• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• 제13권6호
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• pp.498-508
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Lower circulating 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] levels are associated with a higher risk of hypertension (HTN); however, it remains unclear whether the relationship is causal. We aimed to evaluate the causal effects of circulating 25(OH)D levels on the prevalence of HTN in the Korean population using the Mendelian randomization (MR) approach. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Epidemiological data, serum 25(OH)D data, and genomic DNA biospecimens were obtained from 2,591 participants, a subset of the study population in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey 2011-2012. Five 25(OH)D-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs; DHCR7 rs12785878, CYP2R1 rs10741657, CYP2R1 rs12794714, CYP24A1 rs6013897, and GC rs2282679), identified a priori from genome-wide association studies, were used as instrument variables (IVs) for serum 25(OH)D levels. In the MR analysis, we performed IV analyses using the two-stage least squares method. RESULTS: In the observational analysis, circulating 25(OH)D levels were found to be inversely associated with the HTN prevalence in ordinary least squares models (odds ratio: 0.97, 95% confidence interval: 0.96, 0.99) after adjusting for the potential confounders. There were differences in the circulating 25(OH)D levels across genotypes of individual SNPs. In the MR analysis, using individual SNPs as IVs, 25(OH)D levels were not associated with the HTN prevalence. CONCLUSIONS: We found no association between genetically determined circulating 25(OH)D levels and HTN in Korean adults. Our results are listed owing to the relatively small sample size and possible weak instrument bias; therefore, further studies are needed to confirm these results.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• 제14권3호
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• pp.1669-1676
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• 2013

Background: Variation in cancer incidence in geographical locations is due to different lifestyles and risk factors. Diet and socio-economic position (SEP) have been identified as important for the etiology of cancer but patterns are changing and inconsistent. The aim of this study was to investigate correlations of the incidence of common cancers with food groups, total energy, smoking, and SEP. Materials and Methods: In an ecological study, disaggregated cancer data through the National Cancer Registry in Iran (2008) and dietary intake, smoking habits and SEP obtained through a population based survey within the Urban Health Equity Assessment (Urban-HEART) project were correlated across 22 districts of Tehran. Results: Consumption of fruit, meat and dairy products adjusted for energy were positively correlated with bladder, colorectal, prostate and breast and total cancers in men and women, while these cancers were adversely correlated with bread and fat intake. Also prostate, breast, colorectal, bladder and ovarian cancers had a positive correlation with SEP; there was no correlation between SEP and skin cancer in both genders and stomach cancer in men. Conclusions: The incidence of cancer was higher in some regions of Tehran which appeared to be mainly determined by SEP rather than dietary intake. Further individual data are required to investigate reasons of cancer clustering.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제46권5호
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• pp.470-481
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• 2013

This study provides standardized scientific criteria for education materials on nutrition and diet that could be used in schools, workplaces, and health and medical facilities. The study was conducted from April 2011 to October 2011. Literature reviews, institutional visits, and telephone interviews were conducted for the first draft of the accreditation criteria. Expert meeting and advisory councils were conducted in order to obtain feedback after development of the first draft of accreditation criteria. In order to verify the validity and reliability of the first draft on certification criteria, a survey was sent out to 143 professionals, including professors, researchers, health and medical experts, teachers, nutrition teachers, dietitians, and clinical nutritionists. After several modifications, the final accreditation criteria were established for 1) printed materials (authority, credibility, objectivity, organization, editing, real-life usability, activities and participation, and public interest), 2) web-sites (authority, credibility, objectivity, design, real-life usability, accessibility, currency, and public interest) and 3) materials with activities (credibility, organization, design, convenience of utilizing, safety, and public interest). Out of several criteria, contents (authority, credibility. and objectivity) and publicity (public interest) areas are mandatory requirements. For the accreditation, books for learning and materials with activities are required to meet more than six evaluation components, and the other materials are required to meet more than five evaluation components, including the required area. Accreditation criteria developed in this study could be used as a standard for development or selection of good education materials for nutrition and dietary life.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제44권2호
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• pp.93-100
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was performed to identify the socioeconomic factors, health behavior factors and dietary patterns that have an influence on the fasting blood glucose in adults. Methods: This study used data collected from the 2007, 2008, 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The final sample included 4163 subjects who were 30-59 years old and who had completed the necessary health examinations, the health behaviors survey and nutrition survey. Results: Eleven dietary patterns emerged from the factor analysis with different factor loading. After controlling for potential confounders, multiple regression analysis of the dietary patterns showed that 'fruits', 'alcohols', and 'starchy foods' affected the fasting blood. Lower consumption of 'fruits' and higher consumption of 'alcohols' and 'starch foods' were significantly associated only with an increased risk of high blood glucose. Conclusions: In the light of the results of this study, it appears pretty likely that the risk of developing high blood glucose can be reduced by changing a person's dietary patterns.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제18권2호
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• pp.145-149
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• 2013

We tested for residual pesticide levels in dried vegetables in Seoul, Korea. A total of 100 samples of 13 different types of agricultural products were analyzed by a gas chromatography-nitrogen phosphate detector (GC-NPD), an electron capture detector (GC-${\mu}ECD$), a mass spectrometry detector (GC-MSD), and a high performance liquid chromatography- ultraviolet detector (HPLC-UV). We used multi-analysis methods to analyze for 253 different pesticide types. Among the selected agricultural products, residual pesticides were detected in 11 samples, of which 2 samples (2.0%) exceeded the Korea Maximum Residue limits (MRLs). We detected pesticide residue in 6 of 9 analyzed dried pepper leaves and 1 sample exceeded the Korea MRLs. Data obtained were then used for estimating the potential health risks associated with the exposures to these pesticides. The estimated daily intakes (EDIs) range from 0.1% of the acceptable daily intake (ADI) for bifenthrin to 8.4% of the ADI for cadusafos. The most critical commodity is cadusafos in chwinamul, contributing 8.4% to the hazard index (HI). This results show that the detected pesticides could not be considered a serious public health problem. Nevertheless, an investigation into continuous monitoring is recommended.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• 제8권2호
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• pp.104-110
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to examine dietary frequencies among Korean American adolescents in California, including the correlation of acculturation and parental dietary Consumption. This study was drawn from cross-sectional telephone surveys based on data from a larger study of Korean Americans in California using random sampling of residential phone listings. A total of 494 Korean American adolescents, ages 12 through 17, in California were collected with dietary frequencies and acculturation and one parents' demographic and dietary consumption information. Three-quarters of adolescents were classified as 'more acculturated group' into the U.S. society with a lower preference to Korean foods, frequent snacking, and lower consumptions of rice and kimchi. Other quarter of adolescents was classified as 'less acculturated group'. However, the most frequent food items by both groups were rice and kimchi. Fruit and vegetable consumption was associated between adolescents and parents in both groups, but rice and kimchi were associated only among the more-acculturated group. In conclusion, dietary frequencies of Korean American adolescents were influenced by acculturation and parental dietary consumption. These findings should inform future epidemiological researches as well as efforts to enhance the diet of Koreans and other immigrants.

• 대한예방의학회:학술대회논문집
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• 대한예방의학회 2005년도 제57차 추계 학술대회 연제집
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• pp.334-334
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• 2005

• 보건교육건강증진학회지
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• 제28권2호
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• pp.15-25
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• 2011

Objectives: This study aimed to assess the association between physical activity and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in Koreans. Methods: A total of 9,689 adults(${\geq}19$ years, 4,036 men) from the Fourth National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2007-2008) were examined by the International Physical Activity Questionnaraire (IPAQ)-short form and Korean EuroQol-5 Dimension(KEQ-5D). Results: For the physical activity by IPAQ, 'Inactive group' was 75.3%, 'Minimally active group' was 23.5%, and 'Health-Enhancing Physical Activity(HEPA) group' was 1.2%. The mean HRQOL index was $0.89{\pm}0.13$. These relations of physical activity and HRQOL remained significant after adjustment for age, sex, smoking, subjective health status, stress, depression, and socioeconomic status variables (Adjusted $R^2$ = 0.334). Conclusions: Physical activity was associated with health-related quality of life. Physically active group had higher health-related quality of life than the inactive group.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• 제2권1호
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• pp.71-84
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• 2000

This paper presents the status of nutrition education for older adults in Korea, and examines considerations in developing effective nutrition education programs for the elderly based on literature reviews. Finally, strategies of nutrition education for older adults in Korea are examined. Status of nutrition education were examined by surveying 90 senior centers, and 46 public health centers providing nutrition services. Most senior centers(96%) provided health education programs, however, nutrition was only a part of health programs. Among the 41 public health centers which responded to the survey, 73.1% provided nutrition education for older adults. The frequently covered topics were prevention & management of hypertension/stroke, diabetes, nutritional management during later adulthood, and osteoporosis. Common barriers in planning and implementing elderly education were; lack of educational materials for older adults, reliance on lectures, difficulty in following-up. To develop effective nutrition education, four stages consisting of needs assessment, planning and implementation of programs, and evaluation should be carefully done. Needs assessment might be done using quantitative or qualitative assessment. Factors influencing nutrition behavior of older adults can be systematically examined using a theoretical approach such as the PRECEDE-PROCEED framework. Qualitative methods, such as focus group interviews, also provide insightful information regarding the needs of older adults. In planning nutrition education programs, physical and pshychological changes associated with aging should be considered. Literature regarding elderly education suggest that active participation or participatory learning is also effective for older adults. Educational materials are developed following the principle of KISS and pre-tested. Program evaluation has been rarely done in practice, although it provides valuable feedback to the program. Strategies for developing nutrition education for Korean elderly include; performing needs assessment, developing a standard program by topics in a logical and systematic way, developing programs for subgroups of elderly, applying diverse education methods developing educational materials for the elderly, evaluating programs using simple tools, and delivering a nutrition program as a part of health promotion program. Finally, the interaction and communication between researchers and practitioners is strongly recommended to ensure better nutrition education and services to the elderly.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• 제47권2호
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• pp.94-103
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• 2014

Objectives: The present study examined relationships between socioeconomic status (SES) and obesity and body mass index (BMI) as well as the effects of health-related behavioral and psychological factors on the relationships. Methods: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted on Korean adults aged 20 to 79 years using data from the 2001, 2005, and 2007 to 2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Multivariate logistic and linear regression models were used to estimate odds ratios of obesity and mean differences in BMI, respectively, across SES levels after controlling for health-related behavioral and psychological factors. Results: We observed significant gender-specific relationships of SES with obesity and BMI after adjusting for all covariates. In men, income, but not education, showed a slightly positive association with BMI (p<0.05 in 2001 and 2005). In women, education, but not income, was inversely associated with both obesity and BMI (p<0.0001 in all datasets). These relationships were attenuated with adjusting for health-related behavioral factors, not for psychological factors. Conclusions: Results confirmed gender-specific disparities in the associations of SES with obesity and BMI among adult Korean population. Focusing on intervention for health-related behaviors may be effective to reduce social inequalities in obesity.