• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.344-353
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• 2013

The widespread pursuit for the thin physique may have detrimental impact on the wellbeing of the young generation, especially females. This study aimed to determine the effect of wanting very low body weight on dietary habits and psychological factors of female adolescents. Participants were 619 girls from 5 high schools in Kyeonggi, Korea. Information on dietary behaviors, psychological factors as well as current heights and weights and the desired weight for current height were obtained by questionnaire. Of total subjects, 38.1%, 35.5%, and 26.5% desired weights corresponding to normal (10~85 percentile), low (3~10 percentile) and very low BMI (< 3 percentile), respectively. The subjects who wanted to be very low weight had the average BMI of 18.57 kg/m2, which was significantly lower than $21.21kg/m^2$ of those who wanted to be normal weight (p < 0.001). The subjects who desired very low weight had significantly higher scores for depression symptoms (p < 0.05), while there were no differences in obsession to lose weight and obesity stress. Moreover, more subjects in this group had undesirable dietary habits such as eating fast foods more than weekly (p < 0.05). These findings suggest that the desire for extreme thinness may lead female adolescents to have not only unreasonably similar obesity stress and obsession to lose weight but also higher depression symptoms, along with undesirable dietary habits. The findings suggest the potential harm from excessive weight concerns of female adolescents; thus efforts to teach this group about healthy weights are urgently needed.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.650-662
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• 2014

This study was conducted to identify middle school students' caffeine intake from their favorite foods containing caffeine as well as several factors related to their intake. The objects of the investigation were 369 middle school students in the urban area of Changwon-si and 358 middle school students in the rural area of Haman-gun. The average height was 162.3cm, average weight was 52.3 kg and average BMI was 19.8. The food habit score was generally positive at an average of 3.37. The food habit scores of rural area students were higher than those of urban area students (p<.05). The average stress score was somewhat low at 2.82. The stress index for rural students was lower than that of urban students (p<.01). The recognition of caffeine in favorite foods was 8.12 out of a 12 point scale. The average nutritional knowledge score regarding caffeine was very low at 3.08 out of a 10 point scale. The main reason for selecting favorite foods was 'taste'. The percentage of students who don't check food labels was 49.1%. 'House' was the main location while 'good taste' was the biggest reason for eating caffeine-containing foods. The main side effect of caffeine intake was 'nausea'. The average daily caffeine intake for all subjects was 26.96 mg, with the urban students averaging 27.90 mg and the rural students averaging 25.99 mg. The correlations between several factors and caffeine intake were examined. Food habit showed a negative correlation with stress score and caffeine intake. Nutritional knowledge and recognition of caffeine had positive correlations with caffeine intake. Hence nutritional education about caffeine should be emphasized to improve students' healthy food habits.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.283-296
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• 2012

As a disease that reduces quality of life, functional dyspepsia (FD) is associated with foods that may worsen its symptoms or cause it. The purpose of this study was to examine the nutritional status and dietary behaviors of FD patients. We investigated food intake, food intake frequency, and dietary habits of 45 FD subjects according to the Rome III Diagnosis Criteria. Average age and body mass index (BMI) were 47.7 years and $22.6kg/m^2$ (males: $23.4kg/m^2$, females: $22.1kg/m^2$), respectively. Average energy intake was 77% of Korean Dietary Reference Intake (KDRI), and it was less than that of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). Other nutrient intake levels were similar to the KNHANES. Energy intake proportion of carbohydrates : protein : fat was 56 : 18 : 26, and the ratio of fat intake was higher than that of the KNHANES. Beans, laver, tomato, and yogurt were consumed very frequently. In the results of meal regularity, dietary behaviors and composition of diet were relatively good. It is likely that the patient controlled their diet by eating cautiously and by reducing alcohol drinking and smoking. Our results indicate that FD patients' nutritional status by consumption of nutrients was at a level of normal healthy people and that dietary habits were better than normal adults. However, their fat intake levels were somewhat higher than normal people. Therefore, further research is required to identify the relationship between dietary intakes and FD.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.70-82
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• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the food habits and dietary intakes of University students in Busan areas. The survey was carried out by self-questionnaires with 130 male and 156 female students. The results obtained were as fellows. 1. 95.3% of male and 76.4% of female students answered they are moderate or healthy. The rates of alcohol drinking in male and female students were 94.5% and 81.0% and the rates of smoking were 73.2% and 2.0% respectively 34.6% of male and 56.9% of female students didn't regular exercise. 2. 21.3% of male and 10.5% of female students were satisfied with their current body image and 74.3% of female students wanted thinner figure. Male students attempted to weight control by exercise and females did by exercise and fasting. 3. The average BMI of students were 22.60 in males and 19.53 in females respectively and 78.0%, of female students were underweight. 4. Breakfast was skipped in 79.5%, of male and 83.7% of female students and it appeared male students eat faster than female students. 5 Male students preferred beverage and noodles and females preferred bread, biscuit, snack and beverage as snack food and female students had a higher tendency to enjoy snack time. The frequency of eating out was higher in female students and the standard of food choice was preference > price > convenience > nutritional value. The favorite dishes were meats > poultry > fruits > fishes, cereals, noodles in male and fruits > meats > cereals > poultry > noodles > fishes in female students. 6. The average energy intake were 1715.70kca1 in male and 1588.71kcal in female students respectively and the intakes of Ca, vitamin A and B2 were lower than RDA in male and female students.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.307-318
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Relocation to new environments can have a negative impact on health by altering body weight and dietary patterns. This study attempted to elucidate changes in body weight, food security, and their current food and nutrient consumption in adult North Korean refugees (NKR) living in South Korea (SK). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study analyzed data on 149 adult NKR from a North Korean refugee health in SK cohort at four time points (leaving North Korea, entering SK, first examination, and second examination). Body weight was self-reported at the two earlier time points and directly measured at the two later time points. Food security, diet-related behaviors (dietary habits and food consumption), and sociodemographic information were obtained using a self-administered questionnaire. Nutrient intake information was obtained by one-day 24-hour recall. Statistical analyses were performed with SPSS ver 23.0. RESULTS: Body weight increased during relocation by an average of 4 kg, although diversified patterns were observed during the settlement period in SK. Approximately 39.6% of subjects maintained their body weight between the first and second examinations, whereas 38.6% gained and 22.1% lost at least 3% of their body weight at the first examination by the second examination. Food security status improved from 12.1% food secure proportion to 61.7%. NKR showed generally good food and nutrient consumption (index of nutrient quality: 0.77-1.93). The body weight loss group showed the most irregular meal consumption pattern (P < 0.05), and eating-out was infrequent in all three groups. Consumption frequencies of food groups did not differ by group, except in the fish group (P = 0.036). CONCLUSION: This study observed considerable body weight adjustment during the settlement period in SK after initial weight gain, whereas food security consistently improved. More detailed understanding of this process is needed to assist healthy settlement for NKR in SK.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.363-381
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• 2021

Objectives: This study examined the Korean elderly's dietary intake status, subjective health-related perception and chronic disease prevalence among age groups. Associations of dietary quality with subjective health-related perception and chronic diseases were also examined. Methods: Based on data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 3,231 elderly were selected and categorized into 4 age groups of '65 ~ 69', '70 ~ 74', '75 ~ 79' and 'over 80'. Nutrient intakes, proportions of those with insufficient nutrient intakes, Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), some subjective health-related perceptions and prevalence of major chronic diseases were compared according to the age groups. Differences in the subjective health-related perceptions and odds ratios of the chronic diseases according to the quartile levels of KHEI within the same age group were analyzed. Results: With the increase of age, several nutrient intakes (P < 0.001) and KHEI scores significantly decreased (P < 0.01). In women, activity restriction increased (P < 0.05), and EQ-5D score decreased with age (P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.05) and anemia (P < 0.01) significantly increased, while hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.01) significantly decreased only in men. Obesity prevalence decreased, while underweight prevalence increased (P < 0.05). Subjective health status, EQ-5D score and PHQ-9 score significantly improved as KHEI score increased in certain age groups of women (P < 0.05). Odds ratio of hypercholesterolemia significantly increased with the increase of KHEI score in 65 ~ 69-year-old women. However, hypertension and anemia significantly decreased with the increase of KHEI score in 75 ~ 79-year-old women (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that nutrition management and policy for the Korean elderly need to apply a segmented age standard that can better reflect their dynamic characteristics.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.248-259
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Adequate nutritional intake is essential for good health and well-being. We aimed to compare the nutrient intake from homemade meals, meals sourced externally ("eating out"), and meals from workplace foodservices, as well as the potential association between foodservices used and nutritional quality among adult Korean workers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a nationwide cross-sectional survey on the health and nutritional status of the Korean population. Data from 6,845 workers aged 20-64 years were included. A survey on dietary behavior and nutrition was conducted using the 24-h dietary recall method. Nutritional quality was examined using the index of nutritional quality (INQ) score. Higher INQ scores reflected poorer nutritional quality, with insufficient intake of a higher number of nutrients. Multivariate linear regression was used to identify the association between the foodservices used and INQ scores after adjusting for other covariates. RESULTS: We found that foodservice users exhibited a higher 1-day intake of total energy and macronutrients (all P < 0.05) and lower INQ scores (P < 0.01) than non-users. The INQ scores for total daily meals decreased with the frequency of foodservice use (P < 0.01). A significant association was observed between the non-use of foodservices and INQ scores (β = 0.29, P < 0.01) after adjusting for other covariates. CONCLUSIONS: The use of workplace foodservices contributed to higher dietary nutritional quality among workers. This study highlights the importance of expanding the scope of workplace foodservices to promote higher nutritional quality and healthy dietary habits among workers.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.27-38
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• 2024

Objectives The purpose of this study was to compare sleep quality and chronotype by Sasang constitution and examine the relationship with nutritional status. Methods This study used 672 follow-up data from the Korean Medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort study (KDCC). Demographic, Sasang constitution, sleep quality, chronotype, and nutritional status evaluation were conducted based on questionnaires. Multiple linear regression analysis was used to confirm the relationship between sleep quality and chronotype according to Sasang constitution and nutritional status. Results The relationship between sleep quality and chronotype by Sasang constitution and nutritional status is that Taeeum nutritional index is related to sleep quality (adj. B = -0.46, 95% CI = -0.79 ~ -0.12) and chronotype (adj. B = 0.38, 95% CI = 0.24 ~ 0.52), and Soeum and Soyang showed an association between nutritional indices only in chronotype (adj. B = 0.43, 95% CI = 0.23 ~ 0.63 in SE, adj. B = 0.55, 95% CI = 0.38 to 0.73 in SY). Conclusions This study confirmed the relationship between sleep quality and chronotype and healthy eating habits. For a balanced nutritional status, overall sleep management is necessary. Based on the results of this study, we intend to use it as basic data on the impact of the relationship between nutritional status and chronotype by Sasang constitution on health.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.30 no.3
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• pp.181-191
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• 2024

School foodservices serve vegetarian meals to shape healthy eating habits and create environmental awareness among students. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional content of vegetarian menus of an elementary school foodservice. We examined 334 vegetarian and 545 non-vegetarian menus at elementary schools in the Chungnam area and compared their food composition and nutrient content. The average number of dishes per vegetarian menu was 7.0, which was significantly lower than the 7.3 items per non-vegetarian menu. The number of staple and dessert dishes on the vegetarian menus was significantly higher than that of non-vegetarian menus. Contrarily, the non-vegetarian menus had a higher number of broths and side dishes than vegetarian menus. Menus comprising grains, meats·fishes·eggs, vegetables·beans, fruits, and dairy products constituted 39.2% of vegetarian and 50.1% of non-vegetarian menus. The dietary diversity score was 4.3 for the vegetarian menu and this was significantly lower than 4.5 for the non-vegetarian menus. In terms of nutrient content and the index of nutritional quality, the vegetarian menus had significantly higher levels of vitamin A and calcium than the non-vegetarian menus. However, the protein and vitamin B₁ levels were lower in the vegetarian menus. Our results suggest a need to develop balanced vegetarian menus and expand education to improve awareness, acceptance, and consumption of vegetables among school-age children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.510-522
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• 2023

Purpose: In this study, data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) were used to examine the relationship between the prevalence of anemia and dietary intake among adults according to household types. Methods: Using data from a total of 10,646 subjects (4,428 men and 6,218 women), the general information, body measurements, results of biochemical examination, food and nutrient intake, and meal quality evaluation were analyzed according to the type of household. Results: The prevalence of anemia was higher in men belonging to single-person households (SPH) than in those from multi-person households (MPH), while anemia prevalence was higher among the women in the MPH than in the SPH. The men in SPH had a lower total food intake of nuts, vegetables, fruits, fish, and seaweed than the men in MPH, and consumed higher quantities of milk, oil, and processed foods. The women from SPH had a lower intake of seaweed and a higher intake of milk than those belonging to the MPH. In addition, the men in SPH had a lower iron intake and iron intake per 1,000kcal than the men in MPH, lower iron intake through plant-based foods, and a lower iron intake ratio compared to the reference nutrient intake. The total Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) score was lower in both men and women in SPH than in those from the MPH. When analyzing the relationship between household type and anemia risk after correcting for the confusion variable, the risk of anemia in men in SPH increased compared to those belonging to the MPH. However, women showed no such significant correlation. There was no relationship between the total KHEI score and the risk of anemia by gender and household type. Conclusion: In conclusion, since anemia in men belonging to SPH is a matter of concern, it is essential to develop guidelines for anemia-related nutrition education for men living alone.