• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.378-394
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• 2016

Purpose: Screening of preschool-age children for nutrition programs to improve dietary intake and behaviors requires cost-effective and easily administered validated assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to develop a parent/caregiver-administered instrument for measuring diet quality and behaviors of preschoolers as a nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P). Methods: Development of NQ-P was carried out in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. The 24-h dietary record was selected as the gold standard reference tool. The 38 items of the NQ-P checklist were derived from a systematic literature review, expert in-depth interviews, statistical analysis of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to parents who recorded 24-h dietary intakes of 100 responders aged 3~5 yr. Pearson's correlation was used to measure the level of agreement between questionnaires. Item reduction was performed, and 20 items were selected based on survey results, expert reviews, and priorities of national nutrition policy and recommendations. The 412 nationwide subjects sampled through daycare centers completed the 20-item checklist questionnaire. The construct validity of the NQ-P was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, LISREL. Results: After analyses of exploratory factors, NQ-P items identified three dimensions of diet (balance, moderation, and environment). The three-factor structure accounted for 49.28% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-P and three-factor scores of the subjects were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: A food behavior checklist for preschoolers' NQ would be a useful and suitable instrument for evaluating nutrition adequacy and dietary quality of Korean preschoolers.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.494-499
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• 2019

This study examined the dietary behavior of elementary school students in the Gyunggi area using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ). The subjects were 406 students (199 boys and 207 girls) in their fourth and fifth grades. The NQ, consisting 19 items, was grouped into five domains (balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice). The NQ score of the boys and girls was similar (boys $61.40{\pm}14.31$, girls $63.02{\pm}14.62$). Among the five domains of the NQ, girls showed a higher score in moderation (boys $63.57{\pm}19.00$, girls $70.84{\pm}16.20$) and practice (boys $58.56{\pm}20.50$, girls $64.69{\pm}22.57$) than boys. No gender differences in diversity (boys $71.70{\pm}24.72$, girls $71.26{\pm}23.57$), regularity (boys $59.39{\pm}23.73$, girls $59.34{\pm}23.57$), and balance (boys $56.73{\pm}19.62$, girls $54.58{\pm}20.03$) were observed. The percentage distribution of the NQ grade was 10.8% (highest), 9.4% (high), 45.1% (medium), 20.4% (low), and 14.3% (lowest). More opportunities should be provided for children with a low and lowest NQ grade to participate in nutrition education.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.110-122
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to investigate the correlation between food behavior and Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) score in elementary students in Suwon-si, Gyeonggi-do. Two hundreds and thirty two students (113 male and 119 female) in grades 4~6 participated. We assessed food behavior by using Nutrition Quotient (NQ). NQ was examined by an NQ questionnaire, which consisted of 19 food behavior checklist items. Their items were grouped into five categories: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS 18.0. Among the five factors, NQ for food behavior and balance factor showed the lowest score, whereas that of diversity factor showed the highest score. The final Nutrition Quotient (NQ) score weighted on such five factors was 62.59 points. The average level of ADHD by Conners-Wells Adolescent Self-Report Scale (Short Form) [CASS(S)] was 17.02 points out of a total of 81 points. Six students (2.2%) who scored more than 41 points were classified as ADHD risk. By gender, male students (19.76 points) showed a higher CASS(S) score than female students (14.41 points) did. There was a significant negative correlation between NQ and CASS(S) score (r=-0.445, P<0.001). Multiple regression determined the effects of moderation ($Exp({\beta})=-0.193$, P<0.01) and practice ($Exp({\beta})=-0.345$, P<0.001) on CASS(S) score. In conclusion, distinctive nutritional education is needed for students with a high level of ADHD to help their understanding considering their different levels of attention.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.5
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• pp.427-439
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• 2013

The aim of this study was to determine whether Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children, which has been developed from data on urban children, can be applied to children in rural areas. A total of 200 children (108 boys and 92 girls) in fifth and sixth grade at three elementary schools in rural areas of Gyeongbuk participated in the survey conducted during June 2012. Questionnaires consisted of items on food intake frequency and dietary behavior. Food intake data were obtained using the 24-hour recall method, and nutrient intake was calculated using the CAN-Pro 4.0 Program. Percentages of children who took less than the estimated average requirement were 76.5%, 49.5%, 45.5%, 33.5%, and 26.0% for calcium, vitamin C, iron, vitamin A, and folate, respectively. Significant associations were observed between intake frequencies of vegetables, kimchi, and fruits, and intake of vitamin C, folate, and dietary fiber. White milk and legumes showed positive correlation with intake of calcium and vitamin A. Eating breakfast, meal regularity, and diverse side dishes showed positive correlation with intake of folate and calcium. The 19 food checklist items could be categorized according to five factors. The mean NQ score of the subjects was 62.0, which was similar to that of urban children, 64.4. NQ score and factor scores for balance, regularity, and practice were significantly lower in children with lower socioeconomic level as compared to those with higher socioeconomic level. Higher NQ score showed an association with increased intake of vitamin B2, folate, vitamin C, and calcium. In conclusion, NQ offers a valuable instrument for evaluation of food habit and dietary quality of rural children as well as urban children, and children with low socioeconomic status should be monitored by testing with NQ checklist before implementation of nutrition programs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.717-734
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to identify preschool children's eating behaviors associated with early childhood obesity and its multi-level, socio-ecological determinants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a cross-sectional study of 364 mothers of preschool children aged 3-5 years, these children's healthy eating behaviors were assessed using a validated preschool nutrition quotient (NQ-P) questionnaire. The children's overweight or obesity statuses were determined based on body mass index percentiles from the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart. The associations between the NQ-P score and risk of overweight or obesity were examined using multivariable logistic regression. The associations of individual, maternal, physical, and media environmental factors with the NQ-P score were also examined using multivariable linear regression. RESULTS: Preschool children with greater NQ-P scores were at a significantly lower risk of overweight or obesity (P < 0.01). The NQ-P score had a significantly positive association with maternal body mass index and an inverse association with household income (all P < 0.05). Maternal parenting and feeding practices exhibited associations with the NQ-P score. Positive associations were observed with "warm," "structured," and "autonomy-supportive" parenting as well as monitoring feeding practices (all P < 0.05). In addition, the NQ-P score had a significantly positive association with the childcare center's anti-obesogenic environment, such as the provision of nutritional and physical-activity support and vicinity of the built food environment to the home, including access to good-quality food, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat foods (all P < 0.05). Regarding media environments, the NQ-P score demonstrated more significant associations with viewing and eating and/or cooking content displayed on online video platforms (all P < 0.05) than with that on television. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings confirm the significance of healthy eating behaviors in early-childhood-obesity prevention and underscore the importance of multilevel maternal, physical, and media environmental interventions that effectively guide eating behaviors in preschool children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.483-495
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• 2023

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine whether the dietary quality of food consumed by the elderly is influenced by the consumption of healthy functional foods using Nutrition Quotients for the Elderly (NQ-E). Methods: The study subjects were 250 adults aged ≥ 65 living in Seoul or Gyeonggi-do. Those who had consumed healthy functional food for more than 2 weeks within the previous year were classified as healthy functional food consumers, and the quality of their meals was evaluated using the NQ-E. Statistical analysis was performed using SAS 9.4, and sex and age-associated differences were adjusted before comparing differences based on healthy functional food intake. Results: The average age of the study subjects was 70.8. The scores for each area and the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) score were as follows: balance 43.3 points, moderation 56.7 points, practice 65.7 points, and NQ 52.5 points. When comparing differences according to healthy functional food intake status, healthy functional food consumers had significantly higher balance and NQ scores than non-consumers. When considering each NQ item score, healthy functional food consumers had significantly higher scores than non-consumers for fruit, fish and seafood, eggs, nuts, and whole grain rice, and a higher score for effort to maintain a healthy diet. Conclusion: Dietary quality as assessed by Nutrition Quotients for the Elderly was better for healthy functional food consumers than non-consumers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.155-173
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was undertaken to update the Nutrition Quotient for Elderly (NQ-E), which reflects dietary quality and behavior among Korean older adults. Methods: The first 29 items of the measurable food behavior checklist were obtained from a previous NQ-E checklist, recent literature reviews, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. One-hundred subjects (50 men and 50 women) aged ≥ 65 years living in the Seoul Metropolitan Area, including Gyeonggi Province, completed a pilot survey from March to April 2021. Based on the results of the pilot study, we conducted factor analysis and frequency analysis to determine whether the items of the survey were properly organized and whether the distribution of answers for each evaluation item was properly distributed. As a result, we reduced the number of items on the food behavior checklist and used 23 items for the national survey. Nationwide, 1,000 subjects (472 men and 528 women) aged > 65 years, completed the checklist survey, which was applied using a face-to-face survey method from May to August 2021. The construct validity of the NQ-E 2021 was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, LISREL. Results: Seventeen food behavior checklist items were selected for the final NQ-E 2021. Checklist items addressed three factors: balance (8 items), moderation (2 items), and practice (7 items). Standardized path coefficients were used as the weights of items to determine nutrition quotients. NQ-E and three-factor scores were calculated according to the weights of questionnaire items. Conclusion: The updated NQ-E 2021 produced by structural equation modelling provides a suitable tool for assessing the dietary quality and behavior of Korean older adults.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.84-95
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• 2016

This study investigated the food behavior and nutritional status of children using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ). The subjects for this study were 974 students and their parents who lived in Seocho-gu, Gwanak-gu, and Dongjak-gu, Seoul. The average NQ score of the subjects was 68.3, which was a medium grade. The mean scores for balance and moderation were above the thresholds, whereas the mean scores for diversity, regularity, and practice did not reach the thresholds. According to the results of evaluation by NQ, the subjects may have insufficient intake of calcium, iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, and vitamin C. NQ and NQ factors were different according to the general characteristics and home background characteristics of the subjects. The mean scores for the moderation factor was significantly lower as the eating out frequency increased (p<0.001). The mean scores for balance, moderation, and regularity factors were significantly higher, with higher parents educational level. It is necessary to choose diverse side dishes, vegetables and also foods with balanced nutrition when eating out.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.248-265
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the dietary behaviors of preschool children using the nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P) and analyzed the difference in the scores of the children's dietary behaviors in regards to the parents' health consciousness. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 257 children aged 3-5 years and their parents residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The questionnaire is composed of demographic characteristics, the NQ-P questions, and health consciousness. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS program (ver. 25.0) and the statistical differences in variables were evaluated by χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference on the intake frequency of processed meat by region and fast foods by age, region, and weight status (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in not moving around while eating by weight status and parents' effort to have healthy eating habits by sex (P < 0.05). The mean score of NQ-P of the total subjects was 59.47, which was within the medium-low grade. The mean score of balance was 61.62, and the boys were significantly higher than girls (P < 0.05). As the age of children increased, the mean score of the moderation was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The scores of NQ-P (P < 0.05), balance (P < 0.01), and environment (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the high group of parents' health consciousness than the low group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the evaluation by NQ-P, the dietary behaviors of preschoolers residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do need to be improved. For improving their eating behavior and nutritional health status, parents and children need customized nutrition education programs based on sex, age, region and weight status of preschool children as well as the degree of parents' health consciousness.

• Journal of Korean Medicine Rehabilitation
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.1-14
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• 2013

Objectives The object of this study was to observe the favorable anti-arthritic effects of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) on Freund's complete adjuvant (FCA)-induced arthritic Wistar rats. Methods Rheumatoid arthritis was induced by intradermal injection of FCA, and 300, 150 or 750 mg/kg of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) were orally administered once a day for 14 days from 14 days after FCA treatments, and 15 mg/kg of dexamethasone was intraperitoneally administered as reference drug in this experiment. All rats were sacrificed at 14 days after continuous oral treatment of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) or intraperitoneal administration of dexamethasone, and changes on the body weight, knee circumferences, gross arthritis score, inflammatory tissue prostaglandin (PG) $E_2$ levels were monitored with cartilage collagen components and glucosaminoglycans compositions - chondroitin sulphate, heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid in the present study. Results As results of FCA treatment, classic rheumatoid arthritis featuring dramatical decreases on the body weights, cartilage collagen contents and bone glucosaminoglycans-chondroitin sulphate, heparan sulphate and hyaluronic acid contents, with increases on the knee circumferences, gross arthritis scores and inflammatory tissue $PGE_2$ levels. However, these changes from FCA-induced rheumatoid arthritis were clearly reduced by treatment of dexamethasone and both two different dosages of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 and 150 mg/kg in the present study. Although FCA-induced arthritis were more favorably inhibited by treatment of dexamethasone 15 mg/kg as compared with Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg, marked decreases of body weights were detected in dexamethasone 15 mg/kg treated rats, and Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg showed similar preserve effects on the cartilage glucosaminoglycan compositions in this study. Conclusions The results obtained in this study suggest that over 300 and 150 mg/kg of Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) showed favorable anti-arthritic effects on the FCA-induced arthritis mediated by suppression of $PGE_2$, a inflammatory mediator. However, detail mechanism studies should be conduced in future with the screening of the biological active compounds in this herb. Although overall anti-inflammatory effects Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg were lowered than those of dexamethasone 15 mg/kg treated rats, Samki-eum ($s\bar{a}nq\grave{i}-y\check{i}n$) 300 mg/kg treated rats showed similar preserve effects on the cartilage glucosaminoglycan compositions in this experiment.