• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.41 no.1
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• pp.31-40
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• 2008

This study was aimed at evaluating the effect of red-yeast-rice supplementation on cholesterol-lowering and glucose control in subjects with impaired fasting glucose (IFT) or impaired glucose tolerance (IGT). We conducted a doubleblind, placebo-controlled study with 3 groups; placebo, low dose group (red yeast rice 210.0mg/capsule, 2.52g/day) and high dose group (red yeast rice 420.0mg/capsule, 5.04g/day), which were randomly assigned to subjects with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance. We measured fasting serum concentrations of total-, LDL-, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA) and 2 h oral glucose tolerence test (OGTT) before and after the supplementation. Both low dose and high dose groups had significant decrease in LDL cholesterol and atherogenic index (AI) compared with placebo group (p<0.05). Additionally, total and HDL cholesterol improved significantly in high dose group compared with placebo group (p<0.05). Fasting serum glucose decreased in test groups and increased in placebo group after intervention. However, it was not significant differences. In subjects which fasting blood glucose is more than 110mg/dL, fasting glucose had a tendency to decrease in high dose group (p<0.1) and Hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) had significant decrease in low dose group (p<0.05), while insulin and HOMA-IR had a tendency to increase in placebo group after intervention. Mean changes of glucose related parameters (fasting glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR) compared with placebo group did not show significant differences. In conclusion, subjects with impaired fasting glucose or impaired glucose tolerance were significantly improved in serum lipid profile by red yeast rice supplementation without serious side effects. These are more effective in the case of a high dose. The effects of red yeast rice supplementation on glucose control were insignificant.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.111-124
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• 2016

Purpose: The current study was conducted for evaluation and comparison of dietary behavior and food intake in different regions of Lao PDR. Methods: The survey was conducted on 979 people aged 40~59 years old living in 25 urban provinces and 25 rural provinces in four districts (VTE Capital-Chanthabuly, Xaysetha, VTE Province-Phonhong, and Thoulakhom) of Laos. General demographic information, health status, and dietary behavior were surveyed using a questionnaire. Results: The literacy ratio (p = 0.000), education level (p = 0.000), asset ownership level (p = 0.000), and government and private employee ratio (p = 0.000) were higher in urban subjects compared with rural subjects. The mean value of weight (p = 0.000), waist circumference (p = 0.000), and diastolic blood pressure (p = 0.009) and alcohol consumption (p = 0.000), self-rated health status (p = 0.001), and the rate of obesity (p = 0.000) were significantly higher in urban subjects compared with rural subjects. However, the rate of current smoker was significantly higher in the rural group (p = 0.023). Meals are becoming more westernized by higher frequency of eating out, consumption of fatty meat and fried or stir-fried food in urban areas compared to rural areas. Urban subjects had relatively better balanced meals compared to rural subjects whereas they consumed insufficient meals per day and consumed meals irregularly compared to rural subjects. Intake of fruit and milk was significantly higher in urban subjects compared with rural subjects. However, the intake of vegetables was significantly higher in rural areas than urban areas. Conclusion: The result of this study showed that the traditional Lao diet is being replaced by an unhealthy western dietary pattern, which may be a risk factor for increasing development of non-communicable disease (NCD) in Lao PDR. Planning of proper personalized nutritional intervention and education in each area is needed to decrease the health risks of NCD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.2
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• pp.127-139
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• 2012

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of an abdominal obesity management program on dietary intake, stress index, and waist to hip ratio (WHR) in abdominally obese women. The subjects were 195 adult abdominally obese women (WHR ${\geq}$ 0.80) who had been participating in a nutrition education (total of nine times) and dietary habits and life style modification programs (total of six times) for 12 weeks. The abdominal obesity management program focused on the nutrition provided by breakfast, lunch, and dinner, proper dietary habits, and practices to improve life style. The subjects were divided into a WHR decrease group and a WHR increase group according to changes in the WHR. Daily nutrient intake was assessed with a 3-day food record, body measurements and blood vessel age, stress index, and a health index that were measured at baseline and after 12 weeks. After the intervention, weight, waist circumference, hip circumference, WHR, and body mass index (BMI) decreased significantly in the WHR decrease group. Energy intake increased from 1486.2 kcal to 1541.4 kcal with a significant improvement in nutrient density for animal protein, total fat, animal fat, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, zinc, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin C, vitamin E, and saturated fatty acids in the WHR decrease group. Additionally, dietary diversity increased significantly in the WHR decrease group compared to that in the WHR increase group. The WHR decrease group showed a significant improvement in the stress and health indices. Changes in WHR were correlated with changes in nutrient intake (animal protein, total fat, animal fat, plant fat, fiber, calcium, iron, potassium, vitamin A, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$, vitamin C, and folate) and medical index profiles (stress and indices) adjusted for age, birth status, baseline BMI, and baseline WHR. These results show that an abdominal obesity management program was effective not only for reducing the WHR but also to improve dietary intake and the stress index in abdominally obese women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.5
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• pp.772-783
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• 2014

This study aimed to investigate the relationships between depressed mood and life style patterns, including smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical inactivity in Koreans aged 40 years, which is a critical life transition period. Based on the Life Transition Period Health Examination at the Korea Association of Health Promotion conducted in 2011 (n=27,684), participants were categorized into a depressed mood group and a non-depressed mood group based on the results of the Primary Mental Health Questionnaire. The depressed mood group showed higher tendency for smoking compared to the non-depressed mood group. Current and ex-smokers were about twice as likely to have a depressed mood as the non-smokers. The prevalence of nicotine dependency was significantly higher in the depressed mood group. The number of days and amount of alcohol consumption were significantly correlated with depressed mood. The prevalence of alcohol dependence and alcohol abuse was higher in the depressed mood group than in the non-depressed mood group. The frequency of high-intensity exercise per week was negatively correlated with the number of people with a depressed mood. This study showed the significant relationships between depressed mood and smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical activity in adults during an important life transition period. This implies that the development of proper lifestyle intervention or education may be needed to prevent depressed moods in this age group.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.4
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• pp.374-381
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• 2010

This study was performed to examine the diet effect of green coffee bean extract on body fat reduction. Overweight/obese women (body mass index > $23\;kg/m^2$ or body fat > 27%) who were not diagnosed any type of disease were included in this study and subjects were randomly assigned to green coffee bean extract group (n = 23) or placebo group (n = 20). We measured anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computed tomography and blood components before and after the 8-weeks intervention period. After supplementation, green coffee bean extract group showed a significant reduction of body weight (p < 0.01), body fat percent (p < 0.01), total fat area at L1 vertebra (-4.8%, p < 0.05) and visceral fat area at L4 vertebra was(-4.7%, p < 0.05). In addition, total fat area and visceral fat area at L1 vertebra decreased significantly in green coffee bean extract group compared with placebo group (p < 0.05, p < 0.05 respectively). The result of present study demonstrated that the supplementation of green coffee bean extract for 8 weeks can give beneficial effects on body fat reduction and visceral fat accumulation.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.91-100
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate patients' preferences on receiving life-sustaining treatments (LST) and to analyze the relationship between patients' characteristics and LST selection. We also examined any discrepancy between LST patients' choices regarding medical intervention and actual medical intervention given/not given within 48 hours before death. Methods: This cross-sectional study was performed from March 1, 2008 to August 31, 2008 in the Palliative Care Unit of Korea University Hospital. Electric medical records (EMR) of 102 hospice cancer patients were reviewed, and 74 patients with Glasgow coma scale (GCS) ${\geq}$10 at the time of signing the advance medical directives (AMD) were selected for the first analysis. Then, patients alive at the end of this study, transferred to other hospitals or dead within 48 hours were excluded, and the remaining 42 patients were selected for the second analysis. Results: Preferred LST included antibiotics, total parenteral nutrition, tube feeding, transfusion, and laboratory and imaging studies. The relationship between patients' characteristics and LST could not be analyzed due to skewed preferences. LST chosen at the time of signing the AMD and actual medical intervention given/not given in the last 48 hours showed discrepancy in most cases. Conclusion: When making AMD in hospice cancer patients, it is important to consider the time and possibility of changing the choices. Above all, patients must fully understand the AMD. Thus, LST should always be provided with careful consideration of all possibilities, because legal and social aspects of AMD have not been established yet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.165-178
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was performed to examine associations of intakes of milk and dairy products, pulses, and soy foods with bone health in Koreans aged 50 yr and older. Methods: A total of 3,201 men and 3,581 women aged 50 yr and older who participated in the 2008~2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were grouped by sex and age groups of 50~64 yr and 65 yr and older. Subjects within each sex and age group were divided into three bone health groups: normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis groups based on bone mineral density. Intakes of nutrients and foods derived from 24-hour recall data were compared among three bone health groups. Associations between intake frequencies of foods, including milk, yogurt, tofu, or soy milk, and osteoporosis risk were evaluated based on confounding risk factor-adjusted logistic regression. Results: Calcium intake was in the order of normal, osteopenia, and osteoporosis in men (p < 0.01) and women (p < 0.05) aged 50~64 yr as well as in men aged 65 yr and older (p < 0.001). In women aged 50~64 yr, intake of milk and dairy products was lower in the osteoporosis group (p < 0.01) as compared with the osteopenia group. Intake of pulses or tofu was not significantly different among bone health groups. Odds ratio (OR) for milk intake frequency (${\geq}2$ times/week) compared to intake frequency less than 1 time/month was 0.45 (95% CI 0.24~0.85, p for trend = 0.022) in men aged 65 yr and older. The OR for yogurt intake frequency (1 time/month~1 time/week) was 0.47 (95% CI 0.30~0.73, p for trend = 0.019) in women aged 50~64 yr. Intake frequency of tofu or soy milk was not associated with reduced risk of osteoporosis in all groups. Conclusion: Dairy food intake was significantly associated with bone health, and its effect was sex- and age group-specific, whereas soy food intake was not. Dietary intervention to prevent osteoporosis would be effective for women aged 50~64 yr old and for men aged 65 yr and older.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.68-74
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• 2000

Purpose: This study was to investigate the clinical manifestations of FTT in children. Methods: From March 1997 to July 1999, clinical observations were made on patients with FTT who had visited to Samsung Medical Center. Detailed histories and through physical examinations were taken, and when suspected organic FTT, basic laboratory studies were done. Results: Upon the review of medical records, we investigated the clinical manifestations of 74 children, aged 1 month and 13 year 1 month. The causes of FTT were composed of either physiologic (47.8%) or pathologic (52.2%) ones. Among the physiologic FTT, were there familial short stature (FSS, 14.5%), intrauterine growth retardation (IUGR, 14.5%), constitutional growth delay (CGD, 11.6%), idiosyncrasy and prematurity. Among pathologic causes, neurologic disorders (20%) are the most common causes of FTT, and then follow by GI (13.4%), allergic and infectious disorders in decreasing order. The data showed that average caloric intake in patients with FTT was 76,2% of recommended amount. FTT patients with CGD, IUGR, and idiosyncrasy had tendency to take small foods. The FTT children with prematurity, IUGR and pathologic FTT, were short and thin for their ages. However FTT children with CGD and FSS had tendency to be thin with relatively normal heights for their ages, in comparison with those of the children with prematurity, IUGR and pathologic FTT. Conclusion: The diagnosis of FTT was easily obtained with simple and through medical history, physical examination, and minimal laboratory tests. In this study, organic FTT was more prevalent than physiologic one. This results indicate that early intervention is mandatory, because children may develop significant long-term sequelae from nutritional deficiency.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.549-556
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to assess the effects of mulberry leaf extract supplement on blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin ($HbA_{1C}$) and serum lipids in type II diabetic patients, and also to assess safety in liver function after mulberry leaf extract supplement. The study was a randomized placebo-controlled trial and total 23 type II diabetic patients were divided into a MLE group taking 1,000 mg mulberry leaf extract supplement per day as experimental group and a placebo group taking 1,000 mg cellulose Powder supplement per day for 12 weeks. After 2 weeks of wash-out period, fasting blood glucose, $HbA_{1C}$, serum lipid levels and liver function test were analyzed before and after treatment of 12 weeks. The general baseline characteristics, nutrient intake and life style factors of study subjects were similar between two groups during intervention. The concentrations of fasting blood glucose and $HbA_{1C}$ (p<0.05) decreased significantly after mulberry leaf extract supplement in MLE group, while there were no changes found in placebo group. We also found it showed that mulberry leaf extract supplement for 12 weeks decreased significantly (p<0.05) the fasting blood glucose in poor fasting blood glucose group and $HbA_{1C}$ concentration in poor $HbA_{1C}$ group. The concentrations of LDL-cholesterol (p<0.05) and triglyceride (p<0.01) decreased significantly in MLE group after 12 weeks of taking the supplement, while there were no changes found in placebo group. The mulberry leaf extract supplement for 12 weeks didn't show hepatotoxicity. These results suggested that mulberry leaf extract supplement could be effective in improving fasting blood glucose and $HbA_{1C}$ levels in the diabetic patients, specially having high concentrations of fasting blood glucose and $HbA_{1C}$ among type II diabetic patients.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.681-695
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• 1995

It has been noted that a genetic alteration of cells influenced by unhealthy lifestyle In addition to a series of other carcinogens increases various neoplasmic diseases. Therefore the importance of lifestyle that minimizes such impact on health should be emphasized. Since stomach cancer, the most common neoplasmic disease in Korea, is re-lated to the Korean lifestyle and as there's a possibility of its recurrence, people with stomach cancer need to lead a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of this study is to provide a basis for nursing intervention strategies to promote health promoting behaviors that are constructive to a healthy lifestyle. A multivariate model was constructed based on the fender's health promotion model and Booker's health belief model by including influential factors such as hope. The sample was composed of 164 patients with stomach cancer who visited outpatient clinics of a university hospital in Seoul. The following instruments were used in the study after some adaptation : Wallston and others' multidimensional health locus of control scale Laffrey's health conception scale, Lawston and others' health self- rating scale, Walker and others' health promotion lifestyle profile and Rogenberg's self esteem scale. In addition Moon's health belief scale was used with some modification. For self efficacy, the present author constructed a self-efficacy scale based on previous research. The above mentioned instruments were tested in a pilot study with 24 patients with stomach cancer. The reliabilities of instruments were tested with Cronbach's alpha(0.574∼0.949). Data were analyzed using a SAS program (or Pearson correlation coefficients, descriptive correlational statistics and stepwise multiple regression. The results are as follows : 1. The scores on the health promoting behavior scale ranged from 55 to 145 with a mean of 107.91 (S. D : 16.50). The mean scores(range 1-4) on the different dimensions were nutrition 3.14, exercise 2.48, stress management 2.69, health responsibility 2.65, interpersonal relationship 2.878E self actualization 2.85. 2. There were significant correlations among all the predictive variables & the health promoting behavior (r=.20-.55, p〈.01) 3. Stepwise multiple regression analysis showed that : 1) Hope was the main predictor and accounted for 29.8％ of the total variance. 2) Self efficacy, perceived barriers & self esteem accounted for an additional 14.6% of the total variance. 3) Hope, self efficacy, perceived barriers & self esteem altogether accounted for 44.3％ of the total variance. In conclusion, hope, self efficacy, perceived barriers & self esteem were identified as important variables that contributed to promote health promoting behavior.