• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.415-424
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Existing evidence on lifestyle modification programs for weight loss is limited by the high attrition rate of such programs. Identifying predictors of adherence to a lifestyle modification program could result in program improvement. However, little is known about behavior-specific adherence and its psychological predictors. This study aimed to examine the psychological predictors of adherence after one-month participation in a community-based lifestyle modification program among Chinese overweight and obese adults in Hong Kong. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 205 Chinese overweight and obese adults aged $38.9{\pm}10.5years$ completed the study. Data were collected at baseline and after one month using self-reported questionnaires, which assessed knowledge (self-developed scale), motivation (Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire), stage of change (Stage of Exercise Scale) and self-efficacy (Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale). At one month, a 4-day dietary recall and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form were used to assess dietary and physical activity (PA) adherence. Food and PA diaries were examined to indicate self-monitoring. Program attendance was tracked between baseline and one-month follow-up. RESULTS: After one month, participants reported high dietary adherence, attendance, and adherence to self-monitoring but low PA adherence. Multiple regression analyses suggested that diet self-efficacy (baseline) and nutrition knowledge (one-month change) were independent predictors of dietary adherence score at one month, whereas autonomous PA motivation (baseline) and PA self-efficacy (both baseline and one-month change) were independent predictors of PA adherence score at one month. No significant psychological predictor was identified for attendance or self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the effect of psychological factors on adherence differs between diet and PA adherence outcomes. To promote adherence, practitioners should assess self-efficacy, knowledge, and motivation at the beginning of a weight-loss program and explore behavior-specific strategies to improve knowledge and self-efficacy. The results of this study have direct implications for program improvements.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.707-719
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• 2008

This study was carried out to find the relationship among dietary behavior, dietary self efficacy and nutrition knowledge according to the perceived body shape of the 5th and 6th grade elementary students in Gangwon Province and found out their relationships. The results are as follows; The factors that showed significant difference according to perceived body shape were gender, father's education level, the number of siblings, birth order, obesity of parents and siblings and ideal body shape. For the perceived body shape, the students answered generally normal(48.9%), slightly fat(27.9%), thin(16.5%) and very fat(6.7%). Out of total students 76.5% of them were not satisfied with their body shape such that satisfactory(23.5%), want to lose weight(61.4%) and want to increase weight(15.1%). The score of eating behavior showed significant difference between perceived body shape on such questions as eating speed(p<0.001), frequency of fatty food intake(p<0.001), adequate intake quantity(p<0.001), balanced diet(p<0.05), frequency of going out to eat(p<0.001). The score of diet self efficacy showed significant difference in the area of general habit on such questions as whether to eat slowly together with friends (p<0.001), whether to eat adequate quantity(p<0.001), whether not to have snacks after dinner(p<0.001). And in the area of food selection it showed significant difference on such questions as to select ice cream in stead of yoplait(p<0.001). In the area of social circumstance it showed significant difference on such questions as to reject the food(p<0.01) and to restrain food in birthday party or holiday(p<0.05). In the area of emotional status it showed significant difference on the question about food restrain when boring and depressed(p<0.05 respectively). The score of nutrition knowledge showed significant difference according to the perceived body shape on such questions as total score(p<0.01), five basic food group(p<0.05), snack and body weight(p<0.001), calcium function(p<0.01). It showed perceived body shape co-related with the nutrition knowledge(p<0.01). In summary, the perceived body shape for the highly eating behavior was generally normal, for the highly dietary self efficacy was slightly fat, and for the highly nutrition knowledge was also slightly fat.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.306-318
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• 2003

This study was performed to investigate the dietary attitudes and nutrient intakes of nurses. A total of 291 nurses working at hospitals in the Kyungnam area participated in the study. The general characteristics and dietary attitudes of the subjects were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and nutrient intakes was examined using one-day 24-hour recall method. The results were as follows : 67.7 percent of the subjects were nurses, 32.3% were nursing assistants. Average age of the subjects was 26.9 years old, average nursing experience was 5.7 years, and 70.7% of the subjects graduated from junior college. The rates of shift work (45.4%) and non-shift work (54.6%) were similar, and 91.5% of subjects worked on a three-shift a day schedule. The average nutrition knowledge score was 14.3 $\pm$ 2.5 out of a possible 20 points. Most of the nurses had experienced dietary problems such as skipping meals and overeating. Sixty-eight point three percent of the nurses had breakfast less than 3 times a week, and the main reason for skipping meals was a lack of time. Most of the nurses (74.1%) didn't exercise regularly. The average score on dietary habits was 55.6 out of 100, and most of the subjects belonged to the‘fair’group in terms of dietary habits. Married nurses, and those over 31 years of age, scored significantly higher on dietary habits than unmarried nurses, and those under 25 years of age (p < 0.001), and the scores significantly increased with increasing age. Mean daily carbohydrate and fat intake was 231.5 $\pm$ 66.1 g, 41.1 $\pm$ 18.8 g, and cholesterol and crude fiber intake was 238.2 $\pm$ 184.6 mg, 5.2 $\pm$ 2.0 g. respectively. Compared with the recommended allowances, the energy (1560.0 $\pm$ 448.5 kcal), calcium (453.8 $\pm$ 222.3 mg) iron (10.6 $\pm$ 7.6 mg), vitamin A (658.5 $\pm$ 538.1 R.E) and vitamin B$_2$ (0.96 $\pm$ 0.5 mg) figures were below the Korean RDA, and the protein (65.9 $\pm$ 31.0 g), vitamin B, (1.14 $\pm$ 0.5 mg), vitamin C (143.2 $\pm$ 119.6 mg), niacin (14.4 $\pm$ 6.3 mg) and phosphorus (958.1 $\pm$ 352.1 mg) figures were above the Korean RDA. The average carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of energy intake was 60：17：23. The intake ratio of Ca and P showed an unbalance of 1：2. The dietary habits had a positive correlation (p < 0.001) with nutrition intake except vitamin A and vitamin C. Therefore, In order to improve overall dietary behavior and nutritional status, systematic nutrition education programs should be developed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 1986

This study was attempted to investigate the effect of family environment on the dietary quality of adolescence. The subjected were 390 girls aged from 13 to 19 and their mothers in Chung-Nam province area. The survey was conducted from Febril 6 to 16, 1985. The results can be summarized as follows ; 1) The mean dietary score of nutrient adequacy of subjects was 11.85 out of possible 17, which showed that all nutrients intake might be lower than the R.D.A. 2) According to resident place, dietary quality was tended to be better in order of rural place, small city and medium city 9P<0.01). 3) In smaller numbers of family members, dietary quality was tended to be better (P<0.01). 4) Family pattern did not affect the dietary quality. 5) According to socioeconomic status, dietary quality was tended to be better at the upper class(P<0.05). 6) Dietary quality was tended to be better according to the increase of PCEF(per capita expenditure for food). 7) Mother's employment was likely to improve the dietary quality (P<0.01). 8) Dietary quality was tended to be better according to mother's favored attitude toward nutrition(P<0.01). 9) Mother's attitude toward taste affected the dietary quality, but this effect was not constant(P<0.01). 10) Mother's attitude toward family's food preference affected the dietary quality adversely (P<0.01). 11) Mother's score of nutrition knowledge was likely to affect the dietary quality. 12) Dietary quality was positively correlated to health status of subjects. And there was a significantly negative correlation between dietary quality and menarcheal age (P<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.218-228
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• 2006

This study was carried out to evaluate the usefulness and the effectiveness of the nutrition education website 'ifood(http://ifood.or.kr)', for children. A total of 262 children (5th and 6th graders) participated in the self-education program using the website which consisted of 4 sessions every two weeks. In each session, they were asked to answer some questions on the comprehensiveness of each topic while navigating the website. Nutrition knowledge (20 items), dietary attitudes (7 items), and dietary behaviors (10 items) were evaluated using questionnaires before and after the education. After the education, the usefulness and readability of the website was also evaluated. Most (97.2%) of the responders reported that the education using this website was helpful, 97.3% thought that the contents were reliable, 90.1% responded that the contents were easy to understand, and 88.8% answered that they would revisit 'ifood'. The menus they liked best were 'Interesting games' for 35.8%, 'How can I cook?' for 17.8%, 'How can I become slim' for 16.4%. This website might be more attractive by providing a 'greater variety of contents in detail', 'more music, motion pictures and images', 'more interesting games'. After the education, there was a significant increase in nutrition knowledge scores from 10.9 to 13.1. Although the total scores of dietary attitudes and dietary behaviors did not improve, there was a significant increase in each of some questions. These results showed that 'ifood', a nutritional education website, was desirable in reliability, aesthetics and enjoyability, and was effective in improving nutrition knowledge and some of dietary attitudes and behaviors in children.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.647-660
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of nutrition education program and pamphlet for the lower grades elementary students focused on individual daily needed food exchange units using Food Exchange System. Program consisted of four lessons (40 min/lesson), "5 major nutrients & function", "6 food group and sources", "daily needed food exchange units for normal body weight", and "smart snack choice and exercise". Pamphlet as activity book was developed for the program. The subjects were 3rd grade elementary students (educated group, 31 vs. non-educated group, 31). Educated group were lessoned as group and/or individual. We examined the differences in nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, dietary intakes and satisfaction of the program and pamphlet. In educated group, there were positive improvements on nutrition knowledge score "function and foods of 5 nutrients" and on dietary attitudes "type of breakfast and snacks". In the evaluation of dietary intakes according to KDRI, there were positive improvements on intakes level of riboflavin, vit. C, folate, Ca, P, Fe and Zn in educated group. In satisfaction with the program and pamphlet, contents, font size, visual, figure, difficulty and program curriculum were over 2.90/3.0. It showed that the developed nutrition education program and pamphlet focused on individual daily needed food exchange units using Food Exchange System improved nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes and nutrients intake level in the lower grades elementary students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.27-40
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• 2014

Dyslipidemia is a component of the metabolic syndrome and a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. Nutrition counseling is important to improve dyslipidemia. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition counseling in adults with risk factors for dyslipidemia diagnosed by the national health screening program. The nutrition counseling for adults with risk factors for dyslipidemia was carried out at a public health center in Gyeonggi-do. Thirty four patients out of forty five participants in the program completed the nutrition counseling program. The nutrition counseling was provided 3 times during a 12-week period. Individualized nutrition counseling to improve dietary habits was conducted after examining participants' dietary intake through questionnaires about dietary habits and whether they practice dietary guidelines. Data about serum lipid profiles, body composition, nutrition knowledge, the practice of dietary guidelines, and dietary behavior were collected before and after nutrition counseling to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition counseling. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS program (Korea ver.18.0) and significant difference was evaluated by paired t-test and ${\chi}^2$-test. Body weight, body fat and WHR were significantly decreased after nutrition counseling. Total-cholesterol, TG, and LDL-cholesterol were significantly decreased but HDL-cholesterol did not show significant changes. Both scores of nutrition knowledge and the practice of dietary guidelines improved significantly (p < 0.001). This study shows that nutrition counseling helps to encourage healthy eating practices and to improve serum lipid profiles of adults with risk factors for dyslipidemia. Overall, results indicated that nutrition counseling resulted in positive changes to lower the reliance on medications. Therefore, nutrition counseling should be considered for the initial treatment of dyslipidemia.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.453-465
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• 2014

This study surveyed 266 housewives residing in a Gyeonggi-provincial area for their dietary attitudes, dietary habits, nutrition knowledge, and application of nutrition information to daily life according to whether they use nutrition labeling. The survey on the dietary attitudes of the subjects showed that the points of "think that nutrition affects health", "quite interested in nutrition and health information", "like developing and trying new diverse recipes", and "persistently try new foods" were higher among those who check out nutrition labeling (Check group, n=112) than those who do not check out nutrition labeling (No check group, n=154). Reason for snacking, the Check group reported higher in the reasons of "for taking nutrients" but lower in the reasons of "do not eat enough meal" and "impulsively" than the No check group (p<0.01). Asked about why they check the nutrition labeling, the Check group answered "to compare products with each other" and "to purchase healthy food" whereas the No check group said "to decide whether the food is safe or not" and "to reduce body weight" (p<0.01). The Check group showed more recognition on the significance of the nutrition labeling and application to their actual daily lives than the No check group. Therefore, our results suggest that proper use of nutrition labeling is expected to improve dietary attitudes and dietary habits as well as enhance the application of nutrition information to actual daily life and promote health not only for the housewives but also for their family members as well.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.557-565
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• 2004

This study was conducted to assess the effect of nutrition counseling for postoperative female breast cancer patients (N = 38). In baseline survey, we investigated the nutrition parameters by measuring anthropometric and biochemical blood index and assessing nutrient intake using recall method. Individual nutrition counseling was performed 3 times with 2 - 3 weeks intervals. Patients were offered nutrition information related to breast cancer and desirable life style after cancer operation. The effects of counseling program were assessed 2 month later. Of biochemical parameters, serum total cholesterol level was significantly reduced after nutrition counseling program. Nutrient intakes of postoperative breast cancer patients were generally below the RDA level at the baseline survey. After nutrition counseling, mean daily intake of total energy, protein, calcium were significantly elevated. Of dietary habit, meal regularity and control of portion size were improved and fruits and vegetables intake were significantly increased after nutrition counseling. Control of fatty food intake and alcohol drinking were significantly improved after nutrition counseling program. Score of general nutrition knowledge and knowledge about breast cancer, were significantly increased after nutrition counseling from 2.1 to 3.2 and from 2.3 to 3.8, respectively. It can be postulated that the dietary habit and nutrients intake of postoperative breast cancer patients can be improved by individual nutrition counseling program. In further study, the systematic group nutrition counseling program is needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.92-98
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of food allergies in Korean children aged 6 to 12 years increased from 10.9% in 1995 to 12.6% in 2012 according to nationwide population studies. Treatment for food allergies is avoidance of allergenic-related foods and epinephrine auto-injector (EPI) for accidental allergic reactions. This study compared knowledge and perception of food allergy labeling and dietary practices of students. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study was conducted with the fourth to sixth grade students from an elementary school in Yongin. A total of 437 response rate (95%) questionnaires were collected and statistically analyzed. RESULTS: The prevalence of food allergy among respondents was 19.7%, and the most common food allergy-related symptoms were urticaria, followed by itching, vomiting and nausea. Food allergens, other than 12 statutory food allergens, included cheese, cucumber, kiwi, melon, clam, green tea, walnut, grape, apricot and pineapple. Children with and without food allergy experience had a similar level of knowledge on food allergies. Children with food allergy experience thought that food allergy-related labeling on school menus was not clear or informative. CONCLUSION: To understand food allergies and prevent allergic reactions to school foodservice among children, schools must provide more concrete and customized food allergy education.