• Journal of Dairy Science and Biotechnology
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.9-22
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• 2008

This work has been conducted as a part to set up the regulations and the scientific evaluation systems for the functional dairy products with health claims in Korea. Toward this end, current regulations, requirements, and all kinds of provisions related to the functional dairy products overseas were taken into accounts and feasible recommendations of new initiatives on the current regulations as well. By doing so, not only protecting hopefully the innocent consumers from the false labeling statements and fake advertisements, but also eventually to revitalize the stagnated domestic dairy industries. Currently, functional daily products are simply regarded as "Dietary Supplements" in the United States, and subjected to the regulations under the Dietary Supplement Health and Education Act, established m 1994. Manufacturers and sales distributors should notify their products to the FDA, which is in charge of the dietary supplements on nutrition and labeling, in advance when they start marketing a new dietary ingredient or any foods containing it in the States. For EU countries, there exists keen interests about the functional food products between the member countries of the European Union even though the products are categorized into "Food Supplements" similar to those in the United States. Therefore, they maintain a cautious attitude in applying the health claims to the functional food products. On the other hand, under the Japanese health food system, functional foods are qualified to the functional health foods in terms of legal status as long as any traditional foods can meet the legal standards in its effectiveness, safety as well as quality, along with significant scientific evidences related to the products, thus categorized into "Foods for Specified Health Uses and "Foods with Nutrient Function Claims". Through this study, we may have some expectations and potential utilizations as follows: Legal regulations of dietary supplements especially for the dairy products will be implemented by the outcomes of this research and proposed a tentative amendment of functional ingredients for the sake of consumer protection from the false advertisements and overstatement labeling. Current regulations on the animal foods processing and advertisements will be amended and supplemented in order to revitalize the current downturn dairy sales and to harmonize the international Codex recommendations. The results obtained from this study will make the consumers a wise selection of the dairy products with health claims and be utilized for consumer education and advertisement of the functional products as well.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.71-82
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• 1989

While ruling Chosun, with a view to making Chosun the primary supplier of food, Japan made the peasantry of Chosun go to ruin by leaving land from them through land enterprises, and the projects of increasing rice production. At the same time, Japan formed the higher classes comprising pro-Japanese capitalists, landlords and intellectuals, and protected them in order to carry out her colonial policies. Naturally there came into being a great gulf between the minority of high society and the majority of the poor in Chosun. As there was a great difference in food life between the two, I'm going to examine the literature of those days to grasp exactly the condition of their food intake. As for the staple food, out of thirteen provinces in Chosun, 13% lived on only rice and 27% on other minor cereals with no rice. As for the subsidiary food, about thirty percents did not take any animal protein. The examination of intake of nutrition by classes shows that the higher and middle classes took the necessary amount of calorie and protein and that the component ratio of calorie was comparatively properly distributed. The lower classes are defined as those whose monthly income was less than 100 won and the peasantry in general. And again the peasantry are classified into three-high, middle and low-according to their farming conditions. The tenant farmers in Kyeongguido and the peasants of Darli community took enough amount of calorie and protein, but much smaller amount of animal protein. Fire-field farmers led not less miserable food intake than the extremely poor peasants. They seldom lived on rice. Potatoes, oats and millets were their staple food. Lastly, Engel's coefficient for the Tomack-min (the residents in mud huts) who were among the three extremely poor classes, was 73.3%, which was much higher than that of the lower classes in then Japan. Rationed rice and barley were their staple food but the rationed amount was not sufficient to satisfy needs of physical labor. In conclusion, during the period of Japanese ruling of Chosun, the minority of higher and middle classes in Chosun generally took sufficient amount of nutrient, while the status of food intake with poor peasants, fire-field farmers and Tomack-min was extremely miserable.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.56-66
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite successes recorded in combating iodine deficiency, more than 2 billion people are still at risk of iodine deficiency disorders. Rural landlocked and mountainous areas of developing countries are the hardest hit, hence the need to explore and advance novel strategies such as biofortification. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We evaluated adoption, purchase, and consumption of iodine biofortified vegetable legumes (IBVL) using the theory of protection motivations (PMT) integrated with an economic valuation technique. A total of 1,200 participants from three land-locked locations in East Africa were recruited via multi-stage cluster sampling, and data were collected using two, slightly distinct, questionnaires incorporating PMT constructs. The survey also elicited preferences for iodine biofortified foods when offered at a premium or discount. Determinants of protection motivations and preferences for iodine biofortified foods were assessed using path analysis modelling and two-limit Tobit regression, respectively. RESULTS: Knowledge of iodine, iodine-health link, salt iodization, and biofortification was very low, albeit lower at the household level. Iodine and biofortification were not recognized as nutrient and novel approaches, respectively. On the other hand, severity, fear, occupation, knowledge, iodine status, household composition, and self-efficacy predicted the intention to consume biofortified foods at the household level; only vulnerability, self-efficacy, and location were the most crucial elements at the school level. In addition, results demonstrated a positive willingness-to-pay a premium or acceptance of a lesser discount for biofortification. Furthermore, preference towards iodine biofortified foods was a function of protection motivations, severity, vulnerability, fear, response efficacy, response cost, knowledge, iodine status, gender, age. and household head. CONCLUSIONS: Results lend support for prevention of iodine deficiency in unprotected populations through biofortification; however 'threat' appraisal and socio-economic predictors are decisive in designing nutrition interventions and stimulating uptake of biofortification. In principle, the contribution is threefold: 1) Successful application of the integrated model to guide policy formulation; 2) Offer guidance to stakeholders to identify and tap niche markets; 3) stimulation of rural economic growth around school feeding programmes.

• Journal of Plant Biotechnology
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.124-130
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• 2021

Nitrate is an important nutrient and signaling molecule in plants that modulates the expression of many genes and regulates plant growth. In this study, we cover the research status of transcription factors related to the control of gene expression by nitrate signaling in higher plants. Nitrate reductase is a key enzyme in nitrogen assimilation, as it catalyzes the nitrate-to-nitrite reduction process in plants. A variety of factors, including nitrate, light, metabolites, phytohormones, low temperature, and drought, modulate the expression levels of nitrate reductase genes and nitrate reductase activity, which is consistent with the physiological role if. Recently, several transcription factors controlling the expression of nitrate reductase genes have been identified in higher plants. NODULE-INCEPTION-Like Proteins (NLPs) are transcription factors responsible for the nitrate-inducible expression of nitrate reductase genes. Since NLPs also control the nitrate-inducible expression of genes encoding the nitrate transporter, nitrite transporter, and nitrite reductase, the expression levels of nitrate reduction pathway-associated genes are coordinately modulated by NLPs in response to nitrate. Understanding the function of nitrate in plants will be useful to create crops with low nitrogen use.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.137-151
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• 2019

Objectives: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. Methods: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. Conclusions: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.330-347
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• 2022

Folate, a water-soluble vitamin, acts as a coenzyme for one-carbon metabolism in nucleic acid synthesis and amino acid metabolism. Adequate folate nutritional status during the periconceptional period is known to prevent neural tube defects. In addition, insufficient folate intake is associated with various conditions, such as anemia, hyperhomocysteinemia, cardiovascular disease, cancer, cognitive impairment, and depression. This review discusses the rationale for the revision of the 2020 Korean dietary reference intakes for folate, and suggestions for future revisions. Based on the changes in the standard body weight in 2020, the adequate intake (AI) for infants (5-11 months) and the estimated average requirements (EARs) for 15-18 years of age were revised, but there were no changes in the recommended nutrient intakes (RNIs) and tolerable upper intake levels (ULs) for all age groups. Mean folate intake did not reach RNI in most age groups and was particularly low in women aged 15-29 years, according to the results of the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The percentages of folate intake to RNI were lower than 60% in pregnant and lactating women, but serum folate concentrations were higher than those in other age groups, presumably due to the use of supplements. Therefore, total folate intake, from both food and supplements, should be evaluated. In addition, the database of folate in raw, cooked, and fortified foods should be further expanded to accurately assess the folate intake of Koreans. Determination of the concentrations of erythrocyte folate and plasma homocysteine as well as serum folate is recommended, and quality control of the analysis is critical.

• Applied Biological Chemistry
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• v.46 no.2
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• pp.123-129
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• 2003

This study is to investigate consequent nutrient intake status, Influences of body mass index (BMI) and serum lipid composition, and fat distribution on the cocoon hydrolysate, green tea leaves and dietary fiber supplementation. During 2 months of this research (April to May, 2002), 47 women aged 20 yr-30 yr (average age 26.2 yr) were selected as subjects. Nutrient intake was investigated by questionnaire and 24-hr recall method. Antropometric assessments of the subjects were investigated by SBIA method (Segmental bioimpedance assay, Inbody 3.0). The results were as follows: mean body weight was 60.7 kg, mean body height 161.7 cm and mean BMI 23.4. Status of energy intakes significantly decreased (p<0.01) and dietary fiber intakes significantly increased (p<0.001) after supplementation. BMI and WHR (waist-hip ratio) significantly decreased (p<0.01) and body fat significantly decreased after supplementation (p<0.001). Total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol significantly decreased after supplementation (p<0.05). HDL-cholesterol was negatively correlated with BMI and WHR (p<0.01). LDL/HDL ratio was positively correlated with BMI (p<0.01) and WHR (p<0.05). Above results of this study show that low-molecule peptide, green tea leaves and dietary fiber supplementation-added routine diet improves lessening body fat distribution, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol. Especially, decrease of abdominal fat and WHR were notable. That meant decrease of risk factors.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.480-488
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• 2002

This study was performed to document the association between obesity, a major risk factor for chronic diseases, and dietary pattern in Korean elderly. The subjects were 595 men and women aged 60-89 years. The subjects were classified into 4 groups based on BMI: under weight, BMI < 18.5, normal weight, 18.5 $\leq$ BMI 22.9; overweight, 23.0 BMI 24.9; and obese BMI $\geq$ 25.0. Dietary intakes by 24-hr recall, blood pressure, anthropometric parameters and health eating index (HEI) were measured. Underweight group was excluded for data analysis doe to small number of subjects, and age-adjusted measurements were compared among normal, overweight and obese groups. The mean anthropometric values for males and females were 23.7 and 24.8 kg/$m^2$ for BMI, 0.90 and 0.86 for WHR and 140.7 and 138.8 mmHg for SBP, respectively. The mean intakes of energy, Ca, vitamin A, vitamin B$_2$, and vitamin E did not meet Korean RDA for elderly. Intakes of fat and cholesterol were low: the percent energy from fat for male and female subjects were 19.1% and 18.1% and mean cholesterol intakes were 208 mg and 152 mg, respectively. Judging by HEI score, dietary quality was better in females than in male subjects. The mean BMI of normal, over and obese groups were 21.4, 23.9, 26.7 kg/$m^2$ in male subjects and 21.6, 23.9, 27.1 kg/$m^2$ in female subjects. WHR, SBP and TSF were increased with increasing BMI No association was found between BMI and nutrient intakes and/or food consumption pattern. However, a tendency was shown that the overweight group reported higher intakes in most nutrients compared to normal and obese groups. This study implies that with increasing BMI, anthropometric risk factors, such as WHR, TSF, and blood pressure were Increased, however, no significant differences were found in nutrient intakes and food patterns. Energy and fat intakes do not seem to be a cause for obesity in Korean elderly.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.43-50
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• 1976

This is the report of a food consumption survey of 193 members of 30 farm families in three rural villages of Korea. From a total of 188 households of the three villages, namely Wolgok in Kyunggi Do Province, Wachon in Kangwon Do Province, and Sobong in Cholla Namdo Province, 30 households were chosen for the survey. Four consecutive seasonal surveys, beginning in the autumn, November 1974 and finishing with the summer, August 1975, were made and each survey covered three consecutive days. The Precise Weighing Method was used in evaluating the kinds of food and nutrient intakes of the subjects. This method entails the accurate weighing of all foods by the investigator just prior to their consumption by the subjects under investigation. This survey was male to determine the actual food eaten by the members of these farm families at each season of the year, and to note any special differences in the foods consumed. The results obtained are summarized as follows: Food Intake The traditional ordinary diet of Korean farmers consists mainly of rice and other cereals as staple foods, and simple subsidary foods. The nutritional shortcomings of rice as a staple food are evident in the subclinical status of nutritional deficiencies. The mean consumption of cereals and their products was very high and it was more than half of the daily total food intake throughout all the seasons. The consumption of animal food, fruits, and fat by the farmers was very low. Fruit intake during winter and spring was almost nil. One of the special foods in the Korean dietary pattern is Kim-chi, a variety of pickled and fermented vegetables. The mean intake of Kim-chi during autumn and winter was very much higher than the other seasons. Korean farmers have difficulties in balanced year-round supply of food due to seasonality of food production and lack of food preservation. As nutrition problems of Korean farmers are highly influenced by seasonal variations, the expansion of an appropriate food preservation and storage programme should be encouraged. Special consideration should be given to new methods of preservation, the types of foods preserved, and production and consumption of nutritionally valuable foods for the improvement of the nutritional status in rural communities. Nutrient Intake Average adult rates for calorie and protein in the three study areas were 0.80 and 0.87 respectively, with little variations by villages. The adult caloric intake in averaged 2,928 kcal for autumn, 2,662 for winter, 2,673 for spring, and 2,760 for summer. Cereals contributed most of the total calories. In terms of the recommended daily dietary allowances for the Korean given by the Korea FAO Association, the diets in this survey were adequate except in the winter and spring. The protein intake averaged from 76.4 grams in autumn to 83.4 grams in summer and was near the recommended allowance, but a relatively large proportion of the total protein came from cereals and their products. The fat intake was unsatisfactory, ranging from 19.2 grams to 29.3 grams for the four seasons, and the consumption during farming season was higher than other seasons. It is apparent that the diet of the Korean farmers should be supplemented by calcium during autumn and winter. The highest calcium intake, with a mean of 583.5 milligrams, was recorded in summer. The mean intake of iron ranged from a low of 9.2 milligrams in the autumn to a high of 15.0 milligrams in the spring and it was satisfactory for all seasons. Among the vitamin group, the daily average intakes of vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid were lower than the desired intake throughout all the seasons. The mean vitamin A intake as ${\beta}-carotene$ ranged from a low of 2,807.8 IU to a high of 5,221.0 IU. The thiamine intake ranged from 0.98 milligrams to 1.19 milligrams, while mean riboflavin intake ranged from 0.92 milligrams to 1.13 milligrams. Ascorbic acid intake was 37.3 milligrams, the lowest, and the highest 47.8 milligrams. Niacin intake among Korean farmers was higher than the recommended allowance throughout all the seasons, and the mean intake ranged from 18.3 milligrams to 25.8 milligrams. The main character of the Korean farmers' diet has been found low in quality of protein and high in carbohydrate. Attention should be paid to the low intake of vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, and ascorbic acid among Korean farmers.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.112-119
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• 2003

We studied the nutritional status of on mentally handicapped children living at home or in institutions since early teenage years are nutritionally important. The subjects of 7 to 12 year old mentally retarded children attenending a special education school in Seoul were surveyed with questionnaires as well as 2-day dietary recall records, with the help of persons of their care-giver when needed. Among the 64 children,54.7% are living in institutions and the rest of them are living at home. They were ranged from the trainable (64.1%) , the educable (26.6%) , and the non-trainable (9.4%) . Their average daily intake of energy intakes (%RDA) was 2,070.1 kcal (94.1%) , Ca 603.9 mg (75.5%) , Fe 11.1 mg (92.5%), Vt.A 507.5 RE (84.6%) , Vt. B$_2$.1g (88.2%), niacin 14.1 g (93.6%) and Vt. C 58.2 g (83.1%) . Their average intakes of these nutrients were significantly higher in subjects of institutions than at home. The nutrients consumed at a much higher level than the RDh of the normal children were Vt. B, (1.6 g,146.8%) and protein (75.3g, 136.9%) . The higher percentage of children at home were under consumed of several nutrients (< 75% RDA) than ones in institutions. When comparing the degree of handicap, energy and nutrient intakes except Vt. C were highest in educable children than trainable ones or Dawn's children. MAR of the diets of the subjects was 0.84. Children at home showed lower MAR as well as NAR of each nutrients, whereas children belonged to INQ < 1 were less at home. Handicapped children at home were snacking higher amount relative to their calorie intake and too frequently, that may lead to their poor nutrition. There was positive correlations between factors of nutrition and physical and dietary behaviors, but there were no correlations between factors of nutrition and health-related habits. Nutritional caring mentally handicapped children in institutions seemed to be more effectively managed.