• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.474-485
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• 2019

This study aim to evaluate dietary quality and nutritional status according to the consumption of health functional food using Nutrition Quotient for Korean elderly (NQ-E) for 288 elderly people attending senior welfare centers in Gyeonggi-do. The questionnaire consisted of items about general information, health functional food, and Nutrition Quotient for Korean elderly (NQ-E). Chi-squared test, Fisher's exact tests, and Analysis of Covariance (ANCOVA) were performed using the SAS program ver. 9.4. Among the male and female subjects, the female subjects consumed more health functional food. The results of the dietary quality and nutritional status difference according to the intake of health functional food showed significant differences only in the areas of variety and abstinence among nutrition quotient factors for men, while no significant differences were observed in any of the nutrition quotient factors for women. In conclusion, focused-nutrition education program and useful guideline is needed for promoting adequate consumption of health functional foods in elderly.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.103-113
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• 2023

This study investigated the correlation between parents' nutrition quotient (NQ) and the nutrition quotient of Korean preschoolers (NQ-P) of picky eaters (PE) aged five years living in Dobong-gu, Seoul. The questionnaire was conducted online by parents of 187 preschoolers between May 25 and June 5, 2020. PE was defined as an average score of 3 or more on the picky eating questionnaires; non-picky eaters (NPE, n=120) and PE (n=67). The correlation between preschoolers and their parents was assessed using the NQ-P and NQ, respectively. Compared to the NPE, picky eating (p<0.001) was significantly higher, and vegetable preference (p<0.001), NQ-P (p<0.05), moderation dimension (p<0.05), frequency of vegetable intake (p<0.05) of balance dimension, and processed beverages (p<0.01) of moderation dimension were significantly lower in the PE. The correlation between the NQ and NQ-P was related to the diversity (p<0.05), moderation (p<0.05), and environment (p<0.01) of NQ in the NPE and not related to the PE. PEs should increase their frequency of vegetable intake and reduce their intake of processed beverages. To increase the NQ-P of PE, parents should eat a balanced diet. Future studies on the NQ-P of preschoolers aged 3 to 5 are needed.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.99-113
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• 2022

This study compared the pattern of purchasing nutritional supplements and obtaining nutrition information and the Nutrition Quotient of adults who exercise regularly according to the frequency of muscle training (LM, muscle training less than two days/week; MM, 2~3 days/week; HM, more than three days/week). Compared to the other groups, significantly more men in the HM group answered that they had purchased supplements and would repurchase them. They presented "increasing muscle mass" as the purpose of buying them and "types and contents" as the major factor to consider before buying. The supplements that significantly more subjects in the HM group purchased than in the other groups were protein supplements, BCAA (Branched-chain amino acid), arginine, and caffeine supplements for men and protein supplements, BCAA and carnitine for women. Compared to the other groups, significantly more men and women in the HM group reported "trainer" as the major source of nutrition information, and significantly more men in the HM group reported "increasing muscle mass" as the 1st topic of nutrition education that they wanted to receive and were satisfied with the information that they obtained. Most of all, males and females in the HM group had significantly a higher Nutrition Quotient than in the other groups. The differences between males and females in variables regarding exercise, the patterns of using supplements and acquiring nutrition information, and Nutrition Quotient were also found. These results can provide basic data for developing educational materials emphasizing the wise consumption of nutrition information, including supplement intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.390-399
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• 2012

The objective of this study was to develop and evaluate the construct validity of a Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children. In a previous report (Kang, et al., 2012), the food behavior checklist for children's NQ, consisting of 19 items, was grouped into a 5-factor structure according to the exploratory factor analysis: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. In this study, the construct validity of the NQ was assessed using a confirmatory factor analysis. Elementary school students (n = 1,393) from six large cities completed the NQ test. Indicator tests suggested an adequate model fit (goodness of fit index = 0.9613; adjusted GFI = 0.95; standardized root mean square residual = 0.0464; chi-square test statistics of < 0.001 p-value, 82.1), and item loadings were significant for all subscales (p < 0.05). The standardized path coefficients were used as the weights of the items. The NQ and the 5 factor scores of the student were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Logistic regression was applied to find the significant factors in order to affect a specific nutrient status. The receiver operation characteristic curve analyses were performed in order to find diagnostic cut-off points of the five factors. The food behavior checklist for children's NQ would be a handy and suitable instrument for evaluating dietary behaviors of Korean children.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.6
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• pp.1070-1078
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• 2016

This study investigated the nutrition education realities and nutrition status of children in community child centers, by analyzing the status of nutrition education, nutrition quotient (NQ), and the level of maintaining dietary guidelines. The subjects were 173 children from grades 1 to 6, enrolled in community child centers, Jinju, Kyungnam. The NQ was examined by a questionnaire, which was a checklist of 19 food behavior items. The distribution of scores (out of 100) in the nutrition quotient were as follows: total score of NQ was 59.4, balance 56.6, diversity 60.6, moderation 65.6, regularity 60.9, and practice 56.7. Nutrition quotient was higher in the higher graders due to significant differences in the area of variety. The level of maintaining dietary guidelines was higher in girls, especially in the area 'eat politely with family', and higher amongst the upper graders in the area 'have safe snack wisely'. To improve the eating habits and nutritional status of the children in community child centers, their nutritional state should be checked with regular and systematic education, and their nutritional management should be pursued continuously. Since the assessment of the eating behaviors and the nutritional state of children is important at home as well as in schools and community child centers, nutritional education should be further extended to the parents and their care givers. This study can be implemented as basic material for the nutritional education of children, to minimize the dangers of malnutrition and to help build up the right eating habits amongst children in community child centers.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.1-11
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• 2014

The objectives of this study were to assess food behavior and nutritional status of preschool children by using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children and children's growth index. The subjects for this study were 424, 5-year old children, who enrolled in child-care centers (n = 219) and kindergartens (n = 205) in Nowon-gu, Seoul. The NQ was examined by NQ questionnaire which consisted of 19 food behavior checklist items. Their items were grouped into 5 categories: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. Children's anthropometric measurements were performed by using InBody J05. All data were statistically analyzed by SAS 9.3 and significant difference was evaluated by Student's t-test and ${\chi}^2$-test. The rates of overweight and obesity for subjects were 11.1% and 3.3%, respectively. Total NQ score of the subjects was 65.1, which was within medium grade. The NQ score of kindergartens (66.1) was higher than that of child-care center (64.2), showing significant difference by institution type. In addition, the NQ score of obesity was significantly lower than that of normal weight subjects. The scores of balance (p < 0.05) and regularity factor (p < 0.001) were higher in kindergarten compared to child-care center. Particularly, the frequency of consumption of white milk and Ramyeon was higher (p < 0.001) and lower (p < 0.05) respectively in kindergarten compared to child-care center. Frequencies of meal regularity (P < 0.01) and breakfast eating (p < 0.001) were also higher in kindergarten compared to child-care center. These results indicate that kindergarten's children had better eating habits than those of child-care center. Overall analysis of items for food behavior checklists implies that children in Nowon-gu are short of vegetables consumption. Therefore, children and their parents need proper nutrition education and counseling to correct their eating habits and to improve their nutritional status.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.221-233
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• 2020

The Center for Children's Foodservice Management periodically visited children's foodservice facilities for hygiene, safety and nutrition management, and the 'HSQ (Hygiene Safety Quotient) and NQ (Nutrition Quotient) Management Web & App Program' was developed and applied to improve the health, safety, and nutrition management status of children's foodservice facilities. The HSQ is a comprehensive hygiene and safety index consisting of six categories from the hygiene and safety checklist for children's foodservice facilities provided by the Ministry of Food and Drug Safety. The NQ is a nutrition index for foodservice facilities consisting of five categories from the nutrition checklist. First, this program can be used to efficiently understand the actual conditions of children's foodservice. Foodservice facilities are provided with the result report prepared by the center without restrictions on time or place. Second, it can be used as "a channel for comfortable communication with foodservice facilities". Foodservice facilities are provided with a route where questions and resolutions can be communicated to the center. Third, it is easy to compare and review the results of foodservice facilities by institution and number of visits while downloading the results data at the same time, as the result report is written based on hygiene, safety, and nutrition visits. Through such programs, it is believed that standardized work and integrated management will improve the work efficiency of the center's employees. It is also thought that these programs will promote healthier life-styles in children by establishing a safe food environment for children's foodservice.

• 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.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.179-188
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• 2020

Objectives: The study examined the status on the use of nutrition labeling and nutrition claims among university students as well as the diet quality and nutritional status using the nutrition quotient (NQ) according to the use of nutrition labeling and claims. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on university students (86 males and 131 females) from March to April in 2019 in Chungbuk area. Results: The percentage of subjects who reported that they recognized nutrition labeling was 80.2% of the total, and 63.8% of them indicated that they used nutrition labeling for their food choices. In addition, 22.6% of the total subjects said that they used nutrition claims. The group of subjects using nutrition labeling showed significantly higher mean scores in balance (P < 0.01), diversity (P < 0.05), moderation (P < 0.01), and dietary behavior (P < 0.001) along with higher mean NQ score (P < 0.001) compared to the group not using nutrition labeling. The group using nutrition claims had significantly higher mean scores in balance (P < 0.001), diversity (P < 0.01), moderation (P < 0.001), and dietary behavior (P < 0.001) as well as total NQ scores (P < 0.001) compared to the group not using nutrition claims. The group of subjects using both nutrition labeling and nutrition claims showed significantly higher mean NQ scores than the group of subjects using either nutrition labeling or nutrition claims (P < 0.05). Conclusions: In this study, university students' use of nutrition labeling and nutrition claims appeared to be related to their diet quality and nutritional status.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.22-39
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the nutritional status and dietary behavior of Korean and Chinese elementary school children using Nutritional Quotient (NQ). Methods: The survey was conducted by distributing questionnaires to the parents of the child, after selecting four elementary schools located in Pusan city of Korea and three elementary schools located in Luoyang city, Henan Province of China, from Grade 1 to Grade 6 in each school. Results: The NQ scores of Korean children and Chinese children were 64.99 and 66.57, respectively, which did not show a statistically significant difference. Korean children significantly showed higher diversity score (p<0.001) than Chinese, but Chinese children significantly showed higher moderation (p < 0.001), regularity (p < 0.001) and practice score (p < 0.01) than Korean. NQ grades showed a statistically significant difference. According to food security of the household, NQ scores of the Chinese children of secure household were significantly higher than those of food insecurity household (p < 0.01). In particular, it showed a significant difference in the practice (p < 0.001), moderation (p < 0.05) and regularity score (p < 0.05). Korean children's NQ score showed a significant correlation with the score of following the Dietary Guidelines of parents, but Chinese did not show such a correlation. Conclusions: There were differences in children's dietary behaviors and parents' impact to children's dietary attitude between Korean and Chinese. NQ developed for Korean could be successfully applied to Chinese.