• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.268-276
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• 1982

A nutritional survey was made in 45 healthy Buddhist nuns (age : 20-34 yr) who have been vegetarians for more than 5 years and 20 female college students (aga : 20-22 yr) as a control group in Kyungpook province. Daily calorie intake of the Buddhist nuns and students were 1947 and 1815 kcal, respectively. The ratio of percent calorie of carbohydrate : fat : protein from total calories in the Buddhist nuns was 84 : 11 : 5 and that of the students was 70 : 15 : 15, respecting. The Buddhist nuns had significatly higher carbohydrate intake but markedly lower lipid intake than the students. Daily intakes of thiamin, niacin and ascorbic acid in the Buddhist nuns were higher, but those of iron, calcium and vitamin A were lower than the recommended daily allowances. Compared with the students, the Buddhist nuns had greater intakes of ascorbic acid, vitamin A, thiamin, niacin, and calcium. Anthropometric measurement showed that the Buddhist nuns had significantly higher values than the students in body weight, skinfold thickness, body surface area, and obesity index. There were highly significant correlations between anthropometric measurements and obesity index(0.55< r <0.99). On the other hands, correlation coefficients between nutrients intakes and skinfold thickness and obesity were very low(0.01< r <0.37). The Buddhist nuns and students showed similar normal values of hemoglobin concentration, hematocrit, and blood pressure.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.195-207
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• 1982

To determine the influence of vegetarian diet on serum lipoprotein, cholesterol and protein levels, 45 young Buddhist nuns (age: $20{\sim}34$ years) and 29 female students(age: $20{\sim}22$ years) were examined. Daily caloric intakes were 1,945 Kcal for the Buddhist nuns and 1,815 Kcal for the students. The ratio of% calorie of carbohydrate: protein: fat from total calories in the Buddhist nuns was 84:11:5 and that in the students was 70:15:15. The Buddhist nuns had significantly higher carbohydrate intake but markedly lower lipid intakes than the students. Anthropometric measurement showed that the Buddhist nuns had significantly higher values of body weight, skin-fold thickness, body surface area and obesity index than the students. Both systolic and diastolic pressures of the Buddhist nuns and students were similar. Serum levels of total lipid, cholesterol and proteins in the Buddhist nuns were not different from those of the students. However, when comparing the levels of high density lipoprotein (HDL), very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) fractions, the Buddhist nuns had lower level of HDL but significantly higher LDL levels than the students. Furthermore, the Buddhist nuns had significantly lower levels of serum HDL-cholesterol but significantly higher LDL-cholesterol levels. There were significant correlations between LDL and LDL cholesterol (r=0.40), VLDL and VLDL-cholesterol(r=0.85), HDL and HDL-cholesterol(r=0.45), total serum lipid and total cholesterol (r=0.66) and total serum cholesterol and LDL(r=0.79). On the other hand, values of both serum total protein, and fractions of serum proteins were similar in the Buddhist nuns and students(ratio of albumin: ${\alpha}_{1}-:\;{\alpha}_{2}-:\;{\beta}-:\;{\gamma}-$globulins=55:3:10:13:19). Hematocrit and hemogloblin levels were similar in the Buddhist nuns and students. Above results suggest that vegetarian diets of the Buddhist nuns produced alterations in the metabolism of the lipoproteins and cholesterol.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.343-351
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• 2002

This survey was conducted to investigate the dietary behavior and health status of Buddhist nuns. In this study, 100 Buddhist nuns in Seoul were selected. The dietary survey was focused on the diet in winter. The age distribution was as follows; 24% of the subjects were in their 20s, 45% in their 30s, 23% in their 40s, and 8% in their 50's and over, respectively. The percentage of the subjects living in temples close to the downtown area was 77% and the rest resided in areas remote to the downtown area. Over fifty percent of the subjects were satisfied with their diet at temple. And 59% of the subjects were eating a snack more than once a day. The snacks included fruits (60%), raditional tea (20%), coffee (9%), bread and cookies (4%), md rice cakes (3%), etc. Among food groups, the intake of green-vegetables and fruits were the highest and intake of milk and bean products were low which may cause calcium and protein deficiency. Most of the subjects believed that their health conditions were average or above average. About 50% of subjects didn't exercise at all. The frequencies of gastro-intestinal diseases and anemia were extremely high. About 50% of subjects took some form of medicine. To improve their health and nutritional status, it is required that they practice a good dietary behavior, maintain a balanced diet, and exercise regularly.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.107-115
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to investigate of nutritional status, a intention for dietary inprovement and a degree of dietary satisfaction of Buddhist nuns9age 23~43yr). The survey was carried out through physical examination and questionaries at Woon Mun temple in Kyungpook province September through Octoer in 1996. The results are summarized as follows: 1) All nutrients were higher than recommended daily allowances, and the ratios of carbohydrate:protein: lopid from total calories was 76:13:11 respecting ; 2) In degree of dietary satisfaction: satisfaction, between, dissatisfaction were 55.47, 36.59, 7.93% of subjects. 3)In intention for dietary improvements : the s\ulcorner way, a little improvements, much improvements were 55.47, 41.46, 3.07%. 4) Diet type were in regular sequence of volume, gourmet ; balance ; diet ; fast food type.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.227-233
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to verify nutrient intake status and prevalence of obesity in vegetarians non-vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The vegetarian subjects consisted of 127 Buddhist nuns(age:23-79 yrs) from Oonmoon Temple on the Choungdo District of Gyeongsang Bookdo Province and 118 Buddhist nuns practicing Zen meditation at Soodeok Temple in Yeosan District of Chongcheong Namdoo Province. Control subjects were 235 healthy female adults aged from 23 to 79 years old. They were teachers and nurses at the hospital of Gyeongsang National University and housewives living in Chinju, Gyeingsang Namdoo Province. The study was conducted from October 1996 to February 1997, and consisted of a survey and anthropometric measurement. The results are summarized as follows : The average age of the subjects was 44.2 yrs for vegetarians and 40.5 yrs for non-vegetarians. The average body mass index(BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians was 22.4 and 21.0, the waist hip ratio(WHR) was 0.8 and 0.8, and the percentage of body fat was 28.7 and 26.5 respectively. The average duration of vegetarian diet among vegetarians was 13.1 years. The nutrient intakes of vegetarians were above the RDA for all the nutrients expect calcium and vitamin A. The intakes of fat, cholesterol, saturated fatty acid and the energy ratio from fat among the vegetarians were significantly lower than those of the non-vegetarians(p〈0.01). However, the vegetarians consumed significantly higher amounts of fiber and vitamin C compared to the non-vegetarians(p〈0.01). Also, the ratio of dietary polyunsaturated fatty acid/saturated fatty acid was significantly higher in vegetarians. The prevalence of obesity was 13.9% for vegetarians and 11.9% for non-vegetarians by criteria of BMI 25 as obese.

• The Korean Journal of Physiology
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.187-193
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• 1982

The relationship between water and electrolyte metabolism, and dietary intake were studied in 45 healthy Buddhist nuns who were vegetarians aged 20-34, and 28 nursing students aged 20-22 who stayed at the dormitory of Kyungpook Medical School in the Fall, 1981. The Buddhist nuns obtained significantly higher carbohydrate and total caloric intakes but significantly lower protein and lipid intakes than the female students. The Buddhist nuns excreted significantly higher urine output($1,697{\pm}68\;ml/day$, p<0. 05) and lower osmolality ($616{\pm}18\;mOsm/kg\;H_2O$, p<0.05) than the students ($1,505{\pm}67\;ml/day$ and $688{\pm}36\;mOsm/kg\;H_2O$). However, both groups excreted similar amounts of urinary $Na^+$, $K^+$ and total osmolar contents. Free water clearance of the Buddhist nuns was higher(p<0.05) than that of the students but the osmolar clearance was about the same in the two groups. Daily urine output showed good correlation with Na output (r=0.76) and osmolar clearance but not with free water clearance. Both groups showed similar values of plasma concentration of creatinine, daily excretion of creatinine and clearance. Urinary excretion of urea for Buddhist nuns was 6.4 g/day, and was significantly higher than that of the students (5.1g/day).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.862-870
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation between vegetarian diet and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The subjects of the study were 127 Buddhist nuns (age:23～79y) from Oonmoon Temple in Choungdo District Gyeongsang Bookdoo Province and 118 Buddhist nuns practicing Zen meditation at Soodeok Temple in Yeosan District Chongcheong namdoo Province. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age:23～79y) were selected. They were the teachers, the nurses of the hospital of Gyeongsang National university and the housekeepers living in chinju Gyeongsang Namdoo Province. The period of this study was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents were consisted of food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, estimating amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. Results were summarized as follows: The mean ages of the subjects were 44.2y for vegetarians and 40.5y for non-vegetarians, respectively. average body mass index (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.47 adn 21.08, WHR 0.85 and 0.84, percentage of body fat 28.79 and 26.55 respectively. The average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.16 years. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index (AI), diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar and HDL-cholesterol of non-vegetarians were significantly higher (p<0.01) than those of vegetarians, but ration of HDLcholesterol/total-cholesterol was lower in non-vegetarians. In both of subjects, BMI, WHR, RBW, %BF had sig-nificant positive correlations with triglyceride, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and AI. BMI, WHR had sig-nificant positive correlation with systolic blood pressure. BMI, WHR had significant negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol. In summary, vegetable diet can contribute to lowering serum lipid level, atherogenic index (AI),systolic blood pressure, blood sugar.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.33 no.8
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• pp.1311-1319
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to compare the serum lipid level, blood sugar and blood pressure in vegetarians and non-vegetarians. The subjects of the study were 127 Buddhist nuns (age: 23∼79 y) from Oonmoon Temple in Choungdo district Gyeongsang Bookdo province and 118 Buddhist nuns practicing Zen meditation at Soodeok Temple in Yeosan district Chongcheong Namdo province. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age: 23∼79 y) were selected. They were the nurses in the Gyeongsang National University Hospital, teachers and housekeepers living in Jinju, Gyeongsang Namdo province. The period of this study was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents were consisted of food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, estimated amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. The mean ages of the subjects were 44.2 y for vegetarians and 40.5 y for non-vegetarians, respectively. Average body mass index (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.47 and 21.08, WHR 0.85 and 0.84, percentage of body fat 28.79 and 26.55 respectively. The average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.16 y. Levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index (AI), diastolic blood pressure, blood sugar and HDL-cholesterol were significantly higher (p<0.01) in non-vegetarians than those of vegetarians. In both of subjects, levels of TG, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index (AI) and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher (p<0.01) with an increment of age and the vegetarians showed a lower ratio of rise than the non-vegetarians. Levels of serum TG, LDL-cholesterol and AI were utmost in the 60 s and declined in the 70 s. Consequently, vegetarian diet can be considerably effective in reducing the level of the risk factors causing cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.313-321
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation between vegetarian diet and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. To do the present study the vegetarians were selected;245 Buddhist nuns(age: 23-79yrs). For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults(age: 23-79yrs) were selected. They were the teachers, the nurses and the housekeepers living in Chinju Gyeongsang Namdoo Province. Study period was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents are consist of survey, anthropometric measurement, and clinical examination. The average ages of the subjects were 44.20yrs for vegetarians and 40.52yrs for non-vegetarians respectively. Average body mass indice(BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.47 and 21.08, WHR was 0.85 and 0.84, percentage of body fat was 28.79 and 26.55 and the average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.16 years. On the nutrient related lipid, fat, the energy ratio of fat, saturated fatty acid, total fatty acid, monounsaturated fatty acid and total-cholesterol were significantly lower(p<0.01) but the ratio of p/s was significantly higher(p<0.01) in vegetarians than non-vegetarians. The vegetarians were significantly higher than the non-vegetarians in intake of fiber, vitamin C. In vegetarians, variables that significant negative correlation with fiber were total-cholesterol, AI, blood sugar. In non-vegetarians, variables that significant negative correlation with fiber were TG, total-cholesterol, blood sugar, systolic blood pressure. In both subjects, the serum lipid concentration and the blood pressure were getting lower with fiber intakes. Consequently, vegetable diet can be considerably effective in making the level of the risk factors causing in cardiovascular disease lower. (Korean J Nutrition 34(3) : 313∼321, 2001)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.5
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• pp.871-876
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• 2002

This study was conducted to verify the relation between relation between vegetarian diet and the serum lipid levels, blood sugar and blood pressure from October 1996 to February 1997. The vegetarians subjects were 245 Buddhist nuns (age:23～79 yrs) and control subjects consisted of 235 healthy female adults (age: 23～70 yrs) selected from the teachers, the nurses and the housekeepers living in Chinju Gyeongsang Nam-do. The contents included anthropometric measurement, questionnaires about eating behavior score and preference for taste and biochemical characteristics of the blood. The results were summarized as follows. The average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.1 years. Vegetarians prefer to a pepper, a sweet and a acidic in the right order but that non-vegetarians prefer to a sweet, a acidic and pepper in the right order. Both groups of less than a decade and more than two decade of vegetarian diet prefer to a pepper, sweet, a acidic, a bitter, a salty and a lily, and a 10～20 yr group with vegetarian diet was fond of a pepper, a bitter, a acidic, a sweet, and a oily, in the right order. This seems to be ascribable to a difference in the health knowledge and interest. Vegetarians and non-vegetarians who said that they were fond of salty were 38.8% and 52.8%, medium was 33.9% and 33.6%, and not salty was 27.3% and 13.6%. Eating behavior score of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 25.1 and 23.1 respectively. Eating behavior scores of vegetarians were significantly higher than those of non-vegetarians (p<0.05). Eating behavior scores of the group with more than a decade of vegetarian diet were significantly higher than those of the group with less than a decade of vegetarian diet. Levels of serum total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and AI of the salty group were significantly higher (p<0.05) than those of not salty group. Levels of serum triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, blood sugar had no significant relation with preference of salty. Blood pressure was not related with preference of salty, but that of those who prefer a salty tended to be high. This study also reveals that the preference of a salty was significant influence on serum total-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and AI, but the vegetarians did not prefer salty and have a good eating behavior. Consequently, vegetarian diet can be considerably effective in reducing the level of the risk factors of cardiovascular disease.