• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.18 no.4
• /
• pp.567-585
• /
• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to explore the potential of convenience stores as platforms for healthy food consumption, including low-sodium options, in response to the increasing trend of meal behaviors at convenience stores and the growing demand for healthy eating. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In the study, 627 Korean participants aged 10 to 39 were involved. A self-reported questionnaire survey was used and questions were regarding purchase patterns, consumption behaviors, perceptions and selection attributes of convenience store foods, and consumer perception factors for low-sodium options. Data analysis was conducted using SPSS 26.0 (SPSS, Version 26.0 for Windows, SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL, USA). RESULTS: The study uncovered significant disparities in the consumption behavior and perception of convenience store foods, as well as variations in the importance and satisfaction levels with convenience store food attributes, including consumer perception factors for low-sodium options, based on sex and age. Furthermore, it was observed that awareness of the need for low-sodium options significantly influenced purchase intentions. CONCLUSION: This study analyzed consumer attitude toward low-sodium convenience store foods to assess the potentiality for promoting healthy eating in convenience stores. These findings indicate the important role that convenience stores can play as platforms for healthy food sales.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.6
• /
• pp.637-653
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study examined the associations between food consumption frequency of Korean adults and self-perceived chewing difficulty, using the food frequency questionnaire (FFQ, 112 items) from 2013-2016 of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects were divided into not difficult in chewing (NDC) and difficult in chewing (DC) groups, with 24.17% being classified into DC. Males and females consumed 35 and 37 items less frequently than the other sex, respectively. Due to the remarkable gender difference in food consumption, gender-stratified one-sided survey regression analysis was performed after adjusted for the effect of age, household income, and self-rated health status. RESULTS: Thirty-four items of FFQ were significantly less consumed by the DC group. Females exclusively consumed less beverages and alcohol while males showed the same for fruits and milk·dairy products. Consumption frequency of 8 items such as steamed potatoes·grilled potatoes, stir fried beef, other kimchi·fresh vegetable kimchi, orange, sour pork·pork cutlet, tteokbokki and green tea were significant only in males. In contrast, 17 items including cooked rice with other grains and legumes, boiled egg·steamed egg, Korean cabbage kimchi, banana, and tofu stew·soft tofu stew were significant only for females. Finally, items that showed significance for both were 9 items including loaf bread, ready-to-eat cereal, steamed sweet potatoes·grilled sweet potatoes, stir-fried lotus roots·stir-fried burdock, green laver salad·brown seaweed salads, apples, tomato·cherry tomatoes, squid (raw, dried shredded, boiled, stir-fried), and curd type yogurt. CONCLUSIONS: Findings in this study suggest chewing difficulty may be an important nutritional issue that has to be dealt with for healthful food consumption, with distinct interest of gender.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.5 no.6
• /
• pp.560-568
• /
• 2011

Consumption of a diet consistent with dietary guidelines is believed to have a beneficial effect on the prevention of chronic diseases and the promotion of general health. This study was conducted to explore the relationship between adherence to the Korean Food Guidance System (KFGS), which was based on the 2010 revised KDRIs, and the risk of metabolic abnormalities. Five hundred and ninety-six Korean adults between 30 and 59 years of age were recruited by advertisement to the Bundang Jesaeng General Hospital (BJGH), and those not taking regular medications and without diagnoses of fulminant disease were included. Data were collected on anthropometric measurements, diagnostic parameters for metabolic syndrome (MetS), and 3-day dietary intakes from individuals in the study. The number of servings consumed from each food group was compared to the KFGS recommended servings for each of the 6 food groups. Poor adherence to the recommendations for servings of milk and dairy products (OR: 2.038, 1.128-3.682) was associated with a higher risk of MetS, and poor adherence to the guidelines for fruit consumption (OR: 1.849, 1.027-3.329) was associated with a higher risk for the existence an elevated waist circumference. Conversely, the consumption of meat, fish, eggs, and beans above the recommended number of servings was associated with a lower risk of having an elevated waist circumference (OR: 0.523, 0.288-0.950), and the consumption of vegetables above the recommended number of servings was associated with a reduced risk of having elevated fasting glucose (OR: 0.533, 0.298-0.954). These results suggest that adherence to the KFGS guidelines helps to prevent the development of MetS, but this association needs to be confirmed by prospective studies.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.53 no.4
• /
• pp.356-368
• /
• 2020

Purpose: Histidine-containing dipeptides, which are rich in chicken, have been reported to reduce the risk of metabolic abnormalities via anticarbonylation mechanism in animal models. To determine the effect of dietary histidine-containing dipeptides on metabolic risk factors in humans, the relation between chicken consumption and insulin resistance were determined in a population consuming high carbohydrate and low protein. Methods: A total of 7,183 subjects (2,929 men and 4,254 women) aged ≥ 50 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were divided into three groups according to chicken consumption (rarely, monthly, and weekly), and evaluated for the metabolic risk factors using homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index (QUICKI) in this cross-sectional study. The fourth and fifth (IV-1-3 & V-1) KNHANES, which had blood insulin data, were chosen for the current study. Results: The chicken consumption was significantly associated with insulin (p for trend = 0.018) and HOMA-IR (p for trend = 0.023) in men. In particular, the 'weekly' chicken consuming men in the lowest tertile (< 65.0%) of carbohydrate intake group had significantly lower HOMA-IR (p for trend = 0.033) and higher QUICKI (p for trend = 0.043) than the 'rarely' intake group. In addition, the odds ratio for abnormal HOMA-IR was 0.55 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.31-0.99) and QUICKI was 0.47 (95% CI, 0.26-0.86) for the 'weekly' chicken consuming group. Conclusion: The 'weekly' chicken consumption had a beneficial effect on insulin resistance and it may partially be due to the major bioactive components in chicken, histidine-containing dipeptides.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.6 no.3
• /
• pp.263-269
• /
• 2012

We investigated whether socioeconomic differences affect fruit and vegetable (FV) consumption with respect to total intake and intake of various FV subgroups. Our study included 6667 adults aged 40-64 years who completed a dietary survey in the fourth Korean NHANES (2007-2009). FV intake was estimated from 24-hour recalls and food frequency questionnaires. Differences in FV consumption related to educational attainment were analyzed according to different nutritional categories of FV. Both men and women in the low-education group had the lowest intake of total FV and total fruits, and women also had the lowest intake of total vegetables. Also lowest in this group was consumption of mushrooms and vegetables (excluding kimchi) among men, and cruciferous and allium vegetables (excluding Chinese cabbage and radish) among women, while kimchi consumption was the highest in this group. Additionally, an association between educational level and intake of citrus fruits was evident among men. Adults in the low-education group consumed less carotene-rich FV, red fruit and/or vegetables, and dark-green leafy vegetables, fewer total vegetable dishes, and fewer types of fruit than in other groups. Men in this group had the lowest intake of yellow/orange fruit and/or vegetables, and women consumed the least folate-rich FV. There is a clear association between educational attainment and FV intake with regard to total intake, and to specific nutrients, bioactive compounds, colors, and variety.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
• /
• v.3 no.1
• /
• pp.1-15
• /
• 1999

The purpose of this study is to find out the tendency of the new generation’s consumer roles and green consumption behavior for the environmental conservation. This study is also to reveal some fundamental information for an environmental education program which si able to support the new generation consumers to participate voluntarily in an environmental activity. The 500 subjects of this study were selected from the new generation consumers who wre residing in Seoul, 1998. The 414 data wre finally analyzed by Mean, t-Test, ANOVA, and Multiple Regression Analysis. The major findings were as follows: 1) the purchasing roles of the new generation consumer tended to be higher than the citizen participation’s roles. The variables with the higher score for the new generation’s green consumption behavior were in the rank of the isolation of environmental waste, the purchasing behavior of green product, the recycling environmental resource, and citizen’s participating roles in environmental activity. 2) the new generation’s consumer roles showed a significant differences, according to variables for the environmental value, environmental education, and participation of the environmental and societal activity 3) the green consumption behavior for the new generation consumers showed a significant differences, according to sex, environmental value, participation of the environmental and societal activity. 4) the most influential variables for the green consumption behavior of the new generation consumers were in the rank of consumer roles, educational values, and the participation of the environmental activity. As we see above, the consumer education for the new generations needs to focus on consumer’s roles that let them participate voluntarily in environmental and societal activity, as well as practice positively to use green environmental products whenever they select some items in the markets.

• Journal of Bio-Environment Control
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.27-36
• /
• 1993

Carbon dioxide enrichment for greenhouse crops has generally been a standard commercial practice for many years. Vegetable crops such as tomato, cucumber, and lettuce respond positively to the $CO_2$ enrichment. But improper $CO_2$ enrichment leads to physiological damage and economical loss. This study was carried out to develop a $CO_2$ concentration control algorithm considering growth stage and efficiency. The measurand was $CO_2$ consumption rate and top fresh weight that represents growth stage. The weight of top fresh lettuce as a whole in the tray was measured through a non-destructive method. The demand in $CO_2$ concentration according to growth stage was investigated. The results are summarized as follows. 1. The $CO_2$ consumption rate could be measured within the error of $\pm$ 15.4mg$CO_2$/hr in the range of $CO_2$ concentration of 500-1500ppm. 2. The weight of top fresh lettuce could be measured within the error $\pm$ 4.3g in the range of 0-1400g. 3. The $CO_2$ control model developed could determine an economical $CO_2$ supply rate considering $CO_2$ consumption rate and leakage rate. 4. The $CO_2$ control algorithm based on the control model was composed of feedforward control for maintaining a stable $CO_2$ concentration level, and feedback control with $CO_2$ consumption rate and top fresh weight for adapting to the change in $CO_2$ demand by growth stage. 5. For the performance test with the developed control algorithm on lettuce the decrease in $CO_2$ supply rate was obtained without a significant decrease in top fresh weight.

• Korean Institute of Interior Design Journal
• /
• v.18 no.6
• /
• pp.221-228
• /
• 2009

Recently severity of ecological adaptation and climatic change due to global warming grows larger. According to the fourth report of IPCC in 2007, emission quantity of the earth greenhouse gas(GHGs) generated by activity of mankind increased with 80% since 1970. And it is forecasted that worldwide greenhouse gas will be increased with 25~90%(corresponding to $CO_2$) between 2000 and 2030. This increment of greenhouse gas($CO_2$) is expected to raise average temperature of the earth with the maximum $6.4^{\circ}C$, and sea surface with 59cm in 2090. Like this, destruction of environment by greenhouse gas is regarded as universal problem threatening the existence, not only the problem of one nation. Consequently, systematic correspondence to the global warming at the aspect of energy consumption is also needed in Korea. From the analysis result of 'Statistics of Energy Consumption' published by Green Korea in 2007, energy consumption increment of domestic universities was higher as many as 3.7 times than 22.5% of the whole energy consumption increment in our country. This says to be the direct example which shows that universities are huge sources of greenhouse gas emission. New constructing and enlarging buildings of each universities within campus are the most major reason for such a large increment of energy consumption in universities. The opinion that the possibility of causing energy waste and efficiency reduction is raised by increased buildings of universities has been propounded. That is, universities should make concrete goal and the plan for reducing emission of green house gas against climatic change, and should practice. Accordingly, there is the meaning that 2 aspects of environment-friendly design characteristics, that is application of energy utilizing technology, material usage of energy efficiency-side and environment-side, and introduction of natural element in the environmental aspect, were analyzed for facilities of university campus designed in environment-friendly point of view from initial stage of plan, and direction of environment-friendly design of university facilities in the future was groped in order to grasp environment-friendly design tendency of internal and external University facilities based on this analysis of this paper.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.9 no.5
• /
• pp.503-510
• /
• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increased serum homocysteine (Hcy) levels have been reported to be related to the occurrence of cardio- and cerebrovascular diseases. High serum Hcy levels are also related to the development of secondary stroke and all-cause mortality. The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of high serum homocysteine level and relating factors, and the change over the 10 month period post-stroke. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Consecutive stroke patients who were admitted to the Asan Medical Center were enrolled. Ten months after the onset of stroke, an interview with a structured questionnaire was performed and blood samples were obtained for the biochemical parameters. Nutritional status was determined using the mini nutritional assessment (MNA) score and dietary nutrient intakes were also obtained using a 24 hour recall method. RESULTS: Out of 203 patients, 84% were malnourished or at risk of malnutrition, and 26% had high homocysteine levels at 10 months post-stroke. Using logistic regression, the factors related with high homocysteine levels at 10 months post-stroke included heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.020), low MNA scores (P = 0.026), low serum vitamin $B_{12}$ (P = 0.021) and low serum folate levels (P = 0.003). Of the 156 patients who had normal homocysteine levels at admission, 36 patients developed hyperhomocysteinemia 10 months post-stroke, which was related to heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.013). Persistent hyperhomocysteinemia, observed in 22 patients (11%), was related to male sex (P = 0.031), old age (P = 0.042), low vitamin $B_6$ intake (P = 0.029), and heavy alcohol consumption (P = 0.013). CONCLUSION: Hyperhomocysteinemia is common in post-stroke, and is related to malnutrition, heavy alcohol drinking and low serum level of folate and vitamin $B_{12}$. Strategies to prevent or manage high homocysteine levels should consider these factors.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.11 no.4
• /
• pp.334-339
• /
• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Telomere length is a useful biomarker for determining general aging status. Some studies have reported an association between alcohol consumption and telomere length in a general population; however, it is unclear whether the alcohol flush reaction, which is an alcohol-related trait predominantly due to acetaldehyde dehydrogenase deficiency, is associated with telomere length. This cross-sectional study aimed to evaluate the associations of alcohol consumption and alcohol flush reaction with leukocyte telomere length (LTL). SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study included 1,803 Korean adults. Participants provided blood specimens for LTL measurement assay and reported their alcohol drinking status and the presence of an alcohol flush reaction via a questionnaire-based interview. Relative LTL was determined by using a quantitative polymerase chain reaction. Statistical analysis used multiple linear regression models stratified by sex and age groups, and potential confounding factors were considered. RESULTS: Age-specific analyses showed that heavy alcohol consumption (> 30 g/day) was strongly associated with a reduced LTL in participants aged ${\geq}65years$ (P < 0.001) but not in younger participants. Similarly, the alcohol flush reaction was associated with a reduced LTL only in older participants who consumed > 15 g/day of alcohol (P < 0.01). No significant alcohol consumption or alcohol flush reaction associations with LTL were observed in the sex-specific analyses. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that older alcohol drinkers, particularly those with the alcohol flush reaction, may have an accelerated aging process.