• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.191-199
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• 2003

This study was conducted to evaluate nutritional status of Korean women of child-bearing age. A comparison was made between 113 non-pregnant and 200 pregnant women. Pregnant women of 24-28 weeks of gestation were recruited from prenatal clinic in Seoul. Nonpregnant women were included college students, nurses, office employers, and sales women. General characteristics, anthropometric measurements, dietary intakes, and hematological values were assessed. There was no difference in mean BMI for nonpregnant and pregnant (pre-gravid) women, which were 20.2 kg/m$^2$and 20.6 kg/m$^2$respectively. The pregnant women showed a tendency of better health-caring behavior, evidenced by stop smoking and drinking, and in taking nutrient supplements. The mean intakes of energy, vitamin A, vitamin B$_2$, calcium, and iron did not meet Korean RDA for adult women. In particular, calcium and iron intakes of both nonpregnant and pregnant women were under 60% of the Korean RDA. Judging by MDA score, dietary quality was better in pregnant than in nonpregnant women. Mean serum values of albumin, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, Hb, IgA, IgG were in normal range. However, more than 13% of the nonpregnant subjects showed mild hypercholesterolemia (cholesterol > 200 mg/dl) and anemia (Hb < 12.0 g/dl) . The percentage of anemia in pregnant women were much higher; the subject with Hb < 11.0 g/dl were approximately 30%. The pregnant subjects showed significantly higher serum concentrations of triglycerides and cholesterol, and significantly lower concentrations of albumin, IgA, and IgG compared to nonpregnant women. Correlation analysis showed that Hb concentrations were correlated with the intakes of iron- and protein- containing foods such as meat and vegetables. This study strongly suggest that iron-deficient anemia is a major nutrition problem in Korean child-bearing women and this condition is correlated with dietary intakes.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.111-124
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• 2008

This study was conducted to develop a computerized food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) for assessing nutritional status of women of child-bearing age. Computerized food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) that reflect intakes of energy, carbohydrate, fat and protein was developed for women of child-bearing age. This FFQ is composed of 61 foods or food groups containing 192 dish items. To estimate of energy intake easily, we have developed a computer program that can be viewed on a computer screen in an actual size of dish items. Nutrient intakes of the last three months by the FFQ was validated with comparing the result of a 3-day diet record through 92 college students aged from 20 to 30. The level of energy, carbohydrate and sodium of estimating by the FFQ method was significantly higher than the level of a 3-day diet records method (p < 0.01). Pearson's correlation coefficients between the two methods were 0.50 for carbohydrate (p < 0.01), 0.55 for energy (p < 0.01) and 0.56 for protein (p < 0.01). Spearman's correlation coefficients were 0.53 for carbohydrate (p < 0.01), 0.55 for energy (p < 0.01) and 0.52 for protein (p < 0.01). The percent of subject in the lowest quartile in a 3-day diet record belonged to the first and second lowest quartile in food frequency questionnaire is 78.2% in energy, 91.3% in carbohydrate, 78.2% in protein, 69.5% in fat. Also, the percent of subject in the highest quartile in a 3-day diet record belong to the first and second highest quartile in food frequency questionnaire is 78.3% in energy, 73.9% in carbohydrate, 82.6% in protein, and 73.9% in fat. On the whole, the result of this study seemed to be in good agreement with other studies. Therefore, the FFQ developed by this study is considered to be a reliable tool to assess nutrients and food intakes for women of child-bearing age.

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

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.315-325
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• 2013

We evaluated folate status of child-bearing age women diagnosed with abnormal pap smear in the US post-folic acid (FA) fortification era and assessed the determinants of NTD-protective and supra-physiologic (SP) concentrations of folate. The distribution of 843 women according to NTD-protective concentrations of RBC folate, plasma folate and SP concentrations of plasma folate were tested in relation to demographic and life-style factors. Logistic regression models specified NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate or SP concentrations of plasma folate as dependent variables and demographic and life-style factors as independent predictors of interest. More than 82% reached NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate and ~30% reached SP concentrations of plasma folate. FA supplement use was associated with having SP concentrations of plasma folate rather than NTD-protective concentrations of folate. African American (AA) women and smokers were significantly less likely to achieve NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate. A large majority of women reached NTD-protective concentrations of folate with the current level of FA fortification without using supplementary FA. Therefore, the remaining disparities in AA women and in smokers should be addressed by targeted individual improvements in folate intake.

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.15-24
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• 2000

This study was performed to assess the extent of dietary diversity and nutrient intakes of Korean child-bearing women and to investigate the relationships between dietary diversity indices and nutrient intakes. A total of 91 women aged 18 to 48 years old participated. They were divided into four groups by age 15 subjects in teens, 20 in twenties. 32 in thirties and 24 in forties. Mean energy intake was 1638${\pm}$471㎉/day and it was low as 81.4% of the Korean RDA for energy. Mean intakes of folate, calcium and iron were also low as 81.7%. 72.6% and 57.2% of the RDAs. On the other hand, protein, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C were consumed close to or above the RDAs. It was obvious that the subjects in teens and twenties took less all of the nutrients as well as energy than those In thirties and forties. Mean nutrient adequacy ratio( MNAR) was 0.77 and showed a trend to raise with increasing age. Thus MNAR of the teens was the lowest and that of the forties was the highest among the age groups. The results in this study support the previous findings that nutrient intakes of women in teens and twenties were poorer compared to those in thirties and forties. Mean dietary diversity score( DDS) . dietary variety score(DVS) and dietary frequency score( DFS) were 4.1. 11.6 and 14.7. respectively. DVS and DFS of the teens and twenties were lower than those in thirties and forties. DDS significantly correlated to the intakes of energy and calcium only, however, DVS and DFS had significant relationships to the intakes of all nutrients. The MNAR significantly related to DVS and DFS. but not DDS. In conclusion, the intakes of energy, folate. calcium and iron of child-bearing women were not sufficient and their nutrient adequacy highly correlated with dietary diversity. It indicates that to consume various foods helps to enhance the nutritional status.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.265-273
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• 2016

Objectives: This study compared the nutritional status of child-bearing age women between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (North Korea) and the Republic of Korea (South Korea). Methods: The data presented in the DPRK Final Report of the National Nutrition Survey 2012 was utilized for the nutritional status and food intake of North Korean women. To produce the South Korean women's data comparable to those of North Korean women, the data from the 2012 National Health and Nutrition Survey were analyzed and the data presented in the 2010 Report of the Korean Agency for Technology and Standards were utilized. Results: The prevalence of maternal anemia (blood hemoglobin < 12.0 g/dL) was over 30% in all the age groups of North Korean women and 8.9%, 14.2%, 16.4% in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 year old South Korean women, respectively. The prevalence of maternal protein-energy malnutrition (Mid-Upper Arm Circumference < 22.5 cm) was 25.2%, 21.4%, 21.8% in 20-29, 30-39, 40-49 year old North Korean women, respectively and less than 10% in all the age groups of South Korean women. Result of dietary diversity comparison showed that North Korean women consumed less food than South Korean women at all food groups: grains, fruits, vegetables, meat, and dairy. Percentage of North Korean women having consumed protein rich foods-meat and fish, eggs or dairy products-were much lower than those of South Korean women. Conclusions: The striking disparity of nutritional status between South and North Korean women indicates that nutrition support for North Korean women is essential in the process of preparation for a unified nation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.81-90
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• 1973

Since there is nothing in the literature regarding how Koreans value their children, this is an exploratory study attempting to (1) generate ideas as to why women of child- bearing age want children and (2) discover aspects of the interaction between the value of children and the fertility behavior according to socio-economic class and level of education. Fifty women from the Yonhee A Citizen′s Apartment and 50 women from the slum area surrounding the Yonhee Apartment were interviewed by the investigator during the period of October 10 to October 25, 1972. All of the women interviewed were under 35 years of age and had more than one child. The questionnaire consisted of questions regarding the general characteristics of the respondents, the status of current family planning practice, the number of induced abortions and the reasons for wanting children. An open ended question followed by a forced choice question was the method used to determine the reasons for wanting children. The results of the study were as follows: 1. Half of all the respondents were between 30 and 34 years of age. 2. Four percent of the respondents had no schooling, 51 percent had graduated from primary school, and 45 percent were educated beyond middle school. 3. The most important reasons tot wanting children given by the respondents were categorized as follows: (1) carrying on the family name, (2) old age security, (3) value of life, (4) fun of rearing children, (5) avoidance of loneliness, (6) responsibility of women. 4. The number of consistent answers between the open ended and forced choice questions regarding reasons for wanting children was significantly different. Only 30 women among the total respondents gave consistent answers. Carrying on the family name was the category in which there was the highest rate of consistency. 5. The reasons for wanting children were not significantly different for age, educational level, and number of living children for all of the respondents. 6. In response to the question "If you want to have only one child, which sex , would you prefer\ulcorner" 96 percent of the respondents said they would select a son. 7. Major suggestions for further study were to differentiate. (1) between reasons women want children and reasons women have children and (2) between reasons men want children and reasons women want children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.759-768
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• 2003

This study examined the factors related to stages of dietary behavioral changes among 1449 child bearing aged women (mean age $\pm$ SD = 25.6 $\pm$ 5.3 years) residing in large cities. A self administered questionnaire was used to assess stages of dietary behavioral change, meal balance and regularity, food availability, nutrition knowledge, body mass index, nutrient intake, and psycho-social factors including self efficacy, perceived benefits and barriers, social modeling. Undesirable dietary behaviors (precontemplation and contemplation) were shown among 45.1-57.4% of the participants, among those, 33.4-43.0% were precontemplators. Participants' self efficacy scores associated with dietary changes were higher in specific situations (3.42) as compared to general situations (2.86). Similarly, they appeared to perceive more benefits (3.86) rather than barriers (2.76) by changing their inappropriate eating habits. Perception and accuracy scores of nutrition knowledge were relatively high, indicating 90.9 and 80.1, respectively. In terms of food availability at home, fresh fruits received the highest score, followed by milk and milk products, vegetables, meat, alcoholic beverages and soft drinks. In social modeling assessment, family members, as compared to friends, appeared to have better dietary habits. Stages of dietary behavioral change assessed in terms of meal regularity were associated with nutrient intake, showing higher energy and carbohydrate intakes but lower fat intake among those who belonged to the action and maintenance stage. They also presented higher self efficacy and perceived more benefits and less barriers regarding the change of undesirable eating habits. Fresh meat and vegetables were more available among those maintaining desirable dietary habits. Results of this study presented the significant relations of motivational and reinforcing social factors with stages of dietary behavioral changes and a need for the development of tailored nutrition education program considering these factors for child-bearing aged Korean women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.152-158
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• 2001

In this study, we determined major foods and food groups which contributed to the intake of folate in korean child-bearing women. Folate content of the major foods was also analyzed. A total of 91 healthy women with childbearing potential participated. They were divided into one of three groups by age; A (15∼24 yrs), B(25∼34 yrs) and C (35∼49 yrs). Food consumption data of the subjects were obtained by the 24-hr recall method. The rate of contribution of each food to the total intake of dietary folate was determined. Seventy major foods for folate were selected from the 178 foods they consumed. Two sets of the 70 foods were collected from different markets. After extracting folates from the foods by heating with a HEPES-CHES buffer, the samples were treated with α-amylase, protease and folate intakes was Korean cabbage kimchi followed by laver, soybean sprout, rice, yolmu kimchi, eggs, lettuce, perilla leaves, sea mustard and radish root. Food items that contributed to folate intake were slightly different among the age groups. Although the folate content of Korean cabbage kimchi was 51.6 ㎍/100g, but due to the high amount of intake, it was ranked the first major food prviding folate. High folate foods containing over 100㎍/100g were laver, corn flakes, spinach, mungbean, sesame, quail's eggs, small radish kimchi, kidney beans, leeks and peanuts. However, based on the serving size, spinach, corn flakes, leeks, sweet potato, pepper leaves, quail's eggs, crown daisy, small radish kimchi and perilla leaves contributed above 50㎍ of folate per serving size.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.53-67
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to obtain the basic data for the development of maternal health care by analyzing the status and needs of service target persons in Timor-Leste. Methods: The subjects were selected through the non-probability sampling method applying the FGI. Researchers interviewed 3 maternal health service managers, 6 midwives at Gleno and Railaco Health Centers and 2 women between 15 and 45 years of age. Results: In the results of on-site visit of the delivery facility and the FGI, we found poor sanitation in delivery room, lack of medical equipment related to antenatal consultation and delivery. In the case of the health center manager, the public health center provides various maternity health services, but the lack of the staff has difficulty in providing the service and managing the subjects. Midwives asked for regular maintenance education. Women in child bearing age living in mountainous areas had poor access to delivery facilities and lack of awareness of delivery services. Conclusions: It is necessary to increase the maternity management rate through regular maternity and maternal health check service and application to maternal management database, to improve the sanitation of the maternity clinic in the public health center, to strengthen the midwife competency program.