• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.2
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• pp.278-295
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• 2022

Purpose: This study was undertaken to revise and update the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for Korean adults, a tool used to evaluate dietary quality and behavior. Methods: The first 31 items of the measurable food behavior checklist were adopted based on considerations of the previous NQ checklist, recent literature reviews, national nutrition policies, and recommendations. A pilot survey was conducted on 100 adults aged 19 to 64 residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province from March to April 2021 using a provisional 26- item checklist. Pilot survey data were analyzed using factor analysis and frequency analysis to determine whether checklist items were well organized and responses to questions were well distributed, respectively. As a result, the number of items on the food behavior checklist was reduced to 23 for the nationwide survey, which was administered to 1,000 adults (470 men and 530 women) aged 19 to 64 from May to August 2021. The construct validity of the developed NQ (NQ-2021) was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, linear structural relations. Results: Eighteen items in 3 categories, that is, balance (8 items), moderation (6 items), and practice (4 items), were finally included in NQ-2021 food behavior checklist. 'Balance' items addressed the intake frequencies of essential foods, 'moderation' items the frequencies of unhealthy food intakes or behaviors, and 'practice' items addressed eating behaviors. Items and categories were weighted using standardized path coefficients to calculate NQ-2021 scores. Conclusion: The updated NQ-2021 appears to be suitable for easily and quickly assessing the diet qualities and behaviors of Korean adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.416-427
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• 2011

This study investigated the association among parental socioeconomic level, overweight, and eating habits with diet quality in Korean sixth grade school children. A 3-day dietary survey was conducted, and a questionnaire and anthropometric data were collected from the Korean child obesity cohort (320 boys and 345 girls). The children were classified into two groups (low or high level) based on monthly household income and paternal and maternal education status. Lower maternal education status was associated with a higher risk for overweight in girls (odd ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.07-3.44), whereas belonging to a higher socioeconomic group in terms of parental income or parental education level resulted in the consumption of significantly more fruit. Boys did not show significant differences in the intake of most nutrients or diet quality regardless of socioeconomic status. However, girls in the lower socioeconomic group had a lower food habit score (higher frequency of breakfast skipping and ramen noodle consumption), diet quality, and intake of nutrients (carbohydrate, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber) than those in the higher socioeconomic group. Therefore future nutrition policies and interventions should support parents and children with lower socioeconomic status to develop health-related behaviors that may prevent childhood overweight.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.5
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• pp.547-559
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• 2021

Purpose: This study compares the snacking pattern, diet, lifestyle, and food preference of children by evaluating the most frequently eaten snacks. Methods: The survey enrolled 435 students from three elementary schools in Gyeonggi. Based on the most frequently eaten snacks, the subjects were divided into 3 groups: fruits and milk/dairy products for natural snacks (NS, n = 114); noodles, snack foods and fast foods for meal-like snacks (MS, n = 74); cookies, beverages and bread as sweet snacks (SS, n = 247). Results: Compared to the MS group, preferences of the NS group were significantly higher for jabgokbap (cooked rice with multi-grains, p < 0.05) and saengchae (seasoned raw vegetables, p < 0.01), and significantly lower for gogitwigim (deep-fried meat, p < 0.05). Taste preference of the NS group was considered to be more desirable; the taste preference of more subjects was 'sweet taste' in the SS group, 'spicy taste' in the MS group, 'salty taste' in the MS and SS groups, and 'sour taste' and 'bland taste' in the NS group than the other groups. Compared to the MS and SS groups, the NS group was determined to exercise more frequently; exercising for more than 30 minutes/day was determined to be 76.3% in the NS group and 58.1% and 57.9% in the other groups (p < 0.01). Moreover, a higher proportion of subjects in the MS group tended to answer 'not hungry' as the reason for leaving school meals, as compared to other groups (p = 0.055), thereby suggesting that inappropriate snacking habits interfere with regular meals. Conclusion: This study provides evidence that healthy snacking habits, which include natural snacks such as milk/dairy products and fruits, are important for children during the elementary school years, since these habits are associated with healthier diet, lifestyle, and food and taste preferences. These results provide basic information for developing nutritional education materials for elementary school children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.9
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• pp.1501-1514
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health condition and nutritional status in female university students in Masan. The 285 subjects aged 20.1 years (18~26 years) were assessed with a set of questionnaire composed of general information, food, smoking, drinking and exercise habits, anthropometric measurements, blood pressure measurements, 24-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire. The rates of smoking and alcohol drinking habits were 1.8% and 82.5%, respectively. All the subjects had the experience of passive smoking. The 11% of the students exercised regularly and 11.6% ate meal regularly. The average height and weight of subjects were 161.0 ㎝ and 53.9 ㎏, respectively and the BMI was calculated as 20.8${\pm}$2.6 ㎏/$m^2$:The 13.3% of subjects were underweight, while 6.7% of them were overweight. The mean value for body fat was 26.4% and subscapular and tricep skinfolds thickness were 14.2 ㎜ and 16.9 ㎜, and waist-hip ratio was 0.72. The systolic/diastolic blood pressure of the subjects was 115.9 ㎜Hg/70.9 ㎜Hg. Except protein, phosphorous, vitamin E, B_6 and C, the average intakes of energy and nutrients were below the Korea recom-mended dietary allowance (RDA). Especially, intakes of calcium, iron and zinc were the lowest, as <70% of RDA. The proportion of energy derived from carbohydrates : protein : fat was 58.0 : 15.8 : 26.2. The 10 frequently consumed food were ssalbap (47.2/mon), kimchi (35.6/mon), onion (16.8/mon), japgokbap (15.1/mon), sesame oil (14.1/mon), carbonated drink (13.3/mon), grapes (12.7/mon), ice cream (12.4/mon), milk (11.9/mon) and water-melon (10.6/mon). Results of this study could be useful for planning nutrition education programs for female university students in this area to improve their dietary habit and health status.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.13-20
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• 2005

The effects of pectin on obesity was studied using 3T3-L1 pre-adipocytes and rats fed 20% high fat diets. The concentration of leptin released from 3T3-L1 adipocytes in the presence of pectin was significantly decreased by 85% compared to that of the control (p<0.05), however, glycerol concentration was not changed. These data indicate that pectin seems to inhibit lipids accumulation in the adipocytes rather than enhance the lipolytic activity. Forty Sprague Dawley rats were fed 20% high fat diet for 8 weeks to induce obesity and then divided equally into four groups. Experimental groups were normal diet group (ND), high fat diet group (HFD), HDF with 10% pectin group (HFP10), and HDF with 20% pectin group (HFP20). Diet for the each group was prepared to be iso-caloric following AIN-76 guideline. After obesity was induced, rats were placed on an restricted diet for 9 weeks. The body weight of HFD increased 50% (p<0.05) compared to the ND, while it was decreased by 12% and 16% for HFP10 and HFP20, respectively (p<0.05). The relative amount of visceral fats for HFDl0 and HFD20 were decreased by 45% and 59% compared to that of HDF (130%), respectively (p<0.05). Pectin seems to have a greater effect on reducing visceral fats accumulation than weight reduction. Significantly increased level of triglyceride, total cholesterol or LDL-cholesterol in the plasma of HFD was returned to the normal or even below the normal by pectin diet, while the level of HDL-cholesterol increased. Lipid lowering effect was also observed in the liver and heart. These effects of pectin were dosedependent. In conclusion, the beneficial effect of pectin on the obesity was observed from cell culture experiment and animal study in terms of inhibiting the accumulation of lipids in the adipocytes.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-9
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• 2001

The purpose of this study was to examine height, weight, chest circumference, sitting height, hemato logical status, eating behaviors and nutrient intakes for primary school children in Gwangju. The subjects consisted of 101 boys and 109 girls aged $10{\sim}12$ years old. There were significant differences in the height, weight, chest circumference, sitting height between the boys and girls. Hct, WBC, RBC, Hb, serum GOT, GPT and cholesterol were measured. With regard to meal regularity, 47.4% of the subjects has been 'regular'. With regard to meal volume, 15.8% of the subjects has been 'heavy'. With regard to meal balance, 44.7% of the subjects has been 'no'. The study also found that 63.4% of the subjects skipped breakfast, liked western food. Their dietary intakes were assesed for 1 day by means of 24 hours dietary recall method. The mean energy intakes of the subjects were 1,663kcal for boys and 1,427kcal for girls. The subjects for boys(girls) consumed 58(52)g protein, 43(60)g lipid, 4.8(6.5)g fiber, 470(514)mg calcium, 896(824)mg phosphorous, 9.6(16.4)mg iron, 3,301(3,468)mg sodium, 2,169(2,192)mg potassium, 388(466)RE retinol, 1.1(0.9)mg thiamin, 1.1(2.2)mg riboflavin, 12.2(26.3)NE niacin, 146(99)mg ascorbic acid and 251(159)mg cholesterol respectively. Energy, protein, calcium, iron and retinol intakes were lower than the Korean RDA. The intakes of fat, fiber, calcium, iron, sodium, retinol, riboflavin and niacin of the boys were significantly lower than those of the girls. There were positive correlations between meal time and protein intake or fat intake of fiber intake or iron intake or retinol intake : negative correlations between meal time and sodium intake : negative correlations between saltiness and cholesterol intake : positive correlations between use of perilla seeds and riboflavin intake or niacin intake : negative correlations between energy intake or carbohydrate intake or phosphorous intake : negative correlations between frequency of eating-out and protein intake or fat intake or fiber intake or iron intake or retinol intake or thiamin intake or riboflavin intake or niacin intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.23-37
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate the health status of preschool children using the questionnaires about dietary behaviors and anthropometric indices. And also nutritional status was investigated using questionnaires for 24-hr recall method. The study was conducted in 145 children aged 3 to 6 years and questionnaires for dietary behaviors and dietary intakes were performed by mothers of children in Ulsan. Just nine percent of children were graded as good in terms of having healthy eating habits, this means that the nutrition education for the dietary behaviors should be more focused on preschool children. With regard to the frequency of food intake, children consumed green & yellow vegetables less frequently, meanwhile consumed high protein source food (meat, egg and bean) and milk and its product more frequently. Children almost never consumed fried foods as often as 1-2 times a weak. In assessment of the health status, children have the highest prevalence of colds and allergy, but lower prevalence of clinical symptoms due to the nutritional deficiency. The mean height was $103.6\;{\pm}\;6.4\;cm$ and significantly different among age (p < 0.05), but was not significantly different between sex. The mean weight was $17.8\;{\pm}\;3.0\;kg$ and significantly different in 5, 6years old among age. By the WLI criteria, 11.1% of children were underweight and 17.4% of children were overweight or obese. By the Rohrer index criteria, any children were not underweight and 86.8% of children were overweight or obese. By the Kaup index criteria, 2.8% of children were underweight and 29.2% of children were overweight or obese. And Obesity Index criteria, 2.1% of children were underweight and 20.8% of children were overweight or obese. The results of obesity rate by all criteria except Rohrer index indicated similar level, were significantly high in age 3 with all criteria, and decreased with age increased. The energy intake of children was lower than EER (Estimated Energy Requirements) of Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) by as much as 85.7%. Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) was 62.6:21.5:15.7 as carbohydrate:protein:lipid, so children consumed protein more, but consumed lipid less compared with those of KDRIs. Vitamin A intake was 133% of recommended intakes (RI) and calcium intake which was identified as the nutrient most likely to be lacking in diets was 98.9% of RI. The intakes of all minerals and vitamins except folate were higher than KDRIs. 33.3% of children were distributed in insufficiency of energy intake, 42.7% of children were distributed in insufficiency of lipid intake. These results indicate that the need of developing of nutrition education program and further concern of a public health center, university and children care center about dietary life for preschool children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.13 no.4
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• pp.389-396
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• 1984

This study was undertaken to investigate the current meal management situation and nutritional knowledge of the housewives living in Yong-dong area during the period February 10 th to 25th in 1984. Among the housewives who responded, 83.5% of them said that they didn't develop a budget for the meal planning, nor a menu plan. 31.7% of the housewives purchased foodstuffs once for 2 days, whereas the remainder did daily purchasing between meal when they needed foodstuffs. They gave higher score to the taste than to nutrition when they prepared meals. Most of the housewives concerned about good snacks, and they responded that it was hard to correct the unbalanced diet. 36.4% of the housewives earned the knowledge and information on dietary life through the media of radio, television, newspapers, or magazines. 57.9% of them learned how to cook in a cooking class, and sometimes they experimented it (how to cook) on their everyday life. Most of them concerned about nutritional status of their family members. This study showed that the degree of knowledge about nutrition was generally low. They said that they knew well about infant and child nutrition, the harm of the unbalanced diet and fatness, nutrition of the pregnancy and lactation. They thought they had enough knowledge about the foodstuffs for the growth of the children, the relationship between food and nutrition, constituents in milk, nutrition of old men. In general, thr nutrition knowledge of the housewives was correspondingly higher to their higher education levels.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.1-15
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• 2024

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a comprehensive tool for assessing dietary guideline adherence among older Korean adults, focusing on the domains of food and nutrient intake, eating habits, and dietary culture. Methods: Candidate items were selected through a literature search and expert advice. The degree of adherence to dietary guidelines was then evaluated through a face-to-face survey conducted on 800 elderly individuals across five nationwide regions. The items for dietary guideline adherence evaluation tool were selected through exploratory factor analysis of the candidate items in each of the three areas of the dietary guidelines, and construct validity was verified by performing confirmatory factor analysis. Using the path coefficient of the structural equation model, weights were assigned to each area and item to calculate the dietary guideline adherence score. A rating system for the evaluation tool was established based on national survey results. Results: A total of twenty-eight items were selected for evaluating dietary guideline adherence among the elderly. Thirteen items related to food intake, seven to eating habits, and eight to dietary culture. The average score for dietary guideline adherence was 56.9 points, with 49.8 points in the food intake area, 63.2 points in the eating habits area, and 58.6 points in the dietary culture area. Statistically significant correlations were found between dietary guideline adherence scores and food literacy (r = 0.679) and nutrition quotient scores (r = 0.750). Conclusion: The developed evaluation tool for dietary guideline adherence among Korean older adults can be used as a simple and effective instrument for comprehensively assessing their food and nutrient intake, dietary habits, and dietary culture.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.13-24
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• 2007

This study was to investigate dietary life and eating-out style related to breakfast frequency of male students in culinary college. This survey was conducted using questionnaires for 110 male students at college in Hongseung. Mean height and body weight of those we investigated was 174 cm and 70.5 kg. The one to two times per week breakfast eating group was 34.55%, which is exceedingly numerous; none per week breakfast eating group was 30%; three to tow times per week breakfast eating group was 15.45%; everyday breakfast eating group was only 9.09%. The breakfast frequency was very low, and the not-eating breakfast problem is serious to think of in male college students. Mean weight, body fat and body mass index(BMI) of the everyday breakfast eating group was lower than the other group even it was not significant. The self-boarding house or dormitory living condition group was not eating breakfast was significant. So a correct dietary lift and eating habit should be taught further for male college students. The smoking group was a significant low frequency of breakfast eating, as well as the lower frequency of breakfast, or worse recognition of self health condition. Higher frequency of breakfast showed more contentment of self body weight. Cooked rice was significantly the most preferable for breakfast. The lower breakfast frequency tended to eat breads or cereals. The lower frequency of breakfast, self recognition of eating rate as speedier was significant, and tended to have a higher frequency of eating-out because of being annoyed by cooking. The lower breakfast frequency ate out more. Twenty five percent of the everyday breakfast eating group ate out because of a special day, and thirty five percent of the not eating breakfast group did so because of being annoyed by cooking. Their mean dietary evaluation grade was under the normal grade, which means that culinary college male students' dietary lives were poor. The lower frequency of breakfast and lower grade of food life evaluation, indicates the importance of nutritional breakfasts education should be improved for male culinary college students also.