• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.56 no.5
• /
• pp.523-536
• /
• 2023

Purpose: This study investigated the association between sleep problems and food allergies (FAs) in Chinese preschoolers and assessed whether there is a difference in this association among children with/without siblings. Methods: A cluster-stratified sampling approach was employed to select four districts in Chongqing based on demographic considerations. A total of 16 kindergartens (n = 966 parents) participated in this study. Parents completed the Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ) and a standard FAs questionnaire. Analysis of covariance and multiple logistic regression were used to assess the associations between sleep problems and FAs after adjusting for relevant confounders. Results: The study found that 16.3% of children had FAs, with eggs, shellfish, and fruit being the most common allergenic foods. The prevalence of FAs was significantly higher in single children (20.63%) than in children with siblings (13.36%). A total of 70.39% of children had CSHQ scores above the clinical cut-off for sleep disorder. Factor analysis revealed five underlying dimensions from the CSHQ. Factor scores, except for the 'difficulty morning waking' factor, were not significantly different between the two groups. Remarkably, the factor scores of 'parasomnias' and 'sleep anxiety' were significantly higher when children had both siblings and FAs. For all subjects, the odds ratios (ORs) of FAs significantly increased with the presence of sleep disorder (OR, 2.35; 95% confidence interval [CI],1.50-3.68) and 'difficulty falling asleep' (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.22-1.48). The subgroup analysis showed that the probability of FAs significantly increased with the 'difficulty falling asleep' (OR, 1.32 vs. 1.38) and sleep disorder (OR, 2.48 vs. 2.14) in children with and without siblings, respectively. The 'parasomnias' was positively associated only with children with siblings. Conclusion: This study suggests that children with siblings might be more susceptible to FAs when accompanied by certain sleep problems. Further studies are warranted to address the underlying dimensions and possible mediation effects of having siblings with sleep problems.

• Korean Medical Education Review
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.243-257
• /
• 2023

This study aimed to analyze trends in research on depression among medical students in Korea and to conduct a meta-analysis to determine the average correlation coefficients between depression and related variables. In total, 38 quantitative studies (four theses and 34 journal articles) published between January 1995 and February 2023 were analyzed according to publication year, subjects, analysis methods, and measurement tools. Among them, 15 studies that provided numerical information on the relationships between depression and variables such as self-esteem, social support, grade point average (GPA), stress, and academic stress were selected for meta-analysis. The main findings of this study were as follows. First, quantitative research on depression among medical students began in earnest in 2009, and cross-sectional studies targeting first-year and second-year medical students were the most prevalent. Furthermore, the most commonly used analysis method was difference testing, and the Beck Depression Inventory was the most frequently used measurement tool. Second, the mean correlation coefficients between depression and stress, self-esteem, social support, academic stress, and GPA were 0.534, 0.532, 0.465, 0.390, and 0.102, respectively. The results for self-esteem, stress, and academic stress showed substantial heterogeneity, while those for social support and GPA showed little heterogeneity. These findings suggest that educational interventions, such as social support improvement programs, are necessary to prevent depression among medical students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.363-375
• /
• 2023

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify factors associated with adolescent obesity, as well as any new factors that correlated with a change in the rate of obesity over time. Methods: The study used 5-yearly data collected by the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey starting from the year 2006 up until 2021 (data from 2nd, 7th, 11th, and 17th surveys were analyzed). Factors such as demographics, dietary factors, health behavioral factors, and mental health factors were studied. All data were analyzed using IBM SPSS 27.0, employing chi-square tests and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: This study included data from a total of 255,200 participants. Factors contributing to obesity varied with time. Over the survey duration of 15 years, low academic achievement, parents with low levels of education, low frequency of fruit consumption, low frequency of fast food intake, long periods of being seated, and high levels of stress were significantly associated with a high rate of obesity. Factors that showed a new correlation with an increase in obesity rates included living with single parents, low frequency of muscle strengthening exercises, and experiencing intense sadness and despair in the past year. Factors that were correlated with a change in obesity rates over time included household economic status, frequency of carbonated beverage consumption, frequency of intense physical activity, and frequency of alcohol consumption. Breakfast intake and smoking were not significantly associated with obesity rates in the 15-year period. Conclusions: While several factors associated with obesity remained consistent over time, several new factors have emerged in response to social, economic, and environmental changes contributed to a change in obesity rate over time. Therefore, to prevent and manage adolescent obesity, continuous research into the new emergent factors contributing to obesity is needed.

• Anxiety and mood
• /
• v.19 no.2
• /
• pp.100-107
• /
• 2023

Objective : This study aimed to estimate the mediating effect of interpersonal problems in the association between depression and smartphone addiction among preadolescence. We verified the gender differences and interpersonal problem subtypes. Methods : This cross-sectional study obtained data from 674 subjects aged 9-12 years. The questionnaire included the Smartphone Addiction Scale-Short Form Version (SAS-SV), the Kovacs' Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), and the Korea Inventory of Interpersonal Problems (KIIP-SC). We analyzed data using Pearson's correlation analysis and evaluated the mediating effect of interpersonal problems. Results : The CDI score showed positive correlations with associated with the SAS-SV and the KIIP. In the total group, the KIIP-PA (Domineering) (b=0.13, 95%CI [0.05, 0.22]), the KIIP-BC (Vindictive)(b=0.07, 95%CI [0.02, 0.14]) and the KIIP-NO (Intrusive) (b=0.07, 95%CI [0.02, 0.13]) significantly mediated the association between the CDI and the SAS-SV. In men, the mediating effect of the KIIP-PA (Domineering) (b=0.20, 95% CI [0.08, 0.35]) was significant. On the other hand, in women, the mediating effect of the KIIP-BC (Vindictive) (b=0.14, 95% CI [0.06, 0.25]) and the KIIP-NO (Intrusive) (b=0.08, 95% CI [0.02, 0.17]) were significant. Conclusion : Understanding the mediating role of interpersonal problems in the association between depression and smartphone addiction may help find the appropriate intervention target.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.404-413
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study compared serum lipid concentration according to drinking habits. Methods: We analyzed data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII). The study included 8,525 adults (3,651 males and 4,874 females), aged 30 - 59 years. Results: There were differences in age, gender, education level, smoking status, physical activity, and waist circumference between drinkers and abstainers. The serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level of the drinkers was lower than those of the abstainers (P < 0.05). The serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were highest in the group that consumed alcohol 'more than twice a week' relative to the other groups (P < 0.001). The LDL-C and atherogenic index (AI) levels were lowest in the 'more than twice a week' drinking group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). The serum TG and HDL-C concentrations were the highest in the '7 glasses/time' group (P < 0.001). The serum LDL-C concentration was the lowest in the '7 glasses/time' group (P < 0.001). Notably, the higher the frequency of binge drinking (7 glasses or more), the higher the concentration of TG (P < 0.001). The serum HDL-C concentration was significantly higher in the 'no binge' and 'more than once a week' groups compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). The serum LDL-C concentration and AI score were the lowest in the 'more than once a week' group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: As the quantity and frequency of drinking increased, the serum TC concentration increased. Moreover, an increase in the serum HDL-C concentration led to a decrease in AI. The factors exacerbating cardiovascular disease increased simultaneously due to drinking. Our results suggest that for individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and patients with low HDL-cholesterolemia, separate guidelines based on the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption are warranted.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.392-403
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study was intended to investigate adults' health behaviors and eating habits according to their levels of social media use. Methods: From May 27 to July 11, 2022, an online survey was conducted of 452 male and female social media users in their 20s and 30s, and their eating habits and health behaviors were compared and analyzed according to their degree of social media use. For each of the three levels of food content use, the frequency of social media content use, and the total score range of average social media viewing time per day were divided into three parts, and a group with a score of less than 2 points was classified as low-use; a group with a score of 2 or more and less than 3 points was classified as middle-use; and a group with a score of 3 points or more was classified as high-use. Results: The use of food content was higher in women than in men (P < 0.001), and higher in those in their 20s than in those in their 30s (P < 0.001). The group with a high level of food content use showed a higher rate of post-use hunger than the group with a low level (P < 0.01). The experience of eating after using food content was also higher in the group with a high level of use than in the group with a low level of use (P < 0.001). The group with a normal or high level of food content use had more negative eating habits than the group with a low level. Conclusions: The study highlighted the need to provide desirable food content to people in their 20s and 30s with negative eating habits and to promote them so that they can use the right healthy nutrition-related content.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.28 no.5
• /
• pp.414-422
• /
• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated usual dietary intakes of total fat and fatty acids among the Korean population based on the revised Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2020 (2020 KDRIs). Methods: This study utilized data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2019-2021). We included 18,895 individuals aged 1 year and above whose 1-day 24-hour dietary recall data were available. To calculate the external variability using the National Cancer Institute 1-day method, data from the U.S. NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-pandemic dataset were employed. The total fat and fatty acid intake were evaluated based on the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) and Adequate intake (AI) of 2020 KDRIs for each sex and age groups. Results: Approximately 86% of the Korean population obtained an adequate amount of energy from total fat consumption (within the AMDRs), indicating an appropriate level of intake. However, the percentage of individuals consuming saturated fatty acids below the AMDR was low, with only 12% among those under 19 years of age and 52% aged 19 years and older. On a positive note, approximately 70% of the population showed adequate consumption of essential fatty acids, exceeding the AI. Nevertheless, monitoring the intake ratio of omega 3 (n-3) to omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids is essential to ensure an optimum balance. Conclusions: This study explored the possibility of estimating the distribution of nutrient intake in a population by applying the external variability ratio. Therefore, if future KNHANES conduct multiple 24-hour recalls every few years-similar to the U.S. NHANES-even for a subset of participants, this may aid in the accurate assessment of the nutritional status of the population.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.71-82
• /
• 2024

Purpose: Despite significant research on decision-making, researchers struggle to comprehend the decision-making process. This paper aims to not only examine the relationship between problem-solving skills, cognitive competency, and decision-making but also develop measurement instruments for cognitive competency and problem-solving skills to better model decision-making. Research Design, Methodology and Approach: A cross-sectional study was conducted by surveying 292 university students in HCM City, Vietnam, via email sent randomly by Google Forms. This study identifies the conceptual framework and tests the hypotheses using a deductive approach. The SPSS program was used to evaluate the scales' reliability, and the SmartPLS program was used to assess the measurement and structural models. Results: The results show that the research model better modelled the relationship between problem-solving skills, cognitive competency, and decision-making. Although thinking ability has no direct impact on decision-making, both creativity and problem-solving skills have a positive impact on decision-making. The mediating role of problem-solving skills is also determined by the positive relationship between cognitive competency and decision-making. Conclusions: This study highlights decision-making efficiency through the cognitive process from low to high levels and provides for policymakers and managers to explain the decision-making process in a variety of sectors, such as distribution chains, marketing, and human resource distribution.

• Imaging Science in Dentistry
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.365-373
• /
• 2023

Purpose: In the context of COVID-19, studies evaluating the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control are relevant due to their high occupational exposure and risk, as well as their responsibility for disseminating information and good practices. This study evaluated the adherence of dentists and dental students to infection control in the oral radiology field in the setting of the COVID-19 pandemic on different continents. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional observational study involved individuals who performed intraoral radiographic examinations during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Questionnaire on Infection Control in Oral Radiology was administered virtually using a Google Form. Participants from different continents(the Americas, Africa, Europe, Asia, and Oceania) were recruited. Data were subjected to descriptive analysis and simple and multiple binary regression (5%). Results: There were 582 valid answers, and 68.73% of the participants were from the Americas, 18.90% from Europe, and 12.37% from Asia. The median score for infection control protocols was 94 points for dental students and 104 points for dentists, and participants below the median were considered to have low adherence to infection control in oral radiology. Low access to infection control was found for 53.0% of dentists in the Americas, 34.0% from Europe, and 26.9% from Asia. Conclusion: The adherence to infection control protocols in oral radiology was low even in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic. The results may help improve the awareness of students and professionals, since oral radiology routines have the potential for transmitting COVID-19.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.945-958
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food literacy (FL) is a crucial skill for selecting sustainable and healthy food options, necessitating the identification of vulnerable groups in the community using valid measurement tools. Identifying weak domains in FL is essential for enhancing the overall FL. This study examined the FL levels of Seoul citizens based on their sociodemographic characteristics and assessed the relationship between FL, food intake, and weight status. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study utilized the data from the Seoul Food Survey, a cross-sectional study employing representative samples of Seoul citizens. Data collection occurred from September to October 2021, with 4,039 citizens aged 18 yrs and above participating in face-to-face surveys. Thirty-three FL items were assessed, comprising 14 items in the nutrition and safety (NS) domain, eight items in the cultural and relational (CR) domain, and 11 items in the socio-ecological (SE) domain. In addition, data on food intake sufficiency and obesity status were collected. The descriptive statistics, t-tests, analysis of variance, and logistic regression analysis were used for analysis. RESULTS: Men, students, young adults, older citizens, and people experiencing food insecurity had the lowest scores for all the FL domains. The highest quartile group of NS scores had a higher probability of consuming adequate servings of vegetables and fruits, with significant linear trends observed (P for trend < 0.05). In all three FL domains, the odds ratio for obesity was significantly lower in the groups with high FL scores (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: A close relationship was observed between low FL, obesity, and food intake, even after controlling for other covariates. Vulnerable groups with low FL were also identified. Therefore, it is essential to develop programs to improve FL and the health and well-being of these groups.