• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.604-613
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• 2014

This study was carried out to investigate consumption patterns of health functional foods (HFF) and analyze their related factors in male workers in order to provide basic data for appropriate understanding and optimal use of HFF. The subjects were 325 shipbuilding workers aged 20~50 in the Geoje area. About 84% of subjects reported that they were currently consuming or had experience of consuming HFF. The most commonly used type of HFF was vitamins (53.5%), followed by red ginseng (28.9%) and vegetable extract (15.4%). The major reasons for consuming and not-consuming HFF were 'to recovery from fatigue' (49.5%) and 'can not trust the effects' (39.4%), respectively. The intake period was 'less than 3 months' (35.5%), average monthly expense was 'less than 50,000 won' (49.1%), and purchase place was 'store of health functional foods' (32.2%) as the most common answers. The effects after consuming HFF were 'moderate' (51.3%) as the most common answer, and 16.1% of subjects experienced side effects, such as diarrhea, indigestion and nausea. Contributing factors for selecting and desire for future use of HFF were 'effectiveness' (52.2%) and 'when necessary' (67.8%) as the most common answers. Experience of using HFF was positively correlated with age (p<0.05), marital status (p<0.05), unbalanced diet (p<0.01), concern about health (p<0.05), and fear for disease (p<0.05). Purchase of HFF was positively correlated with fear of disease (p<0.01), whereas it was negatively correlated with frequency of exercise (p<0.05). The desire for future use of HFF was positively correlated with concern about health (p<0.05), fear of disease (p<0.01) and drinking (p<0.05). In conclusion, factors affecting consumption patterns of health functional foods (HFF) were age, marital status, unbalanced diet, concern about health, fear of disease and drinking.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.2
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• pp.161-170
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• 2010

We surveyed 837 students attending elementary schoolchildren in Korea for health functional foods (HFF) consumption and significant variables for their HFF consumption including demographic characteristics, parental health concern on offsprings, food eating frequency of subjects and beliefs on potential efficacy of HFF by subjects. The consumption prevalence of HFF was 45.9%, and among all types of HFF, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by apricot extract-fermented products > lactic acid bacteria containing products > EPA/DHA containing products > red ginseng products. HFF consumption was higher in subjects had parents of high education level (p < .05) and those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .01) in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents (p < .001) and consumption ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF (p < .01), and consumers had a more positive view concerning the potential efficacy of HFF than did nonconsumers (p < .001). Most consumers of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (42.5%), and they did not feel special effects through HFF consumption (47.7%). Most consumers of HFF got the information on HFF from family and relatives (24.8%), and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (53.9%). HFF consumers preferred multi-vitamins and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread consumption of HFF by elementary schoolchildren, the reasonable consumption of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being should be emphasized through nutrition education for them and their family.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2010

We surveyed 848 university students, $21.4{\pm}2.5$ years of age, attending university in Seoul, Kongju, Chongyang-Gun in the Chungnam province of Korea, for their use of health functional foods (HFF) and for significant variables in this use, namely demographic characteristics, health related variables, dietary variables and nutritional beliefs. The prevalence of the use of HFF was 33.6%. Among all types of HFF, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by (in order) red ginseng products, apricot extract products and ginseng products. HFF use was higher in females (p<.05), in subjects living in a dormitory (p<.05) and those from families with a relative high socioeconomic status (p<.001). Self-health concern (p<.05) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p<.001) was higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. The total score of dietary assessment was higher in users than in nonusers of HFF (p<.001), and users had a more positive point of view concerning the potential health benefits of HFF than did nonusers (p<.001). Most users took HFF when they were healthy (37.2%) or when they were sick (27.4%). They did not feel special effects through the HFF use (49.8%). Most users got the information about the specifics of HFF from family and/or relatives (55.8%). Most of users confirmed nutrition facts when they purchased the HFF (70.9%), but a considerable number of users could not understand these nutrition facts (48.1%). Users preferred vitamin C- and Ca-supplements most among vitamin mineral supplements belonged to HFF. These results show that the use of HFF is common among university students. As well, the use of HFF by students is affected by various variables. Supplementary nutritional education should be undertaken among university students, in order to give them a reasonable guideline for the use of HFF, based upon influencing factors and usage behaviors that we learned from this survey.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.294-303
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• 2010

Various types of health functional foods (HFF) are popularly used among middle-aged. We surveyed 946 middle-aged in Korea for HFF use and significant variables for their HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of HFF was 58.9%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were taken most frequently, followed by nutritional supplements, ginseng products > mushroom products. HFF was taken more frequently in subjects from high monthly family income (p < .001), and in those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .001) in comparison to each corresponding group. Mean age of users was higher than nonusers (p < .001). Self concern about health (p < .001) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) were higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. Total dietary assessment score was not different in two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of HFF than nonusers (p < .001). Most users of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (52.8%) and experienced a little effect through the HFF use (51.2%). Most users of HFF obtained the information on HFF through family and relatives (30.5%) and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (44.5%). HFF users preferred multivitamin and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread use of HFF and inappropriate usage of HFF among subjects, the proper use of these products for the contribution to their optimal nutrition and overall health is a subject that should be formed through practical nutrition education considering the various variables affecting their HFF use.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.30-38
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• 2011

The elderly is a target group for health functional foods (HFFs). We surveyed 825 Korean elderly (71.4- years-of-age) for HFF use and significant variables for HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables, and nutritional beliefs. The prevalence of HFF use was 48.7%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were eaten most frequently, followed by ginseng products, nutritional supplements, and mushroom products. The mean age of users of HFFs was lower than nonusers (p<.01). HFFs were eaten more frequently by subjects from families living with a spouse or unmarried children (p<.01) and those with higher levels of monthly pocket money (p<.001). HFFs were also eaten more frequently by subjects or their spouses with a higher education level (p<.001). The social activity participation ratio (p<.01) of subjects and the HFF usage ratio by the spouse (p<.001) were higher in users of HFF than in nonusers. Dietary assessment scores were not different between the two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefits of HFFs than did nonusers (p<.001). Most users of HFF ate HFFs "when they were healthy" (52.2%) and experienced some effect through HFF use (45.8%). Most users of HFFs received information on HFFs through their families or relatives (38.1%) and most purchased HFFs at the pharmacy or oriental medicine clinic (44.8%). HFF users preferred multivitamin- and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin and mineral supplements belonged to HFFs. The above results show that HFF use is widely spread among subjects, and that use of HFF is influenced by various factors. Thus, practical guidelines for HFF use should be provided for the elderly through elderly focused-nutrition education based upon significant variables and consumption behaviors for their HFF use of present study.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.768-775
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to analyze consumption patterns of health functional foods (HFF) according to climacteric symptoms. Subjects were 450 middle-aged women divided into four groups by Kupperman's index. This study collected all information by self-administrated questionnaires. Higher Kupperman's index was associated with higher Menopause-specific quality of life questionnaire (MENQOL) (P<0.001) and current smoker ratio (P<0.01) as well as lower monthly income (P<0.05). Exactly 28.4% of subjects showed negative responses to effectiveness of HFF. The average number of HFF intake per person was 2.01. The main reason for consumption of HFF was treatment or prevention of disease (33.6%). The information source for buying HFF was family or relatives (40.0%). The main types of HFF were vitamins (28.2%), omega-3 fatty acid (18.6%) and red ginseng (17.3%). The intake ratio of individual approval type (Cynanchum extract and Angeli extract) was significantly higher in subjects with high Kupperman's index (P<0.001). In conclusion, these results can be used as basic data that reflect middle-aged women's needs for HFF intake according to climacteric symptoms.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.93-105
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• 2010

Objective : Recently the number of health functional food (HFF) made with Traditional Korean Medicine (TKM) herbs have been increasing. However, there was a lack of the functional and safety information on HFF. Thus, this study was performed to investigate perceptions and consumptions of the HFF in Daegu area. Method : We used the data of 'Survey in Daegu' in 2010 and analyzed characteristics of perceptions and intake conditions of HFF of 1,208 participated inhabitants. Result : Among the 1,208 respondents, 30.4% were male and 63.5% were female. Most respondents (69.3%) were between 30's and 50's decade. The recognition rate of HFF made with TKM herb appeared to 86.2%. The major route of acquiring HFF information was 'mass-media' (49.8%) ; the primary reason of using HFF was 'For health promotion and anti-aging' (69.2%). On the other hand, the recognition rate of adverse effects was 53.3%. As for intake effect, 41.5% were satisfied at HFF consumption, while 56.0% did not feel special effects through the HFF consumption. In regards to purchase place, 'HFF store' was most selected by 38.0%. 69.1% of respondents selected to TKM decoction, the reason is that it made according to TKM physician's diagnosis considered their health condition. Conclusion : HFF intake was purpose to health promotion, but HFF made with TKM was consumed without any information about that. In order that HFF be used properly to promote health, the scientific and reasonable information of HFF made with TKM herb is need for consumers.

• Agribusiness and Information Management
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• v.9 no.2
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• pp.12-21
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• 2017

The aim of this study was to forecast the future Health Functional Food (HFF) market trends of Korea by studied about policies and market situation in Japan. The HFF is a food that is given an additional health function. In contrast with traditional foods, the HFF has unique characteristics in that it can be produced under the political regulations. The market size of the HFF was growing gradually due to the increased of an aging population and consumer need for high quality and diversified foods. The reason why the HFF market in Japan grew up earlier than other countries, Japan was the first country that institutionalized the HFF policies. Therefore, in this paper, by examining the policies and the market situation of Japan through literatures, we forecasted upcoming political and market situational changes of Korea's HFF market. We noticed that consumers needs about the HFFs which diversified, confidently ensured safety and ingredients will increase. In this regard, the government will reorganize legislation in order to increase the confidence of the safety of HFFs. In addition, the market size of domestic HFFs which are produced by major food companies will grow.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.415-423
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to estimate the consumption prevalence of vitamin and mineral supplements as health functional foods (VM-HFF) and to examine the factors associated with VM-HFF consumption behaviors in adolescents. A total of 1,407 adolescents attending middle or high schools from various cities and rural communities in Korea participated in this study. The prevalence of VM-HFF consumption was 41.7%, with boys showing a higher consumption than girls (p<0.01). VM-HFF consumption was higher in families with higher socioeconomic status and for families with parents that exhibited higher concerns about their child's health, growth, and nutritional intake (p<0.001). Most consumers of VM-HFF consumed HFFs 'when healthy' (50.1%), and acquired nutritional information from 'their families & relatives' (50.9%). Most consumers responded that VM-HFF was 'a little effective' (54.3%), followed by 'no obvious effects' (37.1%), and 'very effective' (7.4%). The effectiveness of consuming VM-HFF was mainly for 'fatigue recovery' (39.0%) and 'health improvement' (28.2%). Most consumers purchased HFFs at 'pharmacies & oriental medicine clinics' (53.8%) and at 'health functional food stores' (18.8%). Most consumers 'occasionally' (51.1%) or 'seldom' (27.3%) checked nutrition facts when purchasing, with 58.9% of consumers understanding the nutritional label for 'the most part', but only 8.7% of them understanding it 'very well'. Among the VM-HFF, consumers preferred calcium- and vitamin C-supplements. Consumers' mini-dietary assessment scores were higher than those of non-consumers. The results above showed that VM-HFF consumption was widely spread among adolescents, but few consumers checked and understood the nutrition label when they purchased VM-HFF, and were highly dependent on the advice and information from non-professional nutritionists, such as families & relatives. Therefore, it is necessary to educate adolescents to help them read nutrition labels and select the proper VM-HFF.

• Food Quality and Culture
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.82-88
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• 2009

This study developed learning content and web pages providing information on Health/Functional Food (HFF) for consumers who come across information indiscriminately from a variety of advertising media such as the Internet and TV. After coming to an understanding of the current situation through literature review and fact-finding, we collected information and commercials on HFF that are exposed to consumers. Focusing on advanced countries such as the U.S. and Japan, we examined the current status of consumer education programs, especially in terms of HFF industry. Further, we referred to the guidelines for consumer education provided by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration and monitored the information from a web site that sells dietary supplementary products in the U.S. In addition, we surveyed consumer information on foods for special health use provided by the Japanese National Institute of Health & Nutrition, and investigated a DB of raw materials of function food (functionality/safety documents). Upon a literature review, the 13 functions of HFF were classified. As a result of conducting interviews with consumers, we developed content that was fit for consumers' perspectives. Through this research, we established a web page to enable people to search for information by function and then by raw material. After searching for information by raw materials, searching products by raw materials can be done in cooperation with E-marketplace. Subsequently developed content and education programs were offered on an HFF web page, which has been in operation since 2005. Therefore, it is expected that appropriate information on HFF will be available.