• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.5
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• pp.378-394
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• 2016

Purpose: Screening of preschool-age children for nutrition programs to improve dietary intake and behaviors requires cost-effective and easily administered validated assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to develop a parent/caregiver-administered instrument for measuring diet quality and behaviors of preschoolers as a nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P). Methods: Development of NQ-P was carried out in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. The 24-h dietary record was selected as the gold standard reference tool. The 38 items of the NQ-P checklist were derived from a systematic literature review, expert in-depth interviews, statistical analysis of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to parents who recorded 24-h dietary intakes of 100 responders aged 3~5 yr. Pearson's correlation was used to measure the level of agreement between questionnaires. Item reduction was performed, and 20 items were selected based on survey results, expert reviews, and priorities of national nutrition policy and recommendations. The 412 nationwide subjects sampled through daycare centers completed the 20-item checklist questionnaire. The construct validity of the NQ-P was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, LISREL. Results: After analyses of exploratory factors, NQ-P items identified three dimensions of diet (balance, moderation, and environment). The three-factor structure accounted for 49.28% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-P and three-factor scores of the subjects were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: A food behavior checklist for preschoolers' NQ would be a useful and suitable instrument for evaluating nutrition adequacy and dietary quality of Korean preschoolers.

• Asian-Australasian Journal of Animal Sciences
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• v.19 no.11
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• pp.1588-1596
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• 2006

An experiment was conducted to study the effect of different dietary protein levels on the performance, nutrient balances, blood biochemical parameters and thyroid hormones of crossbred calves. Thirty crossbred (Bos taurus${\times}$Bos indicus) calves aged 3-5 months were divided into 3 equal groups of 10 each and fed graded levels of crude protein, namely 100 (NP), 75 (LP) and 125 (HP) percent of the Kearl recommendations for 105 d. The calves had access to ad libitum oat hay as the basal roughage. A metabolism trial of 6 d duration was conducted at 90 d of the study. Blood collection and its analysis for various hematological and biochemical parameters as well as thyroid hormones was done both during the pre- and post-experimental periods. The fortnightly body weight changes and the net gain did not differ significantly due to dietary variation. The average daily gain was $367{\pm}21.6$, $347{\pm}22.9$ and $337{\pm}26.4g$ in calves fed NP, LP and HP diets, respectively. Averaged across the feeding trial, oat hay intake was higher (p<0.05) in NP animals than HP or LP fed groups. The dry matter (DM) intake showed no significant difference between the 3 groups but the DM digestibility was higher (p<0.05) in the HP fed animals. The digestibility of crude protein, organic matter, crude fiber and nitrogen-free extract was significantly higher (p<0.05) on HP diets compared to LP or NP diets. The calves on all 3 diets were in positive nitrogen (N) balance, however the N retention was higher (p<0.05) in HP than in LP fed calves. The intake and retention of calcium and phosphorus were similar between the treatments. The blood biochemical profile revealed no significant influence of the dietary treatments on hemoglobin, packed cell volume as well as serum levels of glucose, total protein, albumin, globulin, Ca, P, and alkaline phosphatase. Serum levels of the circulating thyroid hormones ($T_3$ and $T_4$) tended to be lower (p>0.05) on feeding of the LP diet besides showing an increasing trend with the advancement of age. Considering the similar performance and metabolic profile, it could be concluded that crossbred calves can be satisfactorily reared on 25% lower protein level as recommended by Kearl for developing countries, which would not only economize the cost of production but also help to reduce environmental pollution attributable to livestock production.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7749-7755
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• 2013

Nutritional status and dietary intake play a significant role in the prognosis of breast cancer and may modify the progression of disease. The aim of this study was to determine the influence of nutritional status on the quality of life of Iranian breast cancer survivors. Cross-sectional data were collected for 100 Iranian breast cancer survivors, aged 32 to 61 years, attending the oncology outpatient clinic at Golestan Hospital, Ahvaz, Iran. Nutritional status of subjects was assessed by anthropometric measurements, Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) and three non-consecutive 24-hour diet recalls. The European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life form (EORTC QLQ-C30) was used to assess quality of life. Ninety-four percent of the survivors were well-nourished, 6% were moderately malnourished or suspected of being malnourished while none were severely malnourished. Prevalence of overweight and obesity was 86%. Overall, participants had an inadequate intake of vitamin D, E, iron and magnesium according to dietary reference intake (DRI) recommendations. Survivors with better nutritional status had better functioning scales and experienced fewer clinical symptoms. It appears important to provide educational and nutritional screening programs to improve cancer survivor quality of life.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.6
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• pp.560-568
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• 2011

Consumption of a diet consistent with dietary guidelines is believed to have a beneficial effect on the prevention of chronic diseases and the promotion of general health. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between adherence to the Korean Food Guidance System (KFGS), which was based on the 2010 revised KDRIs, and the risk of metabolic abnormalities. Five hundred and ninety-six Korean adults between 30 and 59 years of age were recruited by advertisement to the Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital (BJGH), and those not taking regular medications and without diagnoses of fulminant disease were included. Data were collected on anthropometric measurements, diagnostic parameters for metabolic syndrome (MetS), and 3-day dietary intakes from individuals in the study. The number of servings consumed from each food group was compared to the KFGS recommended servings for each of the 6 food groups. Poor adherence to the recommendations for servings of milk and dairy products (OR: 2.038, 1.128-3.682) was associated with a higher risk of MetS, and poor adherence to the guidelines for fruit consumption (OR: 1.849, 1.027-3.329) was associated with a higher risk for the existence an elevated waist circumference. Conversely, the consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and beans above the recommended number of servings was associated with a lower risk of having an elevated waist circumference (OR: 0.523, 0.288-0.950), and the consumption of vegetables above the recommended number of servings was associated with a reduced risk of having elevated fasting glucose (OR: 0.533, 0.298-0.954). These results suggest that adherence to the KFGS guidelines helps to prevent the development of MetS, but this association needs to be confirmed by prospective studies.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.295-306
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• 2001

The purpose of the study was to develop an internet nutritional counseling program using an expert system to assist obese people to lose weight through behavior modification. The internet counseling program for weight loss was developed by the accumulation of knowledge dealing with eating habits and exercising behaviors in expert system tool, Knowledge Engineering Agent (KEA) by a dietitian without any help of computer expert. To accumulate knowledge into KEA, survey was performed in 150 obese people, dietitians reviewed and consulted each survey case, and the consulted contents were learned and accumulated into KEA. Survey questionnaire was the same as that of the internet consulting program, and it included general characteristics, dietary habits, lifestyle, and exercise patterns related to obesity. Also, the dietitian selected proper factors inferred from the survey questionnaire of each case, and added the conclusions for them. Conclusions were made for helping clients to correct bad eating behaviors and accumulate good behaviors to lose weight. Counseling was divided into two parts; a two-week part and a daily part. Two-week counseling was performed based on 4 step questionnaires, and daily counseling was done for daily food consumption and physical activity. When clients answered survey questionnaires in a counseling internet program, the recommendations on how to eat, to exercise and to deal with stress in a real time for each case, was given. In conclusion, a counseling internet program for weight reduction can be used to give advices how to deal with obesity in a man-to-man way in a real time using KEA where nutritional knowledge based on behavior modification for weight loss was accumulated.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.327-333
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• 2007

The present study was carried out to evaluate the physiological effects of mushroom supplementation on blood glucose levels, lipid profile, and antioxidant enzyme activities in subjects with type 2 diabetes mellitus. Subjects were randomized into either a control group or mushroom supplementation group. Mushroom supplementation was provided 3 times a day for 4 weeks. We found that total dietary fiber intake was about 2.5 times higher (30.3 g vs. 12.3 g) in subjects receiving mushroom supplementation than in the control group. Two groups maintained the same food intake and amount of activity, exercise during the supplementation. We observed no difference in age, height, weight, BMI (body mass index), blood pressure between the groups. Nutrient intake did not differ appreciably between the two groups, except for fiber intake, during the supplementation. Fasting blood glucose levels and 2-hour postprandial blood glucose levels were significantly lower in those ingesting mushroom than in controls. Furthermore, the concentrations of low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were decreased significantly in the mushroom supplementation group. Small changes were observed in the concentration of total cholesterol, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol of those supplemented with mushroom, but these changes were not statistically significant. Activities of superoxide dismutase and catalase with mushroom supplementation were higher than in controls, but and glutathione peroxidase activity was not affected. The levels of thiobarbituric acid reactive substance of mushroom group were lower than control group, but were not significant. We conclude that addition of mushroom influences glycemic control and may be effective in lowering blood lipids and improving antioxidant enzyme activities. Accordingly, such effects may reduce risk factors for cardiovascular disease in patients with type 2 diabetes. However, to confirm these effects and to make dietary recommendations for patients with type 2 diabetes, further studies are necessary.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.372-386
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• 2000

This study was conducted to assess anthropemrtric, health status, nutritional status, and their correlations in 120 female college students in Kyunggido area. The questionnaires on general living habits, food habits and energy expenditure were used, and nutrient intakes were estimated by Convenience Method. Anthropometric measurement, blood pressure, hemoglobin(Hb), hematocrit(Hct) were also determined. The mean values for BMI, RBW, and blood pressure of the subjects were 20.4$\pm$2.4, 92.9$\pm$16.0% and 108.9/69.6mmHg, respectively. Estimation of body fat from two sites of skinfolds thickness(20.6$\pm$6.0%) and four sites of skinfolds thickness(20.1 $\pm$8.6%) was similar, but different from BIA method(23.9$\pm$3.9%). The subjects of 36.9% considered themselves healthy, and 15.4% of them considered themselves not healthy. The mean values for Hb and Hct were 13.4$\pm$ 1.6g/dl, and 41.5$\pm$0.4%, respectively. The prevalence rates of iron deficiency assessed by Hb and Hct were found to be 19.8% and 6.3%, accordingly. The mean energy intake of subjects was 1,841 kcal. The proportion of energy derived from carbohydrates, protein and fat was 64.9%, 14.7%, and 20.4%, respectively As nutrient intake was compared to RDA for Koreans, intakes of energy, calcium, iron, and vitamin A fell short of recommendations. Intakes of energy, fat, iron, vitamin B$_2$, and niacin were positively correlated with total energy expenditure. These results suggest that appropriate reference data are important to maintain the health of female college students.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.419-428
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• 2015

Purpose: The current study was conducted in order to develop the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) for assessing adherence to national dietary guidelines and comprehensive diet quality of healthy Korean adults using the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. Methods: The candidate components of KHEI were selected based on literature reviews, dietary guidelines for Korean adults, 2010 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (2010 KDRI), and objectives of HP 2020. The associations between candidate components and risk of obesity, abdominal obesity, and metabolic syndrome were assessed using the 5th KNHANES data. The expert review process was also performed. Results: Diets that meet the food group recommendations per each energy level receive maximum scores for the 9 adequacy components of the index. Scores for amounts between zero and the standard are prorated linearly. For the three moderation components among the total of five, population probability densities were examined when setting the standards for minimum and maximum scores. Maximum scores for the total of 14 components are 100 points and each component has maximum scores of 5 (fruit intakes excluding juice, fruit intake including juice, vegetable intakes excluding Kimchi and pickles, vegetable intake including Kimchi or pickles, ratio of white meat to read meat, whole grains intake, refined grains intake, and percentages of energy intake from carbohydrate) or 10 points (protein foods intake, milk and dairy food intake, having breakfast, sodium intake, percentages of energy intake from empty calorie foods, and percentages of energy intake from fat). The KHEI is a measure of diet quality as specified by the key diet recommendations of the dietary guidelines and 2010 KDRIs. Conclusion: The KHEI will be used as a tool for monitoring diet quality of the Korean population and subpopulations, evaluation of nutrition interventions and research.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.629-647
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was undertaken to develop a nutrition quotient for elementary school children (NQ-C) for evaluating the overall dietary quality and eating behaviors. Methods: The NQ-C was developed by implementing 3 stages: item generation, item reduction, and validation. Candidate food behavior checklist (FBC) items of the NQ-C were derived from systematic literature reviews, expert in-depth interviews, statistical analyses of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. For the pilot survey, 260 elementary school students (128 second graders and 132 fifth graders) completed self-administered questionnaires as well as 24-hour dietary intakes, with the help of their parents and survey team staff, if required. Based on the pilot survey results, expert reviews, and priorities of national nutrition policy and recommendations, checklist items were reduced from 41 to 24. A total of 20 items for NQ-C were finally selected from results generated from 1,144 nationwide samples surveyed. Construct validity of the NQ-C was assessed using the confirmatory factor analysis, LInear Structural RELations. Results: Analyses of the exploratory factors of NQ-C identified that 5 dimensions of diet (balance, diversity, moderation, practice and environment) accounted for 46.2% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-C and 5-factor scores of the subjects were calculated using the obtained weights of the FBC items. Conclusion: Our data indicates that NQ-C is a useful and suitable instrument for assessing nutrition adequacy, dietary quality, and eating behaviors of Korean elementary school children.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.104-114
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• 2016

In this study, we investigated protection motivation and behavioral intention to prevent serious illnesses related to excessive sodium intake among the university students in Gyeongnam and Busan. Within the protection motivation theory (PMT) framework, a survey questionnaire was developed to measure participants' perceptions on the severity of and the vulnerability to the threat of serious diseases due to the high sodium intake as well as the effectiveness of preventive measures (response efficacy), and the ability to perform them (self-efficacy) along with their willingness to follow recommendations (behavioral intention). Data was collected in June 2015. Study participants were divided into either low (n=117) or high (n=177) sodium intake behavior groups based on their current behaviors. Exploratory factor analysis was performed to measure construct validity and Cronbach's alpha was calculated to check reliability of measurement items. The high sodium intake behavior group perceived higher vulnerability than the low sodium intake behavior group among four PMT factors. Differences of the other three factors were not significant between the two groups. The results of hierarchical regression analysis indicated that self-efficacy and response efficacy affected behavioral intention of high sodium intake behavior among students. Hence, development of strategies to increase self-efficacy and response efficacy are strongly recommended.