• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.3
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• pp.484-492
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• 2000

In an attempt to figure out the relationship between zinc status and taste acuity of old and young women, dietary zinc intake, urinary zinc excretion, and taste acuity were determined for 118 women. Zinc intake was measured by 2-day food records and food frequency method. Urinary zinc excretion was measured from urine samples collected for twenty four hours. Body fat, lean body mass (LBM), and total body water were measured by bio-impedence. Average dietary zinc intake by food record was 4.15$\pm$1.33mg (=35% if Korean RDA) for the old women and 5.41$\pm$2.76mg (=25% of RDA) for young women. When zinc intake was measured by a frequency method, the average intakes of the old and young women were 3.5$\pm$1.7mg 4.5$\pm$1.9mg, respectively. It appears that dietary zinc intake of young women was significantly higher than that of the old women. Average urinary zinc excretion of the subjects was 0.27$\pm$0.16mg in the elderly and 0.24$\pm$0.13mg in young women, which indicated a marginal zinc status. However, zinc status was not significantly different between old and young women. Correlation analysis indicated that zinc intake and urinary zinc excretion were positively related to BMI and LBM in young women. The old women (m=49) showed significantly higher taste detection thresholds than young subjects (n=47) for both sweet and salty tastes. Recognition thresholds for sodium chloride and sucrose were not significantly different between old and young women. The lower the taste thresholds for salty taste, the higher the average dietary zinc intake. However, taste perception concentration was not related to the urinary zinc excretion level.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

North Korean defectors who settle in South Korea have experienced severe food shortage and transition of food environment which could affect their health status. However, little is known about their anthropometric measurements and dietary intake after settlement in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to compare anthropometric measurements and dietary intake between North Korean young adults who defected to South Korea and those of South Koreans. We hypothesized that North Korean young adults' physiques and dietary intake would be poorer than that of South Koreans. We compared anthropometric measurements and dietary intake from 3-day food records in a cross-sectional study of 103 North Korean young adult defectors, aged 12 to 24 and 309 South Korean subjects. North Korean subjects were significantly shorter (4.9 to 10.8 cm) and lighter (6.0 to 12.5 kg) than the control group. Body mass index were significantly different between North and South Korean groups only in men. North Korean young adult defectors had lower mean daily intakes of energy and most nutrients and food groups compared to the control group, while North Korean subjects had higher nutrient density diet than that of South Koreans. The proportion of subjects who had dietary intakes of nutrients of less than the Estimated Average Requirement was higher in North Korean subjects than in controls except for in the cases of vitamin A and vitamin C. In conclusion, we recommend providing nutrition support programs for North Korean young adult defectors to secure adequate nutrient intake.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2013

There is a lack of data on metabolic risk factors during pre-puberty, which is important for identifying the subgroups of youth, at whom early interventions should be targeted. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of metabolic risk factors and its subsequent relations with dietary patterns in Korean pre-pubertal children through a cross-sectional sample (n = 1,008; boys = 513) of pre-pubertal children (aged 8-9 years) from a sub-study of the Korea Metabolic Syndrome Research Initiatives (KMSRI) in Seoul, Korea. Measures of anthropometry and blood pressure as well as fasting blood samples were used in the analysis. A three-day food records were collected. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the age-adjusted National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. An added metabolic risk score was calculated for each subject by summing the quintile values of the five individual risk factors. Among the 5 risk components of metabolic syndrome, high waist circumference (WC) was the major factor (P < 0.001). A significant increasing trend of the added metabolic syndrome risk score was observed with the increase of WC (P (trend) < 0.001) among both genders. The cutoff point for high WC for pre-pubertal children was 61.3 cm for boys and 59.9 cm for girls. The prevalence of high triglyceride (TG) values was significantly higher in girls than it was in boys (P < 0.01). Girls in the highest quintile of balanced dietary pattern scores had lower TG values (P (trend) = 0.032) than did those in the lowest quintile. Moreover, girls in the highest quintile of western dietary pattern scores showed increasing trend for the added metabolic risk score (P (trend) = 0.026) compared with those in the lowest quintile. Adverse associations exist between western dietary patterns and the accumulation of metabolic risks among girls, not in boys, even during pre-puberty.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2007

The associations between dietary, body composition and sexual maturation were investigated among Korean girls of pubertal age in this study. Dietary intakes were collected by 3 day food records, body compositions were measured by bio-impedence analyzer and sexual maturation stages were determined with a self-administrated questionnaire using Tanner stages in 1,114 girls 9-13 years of age. Girls were divided into early maturation (EM) and late maturation (LM), based on the comparative maturation stages of breast and pubic hair among the same age groups by months. Subjects were excluded if their stage of maturation could not be divided into early and late groups. EM and LM groups consisted of 42.8% and 38.9% of subjects by breast stage and 67.4% and 22.8% by pubic hair stage. Girls in LM group had significantly lower in height, weight and bone mineral contents (p < 0.05). When nutrient densities of average daily intake of the two groups were compared, folate density was significantly higher among the LM group of breast stages (p < 0.01), and Ca, P, K, Vit. $B_1$, Vit. $B_2$ and folate densities were significantly higher among the LM group of pubic hair stages (p < 0.05). These results show that intakes of some micronutrients differ between children with faster and slower sexual maturation velocities at early pubertal stages. More longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether such differences are consistent throughout the pubertal period.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.69-80
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• 2012

This study was conducted to examine the nutritional status, quality of diet and quality of life in postmenopausal women with mild climacteric symptoms based on their food group intake patterns. The data for nutritional status were obtained using 3-day records. Quality of diet was assessed by INQ, NAR, MAR, DDS, DVS, DQI-I. Climacteric symptoms were analyzed by the questionnaire of Kupperman's index and MENoL. The subjects were classified into the five groups, GMVDF, GMVdF, GMVDf, GMVdf, GmVDF according to their food group intake patterns. Analysis of nutrient intakes showed that the GMVDF group took significantly higher levels of kcal, carbohydrate, protein, fat, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, folate, vitamin C, vitamin E, calcium, phosphorous, sodium, iron, zinc and fiber than GMVdf group did (p < 0.05). INQ of Ca and Fe appeared to be higher in GMVDF than in GMVdf groups (p < 0.05). Analysis of NARs showed that missing milk groups took lower riboflavin, Ca and P than other groups did as the same result with MAR (p < 0.05). Analysis of DDS and DQI showed that GMVdf group had the lowest quality of diet (p < 0.05); however, no difference was found on DVS. The GMVdf group showed the worst climacteric symptoms compared with those of the other groups (p < 0.05). However, we couldn't observe any differences in menopause-specific quality of life among the groups. In conclusion, it would be beneficial to meet all five food groups to increase the quality of diet and to reduce the climacteric symptoms in postmenopausal women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.57 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2024

Purpose: Sodium is essentially required for homeostasis and physiological functions, but excessive sodium consumption increases the risk of obesity and other chronic disorders. Korean studies on the sodium-obesity relationship are limited, and thus, this study was undertaken to determine the nature of the relationship between sodium intake and obesity in Korean adults. Methods: Forty-two participants were divided into 2 groups according to body mass index (BMI, non-obese BMI < 25 kg/m², obese BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). Dietary intakes and eating habits were analyzed using 3-day food records and a food frequency questionnaire. Anthropometric data were obtained from bioimpedance results, and fasting glucose and lipid levels were measured. Results: Mean weight, BMI, waist and hip circumferences, and body fat mass were greater in the obese group than in the non-obese group for men and women. Skeletal muscle mass and body fat mass were higher in obese women than in non-obese women. Biochemical data were no different in these two subgroups except triglycerides (TGs), which were higher in obese women. Nutrient intakes were not significantly different in obese and non-obese groups. However, obese men consumed excessive sodium, while obese women consumed slightly more than non-obese women. Obese men preferred salty foods and tended to overeat. Positive correlations were found between sodium intake and weight in men and percent body fat mass (PBFM) in women. Correlation analysis (adjusted for energy intake) of the relation between sodium intake and obesity-related factors showed sodium intake was positively correlated with PBFM and TG in women. Conclusion: This anthropometric and biochemical data analysis emphasizes the need for awareness and interventions to mitigate the health risks of elevated sodium consumption. Our findings should aid future studies on the relationship between sodium and obesity and contribute to preventing and managing this metabolic condition.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.7
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• pp.566-575
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• 2004

To compare the dietary intakes and body composition in the stage of puberty, this study was conducted with 360 girls aged 9 to 12 years in Seoul Korea. Girls's general information and 3-day diet records were collected, fat mass was measured by Inbody 3.0, bone mass at right calcaneus was measured by PIXI and pubertal development was self-assessed by picture of Tanner stages. The results are as follows: Girls who had breast development were 79.7% and 15.8% had pubic hair development. Mean of BMI, BMC and BMD were significantly higher at breast stage3+(19.6 kg/$m^2$, 1.62 kg, 0.47 g/$\textrm{cm}^2$) than at the breast stage2 (18.2 kg/$m^2$, 1.47 kg, 0.44 g/$\textrm{cm}^2$) or breast stage1(16.3 kg/$m^2$, 1.32 kg, 0.39 g/$\textrm{cm}^2$) (p < 0.001). Percent body fat of breast stage1, 2, and 3+ were 19.7%, 23.1%, 25.3% respectively and significantly increased during the puberty (p < 0.001). The mean of energy intake was 1629 kcal in stage1, 1664 kcal in stage2 and 1577 kcal in stage3+ showed significant difference in the breast stages (p < 0.05). Energy adjusted sodium intakes and crude fiber intakes were significantly higher in breast stage3 + than other breast stages. For zinc and iron, proportions of subjects with intake levels less than 75% of Korean RDA was over 40% and significantly higher in breast stage3+ than other stages (p < 0.05) ; for protein and vitamin E, the proportions of subjects with intake levels more than 125% RDA was significantly higher in the stage 1. The nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for protein and phosphorous was significantly lower in breast stage3+ than other stages. The food groups of seed and nut were 4.7 g/day, 2.3 g/day, 1.8 g/day, respectively, and was significantly higher in breast stage 1. In summary, mean of BMI, BMD, BMC and percent of body fat were increased with pubertal development, and those who had higher breast developmental stage showed a lower amount of consumption level in energy, seeds and nuts, and also showed a higher amount of consumption level in energy adjusted sodium and fiber among Korean girls.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.7
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• pp.770-777
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• 2001

This study investigated nutritional status and eating behaviors among 59 nephritic patients with mild kidney malfunction in Korea. Nutritional status was measured by blood analysis and 1-3 day dietary recall and records, and eating behaviors were assessed by a questionnaire. Mean Body Mass Index(BMI) was within the normal range, while 21% and 14% of the patients were underweight and overweight, respectively. They received nutrition information mainly from doctors, nurses and mass media, but rarely from nutrition professionals. A quarter of patients skipped breakfast at least 3 times per 12% of the patients, respectively. Energy intake of 83% of the patients was less than the recommended level. Protein intakes of 56% of them were either under or over the recommended levels. Patients had low vitamin B$_2$ and calcium(<75% of the RDA) and excessive phosphorus(138% RDA) and vitamin C(170% RDA). Major food sources to absolute nutrient intakes were similar to those for the average Koreas, except for milk. Milk intake was low in our patients. Dietary quantity and quality were associated positively with BMI, albumin, and HDL-cholesterol and negatively with triglycerides and BUN. Results of this study indicate low nutritional status of the patients and, in turn a need for conducting nutritional education or counselling at regular at regular basis for the nephritic patients with mild kidney malfunction.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2012

This study investigated the relationship between total sugar intake and obesity indices in 362 female university students. This study was conducted using an anthropometric checkup and 3-day dietary records. Subjects were categorized according to the total sugar intake as < 33.3 g (group I, n = 90), 33.3-56.1 g (group II, n = 91), 56.1-83.8 g (group III, n = 91), ${\geq}$ 83.8 g (group IV, n = 90). No significant differences in age, weight, height, body mass index (BMI), or the percentage of body fat were observed among the four groups. Based on BMI, 20.2% were overweight, and the percentage of body fat was > 30% in 67.1% of all students sampled. Energy intake in each groups was 1,164.7 kcal, 1,488.6 kcal, 1,590.0 kcal, and 1795.8 kcal, respectively (p < 0.001). Total sugar intake in the groups was 20.5 g, 44.6 g, 68.3 g, and 111.8 g, respectively (p < 0.001). Carbonated beverages were identified as the most significant food source for total sugar intake in female university students. The next major foods were ice cream, milk, coffee, fruit, sugar, cookies, bread, chocolate, corn syrup, rice, onion, maple syrup, pickle, and sweet potato. As intake of total sugar increased, intake of energy also increased significantly. Mean daily intakes of fat and calcium/1,000 kcal were significantly higher in group IV than those in the other groups. Mean daily intakes of vitamin C and vitamin E/1,000 kcal were significantly higher in group III than those in the other groups. The percentage of subjects who consumed nutrients below the estimated average requirement was less in the higher total sugar intake group than that in the lower intake group. The obesity indices (weight, BMI, % body fat) were not associated with total sugar intake in the subjects. We conclude that total sugar intake does not seem to influence obesity indices in female university students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.281-293
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• 1997

Dietary fiber(DF) intake of teenagers was estimated and the major food sources of fiber were analyzed using three-day food records and data from 365 middle school students in urban, rural and fishing areas. Mean dwily DF intake of males was 9.2$\pm$3.9g in urban, 10.4$\pm$5.4g in rural, and 7.9$\pm$4.0g in fishing areas and the intake of female was 10.6$\pm$5.1g in urban, 10.6$\pm$5.2g in rural, and 7.7$\pm$3.3g in fishing areas. When related to energy intake, female consumed more DF(5.7$\pm$2.5g/1000㎉, 7.0$\pm$3.5g/1000㎉, 4.6$\pm$2.2g/1000㎉, in urban, and rural, fishing areas respectively) than males(4.2$\pm$1.3g/1000㎉, 4.6$\pm$1.5g/1000㎉, 4.4$\pm$2.0g/1000㎉ in urban, rural, fishing respectively). Mean crude fiber(CF) intake of males was 4.1$\pm$1.7g, 4.5$\pm$2.4g, 3.7$\pm$2.4g, and female's intake was 4.7$\pm$1.9g, 4.8$\pm$2.2g, 3.7$\pm$1.9g in urban, rural, and fishing areas respectively. The mean DF : CF ratio for the subjects was 2.2-2.6, indicating that the DF intake is 2-3 times that of CF intakes. The intakes of the two measures of fiber were highly correlated(r=0.7781) . The major food sources for DF were cereals, vegetables and fruits and the percentage contributions of the food groups to the DF intake were 27-37$\%$, 22-30$\%$, and 11.5-19.7$\%$ respectively. The present study indicates that the DF intake of teenagers is considerably lower than the recommended level and they need to consume more DF than that indicated by the present levels. The importance of nutrition education on health and dietary pattern should also be emphasized among teenagers.