• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.297-304
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• 2017

Although adolescents' obesity prevalence increases recently in Korea due to Westernized dietary life, according to social and economic development, and physical activity decline, distorted body image and improper dietary habits are prevalent, because of excessive obsession with weight control, deriving from psychological impacts including appearance supremacy. This study conducted a survey on health oriented awareness and attitude related with dietary habits targeting adolescents, such as high school students and college students, younger than 24, from May 11 to May 29, 2015. In this study, 280 questionnaire copies were collected out of 300 distributed questionnaire copies, and used 269 copies as analysis data, except 11 copies of which responses were inadequate. The results of this study are as follows: First, the high school students showed higher dietary regularity than the college students. Especially, 95.5% of the college students showed very high irregularity of lunch, compared with just 4.5% of the high school students. Second, the adolescents showed distorted perceived body image in comparison with body mass index (BMI). As a result of examining BMI relationship, according to one's own perception on body type, 28.6% of the respondents perceived themselves fat, despite normal BMI, and 40.4% of the respondents perceived themselves normal, despite low BMI. Third, health behavior activities level was higher, as the regularity of breakfast (B=1.093), lunch, (B=0.650), and dinner (B=0.765) was higher. The variable affecting the most ( ${\beta}=0.372$) was the regularity of breakfast. As interest in weight control was higher, health behavior activities was lower. Because over-interest in weight control may be linked with improper dietary habits or weight control, a caution is needed. The results of this study are expected to be utilized as the basic data for the policy and health-oriented program development to improve adolescents' health behavior practice.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.225-234
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to investigate the degree of perceived stress by sex in middle-aged people, and to provide basic data for appropriate nutrition education and interventional measures for middle-aged subjects through comparative analysis of association between stress and dietary habits, emotional eating behavior, and insomnia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A survey was conducted in 670 middle-aged subjects (320 men and 350 women) aged 40-64 years, resided in Seoul and Gyeonggi area. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 25.0 program. RESULTS: Perceived stress in middle-aged subjects was not different by sex. Stress was higher in men with low dietary habits level compared to other groups (P < 0.001), and was higher in women with low and moderate dietary habits level compared to women with high dietary habits level (P < 0.05). Stress in men was higher in the group with emotional eaters (P < 0.05), and the same result was shown in women (P < 0.001). Stress was higher in both men and women with poor sleep quality (P < 0.001). Stress score was positively correlated with emotional dietary behavior and insomnia (P < 0.001) and negatively correlated with dietary habits (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that proper nutrition education and interventional measures according to sex are needed for stress control and proper dietary behavior and lifestyle in middle-aged people population, along with projects and policies at the national level.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.95-107
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• 2010

Hand-washing is one of the major factors in personal hygiene and public health. This study was undertaken to investigate the hygienic behavior of food-service employees, focusing on awareness of hand washing, hand washing practices, and the load of index microorganisms (aerobic plate count, total and fecal coliforms, Escherichia coli, and Staphylococcus aureus) on the hands of food-service employees. A questionnaire survey completed by direct interview, direct observation of restrooms by the researcher and trained observers, and microbiological examination according to the Food Code of Korea were carried out. In the survey, a positive attitude toward hand washing compliance was reported; however, improper hand washing and poor hand hygiene of the food-service employees were seen under direct observation. Significant differences (p<0.05) were found between the questionnaire survey and the direct observations in hand washing compliance after using the toilet, duration of hand washing, use of hand washing agents, use of hand washing tools, washing of different parts of the hands, hand-drying method, temperature of water, and method of turning off the water. Samples taken from employees' hands before washing showed higher levels of bacteria than those taken during work and/or after washing (p<0.05). Poor hand washing practices were indicated by the positive results for total and fecal coliforms, E. coli, and S. aureus on the hands of some food-service employees. This study showed that there is a marked difference between the food-service employees' awareness of hand-washing and their actual hand-washing practices. The poor hand hygiene of and improper hand washing by the food-service employees should be addressed for improved food safety.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.595-606
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• 2021

Unhealthy dietary behavior such as insufficient calcium intake can be one of risk factors of osteoporosis and chronic diseases in older people. This study evaluated the recent trends in dietary calcium intake and the food source in Korean adults aged 50 years or older using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2015-2019) data. This study used 24-hour recall survey data to investigate the calcium intake, the major food groups and main dishes contributing to the calcium intake. The mean calcium intake was 479.55-506.81 mg/day. The major food groups that contribute to calcium intake were vegetables, milks and fishes. Dairy and frozen desserts and kimchi were the major dish groups that contributed to the calcium intake. Calcium intake from milk in dairy and frozen dessert group has been high in last 5 years (50-64 years old: 34.71-47.68 mg, 65-74 years old: 29.72-43.65 mg, over 75 years old: 22.91-42.93 mg). In addition, baechu-kimchi is the most contributed to the calcium intake in kimchi group (50-64 years old: 35.10-41.47 mg, 65-74 years old: 29.62-34.96 mg, over 75 years old: 23.79-29.13 mg). In conclusion, various source of calcium needs to be recommended to increase intake calcium in over 50 years, which may reduce chronic diseases and improve quality of life.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.2
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• pp.168-176
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze food consumption behavior of women by marital status based on the 2015 consumer survey data on Food Consumption Behaviors of the Korea Rural Economic Institute. Methods: We analyzed data describing 3,312 women aged 19 ~ 75 who were the main buyers of foods in their household. The food purchase patterns, dining-out behavior, and use of food-delivery and take-out were investigated. Results: Overall, 40.5% of unmarried women shopped for food once per week and 37.4% spent 200,000 ~ 400,000 won per month. Additionally, 43.1% of married women shopped 2 ~ 3 times per week and 26.6% spent 400,000 ~ 600,000 won (p < 0.0001). Dining-out frequency and one-time cost per person of dining-out for unmarried women were higher than those for married women. With delivery/take-out food frequency, 2 time per week was the highest rate among married women (34.6%) and once per week was the highest among unmarried women (31.2%) respectively. Conclusion: The results of this study indicate food consumption behaviors and trends of Korean women by marital status. This study provides basic data that will be useful for food industries establishing marketing strategies to better meet consumer demands.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.317-327
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate Chinese female marriage immigrants' dietary life after immigration to Korea, focusing on comparison between Han-Chinese (traditional Chinese) and Korean-Chinese (Chinese of Korean descent). Methods: An in-person survey was conducted with women married to Korean men, having one child or more aged 1-6 years old, and having resided in Korea for at least one year before the survey. The data were collected from the 309 respondents comprising 151 Han-Chinese and 158 Korean-Chinese in the summer of 2013. Results: Overall, there was no significant difference in dietary practice, dietary acculturation, dietary behavior, dietary habits, and food intake between the Han-Chinese and the Korean-Chinese respondents. Over 50% of the respondents ate Korean food every day. The overall level of dietary acculturation was about 3.5 out of 5 points. The average score of healthy dietary behavior was a little bit higher than 3 out of 5 points. Approximately 3/4 of the respondents showed increasing frequency of eating out. The respondents reporting increase food diversity were over 70%. Decreased frequency of skipping meal was about 60% of the respondents. Over 50% of the respondents showed increasing consumption of Kimchi, vegetables, fruit, and meat. Conclusions: Dietary life of Korean-Chinese female marriage immigrants was similar to that of Han-Chinese female marriage immigrants after immigration to Korea. The results from this study suggest that not only Han-Chinese but also Korean-Chinese should be targeted in various diet-related acculturation support programs as important multicultural populations in Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.142-157
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• 2017

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop a nutrition quotient for adolescents (NQ-A) to assess overall dietary quality and food behavior of Korean adolescents. Methods: Development of the NQ-A was undertaken in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. Candidate items of the NQ-A checklist were selected based on literature reviews, results of the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, dietary guidelines for Korean adolescents, expert in-depth interviews, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. A total of 213 middle and high school students participated in a one-day dietary record survey and responded to 41 items in the food behavior checklist. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the responses to the checklist items along with nutritional status of the adolescents were calculated. Item reduction was performed, and 24 items were selected for the nation-wide survey. A total of 1,547 adolescents from 17 cities completed the checklist questionnaire. Exploratory factor and confirmatory factor analyses were performed to develop a final NQ-A model. Results: Nineteen items were finalized as the checklist items for the NQ-A. Checklist items were composed of five factors (balance, diversity, moderation, environment, and practice). The five-factor structure accounted for 47.2% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-A and five-factor scores were calculated based on the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: Nutrition Quotient for adolescents (NQ-A) would be a useful instrument for evaluating dietary quality and food behavior of Korean adolescents. Further research on NQ-A is needed to reflect changes in adolescent's food behavior and environment.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.93-102
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• 2021

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between watching mukbang (eating broadcasts) and dietary and health behavior in adults who watch mukbang. Methods: The questionnaire was administered on a self-written basis through online and offline formats to 800 adults (400 men and 400 women). The contents of the survey consisted of general characteristics, mukbang viewing time per week, breakfast intake frequency, preference for menus when viewing mukbang, delivery food intake frequency per week, late meal intake frequency per week, and health behavior. The subjects were divided into three groups according to mukbang viewing time. Results: The body weight of viewers was significantly higher when mukbang viewing time was over 14 hours for both men and women. In particular, based on the BMI (body mass index), those who watched mukbang for more than 14 hours were found to be overweight. People with more than 14 hours of mukbang viewing time per week were found to prefer mostly carbohydrate-rich food and meat, while those with less than 7 hours of mukbang viewing time per week showed a higher preference for vegetables and fruits. An analysis of the frequency of breakfast eaten showed that the rate of skipping breakfast was the highest for those who watched mukbang for more than 14 hours per week, and the rate of eating breakfast daily was the highest in the case of fewer than 7 hours of viewing. In the case of high mukbang viewing time per week, the frequency of food delivery and night eating was high. When mukbang viewing time was high, the viewer's interest in health was low and the frequency of exercising too was low. Conclusions: Viewers with high mukbang viewing time showed undesirable health and eating behavior. Thus, it is believed that proper nutrition education on improving eating habits and raising the awareness of correct eating habits is necessary for such viewers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.793-802
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• 2023

The aim of this study analyzed changes in dietary habits and lifestyles before and after COVID-19 targeting adolescents, using the food consumption behavior survey (2019 vs 2021). In the change in health-related factors, height decreased overall, and a significant difference was especially evident in males. Awareness that functional foods and eco-friendly foods contribute to health has increased. Among the results of dietary behavior, the frequency of skipping breakfast showed that the rate of not skipping breakfast and the rate of skipping breakfast more than 5 times increased at the same time(p=0.019). The rate of eating out decreased significantly after COVID-19, and it was analyzed that schools and school cafeteria, as well as Street carts or restaurants and academy, all increased significantly as places where snacks were not consumed. In order to analyze changes in food-related lifestyle, it was grouped into convenience-seeking, quality/safety-seeking, taste-seeking, and health/safety-seeking. 'Small packaged or pre-processed products' decreased. On the other hand, items such as 'Safety rather than price when choosing food' and 'Don't eat food that could go bad' improved. 'Tend to eat regularly' was higher than 2021 compared to 2019. Also 'Tend to purchase HACCP and GAP-certified products' are increased. Because of COVID-19 changes in lifestyle have affected the diet of adolescents. The results of this study suggest that it can be used as a guideline establishment and nutrition counseling material for the formation of correct eating habits for adolescents in the future pandemic era.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.6
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• pp.392-401
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the dietary changes among adults living alone during the COVID-19 pandemic in the Republic of Korea. An online survey was conducted to examine dietary changes before (in 2019) and during (in 2021) the pandemic. The data from 337 adults living alone who responded to the survey were used for analysis. The proportion of the respondents reporting frequent food consumption at convenience stores (≥3 times/week) increased during the pandemic (p=0.024), and the proportion of those frequently eating ready-to-eat and ready-to-cook food (≥3 times/week) was more than doubled (p<0.001). Additionally, the proportion of those frequently consuming delivered food (≥3 times/week) increased by 2.5 times (p<0.001). In conclusion, the dietary habits of adults living alone changed significantly during the COVID-19 pandemic, which may have a negative impact on their health. Therefore, the development of customized nutrition management programs to improve the dietary habits of adults living alone during emergencies like a pandemic is deemed necessary. This study can serve as a foundation for understanding the dietary changes of adults living alone in prolonged crisis.