• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2009

The purpose of the study was to develop an eating habit checklist for screening elementary school children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Eating habits, food intake, and anthropometric data were collected from 142 children (80 boys and 62 girls) in the $4^{th}$ to $6^{th}$ grades of elementary schools. Percentage of Recommended Intakes (RI) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of six micronutrients; vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, and the number of nutrients the children consumed below EAR among the six nutrients were used as indices to detect the risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between eating habit scores and inadequate micronutrient intake indices in order to select questions included in the checklist. Meal frequency, enough time for breakfast, regularity of dinner, appetite, eating frequencies of Kimchi, milk, fruits and beans showed significant correlations with indices of inadequate micronutrient intake. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to give each item a different weight by prediction strength. To determine the cut-off point of the test score, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The 8-item checklist with test results from 0 to 12 points was developed, and those with equal or higher than 6 points were diagnosed as high-risk group of inadequate micronutrient intake, and those with 4 or 5 points were diagnosed as moderate-risk group. Among our subjects 14.1% was diagnosed as high-risk group, and 30.3% as moderate-risk group. The proportions of the subjects who consumed below EAR of all micronutrients but vitamin C were highest in the high-risk group, and there were significant differences in the proportions of the subjects with intake below EAR of all micronutrients except vitamin B6 among the three groups. This checklist will provide a useful screening tool to identify children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.2
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• pp.167-179
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• 2015

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the association between intakes of potassium, magnesium, and calcium and diet quality in ischemic stroke patients. Methods: This study analyzed data from 285 subjects recruited from February 2011 to August 2014 in Seoul, Korea. Nutrition intakes were obtained from a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire composed of 111 food items. The subjects were divided into 4 groups by quartiles according to intakes of potassium, magnesium, and calcium. Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ), Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), and DQI-International (DQI-I) were analyzed for assessment of diet quality. Results: We found a positive association of intakes of these three minerals with MAR and DQI-I after adjustment for age, sex, education level, smoking, atrial fibrillation, and total energy intake. However, total moderation of DQI-I score in the Q4 group was significantly lower than that of the Q1 group. The age, sex, education level, and smoking, atrial fibrillation, and total energy intake-adjusted odds ratios of extensive cerebral atherosclerosis were inversely associated with intake of magnesium (Ptrend = 0.0204). However, this association did not exist with intakes of potassium and calcium. Conclusion: Potassium, magnesium, and calcium rich and high quality diet could be associated with decreased risk of ischemic stroke, in part, via effect on extensive cerebral atherosclerosis.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.44 no.7
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• pp.1000-1006
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• 2015

The adolescent period, during which physical, spiritual, and physiological growth and development occurs, is important for the development of healthy dietary habits. Particularly, eating a regular breakfast improves eating habits and school life in adolescents but few studies have investigated the effects of eating breakfast on these outcomes. Therefore, this research was performed to investigate the effects of eating a regular breakfast provided by the 'Breakfast Club Program' on eating behaviors and school life. A total of 315 high school students were recruited for the program from 10 high schools in nine districts among 25 districts in Seoul during August to December of 2013. The average age was $17.8{\pm}0.8$ years and 38.1% of students were females. Based on 315 subjects, 38.3%, 35.7%, and 17.1% increased their intakes of breakfast (P=0.001), fruit (P=0.033), and milk (P<0.001) up to 5~7 times per week, respectively. The intake frequency of fruit (P<0.001) and eating breakfast (P<0.001) increased noticeably after program participation. Based on 64 students performing dietary record, intakes of cereals (P<0.001), mushrooms (P=0.027), and fruits (P=0.002) increased while intakes of eggs (P=0.001) and fat and oils (P=0.019) decreased after the program. Consumption of energy (P=0.004), plant protein (P=0.012), carbohydrates (P<0.001), dietary fiber (P=0.026), iron from plant sources (P=0.009), potassium (P=0.043), zinc (P=0.013), vitamin $B_1$ (P=0.043), and vitamin C (P<0.001) increased whereas intake of cholesterol (P=0.002) decreased. Regarding school life, the score for 'comfortable and cheerful starting of a day' (P=0.001) and 'healthy starting of a day' (P<0.001) increased significantly. This study indicates that a regular 'Breakfast Club Program' may establish healthy eating habits and school life in teenagers.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.277-288
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• 2015

Purpose: As the rate of senior citizens living alone increases in the current aging society, there is much concern regarding the health and nutritional intake of solitary senior citizens. Therefore, this study compared the nutritional intake of senior citizens according to their family type. Methods: In July and August of 2011, two senior citizen welfare centers in Seoul were visited to survey 267 elderly women. Excluding 54 subjects for which the data were incomplete, information from 213 subjects was analyzed. The subjects were divided into three family types, living alone (LA, n = 74), living with spouse (LS, n = 78), and living with children (LC, n = 61). Results: The mean age of the LA group was the highest, while the mean age of the LS group was the lowest (p < 0.001), and WHR of the LC group was the highest (p = 0.049). Income was the highest in the LS group (p < 0.001). Frequency of eating out was the lowest in the LA group (p = 0.031). By Duncan's multiple analysis, the amounts of energy intake, vegetable protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, Vit D, Vit E, $Vit\;B_2$, niacin, $Vit\;B_6$, $Vit\;B_{12}$, and cholesterol were significantly higher in the LS group compared with the LA or LC group (p < 0.05). The intakes of calcium, Vit D, $Vit\;B_{12}$, and cholesterol were still significantly different among the three groups, even after adjustment for age and monthly income. The LA group ate less fruit and fish than the LS or LC group (p < 0.05). The LA group showed the lowest dietary diversity and the LS group showed the highest diversity (p = 0.014), however, the significance of dietary diversity score among the three groups disappeared after adjustment for age and monthly income. Conclusion: Elderly women living with spouse were receiving better nutrition than elderly women living alone or living with children. Therefore, solitary elderly women who do not live with their spouse or children should be offered greater opportunities to receive a balanced meal at a congregational kitchen or welfare center. To ensure their healthy diet, it is essential to provide continuous nutrition education with these groups in mind.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.6
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• pp.596-612
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to evaluate the dietary behaviors of preschool children using the nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P) and investigate factors that influence NQ-P in preschool children. Methods: Subjects were 214 parents with children aged 3-5 years residing in Busan and Gyeongnam, Korea. The survey was conducted from March to April, 2019 using a questionnaire that included demographic characteristics, the NQ-P questions, and health consciousness. All data was statistically analyzed by the SPSS program (Ver 25.0) and the statistical differences in variables were evaluated by the chi-square test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, one-way ANOVA, and Tukey's multiple comparison test. Results: The mean score of NQ-P of the total subjects was 58.28, which was within the medium-low grade. The mean score of 'balance' was 60.08, 'moderation' was 47.64, and 'environment' was 67.83. The analysis of related-factors influencing NQ-P scores showed that there was a significant difference according to the frequency of dining out. The scores of the NQ-P (p < 0.05), moderation (p < 0.001), and environment (p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the 1-2 times per week group compare to 3-4 times and 5-6 times per week group. The scores of NQ-P (p < 0.01), environment (p < 0.01) were significantly higher in the high group of parents' health consciousness compared to the those with low health consciousness. Conclusion: According to the results of the evaluation by NQ-P, the dietary behaviors of preschool children residing in Busan and Gyeongnam need to be improved and monitored. For improving their eating behavior and nutritional health status, preschool children and their parents need proper nutrition education programs.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.4
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• pp.300-312
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the sanitary knowledge level and degree of HACCP (hazard analysis critical control point) practice in school culinary staff in order to provide basic information for improving hygiene of school meals. Methods: Exactly 305 culinary staff members were selected from elementary, middle, and high schools in 14 cities and rural areas, including whole administrative districts in Chungnam province. Surveyed schools were selected by convenience sampling, and one subject was selected randomly from each school. Surveys were taken by self-administered questionnaires developed by researchers and questionnaire were distributed and collected by postal mail. Results: Sanitary education administered by school dietitians to culinary staff was more frequent and longer in elementary schools, followed by middle and high schools (p < 0.001). Sanitary knowledge level and degree of HACCP practice, except for a few CCP or CP of culinary staff, were highest in elementary schools and middle school followed by high schools (p < 0.05), respectively. School class was negatively correlated with sanitary knowledge level of culinary staff (p < 0.01), and frequency of sanitary education was positively correlated with sanitary knowledge level of culinary staff (p < 0.01). Sanitary knowledge level of culinary staff was positively correlated with degree of HACCP practice (p < 0.01). School class, daily frequency of meal service, work experience, rice washing machine, and total score of sanitary knowledge were significant variables influencing degree of HACCP practice in culinary staff. Conclusion: The above results show that the following points should be considered to improve hygiene of school meals. Sanitary education should be administered more frequently by school dietitians to culinary staff, especially to those in high schools, which showed the lowest sanitary knowledge level and degree of HACCP practice. In addition, facilities and equipment required for HACCP practice should be supported in small-sized elementary schools.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.534-546
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed at understanding meal kit purchasing behavior and investigating its relationship with the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) of young adults. Methods: We conducted a survey on adults in their 20s and 30s covering their meal kit purchase experience, satisfaction, recognition, and purchase intention, and examined the relationship between the meal kit purchase and their NQ from February to March 2021. Results: Among the 404 subjects, 37.9% of males and 48.0% of females had experience in purchasing a meal kit (p < 0.001). The highest response indicated that the purchase cost of meal kits was 10,000-20,000 Won at a time, and the frequency of purchase was less than once a month. The convenience of cooking was the main reason for the purchase of meal kits, which were consumed mainly in the evening with family. The satisfaction with the purchase experience of a meal kit was rated 3.6 points for males and 3.7 points for females out of 5 points, and the satisfaction experienced by women was significantly higher than men in terms of freshness of ingredients, packaging design, and adequacy of the quantity of content (p < 0.05). Recognition of the meal kit was rated 3.5 points for males and 3.7 points for females out of 5 points. The purchase intention of the meal kit was rated 3.8 points for those with prior purchase experience, 3.2 points for the non-experienced, 3.3 points for males, and 3.6 points for females out of 5 points each (p < 0.001). The NQ score of dietary behavior in females with experience of meal kit purchases was significantly higher than non-experience (p < 0.05). Conclusions: The dietary behavior of female showed a significant difference by the meal kit purchase experience. It is necessary to understand the consumers' meal kit purchasing behavior to enable the development of various health-oriented meal kit products.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.668-679
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relations of children's skipping meals after researching eating habits and lifestyle, parents' appreciation in nutrition behavior and dietary intake, throughout the research based on 4th to 6th grade students, total of 362 children at an elementary school in Inchoen. There were 104 students in skipping meals group and 258 students in eating meals group, with the average ages of 10.9, and 10.8, respectively. The average height and weight were 144.5 cm, 38.6 kg for skipping meals group, and 145.7 cm, 39.3 kg for eating meals group. Parents' appreciation of importance in breakfast showed a significant difference in whether children skip the meals or not (p<0.01). 43.7% of parents in skipping meals group answered that they serve breakfast everyday, compared to eating meals group with the percentage of 94.9%, showing significant difference in frequency of serving breakfast for their children (p<0.001). The skipping meals group answered that the reason they do not have breakfast is because they do not have time, which showed the highest percentage of 41.2%. For the eating meals group, 40.5% of students answered that they do not have appetite, which also showed difference (p<0.001). The skipping meals group tended to wake up later than those who have breakfast in the morning(p<0.01). The breakfast time for skipping meals group was later than the eating meals group, and according to whether they have breakfast of not, it showed a difference as well(p<0.01). Total score of nutrition attitude in skipping meals group and eating meals group were 30.8 and 32.1, showing that eating meals group showed more good in nutrition attitude (p<0.05). Daily intakes of energy (p<0.01) and protein (p<0.01) in skipping meals group were significantly lower than those in eating meals group. Skipping meals group bad lower rates in INQs of protein (p<0.01) and zinc (p<0.01), showing that skipping meals group is having low quality meals in nutrition. In conclusion, this study revealed that students with skipping meals are more likely to have meals that lacks nutrition or have low quality meals, and the time of rising hour in the morning, frequency of eating snacks can also affect whether or not they skip meals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.5
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• pp.330-341
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary habits, food intakes, nutrient intakes, and diet quality of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a health screening and promotion center. Methods: The total number of study subjects was 10,111 adults, where 3087 subjects (30.5%) were diagnosed as NAFLD. The dietary intakes were obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. They were then compared with the dietary reference intakes could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines s (KDRIs). Results: Mean age of subjects in the normal group was $52.9{\pm}10.3yrs$ and body mass index (BMI) was $22.4{\pm}2.6kg/m^2$, and those of the NAFLD group were $55.1{\pm}9.2yrs$ and $25.4{\pm}2.9kg/m^2$. BMI, blood pressure of the NAFLD group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. The rates of skipping breakfast, overeating, and eating out were significantly could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines er in the NAFLD group (p < 0.05, p < 0.000, p < 0.000 respectively). The speed of eating was fast in the NAFLD group (p < 0.000). The NAFLD group consumed significantly higher amounts of grains, meats, fish, seaweeds, kimchies, sugars, sweets, coffee, teas, and oils compared to the normal group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, intakes of starch products, fruits, milk, and milk products were significantly lower in the NAFLD group compared with those of the normal group (p < 0.05). Riboflavin, calcium, and dietary fiber nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of the NAFLD group were significantly lower than those of the normal group. The Korean's dietary diversity score (KDDS) of the NAFLD group was lower than that of the normal group. Conclusion: In conclusion, we suggest that diet guidelines, such as increasing the intake of calcium and dietary fiber, reducing the intake of energy, fat, and simple carbohydrates, are necessary to improvement of NAFLD. The results could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines for NAFLD.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.416-427
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• 2011

This study investigated the association among parental socioeconomic level, overweight, and eating habits with diet quality in Korean sixth grade school children. A 3-day dietary survey was conducted, and a questionnaire and anthropometric data were collected from the Korean child obesity cohort (320 boys and 345 girls). The children were classified into two groups (low or high level) based on monthly household income and paternal and maternal education status. Lower maternal education status was associated with a higher risk for overweight in girls (odd ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.07-3.44), whereas belonging to a higher socioeconomic group in terms of parental income or parental education level resulted in the consumption of significantly more fruit. Boys did not show significant differences in the intake of most nutrients or diet quality regardless of socioeconomic status. However, girls in the lower socioeconomic group had a lower food habit score (higher frequency of breakfast skipping and ramen noodle consumption), diet quality, and intake of nutrients (carbohydrate, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber) than those in the higher socioeconomic group. Therefore future nutrition policies and interventions should support parents and children with lower socioeconomic status to develop health-related behaviors that may prevent childhood overweight.