• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.4
• /
• pp.489-497
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to determine if Mehrabian's eating-related characteristics questionnaire could be effectively applied in predicting obesity and eating disorders among Korean college students by examining the correlations between eating-related characteristics and anthropometry, nutrient intakes, psychological aspects of depression, and personality dimensions. The data were collected from 151 female students in classes of nutrition or psychology in Kyungnam University. Measurements of height, weight and triceps skinfold thickness (TSf) were made by well-trained interviewers, and BMI was calculated. Daily nutrient intakes were obtained from the self-reported three-day dietary records for the kinds and the amounts of foods consumed by the student subjects. The students were also asked to complete three questionnaires : Mehrabian's eating-related characteristics questionnaire, Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, and the Berk Depression Inventory. The results of the study were as follows : 1) Reliability of factored homogeneous item dimensions (FHIDS) of the translated version of the eating-related characteristics questionnaire showed a similar profile compared with the original. Moreover, the loading values of Cronbach-$\alpha$ for some FHIDs, which were excluded in order to constitute primary-level factors (for example, 'predisposition to obesity' etc) with a high reliability, were much lower than Mehrabian's. Therefore the eating-related characteristics questionnaire could be effectively used for Korean students for predicting predisposition to obesity and eating disorders. 2) With regard to the relationship between anthropometric indices and eating-related characteristics, BMI measurements showed a high and a positive correlation with 'predisposition to obesity' and 'uncontrollable urges to eat', and a negative correlation with a 'predisposition to anorexia'. The heavier body weight and the more fat mass that the subjects had, the higher the probability that the subjects were overeating. 3) The intakes of some minerals (Fe, K, Na) and Vitamin C showed significantly negative correlations with a 'predisposition to obesity' and a 'predisposition to anorexia'. But the intakes of vitamin B$_2$, niacin, and retinol were positively correlated with'uncontrollable urges to eat'. 4) Among personality dimensions, neuroticism had a positive correlation with a 'predisposition to obesity', 'uncontrollable urges to eat', and 'predisposition to anorexia'. 5) Neuroticism was negatively correlated with intakes of calories, carbohydrates, K, Fe, Vitamin C, etc. On the contrary, all personality dimensions were positively correlated with intakes of retinol. In conclusion, the translated version of Mehrabian's eating-related characteristics questionnaire appears to be effective for nutritional or psychological assessments of any predisposition to eating disorders among Korean college students.

• Korean Journal of Biological Psychiatry
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.245-253
• /
• 2011

Objectives In the current study, we quantitatively estimated changes in appetite and eating behavior of bipolar disorder patients during the pharmacotherapy. We also investigated their contribution to the weight gain and their association with specific food-craving characteristics of the patients. Methods Subjects included forty-one bipolar disorder patients and fifty-six controls. Currently sustained natures of food craving were assessed using the General-Food Craving Questionnaire-Trait (G-FCQ-T) and changes in appetite and eating behavior were measured using the Drug-Related Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DR-EBQ). Results Compared to the control group, the patients' group showed significantly higher body mass index (t=2.028, p=0.045). The patients' group had significantly higher 'Preoccupation with food' factor score of G-FCQ-T (p=0.016) than that of the control group. Hierarchical multiple regression analysis showed that only 'preoccupation with food' factor independently predicted psychotropic medication-induced appetite change. Conclusions Appetite change while receiving psychotropic medication seems to be related to the weight-gain and associated with craving natures of 'preoccupation with food' in bipolar disorder. Appetite and/or eating behavioral changes measured by G-FCQ-T and DR-EBQ could be regarded as an important mediating factor in future studies exploring biological mechanisms of weight gain related with pharmacotherapy for bipolar disorder.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.39-48
• /
• 1995

This study was designed to investigate the role of weight control in the formation of underlying pathology in eating disorder or eating related problems. The subjects were 304 college athletes(Male : 187. Female: 121) and they were divided into two groups according to need for weight control(Weght control group: 110, Weght non control group: 194). The authors used self report questionnaire which was composed of epidemiologic data, food habit scale, eating attitude test, scale for locus of control for weight, scale for food preference and eating behavior. And we also used Eysenck Personality Questionnaire of Korean standardized edition for assessment of personality characteristics, Beck depression inventory, and the scale of hypochondriasis. The results were as follows: 1) Body mass index and the amount of cigarrette smoking and alcohol drinking showed significant differences by sex but not by need for weight control. 2) Eating habit of female athletes was the worst in all athletes. The score of eating attitude test of female athletes was higher than that of male athletes but there was no significant difference by need for weight control. Food preference and eating related behavior was also different by sex. 3) There were no significant differences in all subscales of Eysenck Personality Questionnaire, Beck depression inventory, and the scale of hypochondriasis between two groups which were divided by need for weight control. Neuroticism score was higher in female atheletes and psychoticism score was the highest in weight control male atheletes. 4) There was no significant difference in number of population with abnormal EAT score(to-tal score$\geq$26) between two groups which were divided by need for weight control. 5) The score of eating attitude test had positive correlation with the score of psychoticism and the tendency of depression in weight control male athletes but not in non-weight control male athletes. In non-weight control male athletes, the score of eating attitude test had positive correlation with the score of lie scale. so its correlation is different from those of weight control male athletes. But in female athletes, the score of eating attitude test had significant positive correlation with the score of psychoticism in both groups. In conclusion, these results suggest that the differences of eating traits in athletes are depend upon the sex difference, not upon the need for weight control. and that the role of weight control in eating disorder or abnormal eating attitude differs according to sex.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.93-103
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The aim of study was to examine the prevalence of night eating syndrome(NES) and its correlates in schizophrenic outpatients. Methods : The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 201 schizophrenic patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating, and weight-related quality of life using Beck's Depression Inventory(BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Binge Eating Scale(BES) and Korean version of Obesity-Related Quality of Life Scale(KOQoL), respectively. Results : The prevalence of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients was 10.4%(21 of 201). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in sociodemographic characteristics, clinical status and BMI. Compared to non-NES, patients with NES reported significantly greater depressed mood and sleep disturbance, more binge eating pattern, and decreased weight-related quality of life. While 'morning anorexia' and 'delayed morning meal'(2 of 5 NES core components in NEQ) were not differed between groups, 'nocturnal ingestions', 'evening hyperphagia', and 'mood/sleep' were more impaired in NES group. Conclusions : These findings are the first to describe the prevalence and its correlates of night eaters in schizophrenic outpatients. These results suggest that NES has negative mental health implications, although it was not associated with obesity. Further study to generalize these results is required.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.112-120
• /
• 2014

Objectives : The aim of this study is to evaluate the clinical characteristics of night eating syndrome(NES) in bipolar disorder outpatients. Methods : The 14 items of self-reported night eating questionnaire(NEQ) was administered to 84 bipolar patients in psychiatric outpatient clinic. We examined demographic and clinical characteristics, body mass index(BMI), subjective measures of mood, sleep, binge eating & weight-related quality of life using Beck's Depression Inventory (BDI), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI), Binge Eating Scale(BES) and Korean version of Obesity-Related Quality of Life Scale(KOQoL), respectively. Results : The prevalence of night eating syndrome in bipolar outpatients was 14.3%(12 of 84). Comparisons between NES group and non-NES group revealed no significant differences in demographic characteristics, BMI and clinical status except economic status and comorbid medical illnesses. However, compared to non-NES, patients with NES was more likely to have binge eating pattern and poorer weight-related quality of life. Conclusions : This study is to be the first to describe the clinical correlates of night eaters in bipolar outpatients. Although there were few significant correlates of NES in bipolar outpatients, relatively high prevalence of NES suggest that clinicians should be aware to assess the patients with bipolar disorder on NES, regardless of obesity status of patients.

• Mood & Emotion
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.169-177
• /
• 2018

Objectives : Despite the lack of domestic research, eating alone has been reported to be related to depression. We investigated correlation between eating alone, and depression, among women age 65 and older. Methods : Among women registered in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, 1,119 elderly in 2014, and 1,189 in 2016, were analyzed. Eating alone and the degree of depression were assessed, using a questionnaire and the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 respectively. The relationship between eating alone and depression, was analyzed using multilevel logistic regression. Results : In 2014 data, eating alone had significant effect on depression, as the explanatory power is increased to 30.4% in a 'three meals eating alone a day' group (${\beta}=0.128$, p<0.05), when the eating alone parameter is added to demographic factors and health characteristics. In 2016, exploitation of 'the frequency of eating alone' variable led to increment of explanatory power to 22.3%, that was not statistically significant. Conclusion : The result of this study suggests that eating alone among women age 65 and older, was a risk factor of depression in 2014, and is becoming a new life pattern as a social and cultural phenomenon in 2016.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.280-290
• /
• 2015

Diet is closely related to an economic level, but few studies have reported on the relationship between the economic level and eating habits, especially in college students. Therefore, this study was conducted to clarify differences in eating habits with a focus on processed foods according to allowance level in college students. This study was a cross-sectional survey of 500 college students using a questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of general characteristics, eating behaviors, purchase of processed foods, and preference and intake frequency of processed foods. All subjects were classified based on monthly allowance: less than \300,000 (n=149), \300,000~400,000 (n=177), and more than \400,000 (n=124). All survey results were comparatively analyzed among the spending money groups. As the level of spending money of the subjects increased, the rate of skipping meals, eating out, and unbalanced diet increased (P<0.05). The reason for consuming processed foods was because they are easy to prepare. The factor considered the most when buying processed foods was price. However, these results showed no significant difference according to level of spending money. As spending money increased preference for retort, convenience, canned, and bottled foods significantly increased. Intake frequency of dairy products was lower, and the frequency of processed foods was significantly higher with more spending money. This study found that a higher level of monthly allowance in college students, was associated with higher rate of skipping meals, eating out, and unbalanced diet, and the preference and intake frequency of processed foods were also high. These results suggest that spending money level in college students, as an economic indicator, is relevant to intake of processed foods.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
• /
• v.42 no.6
• /
• pp.55-72
• /
• 2004

Alcohol has as much effect on our lives as the different taste for foods that people have all of the world. Recently, the interest about drinking habits has increased with the rise in health problems for college students with poor health related behavior. The purpose of this study was to evaluate alcohol consumption, smoking and eating behavior of college students in the Kyungsan area. This survey was administered through questionnaires, and the subjects were 177 male and 189 female college students. The self-administered questionnaire was composed of questions concerning social-demographic factors, general characteristics, cigarette smoking, alcohol consumption and eating behavior. The data were analyzed by $\chi$$^2$-test and t-test. According to the survey results, almost of all of the survey subjects drank alcohol. The mean alcohol consumption level per day for male students (33.9${\pm}$29.7g) were significantly higher than for the female students (18.5${\pm}$16.5g), and more than 39.6% of the subjects drank alcohol 1-3 days a week. Alcohol consumption changed the students eating habits. Most students had dietary problems such as fast eating, skipping meal and spending too much money on fast food. The survey about eating behavior of the students showed the male students had more problems when compared with female students. Alcohol consumption levels and alcohol dependence showed a significant positive correlation with smoking cigarettes (r=0.386, p＜0.001). The correlation coefficient between alcohol consumption and eating behavior was negatively correlated with skipping meals (r=-0.121, p＜0.001). However, there were significant and positive correlations with overeating when students were depressed (r=0.130, p＜0.05), with eating meals when watching TV or videos (r=0.085) and with spending money on fast food(r=0.235, p＜0.235). The results indicate that health related behaviors of college students in the present study were fairly good. More attention should be given to college students and their habits of skipping meal, alcohol drinking and smoking, and the fairly good students can act as a model for correct dietary behavior so as to improve overall student health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.683-694
• /
• 2004

The objective of this study is to improve the health related quality of life through the efficient weight reduction by analyzing the ecological factors related to completion of weight reduction program in the obese premenopausal women aged 20-29 years. The factors influencing completion of obesity management programs in the obese women were the preferences of sweet and salt taste, health related quality of life (general health, role emotional), eating attitude scores, and regularity of mealtime scores. The finding that the completion of obese management programme were improved if the health-related quality of life was high and the physiological status related symptoms of stress, depress, and eating disorder were good has implications for the treatment of obesity. The questionnaire used this study can be available to develop the obesity assessment sheets which is required the exploration of the characteristics of obese women and the tailored multi-disciplinary obesity management program. Moreover, the obesity assessment sheets will make a contribution to determine types of the programs that is suitable for obesity women before starting an obesity management program.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.33 no.2
• /
• pp.37-46
• /
• 2021

Background According to the Sasang constitutional medicine, eating habits according to the characteristics of Sasang Constitution (SC) types affect management of chronic diseases and health conditions. The aim of this study is to identify the association between eating habits, such as breakfast, eating frequency, and energy intake, according to SC, and quality of life. Method This study is a cross-sectional study of people aged 33 to 55 years, sampled by stratification based on population distribution. The SC types were classified into Taeeumin (TE), Soeumin (SE), and Soyangin (SY) using a structured questionnaire (KS-15). Items examined regarding eating habits were whether the subjects had breakfast; the frequency of eating such as breakfast, lunch, dinner, and after-dinner snacks; and energy intake surveyed using a food frequency questionnaire. As for quality of life, SF-12, which is widely used worldwide to assess health conditions, was utilized. A regression analysis was conducted on the relations between eating habits according to SC and quality of life. Results The SC distribution of the 3,895 subjects was 47% for TE, 22% for SE, and 31% for SY. The scores indicating quality of life differed for TE and SY depending on whether they ate breakfast and eating frequency groups, and those of SE varied depending on levels of energy intake. A regression analysis having adjusted all covariates demonstrated for TE a positive relation between the eating frequency of three times per day or more (compared to 1.5 to 3 meals per day) and quality of life (B=1.365, p<0.001). For SE, there was a negative association between low energy intake (compared to adequate energy intake) and quality of life (B=-1.642, p=0.004). Meanwhile, no relation was found between eating habits and quality of life for SY. Conclusion This study identified the association between eating habits according to SC types and quality of life. For TE, it was found to be important to eat evenly dispersed adequate amounts as opposed to overeating or binging at once. For SE, adequate energy intake affected good quality of life. This study suggests that eating habits based on SC improve quality of life, and health management customized for each constitution should be performed in the future through proper eating habits.