• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.516-527
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the association of depressive symptoms, stress perception, and suicidal ideation with overall dietary quality using the newly developed Korean healthy eating index (KHEI). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 9,607 adults (3,939 men and 5,668 women, ≥ 19 years) who participated in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 and 2015. The KHEI scores were calculated using the food frequency questionnaire data. Survey logistic regression analyses were performed to analyze the association between psychiatric distress and dietary quality. RESULTS: The percentage of subjects with experience of depressive mood, higher stress perception, and suicidal ideation was 8.2%, 25.0%, and 3.7% in men and 15.4%, 27.3%, and 6.0% in women, respectively. The mean KHEI score was 61.5 ± 0.29 in men and 64.8 ± 0.24 in women (P < 0.001). The present study found a difference in the adherence to specific dietary components of the KHEI between sexes. Men experiencing depressive symptoms were less likely to eat meat, fish, eggs, and beans, while depressed women showed lower vegetable intake. Both men and women with suicidal ideation showed a lower intake of vegetables. The men with stress had a lower breakfast eating score than those without stress (7.21 vs. 6.77, P = 0.016). The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios for depressive symptoms, stress perception, and the suicidal idea in women with the highest quartile of KHEI scores compared to the lowest quartile was 0.69 (95% confidence interval, 0.51-0.92), 0.73 (0.58-0.82), and 0.52 (0.33-0.82), respectively and significant dose-response associations were observed (P for trends < 0.05 for all). On the other hand, these associations were not observed in men after adjusting for the confounding variables (P for trends > 0.05 for all). CONCLUSIONS: Poor adherence to dietary recommendations is associated with psychological distress, especially in women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.334-339
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• 2012

This study was conducted to compare body shape satisfaction, body image perception, weight control status, and dietary habits of Korean and Chinese female high school students in order to provide information for proper body image perception of adolescents. 221 students in Yongin, a city in Korea, and 227 students in Weihai, a city in China, were surveyed using questionnaires. Body shape satisfaction was significantly higher in Chinese students (P < 0.001) compared to Korean students. 76.2% of Korean students and 72.7% of Chinese students wanted a thinner body shape than their present body shapes. Experiences of weight control, laxative or diuretics uses, eating during weight control, and vomiting after eating were significantly higher in Korean students (P < 0.05-P < 0.001) compared to Chinese students. The score for dietary habits was significantly higher in Chinese students (P < 0.001) compared to Korean students, suggesting a more desirable dietary habit among Chinese students. Students of both countries showed a significantly positive correlation between body shape satisfaction and dietary habits, suggesting that as body shape satisfaction increases, dietary habits become more desirable. In conclusion, Korean female students showed a more distorted body image perception and had more poor dietary habits than Chinese students. Nutritional education for the establishment of normal body weight, proper body image perception, and healthy dietary habits are needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.203-212
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The branched-chain amino acids (BCAA), including isoleucine, leucine, and valine, promote muscle protein synthesis. However, obesity may interfere with protein synthesis by dysregulating mitochondrial function in the muscles. This study aimed to examine the association between dietary intake levels of BCAA and skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in middle-aged participants, and the effect of obesity/abdominal obesity on this association. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The data of 3,966 men and women aged 50-64 years who participated in the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. Intake levels of energy-adjusted dietary amino acids were obtained using a 24-hour dietary recall. SMI was calculated by dividing the appendicular skeletal muscle mass by body weight (kg) and multiplying the result by 100%. Multivariable general linear models were used to analyze the association of dietary BCAA intake levels with SMI. RESULTS: The beneficial effects of energy-adjusted dietary BCAA intakes on SMI were greater in the non-obesity/non-abdominal obesity groups; however, no significant associations were observed in the obesity/abdominal obesity groups (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Healthy weight and sufficient intake of dietary BCAA are recommended to maintain muscle mass.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.146-153
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• 2011

For the purpose of carrying out nutrition counseling effectively and efficiently, this study assessed the nutrition counseling practice, perception and nutrition knowledge of elementary school children in Gyeongbuk province. Survey questionnaires were distributed between November 2009 and December 2009 to 100 nutrition counseling experienced children (participants) and 110 nutrition counseling non-experienced children (non-participants) and were completed with nutrition teachers' assistance. According to the survey results, girls and overweight/obese children showed higher tendency of participation in nutrition counseling (p<0.001). Participants who took nutrition counseling according to their own intentions showed satisfaction after counseling on diverse subjects such as obesity, unbalanced diet, and weight control. Particularly, 'lack of counseling session time', 'unfavorable counseling condition' or 'difficult explanation' caused participants unsatisfaction after counseling. Participants usually perceived the meaning of nutrition counseling more correctly than non-participants and showed positive intentions for taking further counseling in the future(p<0.001). Diet good for weight control, good food to fix unbalanced diet and diet good for growing stature were the top three subjects of nutrition counseling chosen by subjects (p<0.001). Participants also showed higher nutrition knowledge scores than non-participants. Therefore, it is critically important to apply nutrition counseling in the proper environment (counseling room, time, teaching materials, etc) to elementary school students to fix healthy food habits. Therefore, nutrition teachers need to be provide professional nutrition counseling skills and knowledge.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.60-72
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• 2018

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to determine differences in eating-out, dietary life styles, and healthy dietary competencies among middle-aged consumers according to obesity status and gender for implications of consumer education. Methods: Data were drawn from the 2016 Food Consumption Behavior Survey, and 3,022 subjects (mail 1,388; female 1,634) who were middle-aged adults were investigated. Analysis of variance with $Scheff\acute{e}$ test, t-test, $x^2$-test, and factor analysis were performed using SPSS v.24. Results: Males showed less interest in diet than females. For both males and females, higher BMI degrees were associated with higher levels of interest in diet. For frequency, monthly average consumption expenditure, one-time cost for eating out, and drinking frequency, males showed higher levels than females. Especially for the male group, higher obesity status was associated with higher levels of eating out and drinking. Dietary lifestyles of males and females turned out to be very similar. For the male group, normal weight group was more likely to show 'health and high quality pursuit dietary life-style' than the other groups. For females, the normal weight group were more likely to show 'health and high quality pursuit dietary life-style' and 'safety pursuit dietary life-style' than the other groups. The level of 'healthy dietary competence' for females was found to be higher than that for males. For the female group, there were significant differences according to obesity status, and practice was more important than knowledge in determining a healthy dietary life. Conclusion: For dietary life-related education for obese middle-aged consumers, it is important to emphasize less eating-out and drinking and less overeating while eating-out based on the results that eating-out, drinking, and overeating in the obesity group were significantly higher than in the normal group. It is important to focus on the value of dietary life and diverse foods, based on the results that the obesity group was less likely to be have healthy dietary lifestyles and consume less diverse foods than the normal group.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.664-675
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the cross-sectional associations between dietary factors and the risk of metabolic syndrome (MetS) in 12,755 subjects (males 5,146, females 7,609) aged 19 years or above using data from the 4th (2007-2009) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The prevalence of MetS in Korean adults was 23.6% (males 26.1%, females 20.9%) with the criteria for modified National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III. While males had a higher prevalence of abdominal obesity, hyperglycemia, hypertriglyceridemia, and high blood pressure than females, the prevalence of low HDL-cholesterol level was higher in females than in males. Among dietary guidelines, the response of 'yes' for asking practice of 'avoiding salty foods', and 'eating moderately and increasing physical activity for healthy weight' were significantly associated with the decreased risk of MetS in both males and in females. Especially, the risk of MetS was significantly lower in the subjects that responded the practice of all items of Korean Dietary Guidelines. Significantly negative associations with MetS were also found in the responding for practice of 'limiting consumption of alcoholic beverages' in males, and taking dietary supplements in females. Skipping breakfast was positively associated with the risk of MetS. In conclusion, dietary behaviors such as having breakfast, practice of dietary guidelines, and food consumption in moderation could modify the prevalence of MetS, and our findings could be useful for establishing guidelines for preventing MetS.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.23-40
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• 2021

This study was conducted to examine the sugar intake and perception of sugar reduction based on the practice of Dietary Action Guides among the college students in Cheongju. A convenience sample of 343 healthy college students(male n=195, female n=148) was divided into two subgroups based on a median split(male M=12, female M=11) of the extent to which they practice the Dietary Action Guides: low practice(LP) group(male n=117, female n=82) and high practice(HP) group(male n=78, female n=66). There was no significant difference in age, weight, and body mass index between the groups; however, among the female students, the LP group had significantly higher frequencies of snacking and smoking, and higher sweet taste perception. For both male and female students, the LP group were more likely to eat sweet snacks such as carbonated beverage, flavored milk, and snacks sold outside, and had significantly higher total sugar intake from the sweet snacks than the HP group. The percentage of exceeding the WHO recommended daily sugar intake (50 g) was significantly higher for the LP group(36.59%) than for the HP group(13.64%) among female students. The perceived necessity of the sugar intake reduction was not significantly different between the LP and HP groups. The identification of nutrition labels when purchasing snack was significantly lower for the LP group than for the HP group regardless of gender. The necessity of nutrition labels education was higher than 80 percent for both the groups. Based on these results, encouraging the practice of Dietary Action Guides seems to be helpful in reducing the sugar intake among the college students.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.294-307
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietitians frequently use nutrition education tools to facilitate dietary counselling sessions. Nevertheless, these tools may require adaptation to keep pace with technological advancements. This study had a 2-fold purpose: first, to identify the types of nutrition education tools currently in use, identify their limitations, and explore dietitians' perspectives on the importance of these tools; second, to investigate the features that dietitians prefer in digital nutrition education tools. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A semi-structured face-to-face interview was conducted among 15 dietitians from selected public hospitals, primary care clinics, and teaching hospitals in Malaysia. Inductive thematic analysis of the responses was conducted using NVivo version 12 software. RESULTS: Most dietitians used physical education tools including the healthy plate model, pamphlets, food models, and flip charts. These tools were perceived as important as they facilitate the nutrition assessment process, deliver nutrition intervention, and are time efficient. However, dietitians described the current educational tools as impersonal, outdated, limited in availability due to financial constraints, unhandy, and difficult to visualise. Alternatively, they strongly favoured digital education tools that provided instant feedback, utilised an automated system, included a local food database, were user-friendly, developed by experts in the field, and seamlessly integrated into the healthcare system. CONCLUSION: Presently, although dietitians have a preference for digital educational tools, they heavily rely on physical nutrition education tools due to their availability despite the perception that these tools are outdated, impersonal, and inconvenient. Transitioning to digital dietary education tools could potentially address these issues.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.333-341
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• 2016

Purpose: In this study, we comparatively investigated the nutrition knowledge, dietary attitude, and dietary behavior related to salt according to the types of dietary life style for differences between the groups. Methods: The survey was conducted between May 1 to July 31, 2014 among 500 adults aged >19 years in Seoul, Gyeonggi-do and Chungcheong-do areas. Results: Factor analysis of the dietary life style, indicated 4 factors including food convenience factor, food information emphasis factor, behavior factor of pursing food taste, and food purchase standard factor, which were classified into 3 groups according to differentiated dietary life style types; group 1 emphasized convenience and diversity of food, and price sensitiveness. and included subjects who had low interest in health and nutrition and were less likely to take care of their health through regular exercise,; group 2 emphasized food ingredients, food additives, usage and food purchase standards. and included subjects who were more likely to take care of their health through exercise and showed lower intake of fast food and less cases of eating out.; and group 3 showed relatively higher tendency toward dietary life style factors than the other two groups. The level of nutrition knowledge in sodium intake differed according to dietary life styles, and showed a significant difference in the dietary practice of sodium intake. Conclusion: Nutrition education on the healthy dietary habit of reducing sodium intake be based on ge and gender. In addition, an effort is required to improve behavior, interest, and attitude according to the important tendencies of the dietary life style.

• Journal of Korean Home Economics Education Association
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.73-88
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• 2023

Since the enactment of the School Meal Support Act in 2009, South Korean dietary education has been evolving, placing health, environment, and consideration as its core values. The 3rd Basic Plan for Dietary Education (2020-2024) aims to achieve a sustainable dietary lifestyle that civic agriculture for collective consumption, healthy citizens, and an inclusive society. However, the digital civilization of the Fourth Industrial Revolution is significantly impacting dietary education in schools. Therefore, this study examines sustainable dietary education content in South Korean school meals, diagnoses the phenomena of dietary education facing digital transformation in education due to the Fourth Industrial Revolution, and explores directions for inclusive dietary education through concrete structures and content systems for inclusive dietary education that foster sustainable dietary capabilities. To achieve inclusive dietary education, a structure and system that allow cognitive, normative, and practical learning to be combined in an inclusive way is required. Furthermore, to practice sustainable dietary education, alternative approaches that emphasize the development of learners' core competencies are necessary in the direction of inclusive dietary education that fosters inclusivity.