• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.333-342
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• 2014

Limited epidemiologic data is available regarding the cardiovascular effects of mercury exposure. The purpose of this study was to determine the relationship between mercury exposure from fish consumption and cardiovascular disease in a nationally representative sample of Korean adults using the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES IV 2008~2009). Survey logistic regression models accounting for the complex sampling were used to estimate the odds ratios (OR) adjusted for fish consumption frequency, age, education, individual annual income, household annual income, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), alcohol consumption status, and smoking status. The mean blood mercury level in the population was $5.44{\mu}g/L$. Trends toward increased blood mercury levels were seen for increased education level (P=0.0011), BMI (P<0.0001), WC (P<0.0001), and fish (i.e., anchovy) consumption frequency (P=0.0007). The unadjusted OR for hypertension in the highest blood mercury quartile was 1.450 [95% confidential interval (CI): 1.106~1.901] times higher than that of the lowest quartile. The fish consumption-adjusted OR for hypertension in the highest blood mercury quartile was 1.550 (95% CI: 1.131~2.123) times higher than that of the lowest quartile, and the OR for myocardial infarction or angina in the highest blood mercury quartile was 3.334 (95% CI: 1.338~8.308) times higher than that of the lowest quartile. No associations were observed between blood mercury levels and stroke. These findings suggest that mercury in the blood may be associated with an increased risk of hypertension and myocardial infarction or angina in the general Korean population.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.120-131
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low early pregnancy serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25[OH]D) levels can increase gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) risk, although inconsistent findings related to that association have been reported. This study examined the association of serum vitamin D with GDM and the possible influencers on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 259 pregnant women within the Seremban Cohort Study (SECOST). Blood samples at < 14 weeks of gestation were drawn to determine serum 25(OH)D levels. GDM diagnosis was made at 24 to 32 weeks of gestation using a standard procedure. Association between serum vitamin D and GDM was tested using binary logistic regression. RESULTS: Nearly all women (90%) had mild (68.3%) or severe (32.2%) vitamin D deficiency (VDD). Non-GDM women with mild VDD had a significantly higher mean vitamin D intake than GDM women with mild VDD (t = 2.04, p < 0.05). Women with higher early pregnancy serum vitamin D levels had a greater risk of GDM. However, this significant association was only identified among those with a family history of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) and in women with a body mass index indicating overweight or obese status. CONCLUSIONS: The high prevalence of VDD in this sample of pregnant women underscores the need for effective preventive public health strategies. Further investigation of this unexpected association between serum vitamin D level and GDM risk in predominantly VDD pregnant women and the potential effects of adiposity and family history of T2DM on that association is warranted.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.177-183
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• 2023

Bariatric surgery is the most effective treatment for sustained weight reduction, and it can result in substantial improvements in the severity of type 2 diabetes, metabolic syndrome, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and quality of life. However, sleeve gastrectomy, a weight loss surgery that removes two-thirds of the stomach, reduces appetite and nutrient absorption, impairing digestion and the absorption of nutrients like iron, vitamin B₁₂, and protein-bound nutrients. This case study aims to demonstrate that patients undergoing sleeve gastrectomy require long-term and periodic monitoring of biochemical data, weight changes, and caloric and protein intake by a professional nutritionist to prevent malnutrition and nutritional deficiencies. In this case study, a 48-year-old woman was diagnosed with morbid obesity, hypertension, sleep apnea syndrome, and chronic gastritis. At initial evaluation, she was 160 cm tall and weighed 89 kg, with a body mass index of 34.8 kg/m². At 1 postoperative year, she consumed 650 kcal and 25 g of protein per day, the percentage of excess weight loss was 141.1%, and body mass index was 21 kg/m². Compared to preoperative levels, calcium and folic acid levels did not decrease after 1 postoperative year, but hemoglobin, ferritin, and vitamin B₁₂ levels decreased. In conclusion, when patients experience rapid weight loss after sleeve gastrectomy, follow-up should be frequent and long. Dietary education should be conducted according to digestive symptoms, and oral nutritional supplements, including vitamins and minerals.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.16-33
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• 2024

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine mothers' knowledge levels on complementary foods and their perception of convenience complementary foods. Methods: An online survey was conducted with mothers aged 20-49 years who had purchased convenience complementary foods and had a preschool child aged 4 months or older. The respondents were categorized into 3 groups based on their knowledge scores: low- (0-50 points), mid- (55-65 points), and high- (70-100 points) knowledge groups. Results: The average score of mothers' knowledge on complementary foods was 58.8 out of 100 points. Working mothers were found to have lower levels of knowledge compared to mothers who were housewives. Only 1/4 of responding mothers had educational experience on complementary foods. Mothers expressed a desire for information on the types of complementary foods (72.2%) and the intake amounts (60.3%) corresponding to each phase of their child's development. Multivariate analysis of variance revealed significant differences in health (P = 0.002), variety (P = 0.039), and hygiene (P = 0.041) among the factors taken into consideration when purchasing convenience complementary foods according to the mothers' knowledge levels. Mothers in the high-knowledge group placed a greater importance on 'balanced nutrition' (P = 0.022) and 'hygienic cooking' (P = 0.010) compared to mothers in the low-knowledge group. The results of the modified importance-performance analysis, which compared the importance and performance of the factors taken into consideration when purchasing convenience complementary foods, highlighted the need for efforts in 'health,' 'hygiene,' and 'price,' while also indicating an excessive effort in 'convenience.' Conclusions: This study suggests expanding relevant education programs to enhance mothers' knowledge on complementary foods, especially for working mothers. In the industry, marketing strategies for complementary food products could be developed that align with the needs of mothers, focusing on health, hygiene, and price.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.145-151
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• 2006

Matrix metalloproteinases (MMP) play an important role in the extracellular matrix (ECM) degradation undetphysiological and pathological conditions. The present study examined the influence of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin on phorbol-12-myristate 13-acetate (PMA)-induced secretion of MMP-2 and MMP-9, when human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC) were treated with (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin at supraphysiological concentrations of $25{\mu}mol/L$. No cytotoxicity was observed by MIT assay in response to a treatment with PMA in the presence of (-)epigallocatechin gallate and quercetin. Western blot analysis and gelatin zymography revealed that exposure of HUVEC to PMA enhanced the levels and gelatinolytic activities of pro and active forms of MMP-2 and active form of MMP-9. (-)Epigallocatechin gallate attenuated PMA-stimulated secretion of active forms of MMP-2 and MMP-9 concomitantly with a loss of activities of these enzymes, which was related to the decreased mRNA levels of MMP. Quercetin was more potent than (-)epigallocatechin gallate in alleviating MMP-9 protein secretion and activity with a decrease in MMP-9 mRNA accumulation. Taken together, the results indicated that (-)epigallocatechin gallte and quercetin exhibited inhibitory effects on MMP activity and may qualify as chemopreventive and cardiovascular protective agents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.216-227
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop a nutrition education program for dietary salt reduction using various nutrition education materials. The effect of a 5-week nutrition education program on salty taste assessment, nutrition knowledge, salt attitude for a high-salt diet, salt content in food, and individual satisfaction with the salt concentration of meals during the education period was evaluated. Nutrition education materials included two animations, a pamphlet, panels, and a website, as well as other training resources. Subjects participating in this study were 335 employees (164 male, 171 female) at 15 foodservice operations in Daegu. Preference for higher levels of salty taste and food containing higher amounts of salt were lowered. Knowledge regarding the necessity for dietary salt reduction was higher (p < 0.001) than before nutrition education, and salt content in a meal was reduced. As the program progressed, average salt concentrations of soups were significantly lowered (p < 0.05), and there was greater satisfaction with the lower concentration (p < 0.001). This was a positive indication of the program's success. In addition, it was found that subjects who participated in the program several times have changed their preference to lower levels of salty taste and have increased their nutrition knowledge (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). Thus, the positive effect of this 5-week nutrition education program developed for, and applied to, foodservice employees, concerning dietary salt reduction was confirmed.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.397-405
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• 2022

Objectives: This study examines the effect on the frequency of ramyeon consumption based on who checks nutrition labels and on the levels of sodium-related nutrition knowledge among middle school students in the Incheon area. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were completed by 359 students (143 males and 216 females) from May to October 2021. General information as well as ramyeon-eating behaviors were surveyed. The frequency of ramyeon consumption was compared depending on who checks nutrition labels and on the amount of sodium-related nutrition knowledge students have. Both 𝛘² tests and t-tests were conducted for categorical and mean comparisons. Results: Regarding the consumption of ramyeon, 46% of the students replied that they eat it alone at home. The criteria for choosing the kind of ramyeon to eat were taste (79.4%), price (9.2%), brand and new products (4.5%), nutrition (2.2%), weight control (2.2%), and other factors (2.5%). When purchasing ramyeon, more students replied that they did not read nutrition labels (66.0%) compared to those who did read labels (34.0%). Answers to questions on sodium-related nutrition earned an average of 6.84 out of nine points (males, 6.72 points, females, 6.91 points, ns). The average frequency of ramyeon consumption was 1.67 times per week (males, 1.66, females, 1.68, ns). The frequency of ramyeon consumption by students who checked nutrition labels was lower than for students who did not check labels (1.44 times per week vs. 1.79 times per week, P < 0.05). Conclusions: Students who checked nutrition labels reported a lower frequency of ramyeon consumption than students who did not check them. Education on checking nutrition labels may reduce the consumption of processed foods such as ramyeon and may lead to making healthy choices when purchasing food.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.267-272
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• 2004

This study was conducted to develop functional muffin in which grape seed extract(GSE) was added at 0, 0.5, 1 or 2% levels and to evaluate the quality characteristics. The volume of muffin decreased with the increasing GSE content, but no significant differences were observed. The weight and height of muffins increased with the increasing GSE content. The incorporation of GSE in the product lowered lightness (L value) and increased redness(a value). The mechanical texture parameters including hardness, springiness, gumminess and brittleness increased with the increasing GSE levels. Sensory analysis showed that muffin prepared with 0.5% GSE was considered to be as acceptable as control, based on hedonic scale ratings given by untrained taste panel.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.402-408
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• 1986

Since diet is an essential component of the treatment for diabetic mellitus, a progressive educational plan was designed to educate diabetic children for the proper selection of their foods. Seven suspicious children were chosen according to the previous oral glucose tolerance test and present blood glucose levels (fasting and postprandial 2 hours). The education program includes the basic nutrition study, learning of the five basic food groups. familiarization with the food exchange lists. calorie calculation and menu planning, and follow-up evaluation by checking every day -food intake. The duration of the education was five weeks. The levels of fasting blood glucose and postprandial -2 hours blood sugar of the seven children were significantly reduced after the 5-weeks education:FBS:from 92-125mg% to 67-80mg%, pp-2hours BS: from 130-169mg% to 69-90mg%. The children have felt much better with profound self-confidence after to program . Their oral glucose tolerance test levels were also significantly decreased after the 5-weeks education in comparison with those of one year ago.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.613-618
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• 2000

This study was to investigate the effect of dietary protein and fiber on the antioxidant enzyme activities of brain in acute or chronic ethanol-treated rats. Male Sprague-Dawley rats were fed on diets containing two levels of protein(7%, 20%) with two levels of fiber (5%, 10%) Rats were administered 40%(v/v) ethanol(5g/kg body weight)orally 90min before decaptiation in acute ethanol-treated groups and 25%(v/v) ethanol(5g/kg body weight) once a day for 5 weeks in chronic ethanol treated-groups. The rats were sacrificed after 5 weeks of feeding periods. Superoxide dismutase and gluthathione S-transferase activities were lower in chronic ethanol-treated groups than acute ethanol-treated groups whereas catalase and glutathuone peroxidase activities were significantly increased by chronic ethanol treatment. Low protein supplement accelerated to change of their activities however dietary fiber levels did not affect antioxidant enzyme activities. Chronic ethanol treatment and/or low protein supplement results in increasing the brain lipid peroxide content but in lowering glutathione level. (Korean J Nutrition 33(6) ; 613~618, 2000)