• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.120-135
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• 2024

Purpose: This study examined the factors affecting sugar intake in adults based on social cognitive theory. Methods: An online survey regarding the intake frequency of sugar-source food, factors related to sugar intake based on social cognitive theory, perceptions of sugar intake, and health-related factors was conducted in October 2019 with 1,022 adults (502 men and 520 women) aged 19-49 years. The intake frequency of sugar-source food was divided into tertiles using percentiles based on the daily frequency. Results: The daily intake frequency of sugar-source foods was 4 times, with beverages (1.87 times/day) and sweetened coffee (0.81 times/day) being the highest among the food groups and types, respectively. The group with a high intake frequency of sugar-source food had a high negative outcome expectation for reducing sugar intake, and was in a home and social environment with easy access to sweet food. Women in this group showed low self-efficacy and poor behavioral capability in reducing sugar intake. Self-control had the lowest average score among the factors of social cognitive theory (2.56/5 points), followed by nutrition knowledge related to sugar (5.42/10 points). As a result of regression analysis, the social cognitive factor affecting the intake frequency of sugar-sourced foods was found to be home environment for both men and women. On the other hand, factors contributing to reducing sugar intake were positive outcome expectations for men and behavioral skills for women. Conclusion: Dietary education and nutritional interventions for adults, including changes in the home environment with easy access to sweet foods, can reduce sugar intake and raise positive expectations for reduced sugar intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.228-241
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• 2018

Purpose: The health risk of women increases after menopause. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a public health center-based nutrition education program for hypertension in women older than 50 years of age. Methods: The program included 8-week nutrition education and 8-week follow-up with keeping a health diary and nutrition counseling. The program was evaluated three times: before and after the nutrition education, and after the follow-up. The subjects were classified into hypertensives (n = 44) or normotensives (n = 71). Results: The rate of taking antihypertensive drugs in the hypertensive group was 86.4%. The systolic blood pressure decreased in the hypertensive and normotensive groups after nutrition education (p < 0.05). The body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), and percent body fat (p < 0.01) were also decreased after nutrition education in both groups. The hypertensive group showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol level (p < 0.001) and decreases in triglycerides (p < 0.01) and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) levels after completion of the program. The normotensive group also displayed significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglycerides (p < 0.01). The dietary habits and nutrition knowledge on sodium and hypertension were improved in both groups (p < 0.001). The total score of dietary behavior related to the sodium intake was improved in the normotensive group (p < 0.001). The total score of the high sodium dish frequency questionnaire decreased in both groups after nutrition education and completion of the program compared to that before the program. Decreases in the consumption frequencies of noodles, pot stews and stews, Kimchi, and beverages were significant. The total self-efficacy score was increased in both groups by the program (p < 0.001). In particular, the hypertensive group showed improvement in all items. Conclusion: This public health center-based nutrition education program may contribute to the prevention and management of hypertension and chronic diseases in women over 50 years of age.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.174-187
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was performed to evaluate an education program for housewives to reduce sodium intake based on the social cognitive theory. Methods: Housewives (n = 387) received 2 education sessions focused on food purchase and cooking, and completed a questionnaire on their perceptions of environmental, cognitive, and behavioral factors and the stages of behavioral change to reducing sodium intake both before and after the education program. Results: After the education program, the recognition of social efforts for sodium reduction and sodium labeling and experience with low-sodium products increased. Positive expectancies for the prevention of osteoporosis by the reduction of sodium were enhanced while the main barriers in practicing sodium reduction decreased, especially 'interrupting social relationships when dining with others', 'bad taste', 'preference for soup or stew', and 'limited knowledge and skills to practice'. In addition, cognition and nutrition knowledge related to reducing sodium intake were improved on all scores, but the effect on self-efficacy and dietary behavior was limited to only a few items. The percentage of participants in the pre-action stage (including pre-contemplation, contemplation, and preparation stages) for reducing sodium intake decreased from 43.2% before education to 21.5% after education, while that in the action stage increased from 19.6% before education to 43.5% after education (p < 0.001). The education program had the most significant impact on participants who were in the pre-action stage and showed improved scores in all sections. Conclusion: These results suggest that a customized education program for housewives could be an effective tool to reduce sodium intake by improving personal expectancies, cognition, and nutrition knowledge regarding sodium reduction and enabling a greater section of the population to move to the action stage of reducing sodium intake.