DDS($1.47{\pm}0.96$) of the breakfast in the group in which the regularity of meal time per week was ${\leq}$2 days. The MBS($6.69{\pm}1.43$) of the group in which the regularity of meal times per week was ${\leq}2$ days was significantly lower($p$ <0.01) than the MBS of the group in which the regularity of meal time per week was ${\geq}3$ days. The DDS($2.38{\pm}0.69$) of the breakfast in the breakfast over eating group was significantly higher($p$ <0.001) than the DDS($1.83{\pm}0.83$) of breakfast under eating group. The MBS($6.56{\pm}1.46$) in the breakfast skipping group was significantly lower($p$ <0.01) than the MBS(about 7.6) in other breakfast eating groups, and the DVS ($13.79{\pm}3.21$) in the breakfast over eating group was significantly higher($p$ <0.05) than the DVS($11.53{\pm}2.94$) in the breakfast skipping group. The DDS of breakfast, lunch, and snack were not significantly correlated with the number of suppers per week, but the DDS($2.65{\pm}0.52$) of the supper in the group in which the number of suppers per week was 7 was significantly higher($p$ <0.05) than the DDS($2.22{\pm}0.49$, $2.25{\pm}0.62$) of the supper in the group in which the number of suppers per week was ${\leq}2$, 3~4. The DDS, MBS and DVS were not significantly correlated with the number of suppers per week. The DDS($1.33{\pm}1.25$) of the breakfast in the group in which the number of night snacks per week was 6~7 was significantly lower($p$ <0.05) than the DDS of the breakfast in the group in which the number of night snacks was ${\leq}5$. Also, the DDS($4.42{\pm}0.32$) per day in the group in which the duration of meal was <10 min. was significantly higher($p$ <0.01) than the DDS($3.51{\pm}0.53$) per day in the group in which the duration of meal was ${\geq}30$ min. These findings suggest that nutritional education based on female university students' eating variety and food habits(regularity of meal time, regularity of repast, repast of breakfast, lunch, and supper, number of suppers, and night snacks per week, and duration of meal) may be required to improve dietary variety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.131-140
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• 2002

This study was performed to assess the effect of eating behaviors and health-related variables on overall dietary quality. Ninety-four(male 21, female 73) elderly who were over 60 residing in middle income areas in Cheongju city participated. Information on general characteristics of the elderly, health-related life style, regularity of meal, meal balance and desirable eating habits were obtained by interview based on questionnare. Dietary nutrient intake data were obtained through the 24 hour recall method. The mean age and BMI of the subjects were 73.3 years old and 23.3(male 21.8 female 23.7) respectively. The proportions of underweight and hypertension were 19.2% and 36.2%. Most nutrients except vitamin $B_2$ and calcium were consumed over 75% of the RDA. The Mean Adequacy of Ratio(MAR) of nutrient intake was 0.64(male 0.72, female 0.62). The average score of regularity of meal, meal balance, and desirable eating habits was 14.4 out of a possible 16, 13.7 out of a possible 24 and 5.5 out of a possible 16 points respectively. Male than female, older subjects than young subjects, and those living with their spouses than with other family or living alone had better scores in eating behaviors. Smoking, chewing ability and eating alone vs eating with company affected overall of regulality of meal and meal balance(p<0.05). Positive correlation (p<0.05) was also dietary quality. There was a positive correlation between the mean adequacy ratio, score observed between scores in regularity of meal and meal balance. Therefore, the elderly should be encouraged to eat a variety of food, maintain good dental health, keep regularity of meal and have meals with company to help improve overall dietary quality and eventually achieve optimal nutritional status.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2021

This study aimed to investigate the relationship between meal regularity (i.e. breakfast intake and meal-times), and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) among generally healthy Korean single-person household adults (≤60 years, n=594) based on the Seventh Korean National Health Examination and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES) (2016~2018). Among men (n=325), the breakfast intake frequency was not significantly associated with the pervalence of MetS. However, men consuming a regular meal at least once a day showed a lower prevalence of MetS compared to those whose meals were irregular. These patterns remained after adjusting for age, smoking and drinking habits, individual income, education level, exercise, and total calorie intake. An association between meal regularity and MetS risk was observed in post-menopausal women (n=84), but not in pre-menopausal women (n=185). More specifically post-menopausal women with irregular breakfast eating habits or eating no breakfast at all showed a significantly higher risk of MetS than those eating breakfast regularly after the adjustment. The analysis revealed an odds ratio (OR) of 8.46, confidence intervals (CIs): 1.149~62.199, P<0.05 in irregular breakfast eaters, and an OR of 13.377, CIs: 1.665~107.511, P<0.05, in those who ate no breakfast. Furthermore, post-menopausal women who had irregular meals daily showed a higher risk of MetS than those consuming one or more regular meals/day after the adjustment (OR: 16.888, CIs: 1.258~226.655, P<0.05). In conclusion, the results from this study may be used for formulating optimal dietary guidelines for the prevention and the management of MetS in adults in single-person households.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.53-59
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• 2020

Dietary habits are known to be closely related not only to chronic diseases such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes, but also to self-rated health (SRH). Consequently, there is a highly important lifestyle component in maintaining a healthy life. The aim of the present study was to determine the correlation between diverse dietary habits based on the Sasang constitutions (SC) and SRH. The data were collected from 2,984 participants who met the constitution pharmacology criteria and whose SC were clinically confirmed by SC professionals. Dietary habits were observed by assessing the regularity of diet, meal volume, and meal speed; single-answer questions were used for SRH. Fisher's exact/chi-square test and logistic regression were used to analyze the correlation between dietary habits depending on constitutional type and SRH. In association with constitutional SRH, the Taeum type is related to the amount of meal, the Soeum and Soyang types are related to the regularity of meal and meal volume. In the Taeum type, there was a significantly higher risk of lower SRH when meal volumes were irregular less than previous amounts. Irregular diet, as well as increased or decreased meal volume, negatively correlated with SRH in the Soeum type; in the Soyang type, irregular diet and decreased or irregular meal volume negatively affected SRH. This showed the presence of the different effects of dietary habits on health depending on constitution and also confirmed the association of the regularity of diet and meal volume based on constitution and the frequency of bad dietary habits with SRH. We suggest that personalized healthcare with adequate dietary improvement considering constitution is needed for health management or improvement.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.114-122
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• 2007

This study was conducted to find and compare the effects of dietary habits on and obesity indices and nutrition intakes among four hundreds and seven healthy adults males subjects. Subjects were classified as regular meal group(RMG) and irregular meal group(IRMG). Two hundreds and thirteen subjects of RMG had regularly 3times meal(time and amount) per 1 day during more than last 6 month. One hudred and ninety four subjects of IRMG(n=194) were not had regularly meal during last 6 month. Obesity indices were BMI(Body Mass Index), WHR(Waist Hip Ratio) and PIBW(Percentage of Ideal Body Weight). And the mean BMI, WHR and PIBW of RMG and IRMG were 23.1, 0.91, 104.8 and 24.7, 0.93, 112.9. PIBW of IMG were significantly lower than IRMG(p<0.01). The mean daily intakes of starches, seeds, meats, eggs, fishes, milk, fats and processed food intakes of RMG were significantly lower than IRMG. And the mean daily intakes of vegetables, mushrooms and beverages intakes of the IRMG were significantly lower than RMG. Energy intake of RMG and IRMG were 1978.2kcal and 1988.2kcal. For nutrient intake, vitamin C intake of IRMG was significantly lower than RMG. But niacin and cholesterol intake of RMG were significantly lower than the IRMG. Meal regularity was mainly related with obesity indices and nutrition intakes. Therefore, it might be necessary to manage meal regularity to prevent obesity and chronic disease in Korean adult males.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.185-197
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed at investigating the meal regularity, health, and oral health habits of single Korean households to understand the impact of these factors on the risk of metabolic syndrome, in addition to preventing and managing metabolic syndrome. Methods: Using raw data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019), 274 study subjects, aged 19 to 64, were selected primarily from single adult households. Complex sample statistical analysis was performed using the Predictive Analytics Software Statistics ver. 18.0 program. Results: Regarding the meal regularity in single-person households in Korea, the younger group outperformed the middle-aged group, and those who drank more than once a month performed better than those who drank less than once a month. In terms of oral health, regardless of the age and the income level, participants who ate three meals a day had a higher rate of speech problems and chewing difficulties than those who ate irregularly or regularly on a regular day. Factors influencing the risk of developing metabolic syndrome were age, speech problems, and frequency of toothbrushing. Compared to the younger group, there were 0.361 times more people in the middle-aged group; and compared to those without speech problems, there were 1.161 more people with speech problem. Compared to those who tooth brushed more than four times a day, there were 1.284 more people who tooth brushed 2 to 3 times a day and there were 5.673 times more people who tooth brushed less than once. Conclusion: Based on the study results, it is necessary to implement a program that can plan and apply customized management measures and prevent metabolic syndrome by improving and correcting the health and oral health behaviors of single-person households in Korea. Therefore, active mediation measures, such as support and publicity at the local or national level, should be planned.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.24-31
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• 2018

Objectives The purpose of this study is to find out whether there is any difference in lifestyle by health status in the same Sasang constitution type, and whether there is any difference in lifestyle by the Sasang constitution type in the same health condition. Methods We used collected the clinical data of Korean medicine Data Center (KDC). In this study, we used items of the lifestyle about meal and sleep (Meal regularity, Meal amount, Meal time, Dream, Sleep well, Hard to fall asleep, Shallow sleep, Nap, Sleep time, Quality of sleep) as variables. We found the differences of lifestyles using the Chi-square test and ANOVA. We analyzed using SPSS statistics 21.0 for Korean. Results & Conclusions When we compared the lifestyle by Sasang constitution type in each health status, there were differences in items of meal amount and nap. When we compared the lifestyle by health status in each Sasang constitution type, we found differences in items of meal regularity, sleep well, nap etc. However, in TE tpe, there was not these differences by health status.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.183-195
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate dietary behavior patterns of high school students. As for regularity of meal, female students were significantly more regular than those of the male students in a day. They answered 'between 4th and 6th grades in elementary school' as 'the time for formation about number of meal intake'. As for a highly influential meal, males were higher answered 'lunch (41.0%)' while females were higher answered 'breakfast (39.8%)'. About 'number of meals per day by the grade', they ate 3 times per day mostly. As for the time for formation about number of meal intake: 'before 4th to 6th in elementary school'> 'before elementary school'. In the result of regularity of meal and general characteristics, a family of 5 was higher in regularity and those with pocket money showed lower regularity in meal. As for the person who prepares a meal, mothers prepared meals regularly. Also, higher parents age and education level resulted in more regularity in meals. In number of meals per day and general characteristics, they were eating 3 times; moreover, this trend was evident as parents' age and education level and the household income was higher. Students answered generally regularity in meal in family where parents' jobs were administrative assistant (father job (56.9%)) and housewife (mother (56.9%). In the formation time of meal intake number and general characteristics, they answered order 'middle school'> 'before elementary school'. A highly influential meal, they answered as the highest 'lunch' (37.6%). This study may provide information on dietary behavior of high school students, suggesting that nutrition education or counseling can improve food habits and develop positive behavior.