• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.165-176
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to analyze the influence of socio-demographic factors on food consumption frequencies among adolescents in Korea. Data were obtained from the Seventh Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2011 KYRBS), a nationwide representative sample of 75,643 (37,873 males and 37,770 females) middle and high school students. It was carried out as a self-administered on-line survey. The frequency of eating breakfast was 4.8 times per week for middle school students and 4.6 times per week for high school students (p < 0.001). Higher levels of perceived household economic status, family affluence scale (FAS) and education attainment of mother were associated with more frequent breakfast eating. The frequencies of consumption of vegetables and milk were higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). The frequency of consumption fruits was higher in females than in males (p < 0.01). Higher levels of perceived household economic status, FAS and education attainment of mother were associated with more frequent consumption of vegetable, fruits and milk. The frequencies of consumption of soda, fast food and instant noodls were higher in males than in females (p < 0.001). The frequency of consumption of snacks was higher in females than in males. Adolescents with lower levels of FAS and education attainment of mother were at risk for skipping breakfast and consuming of soda, fast food and instant noodls more frequently. Whereas, adolescents with higher levels of FAS, education attainment of mother were more likely to be frequent consumers of vegetable, fruits and milk. These findings demonstrated that being high school students and belonging to lower level of socio-economic status (SES) were associated with undesirable food habits.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2013

Purpose: The study was done to explore relationships between residential areas and smoking rates and to identify related factors contributing to smoking in Korea adolescents. Methods: An analysis was done of smoking rates and socioeconomic position indicators by city size based on a 2012 cross-sectional nationwide online survey conducted with 74,186 Korean middle and high school students aged 12-18 years old. Data were analyzed using x2-test and multiple logistic regression with the SPSS/WIN18.0 program. Results: Analyses revealed that rural boys were more likely to be current smokers compared to metropolitan boys (odds ratio 1.18, 95%-confidence interval 1.01; 1.38) but residential areas and smoking rates among girls were not related. After adjusting for covariates, results showed that city size, Family affluence score, economic status, parents' education level, living with parents, school type, and school achievement were related to increased an proportion of adolescents who smoked. Conclusion: In conclusion, rural living is a determinant of smoking among boys. Tobacco control programs should recognize differences in living conditions between rural and urban areas.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.24-35
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• 2012

Purpose: This research was performed to investigate Korean adolescents' body weight perception, appropriate weight change efforts, and factors that influencing these efforts. Methods: The data were obtained from 68,136 adolescents, aged 12~18 years from the 2007 Third Korean Youth' Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Descriptive statistical analysis and odds ratio were calculated by logistic regression. Results: The distribution of the body mass index differed in boys and girls. The accuracy of body weight perception was shown in the order of the underweight (91.6%), overweigh t (73.3%), normal weight (55.4%), obesity (41.3%) groups. Adolescents with high perceived economic status tended to have a high prevalence of accuracy of body weight perception. The distribution of appropriate weight change efforts according to the actual body mass index showed that girls were trying to lose weight more than boys. The results of a logistic regression analysis regarding appropriate weight change efforts showed differences according to gender, perceived economic status, mother's educational level, and family affluence scale. Conclusion: Appropriate body weight perception and change management plans are needed for Korean adolescents. In addition, active weight change programs have to be established in the adolescents' living environments, such as schools.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.236-252
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• 1994

This survey was accomplished to investigate the patterns of vitamin/mineral supplements usage in the middle-aged. Eight hundred seventy two persons of middle age were chosen from various cities and rural communities in Korea. In this study, those factors affecting vitamin/mineral supplements consumption, and usage patterns were examined. In addition, vitamin and mineral intakes through supplements were calculated, and then compared with RDA. As a result, vitamin/mineral supplements were taken by 40.8% of subjects. The higher the age, education level, family income and socioeconomic status were, the higher the percentage of supplements consumption was. City-dewellers used them more often than rural-dewellers. And vitamin/mineral supplements were taken frequently in subjects who perceived their health as poor, and concerned much about health. Illness and climacteric symptoms were also related with elevated usage. However, nutritional knowledge and food habit did not affect supplements consumption. Users mostly received information about supplements from TV/radio/newspapers, of family/friends. One of the mainly cited reasons for taking supplements, next to ' to give energy', was 'to be healthier'. The four most favored supplements, in ranking order, were vitamin B-complex, vitamin E, vitamin A and Ca. Most vitamin and mineral intakes through supplements were much greater than RDA except Ca. Especially, vitamin B1 intake was the highest as 49.6$\pm$34.9 times of RDA. In conclusion, vitamin/mineral supplements used by the middle-aged in Korea was as high as those of western countries. Supplements consumption seemed to be related with affluence, poor health status, and high level of health consiousness. And supplements tended to be taken for health promotion irrespective of scientific background. Most vitamin and mineral intakes by supplements were exceeded RDA, and their intake ranges were very wide. Thus some subjects should give attention to the potential harms of megadose.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.3
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• pp.158-168
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• 2014

Objectives: To identify and evaluate the trend of meal-skipping rates among Korean adolescents with their contributing causes and the influence of household income level on meal skipping. Methods: Using 2008, 2010, and 2012 data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey of 222 662 students, a cross-sectional study with subgroup analysis was performed. We calculated odds ratios for skipping each meal 5 or more times in a week by household socio-economic status using a multiple logistic regression model. The secular change in the meal-skipping rates by the students' family affluence scale was analyzed by comparing the meal-skipping students within each subgroup and odds ratios for the same event over time. Results: Through 2008 to 2012, most of the meal-skipping rates generally showed a continuous increase or were almost unchanged in both sexes, except for breakfast skipping in several subgroups. Students in low-income households not living with both parents had the highest meal-skipping rates and odds ratios for frequent meal skipping. In a time-series subgroup analysis, the overall odds ratios for the same event increased during 2008 to 2012, with a slight reduction in the gap between low and higher income levels with regard to meal skipping during 2010 to 2012. Conclusions: Household socio-economic status and several other factors had a significant influence on Korean adolescent meal-skipping rates. Although the gap in eating behavior associated with household socio-economic differences is currently decreasing, further study and appropriate interventions are needed.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2013

The objective of this study was to investigate the prevalence rate and correlates of weight control behaviors among adolescents in Korea. We analyzed data on 37,472 adolescents aged 12-18 years from the 2011 7th Korea Youth Risk Behavior web-based Survey. The results of this study was as following. First, the prevalence rate of healthy, unhealthy and extreme weight control behaviors was significantly higher in girls than in boys. Second, in both genders, healthy and unhealthy weight control behaviors were more common among obese adolescents than non-obese adolescents. But, use of diet pills were not prescription by doctor was more common in underweight boys and obese girls than others. Third, gender, school, family affluence scale, mother's education level, body shape perception(BSP), weight status predicted prevalence rate of healthy weight control behaviors. Gender, school, region, father's education level, BSP predicted prevalence rate of unhealthy weight control behaviors. Gender, school, BSP, weight status predicted prevalence rate of extreme weight control behaviors. These findings suggest the needs to design appropriate prevention program that can induce healthy weight control behaviors.