• 대한지역사회영양학회지
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• 제29권4호
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• pp.288-303
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• 2024

Objectives: North Koreans have been facing chronic food shortages and malnutrition. This study examined the nutritional status of North Koreans and the perceptions of South Korean adults regarding their nutritional status. Methods: The nutritional status was examined using nutritional indicators for the general population, children, and reproductive-aged women in North Korea. An online survey was conducted among 1,000 South Korean adults aged 19-69 years to investigate their perceptions regarding the nutritional status of North Koreans. Results: Although the nutritional status of children in North Korea has consistently improved, significant progress in the general population and reproductive-aged women in the country remains elusive. The prevalence of malnutrition among North Korean children has decreased to a level that is not considered severe based on international standards, although it shows a substantial difference from that among South Korean children. The prevalence of undernourishment and food insecurity in North Korea remains over 40%. South Korean adults perceive the nutritional status of North Koreans as being more severe than it is in reality. Notably, a significant inconsistency exists between the perceived and actual nutritional status of North Korean children, with over 95% of South Korean adults perceiving North Korean children's malnutrition as being more severe than it actually is. Moreover, South Korean adults in their 20s to 40s tended to perceive the nutritional status of North Koreans as being more severe than those in their 50s to 60s did. Conclusions: The nutritional status of North Koreans is a matter of concern. The disparity between South Koreans' perceptions of the nutritional status of North Koreans and the actual status highlights the need for accurate information dissemination to effectively address malnutrition in North Korea. These efforts could be instrumental in enhancing public awareness and fostering social consensus on food aid and nutritional support programs for North Korea.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제13권5호
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• pp.434-439
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• 2000

This study was conducted to investigate the association between initial nutritional status and treatment outcome of hepatoma patients. Initial nutritional status was measured based on weight, serum albumin and total lymphocyte counts. Treatment outcome was measured in the three categories such as complication, treatment status at discharge and mortality. The study subjects were 120 patients with hepatoma cancer admitted at a university hospital in Seoul. The information about initial nutritional status and treatment outcome was collected from medical records. Chi-square test was used to test the association between initial nutritional status and treatment outcome As a result. 76.6% of the subjects were classified as the nutritional risk group based on initial nutritional states. Prevalence of complication was higher in nutritional risk group I and II than that in non-risk group(p<0.05). Death rare of the nutritional risk group was significantly higher than that of non-risk group(p<0.001). The findings suggest the strong association between the initial nutritional status and treatment outcome of hepatoma cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제37권3호
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• pp.223-235
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• 2004

A functional ability and adequate nutritional status are the major determinants of health status, Self-rated health (SRH) is a worldwide method to assess health status and it is recognized as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, This study was designed to evaluate the functional ability and nutritional risk according to SRH in the elderly. Four hundred nine free-living elderly people (118 male, 291 female), aged $\geq$ 65 years were interviewed by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires including demographic information, SRH, anthropometric measurements, functional ability, general health status, and nutritional risk. SRH was divided into three status such as “Good”, “Moderate” and “Poor” status. And all the data were analyzed by oneway ANOVA, spearman correlation, and x$^2$ analysis using SPSS 9.0 version at p 〈 0.05. Of all the subjects, 48.9％ perceived their health status as “poor”, and their functional abilities (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living) were more impaired than their counterparts (“good” and “moderate”). Poor self-rated health was also related to: a higher prevalence of illnesses (p 〈 0,001) especially in hypertension, arthritis. Self-rated health was significantly related to food security (p 〈 0.001), food enjoyment (p 〈 0.001) ,and nutritional knowledge (p = 0.0 13). Also NSI checklist total score was the highest in “poor” health status (p 〈 0.001). Better self-rated health was related to better food security, and better food enjoyment. However, smoking, alcoholic intake, exercise, eating behaviors, and demographic characteristics were not significantly different among the three SRH status. SRH was closely related to chronic diseases, functional ability, and nutritional risk in the elderly. Therefore, public health strategies for the elderly should be focused on the elderly who are “poor” in SRH, to improve nutritional status and functional ability, and to reduce risk factors of chronic diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제35권6호
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• pp.650-657
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• 2002

In order to provide basic data for the means to improve food situation and nutritional status of those supported by the National Basic Livelihood Security System (NBLSS), we examined household food insecurity and nutritional status of children under the support of NBLSS. This study included 209 children aged 3-12 years (99 boys and 110 girls) and their caretakers. We measured house food insecurity using Radimer/cornell Scale, children's body sizes and nutrient intake by semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and caretakers' nutritional management skills. Only 9.6％ of the households were in food secured (FS) while 8.1％ were in household food insecured, but without hunger (HFI), 42.1％ were in adult food insecured with hunger (AFI), and 40.2％ were in child hungry (CH). Important predictors of food security were nutritional management skills of the caretakers as well as their education, but neither income nor food expenditure of the households. Mean energy intake of the children was 86.0％ of the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA). Intakes of protein, phosphorous, vitamin A and B$_1$ were relatively high ranging from 112.3％ to 124.4％ of the RDAs while those of calcium, iron, niacin, vitamin C were low showing 74.8-83.3％ of the RDAs. Height, weight and weight/height ratio were close to the reference levels. Lower nutrient intakes of children were observed as the households were more food insecured. However, nutrient intakes and body sizes of children did not differ as a function of household socioeconomic status representing by income, food expenditure and caretakers' education. Results of this study suggest the importance of food security and nutritional management skills for the children's nutrient intakes. Concerning this matter, a need for nutrition education in the program for NBLSS was discussed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제41권7호
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• pp.667-681
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• 2008

This study aimed to identify a nutritionally vulnerable group and to examine their nutritional problems based on a relationship between socioeconomic position and nutritional status through life-course. A cross-sectional nationwide survey of 2005 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was used. A total of 8,930 participants aged $\geq$ 1 year were included. The socioeconomic position indicator was education level. Nutritional status was assessed by the percentage attainment of a dietary reference intake (DRI) and dietary quality based on nutrient intakes estimated by a 24 hour-recall data. Food insufficiency was examined by one-item food insufficiency questionnaire. The difference in nutritional status and food insufficiency according to educational level was tested by General Linear Model and Chi-square test, respectively. The nutritional status and food insufficiency was the worst during adolescence and older age than other period. Both quantity and quality of nutrient intakes was poorer in low education group than high education group. The prevalence of food insufficiency also was higher in low education group. The results were consistent across the life-course and sex. Based on these findings, we suggest that the development of various policy and strategies targeted to nutritionally vulnerable group is necessary to reduce nutritional inequality by socioeconomic position.

• 대한간호학회지
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• 제27권1호
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• pp.49-60
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• 1997

The purpose of this study was to determine the incidence of malnutrition among patients on admission to hospital, to monitor changes in their nutritional status during hospitalization, and to determine the factors which might affect changes in nutritional status. The subjects for the study were patients who were admitted to general medicine for more than one week. Patients suffering from cardiovascular. renal disease, or dehydration were excluded. Nutritional assessment of the patients was performed on admission and nutritional status was reassessed one week and two weeks after admission. The nutritional assessment tool consisted of subjective history taking and anthropometric measurements. Biochemical measurements were performed only on admission. For anthropometric assessment : patients' body weight, subcutaneous skinfolds thickness, % of body fat, body mass index, and lean body mass were measured using caliper or Bio impedance Analyzer. Factors which might influence current nutritional status, like dietary intake, anorexia, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sleep disturbance, and number of days of NPO for diagnostic examinations were analyzed. The results are as follows : 1. Of the 59 patients who were studied, 61% were male and 39% female. The nutritional status of all of the 59 subjects was reassessed one week after admission, but it was only done for 22 subjects at two weeks. 2. The anthropometric measurements. including weight body mass index, lean body mass, body fat. and skin fold thickness. were all significantly decreased at one week after admission compared to the values at admission. On the other hand, two weeks after admission, only body weight and abdominal skinfolds thickness were decreased. 3. The subjects reported anorexia for an average of two days, sleep disturbance for two days, and no food intake due to diagnostic test for one day. In the second week of hospitalization, almost none of the patients complained of gastrointestinal symptoms or sleep disturbance except anorexia. Food consumption which was measured based on rice intake was 60% of the food served during the first week of hospitalization, and 66% during the second week of hospitalization. 4. There was no correlation between the subjective nutritional assessment and anthropometric assessment. 5. There was no statistical significance in anthropometric measurements among the patients with various diseases whereas sleep disturbance and no food intake due to various diagnostic test was prominent in patients with gastrointestinal diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• 제54권3호
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• pp.239-246
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• 2021

Purpose: Previous studies have reported the difference in nutritional status between South and North Korean infants and young children (IYC). Clear understanding on the nature of such differences is essential for planning food and nutrition policies and programs to prepare for a possible re-unification of the two Koreas in future. This study was undertaken to yield valid statistics comparing the nutritional status between North and South Korean IYC. Methods: Raw data obtained from the 2017 Korean National Growth Chart and the 2013-2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to determine the comparable statistics that include weight for age z-score (WAZ), height for age z-score (HAZ) and weight for height z-score (WHZ), with data reported in the Survey Findings Report of the 2017 DRP Korea Multiple Indicator Cluster Survey. The average weight and height by gender and month were estimated for North Korean IYC and calculated for South Korean IYC. SPSS analysis was applied to evaluate the acquired statistics and compare the nutritional status of South and North Korean IYC. Results: WAZ, HAZ and WHZ of North Korean IYC were observed to be lower than values obtained for South Korean IYC as well as the median values of World Health Organization Child Growth Standards across all ages. Similar patterns were observed for average height and weight. The nutritional status of North Korean IYC revealed a prevalence of highly underweight (9.3%), stunting (19.1%) and wasting (2.5%) values, and was determined to be significantly lower than values obtained for South Korean IYC (0.8%, 1.8%, and 0.7%, respectively). Conclusion: This study has yielded valid statistics that compare the nutritional status of North and South Korean IYC. Results of this study confirm the prevalence of nutritional status difference between South and North Korea.

• 한국식품영양학회지
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• 제31권1호
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• pp.52-61
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• 2018

The purpose of this study is to examine the feeding and nutritional status of enteral tube-fed elderly patients. Subjects included 77 elderly hospitalized patients who had received enteral nutrition more than one week before admission. Medical records on admission and actual feeding volume were used to assess anthropometric, biochemical, and nutritional status. Most patients manifested disorders of the nervous system (93.5%) and the average duration of tube feeding was 13.9 months. The average feeding volume of formula was 1,107 mL per day and the mean ratios of calorie and protein (supplied vs. required) were 81.7% and 80.9%, respectively. At admission, 57.4% of the patients were malnourished according to the institutional criteria. Patients receiving less than 80% of the required calories were in worse nutritional status compared with those receiving more than 80% of the required calories. Body mass index, percent ideal body weight, serum albumin level and blood lipid levels (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride) were significantly lower in patients receiving less than 80% of the required calories. These results indicate the high prevalence of malnutrition and the need for increased attention and nutritional care of elderly patients undergoing long-term enteral nutrition.

• 식품과학과 산업
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• 제55권2호
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• pp.218-238
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• 2022

The loss of Korean sovereignty by Japan in 1910 was an unforgettable national humiliation of Korea who maintained the sovereignty for 5000 years. The process of Korea annexation into Japan was reviewed and its consequences to the food and nutritional status of Koreans were analyzed by using the records in Korea as well as in overseas. The records of the colonial Government-General of Joseon shows superficial figures distorting the actual life of Koreans at that time. Japan extorted 45% of rice and 44% of soybeans produced in Korea in 1933, and imported poor quality long-grain rice (Indica type) to replace partly the extorted rice. The food and nutritional situation of Koreans was miserable, and hunger and malnutrition were prevalent in the country for the 36 years. The height of Koreans became smaller than Japanese, who was called as 'little people (Oein)' in Korea historically.

• 대한가정학회지
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• 제31권4호
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• pp.169-181
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• 1993

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weaning behavior on infants' health status. 294 mothers who had infants, aged 4 to 12 months in Seoul, were selected by cluster sampling and answered by the special questionnaires. Result were as follows : 55.1% of mothers had commenced weaning by 3 months of age. Infants eatten commercial weaning food except for infant eatten only home made weaning food were 88.8%. The case that mothers couldn't make weaning food at the home were 56.6% because they didn't know how to cook of weaning food. Cereals were used frequently as infant foods while meat and fish were lesser used. The higher mother's education level had, the higher nutritional knowledge had. Nutritional knowledge was not influenced on selecting the kinds of weaning food. But the higher nutritional knowledge had, the more desirable weaning behavior mother tended to be had. The more desirable weaning behavior mother had, the more infant's health status tended to be improved. Therefore, for the desirable weaning behaviors of mothers and the improvement of infants' health status, nutritional education program including cook method and development of infant food is need.