• Health Policy and Management
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.87-93
• /
• 2024

Background: In recent years, studies have shown conflicting results regarding the benefits of dietary supplements in reducing healthcare expenditures. This study aimed to address this inconsistency by examining the association between supplement consumption and health expenditures using nationally representative data from the Korea Health Panel Survey (2019-2020). Methods: A 1:1 matched case-control dataset was established using propensity score matching technique based on supplement consumption. Then, total annual healthcare expenditures were compared between the two groups. In addition, a multivariate regression analysis (Proc Surveyreg) was performed to determine the association between the supplement consumption and medical costs. Results: The supplement user group spent about 1.72 million Korean won, while the non-user group spent about 1.43 million Korean won on medical services (p=0.0186). The results of multivariate regression showed that the costs were approximately 26.15% higher in the user group than in the non-user group (p=0.0004). Conclusion: Contrary to the previous studies that have shown the benefits of supplement use in reducing healthcare costs, this study showed that those who consistently consumed supplements spent more on medical services. This can be interpreted in the same context as previous studies suggesting that dietary supplement intake is a healthy behavior for managing one's health. However, we caution against drawing firm conclusions due to data limitations. Further analysis using patient-level epidemiologic data is needed.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.8
• /
• pp.1327-1336
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to compare nutrient intakes regarding stages of change in dietary fat reduction behavior. Subjects were consisted of healthy 383 college students (250 females and 133 males) in Gyeonggi-Do. Stages of change classified by an algorithm based on 6 items were designed each subjects into one of the 5 stages: precontemplation (PC), contemplation (CO), preparation (PR), action (AC), maintenance (MA). Nutrient intakes were assessed by 24-hr recall method. Regarding the 5 stages of changes, PR stage comprised the largest group (31.1%), followed by AC (28.7%), PC (19.3%), CO (13.8%), MA (7.1%). Female were more belong to either AC or MA. Those in PC and PR had the most energy, fat, saturated fatty acid and cholesterol (except male) and those in AC and MA had the least. These dietary patterns were more distinctive in female than in male. The higher stage of change in dietary fat reduction behavior, the higher self-efficacy. Energy % from fat in PC, CO, PR was too higher than 20%, that of in AC and MA (except male in MA) was within 20%. The average P/S and $\omega$6/$\omega$3 ratio of diet fat for female were similar to the recommended ratio, but the average $\omega$6/$\omega$3 ratio for male was found to be 10.1～12.9, which was beyond the suggested range, 4～10. In male, energy, fat and protein intakes from dinner were significantly different among stages of change, but in female, besides dinner, those from breakfast, lunch and snack were significantly different among stages of change. These results of our study confirm differences in stages of change in fat intake in terms of nutritional status, especially in female, and indicate the need for taking these phases of changes into account in nutrition advice.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.49 no.5
• /
• pp.378-394
• /
• 2016

Purpose: Screening of preschool-age children for nutrition programs to improve dietary intake and behaviors requires cost-effective and easily administered validated assessment tools. The purpose of this study was to develop a parent/caregiver-administered instrument for measuring diet quality and behaviors of preschoolers as a nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P). Methods: Development of NQ-P was carried out in three steps: item generation, item reduction, and validation. The 24-h dietary record was selected as the gold standard reference tool. The 38 items of the NQ-P checklist were derived from a systematic literature review, expert in-depth interviews, statistical analysis of the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data, and national nutrition policies and recommendations. Self-administered questionnaires were delivered to parents who recorded 24-h dietary intakes of 100 responders aged 3~5 yr. Pearson's correlation was used to measure the level of agreement between questionnaires. Item reduction was performed, and 20 items were selected based on survey results, expert reviews, and priorities of national nutrition policy and recommendations. The 412 nationwide subjects sampled through daycare centers completed the 20-item checklist questionnaire. The construct validity of the NQ-P was assessed using confirmatory factor analysis, LISREL. Results: After analyses of exploratory factors, NQ-P items identified three dimensions of diet (balance, moderation, and environment). The three-factor structure accounted for 49.28% of the total variance. Standardized path coefficients were used as weights of the items. The NQ-P and three-factor scores of the subjects were calculated by the obtained weights of the questionnaire items. Conclusion: A food behavior checklist for preschoolers' NQ would be a useful and suitable instrument for evaluating nutrition adequacy and dietary quality of Korean preschoolers.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.468-479
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate factors affecting the bone density of university students in the Seoul area. Data for food habits, and dietary and health-related behavior was obtained by self-administered questionnaires. BQI (bone quality index) of the subjects was measured by a Quantitative Ultrasound (QUS). The results are summarized as follows. The average height, weight, BMI and osteopenia percentage were 175.4cm, 69.3kg, 22.5 and 15.6% for male students, and 161.5cm, 55.9kg, 21.7 and 34.1%, for female students, respectively. The mean BQI of the subjects was 110.25 (range 60.7 ～ 176.8) in male students and 90.64 (range 52.9 ～ 137.5) in female students. Height and weight were significantly related with BQI in the female group but the relationship with BMI was not significantly related with bone density in either group. BQI was positively affected by nutrition supplement in the male student group. One-side eating, diet, and intake of milk and instant food were not significantly related with BQI in males or females. The results of this study revealed that desirable food habits, dietary behavior and health-related lifestyle may have a beneficial effect on bone density. There should be established a practically and systematically organized nutritional education on optimum body weight, good eating habits, weight bearing exercise and intakes of good quality nutrient for higher bone density level.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.24 no.1
• /
• pp.84-91
• /
• 2008

In this study, Kimchi, soup and stew samples were collected from May to June, 2007, in the Jeonju area, and their salinity levels were analyzed. In addition, housewives were surveyed via questionnaire to assess food behaviors and consumption patterns. The average salinity of the Kimchi samples was $2.0{\pm}0.5%$. The average salinity of the soup/stew samples was $1.0{\pm}0.3%$ in the broth portion and $0.8{\pm}0.3%$ in the homogenized mixture of both broth and solids. The average salinity of all types of soup was $0.9{\pm}0.3%$, and that for stews was $1.1{\pm}0.3%;$ the average salinity of the stew was significantly higher than that of the soup (p<0.001). Beanpaste soup had a significantly higher average salinity $(1.0{\pm}0.3%)$ than clear soup $(0.8{\pm}0.3%)$ (p<0.05). The Food behavior scores of the respondents, with regard to sodium intake and salty taste preference, showed significant positive correlations to the salinity of the soup and stew samples (p<0.01). The consumption patterns of the Kimchi and soup/stews were also analyzed to determine whether there was a relationship to the saltiness of the food samples. The respondents were divided into two groups for each food category: Kimchi groups of below 2.0% salinity and above 2.1% salinity, soup/stew groups of below 0.8% salinity and above 0.9% salinity. The below 0.8% salinity soup/stew group used salt or soy sauce in meals significantly less frequently (p<0.01) than the above 0.9% salinity group. The lower salinity Kimchi and soup/stew groups gave significantly higher scores regarding answers that their Kimchi was 'bland' (p<0.05). The types of frequently consumed Kimchi were determined as Korean cabbage, Welsh, wild greens, radish, KKak Du Ki, and Yol Mu Kimchi. When compared to the above 2.1% salinity Kimchi group, the below 2.0% salinity Kimchi group gave higher scores regarding answers that they consumed 'more than half the broth in the bowel' and also gave significantly higher (p<0.01) scores in answering that they consumed only the solid ingredients, leaving the broth.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.19-29
• /
• 2010

Objectives：Authors hypothesized that bipolar tendency of non-psychiatric person would be associated with stress vulnerability. To test the hypothesis, we compared perceived stress level, Type A Behavioral Pattern (TABP) and unhealthy lifestyle between person with and without bipolar tendency. Methods：The study cohort consisted of 1987 subjects without past and current psychiatric history. In this study, bipolar tendency was determined by MDQ response which requires endorsement of at least 7 of the 13 "yes or no" questions. We compared the scores of Perceived Stress Scale, A/B lifestyle questionnaire, and unhealthy lifestyle(alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise, irregular meal) between MDQ positive and negative respondents. Results：We identified the bipolar tendency group determined by the MDQ positive response were 329 subjects(16.6%). The overall score of the bipolar tendency group was significantly high on the A/B lifestyle questionnaire compared to the non-bipolar tendency group(125.4 vs. 115.9, p<0.001), and the rate of the subjects defined as TABP was also significantly high(41.3% vs. 30.1%, p<0.001). In comparison of subjectively perceived stress level, the bipolar tendency group was observed to be significantly higher than the non-bipolar tendency group (18.5% vs. 16.5%, p<0.001). The bipolar tendency group was significantly higher than the non-bipolar tendency group on the rate of answering：'irregular eating habit' (20.1% vs. 14.3%, p=0.002), '4-or-more-times alcohol intake per week' (29.8% vs. 16.5%, p<0.001), 'currently smoking' (41.9% vs. 23.0%, p<0.001), '2-or-less-times physical exercises per week' (63.2% vs. 55.1%, p=0.007). Conclusion：By clinical diagnosis, even a person who does not meet the criteria of bipolar disorder has a high risk of stress-related behavioral pattern, and perceived stress when possessing bipolar tendencies such as the (hypo) maniac tendency or affective instability. Such individual has significantly higher risk of having unhealthy life-style such as smoking, drinking, irregular eating habit and lack of exercise compared to non-bipolar tendency group. Since these risk factors lead to increase the risk of obesity, metabolic syndrome, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases, the individual with the bipolar tendency requires a more effort to manage stress and to maintain healthy lifestyle.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.51 no.3
• /
• pp.228-241
• /
• 2018

Purpose: The health risk of women increases after menopause. This study evaluated the effectiveness of a public health center-based nutrition education program for hypertension in women older than 50 years of age. Methods: The program included 8-week nutrition education and 8-week follow-up with keeping a health diary and nutrition counseling. The program was evaluated three times: before and after the nutrition education, and after the follow-up. The subjects were classified into hypertensives (n = 44) or normotensives (n = 71). Results: The rate of taking antihypertensive drugs in the hypertensive group was 86.4%. The systolic blood pressure decreased in the hypertensive and normotensive groups after nutrition education (p < 0.05). The body weight (p < 0.001), BMI (p < 0.001), waist circumference (p < 0.001), and percent body fat (p < 0.01) were also decreased after nutrition education in both groups. The hypertensive group showed an increase in HDL-cholesterol level (p < 0.001) and decreases in triglycerides (p < 0.01) and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.05) levels after completion of the program. The normotensive group also displayed significant changes in HDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) and triglycerides (p < 0.01). The dietary habits and nutrition knowledge on sodium and hypertension were improved in both groups (p < 0.001). The total score of dietary behavior related to the sodium intake was improved in the normotensive group (p < 0.001). The total score of the high sodium dish frequency questionnaire decreased in both groups after nutrition education and completion of the program compared to that before the program. Decreases in the consumption frequencies of noodles, pot stews and stews, Kimchi, and beverages were significant. The total self-efficacy score was increased in both groups by the program (p < 0.001). In particular, the hypertensive group showed improvement in all items. Conclusion: This public health center-based nutrition education program may contribute to the prevention and management of hypertension and chronic diseases in women over 50 years of age.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.1-10
• /
• 2004

This study was conducted to investigate the dietary behavior and image and preference of Japanese foods. The Subjects were consisted of 570 university students(243 males and 327 females) in Daegu and Kyungbuk area, Korea. The students responses to the 10 questions about image of Japanese foods were also measured on 5 point Likert scale. Data were presented by using frequency, percentage, chi-square test and T-test. The results of this study were as follows: (1) On the eating habits, 'the whole family has breakfast together with same foods everyday'scored high as 42.3％ and 'foods put in a big platter by gathering everyday'as 35.8％. (2) About the eating customs, 53.5％ of the subjects responded that the seat was fixed at meal time, 56.4％ didn't start to eat before the patriarch started a meal and 30.9％ responded that the head of a family had more foods in number and quantity. (3) On the table manners, 13.4％ of the subjects were scolded about 'watching TV on eating', 11.5％ about 'making left-over foods', 8.0％ about 'misuse of spoon and chopsticks'. (4) The preferred ethnic foods by University students was in other of Korean, Chinese, Italian, Japanese and French foods. (5) Among subjects, 93.8％ had no experience of visiting Japan and 92.6％ wanted to visit Japan. Images on the Japanese foods were 'the price is too expensive' (mean 4.15) and 'the decoration is wonderful'(mean 4.05). But the subjects did not think Japanese foods as 'hot'(mean 2.21) and 'greasy'(mean 2.51). (6) The favorite Japanese food of subjects was Udon(mean 3.98), Sushi(mean 3.85) and Tempura(mean 3.69). So Udon turned out to be the most popular Japanese foods by university students in Daegu and Kyungbuk area, Korea. But they did not prefer Natto(mean 2.68), Ochazuke(mean 2.76), Okonomiyaki(mean 2.87) and Misosiru and did not eat. From the above results, Korean university students preferred Udon to Natto among Japanese traditional foods, and they estimated Japanese foods as 'too expensive'. Therefore, lowering the price and developing the cooking method for Korean taste were needed to increase the intake of Japanese traditional foods by Korean university students and.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.2
• /
• pp.171-179
• /
• 2017

Purpose: We conducted comparative analysis of dietary behavior and food and nutrient intakes of Korean elderly in urban and rural areas using the 2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This study was conducted on 1,239 participants (urban elderly: 867, rural elderly: 372) aged 65 years and over who participated in the health examination and nutrition survey in the 6th 2014 KNHANES. Dietary behaviors, including skipping meals, eating out frequencies, and food and nutrient intakes were analyzed using 24-hour recall data. Analysis of complex sample design data through SPSS 19.0 was used for the analysis. Results: The rate of skipping dinner was higher in urban (6.5%) than in rural elderly (3.6%) (p < 0.05), and the frequency of eating out per week of urban elderly (1.73) was higher than that of rural elderly (1.35) (p < 0.001). The rural elderly consumed a greater amount of grain compared to urban elderly, whereas consumption of water, seaweed food, and dairy products was lower in rural than in urban areas (p < 0.05). The rural elderly consumed significantly less highly unsaturated fatty acids, n-6 fatty acids, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, carotene, niacin, and vitamin C in comparison with elderly in urban areas. Comparison of the percentages of Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) between the two groups showed that intakes of vitamin A and vitamin C were significantly lower in the rural elderly than in urban elderly. Conclusion: The elderly in rural areas showed unbalanced food and nutrient intakes compared to the elderly in urban areas. Therefore, customized nutrition education according to residential areas should be developed and provided to rural elderly to improve their health and nutritional status.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.20 no.5
• /
• pp.668-679
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to analyze the relations of children's skipping meals after researching eating habits and lifestyle, parents' appreciation in nutrition behavior and dietary intake, throughout the research based on 4th to 6th grade students, total of 362 children at an elementary school in Inchoen. There were 104 students in skipping meals group and 258 students in eating meals group, with the average ages of 10.9, and 10.8, respectively. The average height and weight were 144.5 cm, 38.6 kg for skipping meals group, and 145.7 cm, 39.3 kg for eating meals group. Parents' appreciation of importance in breakfast showed a significant difference in whether children skip the meals or not (p<0.01). 43.7% of parents in skipping meals group answered that they serve breakfast everyday, compared to eating meals group with the percentage of 94.9%, showing significant difference in frequency of serving breakfast for their children (p<0.001). The skipping meals group answered that the reason they do not have breakfast is because they do not have time, which showed the highest percentage of 41.2%. For the eating meals group, 40.5% of students answered that they do not have appetite, which also showed difference (p<0.001). The skipping meals group tended to wake up later than those who have breakfast in the morning(p<0.01). The breakfast time for skipping meals group was later than the eating meals group, and according to whether they have breakfast of not, it showed a difference as well(p<0.01). Total score of nutrition attitude in skipping meals group and eating meals group were 30.8 and 32.1, showing that eating meals group showed more good in nutrition attitude (p<0.05). Daily intakes of energy (p<0.01) and protein (p<0.01) in skipping meals group were significantly lower than those in eating meals group. Skipping meals group bad lower rates in INQs of protein (p<0.01) and zinc (p<0.01), showing that skipping meals group is having low quality meals in nutrition. In conclusion, this study revealed that students with skipping meals are more likely to have meals that lacks nutrition or have low quality meals, and the time of rising hour in the morning, frequency of eating snacks can also affect whether or not they skip meals.