• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.545-552
• /
• 2012

This study evaluated the validity and reliability of applying a newly developed dish-based, semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Korean diet and cancer research. The subjects in the present study were 288 Korean adults over 30 years of age who had completed two FFQs and four 3-day diet records (DRs) from May 2008 to February 2009. Student's t-tests, Chi-square tests, and Spearman's rank correlation coefficients were used to estimate and compare intakes from different dietary assessment tools. Agreement in quintiles was calculated to validate agreement between the results of the second FFQ (FFQ-2) conducted in February 2009 and the DRs. Median Spearman's correlation coefficients between the intake of nutrients and foods assessed by the FFQ-1 and FFQ-2 were 0.59 and 0.57, respectively, and the coefficients between the intake of nutrients and foods assessed by the FFQ-2 and the DRs were 0.31 and 0.29, respectively. The quintile classifications of same or adjacent quintile for intake of nutrients and foods were 64% and 65%, respectively. Misclassification into opposite quintiles occurred in less than 5% for all dietary factors. Thus this newly-developed, Korean dish-based FFQ demonstrated moderate correspondence with the four 3-day DRs. Its reliability and validity are comparable to those reported in other studies.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.250-262
• /
• 2002

This study was conducted to develop a simple flood frequency questionnaire (FFQ) based on the results of contributions of specific floods to absolute intake and between-person variance in nutrients using semi-quantitative FFQ with 93 flood items. The subjects were 554 healthy adults for development of a simple FFQ, and 37 students for a validation test of a developed simple FFQ. The contribution of specific floods to 80% absolute nutrient intake was measured by assessing their percentage in total consumption of a nutrient. To assess the contributions of floods to the between-person variance in the intake of each specific nutrient, stepwise multiple regressions were performed. The number of floods necessary to account for the respective 80% of absolute intake was 11-36, depending on the nutrient, while flower floods (5-16 floods) were required for the corresponding percentage of between-person variation for all nutrients. Important floods for between-person variance include Tangsuyuk (pork) and snacks for energy and fat, fish for protein and polyunsaturated fatty acids (PUFA) and snacks for carbohydrates. Spearman correlation coefficients between 93-itemed FFQ and 63-itemed FFQ ranged from 0.91 for vitamin A to 0.99 for fat in the population data used in developing a simple FFQ. Also, the correlation coefficients between the two FFQs were 0.82-7.92 in the population for the validation test. This study suggests that useful information on dietary intake could be obtained using a simple semi-quantitative FFQ in a large-scale dietary survey in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.156-166
• /
• 2012

The aim of this study was to develop and evaluate the simple semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing folate intake in women of reproductive age. We developed a 30-item FFQ, and tested the reliability and validity in 97 women aged between 20 and 39 yrs using the FFQs and 24-h recalls, which were carried out twice, respectively. Assessing the reliability, the correlation coefficients were 0.53 (Spearman's) and 0.49 (Pearson's) for folate. There was no significant difference of folate intake between FFQ1 and FFQ2. 36.1% subjects were classified into the same quartile and 83.5% into the same or adjacent quartile divided by folate intake. On determining the validity, the mean folate intake obtained from the FFQ (FFQ1) and 24h-recalls (2-d) were $306.6{\pm}167.2{\mu}g/d$ and $326.9{\pm}103.3{\mu}g/d$, respectively. There was no significant difference between folate intakes from the two methods. The correlation coefficients for folate were 0.24 (Spearman's) and 0.26 (Pearson's). 39.2% of the subjects were categorized into the same quartile and 70.1% were into the same or adjacent quartile. In addition, sensitivity (64.3%) and specificity (62.3%) were estimated to evaluate the adequacy of folate intake. These results suggest that this FFQ would be a useful and a valuable instrument to assess the intake of folate among the Korean women of child-bearing age.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1081-1088
• /
• 2002

Flavonoids are phytochemicals that occur ubiquitously in plant foods that have been reported to have potential roles in the prevention of cancer, inhibition of platelet aggregation or inflammation. However, there was no accurate data reported on the intake of middle-aged Korean population. The present study was designed to assess dietary intake of flavonoids (including isoflavones) of 304 adults (20-59 yr, male 115, famale 189) living in Daejeon area using semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The questionnaire consisted of 50 food items, including vegetables, soy products, seaweeds, nuts and beans, fruits and beverages. Our self-administered questionnaire contained questions regarding subject's habitual diet and alcohol intake over the previous 3 months. Average daily intake of individual flavonols such as quercetin, kaempferol, myricetin, and flavones such as luteolin, apigenin was 15.7, 8.7, 0.21, 2.07, 0.03 mg/day, respectively. Daily intake of daidzein and genistein, which are the commonly found isoflavones in soy products, were 16.6 and 21.4 mg/day, respectively. Combined intake of flavonoids was 64.3 mg/day. No effect of smoking, drinking and exercise was observed on flavonoids consumption. Food items that has the highest daily intake of each compounds were; quercetin (onion, 9.49 mg/day), kaempferol (strawberry, 1.18 mg/day), myricetin (green tea, 0.81 mg/day), apigenin (lettuce, 0.03 mg/day), luteolin (onion, 0.05 mg/day), daidzein (soybean sprout, 5.99 mg/day), genistein (soybean sprout, 7.02 mg/day). These findings provide valuable information on understanding the dietary flavonoids intake from a typical Korean daily diet, which might help to identify the risks for developing various diseases.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.19 no.3
• /
• pp.188-205
• /
• 2007

1. Objectives This study was carried our to investigate the actual nutrient intake based on Sasang Constitution. 2. Subjects and Methods This study was performed with 984 adults(292 males, 692 females) aged 40 to 69, diagnosed of their Sasang constitution(1 Taeyangin, 242 Soyangin, 492 Taeumin, 249 Soeumin). Data was collected using the Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire. The daily mean nutrient intake and the index for evaluation of quality of nutrient intake were investigated and compared among three constitutional groups(Soyangin, Taeumin, Soeumin) 3. Results and Conclusions The comparisons of the daily mean nutrient intake and the index for evaluation of quality of nutrient intake among three constitutional groups were as followings. (1) In male, the daily mean fat-intake of Taeumin was significantly more than that of Soeumin. In the ratio of car bohydrate-intake in total calorie, Soemuin was significantly higher than the other two groups, and in the ratio of fat-intake lower. %RDA of vitamin B was significantly different among groups. (2) In female, the daily mean fat-intake of Soyangin was significantly more than that of Soeumin. In the ratio of carbohydrate-intake in total calorie, Soemuin was significantly higher than Soyangin, and in the ratio of protein and fat-intake lower. In INQ of protein, Soyangin was significantly higher than Soeumin.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.393-402
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of overweight and to compare the dietary behaviors, nutrient intake and physical activities of specialized game high school students. Total of 163 subjects participated and their weight, height, waist circumference, hip circumference and bone status by a quantitative ultrasound method were measured. The subjects were surveyed by a self-administered questionnaire about general characteristics, dietary behaviors and physical activities. Nutrient intakes of the subjects were assessed by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The subjects were divided into four groups on their obesity level by BMI. The prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight and obese group was 6%, 58%, 16%, and 20% respectively. BMI was negatively correlated with bone mineral density (p < 0.01) and positively correlated with WHR (p < 0.01). The dietary guideline compliance score for "Enjoy Korean rice food style" was 2.63, followed by "Prepare food sanitarily"2.48, "Do not skip breakfast"2.29, "Eat a variety of vegetables, fruits, dairy products daily"2.25, "Drink water instead of beverage"2.10, "Choose less fried foods"2.09 and "Maintain healthy weight"1.91. The exercise frequency of walking was not significantly different between groups; however, heavy exercise frequency was significantly lower in underweight group than the other groups (p < 0.05). The energy intake was 2153 kcal, which was 81.2% of the Estimate Energy Requirement, and the intake of calcium and vitamin $B_2$ was 66.7% and 77.8% of KDRIs. Particularly, the intake of iron, vitamin A and vitamin C was about 59.4%, 52.2% and 55.4% of KDRIs and INQ was 0.71, 0.63 and 0.65 respectively, and intake of folic acid fell behind 39.1% of KDRIs and INQ was 0.46. Our study suggests that the systematic and continuous nutrition education will have to be provided at schools to improve dietary and health behaviors and prevent chronic metabolic disease for students of specialized game high school.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.440-450
• /
• 2016

Objectives: We previously developed a dish-based semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for Korean adolescents and reported that it had reasonable reliability and validity. The objective of the current study was to construct a web-based dietary evaluation system applying the FFQ for Korean adolescents and examine its applicability in the context of reliability and validity. Methods: A web-based food frequency questionnaire system was designed using a comprehensive approach, incorporating not only dietary data survey but also up-to-date nutrition information and individualized eating behavior guidelines. A convenience sample of 50 boys and girls aged 12~18 years agreed to participate in the study and completed the FFQ twice and 3 days of dietary recall on the developed website during a two-month period. The FFQ's reliability and validity was examined using correlation and cross classification analysis. We also measured participants' subjective levels of the web site's usability, visual effect, understanding, and familiarity. Results: Spearman correlation coefficients for reliability ranged from 0.74 (for vitamin A) to 0.94 (for energy). From cross-classification analyses, the proportion of subjects in the same intake quartile was highest for energy (82.0%) and lowest for vitamin A (56.0%). With regard to validity analysis, Spearman correlation coefficients ranged from 0.34 (for fiber) to 0.79 (for energy). The proportions of subjects in the opposite categories between the first FFQ and 3-day diet recall data were generally low from 0.00% (for fat) to 36.2% (for sodium). Average subjective levels of the website's usability, visual effect, understanding, and familiarity were all found to be over 4 points out of 5 points. Conclusions: The web-based dietary evaluation system developed can serve as a valid and attractive tool for administering FFQ to Korean adolescents.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.99-105
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Compelling evidence indicates that consumption of trans-fatty acids (TFA) is associated with a wide range of diseases. However, few validated tools for TFA intake assessment are available in Korea. We aimed to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) estimating usual intake of TFA in Korean adults. MATERIALS/METHODS: Eighty-two healthy adults completed an FFQ with a 3-day diet record (3DDR), and 58 completed a second FFQ at a 1-month interval. To assess the reproducibility of the FFQ, we compared estimated TFA intakes from each FFQ. To assess the validity, we compared estimates from the FFQ with those from the 3DDR. RESULTS: The FFQ was reproducible (Spearman r = 0.71) and provided modest correlations with the 3DDR (Spearman r = 0.38). After adjustment for total energy intake, the correlations increased (r = 0.45). Measurement-error correction also de-attenuated the correlations (r = 0.57). When quintiles of the FFQ and 3DDR were joint-classified, 9% on average were misclassified into extreme quintiles. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings suggest that the developed FFQ is reproducible and reasonably valid in categorizing individuals according to TFA intakes among healthy young and middle aged adults in Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.39 no.1
• /
• pp.28-34
• /
• 2006

This study was performed to compare nutrients intake and levels of three elements (iron, copper and zinc) in the plasma of breast cancer patients to those in healthy controls. Patients (n = 97) and their age-matched healthy control groups (n = 97) participated in the study. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire specifically formulated to evaluate the consumption of nutrients was used to estimate dietary intake. Only plasma was taken from the 20 patients and their age-matched healthy control group. Plasma concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, ratio of Cu/Zn were measured in both groups. Results showed that patients consumed significantly lower protein, fat, iron. Plasma level of copper and ratio of Cu/Zn were significantly higher in patients compared to those of controls. In conclusion, change of trace elements in plasma might be useful and significant as biomakers involving the initial process. And these results imply that trace elements status is a factor related to breast cancer risk and suggest that proper intake of those nutrients is required for cancer prevention.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.12 no.5
• /
• pp.436-442
• /
• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the effect of dairy products, milk and yogurt on osteoporosis incidence among Korean postmenopausal women using prospective cohort data. MATERIALS/METHODS: Between 2001 and 2003, 10,038 participants were recruited in rural and urban areas for a baseline examination of a community-based cohort study. Of those, 1,573 postmenopausal women (aged 40-69 years at baseline) were eligible for the present study. Intakes of dairy products, milk, and yogurt were assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The speed of sound at the radius and tibia were measured using a quantitative ultrasound device and osteoporosis was defined based on the WHO criteria (T-score ${\leq}-2.5$). RESULTS: During the 4-years follow-up study, the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis was 18.4% (273 cases) in the radius and 33.6% (407 cases) in the tibia. The subjects with higher frequency of dairy product consumption showed a decreased risk of radius osteoporosis after adjusting for potential confounders [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33-0.80 for >1 time/day vs. non consumer; P for trend = 0.0027]. Similarly, high frequency of milk and yogurt consumption had a protective effect on radius osteoporosis risk [milk: HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42-0.87 for > 5-6 times/week vs. non consumer (P for trend = 0.0130), yogurt: HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30-0.85 for > 5-6 times/week vs. non consumer (P for trend = 0.0167)]. However, high dairy products consumption was not related with tibia osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that daily intake of dairy products could potentially reduce radius osteoporosis incidence among Korean postmenopausal women.