• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.984-996
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Prior studies, mostly conducted in Western countries, have suggested that the low cost of energy-dense foods is associated with an increased risk of obesity. This study aimed to investigate the association between food costs and obesity risk among Koreans who may have different food cost and dietary patterns than those of Western populations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used baseline data from a cohort of 45,193 men and 83,172 women aged 40-79 years (in 2006-2013). Dietary intake information was collected using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Prudent and Western dietary patterns extracted via principal component analysis. Food cost was calculated based on Korean government data and market prices. Logistic regression analyses were performed to investigate the association of daily total, prudent, and Western food cost per calorie with obesity. RESULTS: Men in the highest total food cost quintile had 15% higher odds of obesity, after adjusting for demographic characteristics and lifestyle factors (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidence interval, 1.08-1.22; P-trend < 0.001); however, this association was not clear in women (P-trend = 0.765). While both men and women showed positive associations between prudent food cost and obesity (P-trends < 0.001), the association between Western food cost and obesity was only significant in men (P-trend < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In countries in which consumption of Western foods is associated with higher food costs, higher food costs are associated with an increased risk of obesity; however, this association differs between men and women.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.97-110
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• 2024

This study examines the concept of balanced development by tracking the levels and patterns of regional balance within Sejong City. It explores how the notion of balanced development has evolved in South Korea, reviews its interpretation in key international contexts, and develops indicators to diagnose and analyse regional imbalances in Sejong City. At the city's inception in 2012, the indicators were concentrated in Type 1 (balanced with favourable conditions of inequality and polarization), reflecting an overall state of balance. However, by 2019, the indicators exhibited a gradual upward trend with noticeable disparities, indicating a shift toward an imbalanced state characterised by inequality and polarization. By 2023, the indicators revealed a steep upward trajectory, suggesting the persistence of imbalances, though with a partial alleviation of polarization. The findings highlight two key implications: 1. The interpretation of regional balance and imbalance must account for historical and contextual shifts reflected in indicator analyses. 2. There is a pressing need to establish a localised framework for balanced development tailored to regional characteristics.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.468-476
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• 2014

The aim of this study was to examine whether there is an association between vitamin intakes and established periodontitis in Korean adult population. The 6,245 subjects aged over 19 years old, who participated in health survey, oral examination and nutrition survey were selected for this study from the database of the Fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Established periodontitis was defined as ${\geq}$ code 3 in community periodontal index. Vitamin intake was assessed with the food-frequency questionnaire. In analysis, participants were classified by quintile of vitamin intakes. We also considered covariates as socio-demographic characteristics, health-related behaviors including physical activities, systemic diseases and oral health-related behaviors. Multiple logistic regression was performed to assess the crude and adjusted associations. All analyses considered a complex sampling design using SAS 9.2. In crude analysis, less intake of vitamin A, retinol and vitamin B2 significantly increased the risk of periodontitis (vitamin A, odds ratio [OR] Q1=1.00, Q2=0.73, Q3=0.80, Q4=0.77, Q5=0.78; retinol, OR: Q1=1.00, Q2=0.86, Q3=0.73, Q4=0.62, Q5=0.55; vitamin B2, OR: Q1=1.00, Q2=0.70, Q3=0.63, Q4=0.67, Q5=0.68). However, after adjusting for socio-demographics, general and oral health status and behaviors, only vitamin B2 was significantly associated with established periodontitis (OR: Q1=1.00, Q2=0.72, Q3=0.73, Q4=0.76, Q5=0.84). An adequate vitamin B2 intake was significantly associated with a decreased risk of periodontitis. This finding shows that nutrient intake is slightly correlated with periodontitis in Korean adult population. Further studies are needed to understand this association between nutrients intake and periodontitis in more details.