• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2002

Recently interests on raw-food diets are rapidly increasing in relation to chronic diseases prevention in Korea, but studies on raw-food diets have been hardly performed by nutritionists. This study was performed to investigate the effects of low-calorie diets using a raw-food formula in the form of freeze-dried powder on obesity and its complications in the obese women (body mass index (BMI) $\geq$ 25kg/㎡) for eight weeks. Forty premenopausal women (mean BMI 28.04kg/㎡, mean age 28.33years old) participated in this diet intervention, and were controlled by eating 1 regular meal, 1-2 snacks and 2 raw-food formula (140kcal/pack) meals a day within the 1500-1300kcal ranges. Anthropo-mentric measurements, body compositions, physical exercise, and obesity-related risk factors were assessed before (the initial), during (the 4th week) and after (the 8th week) the study. All the data was analyzed by paired t-test, repeated measures ANOVA, and nonparametric rank test at p<0.05 level. Obesity was significantly increased during this study, and it was decreased in weight (-4.59%, p<0.000), BMI (-4.56%, p<0.000), body fat percent (-6.18%, p<0.000), fat mass (-10.19%, p<0.000), waist and hip circumferences(-5.69%, p<0.000 and -2.55%, p<0.000) and WHR (-3.24%, p<0.000). Energy expenditure of physical exercise was increased as much as 70kca1/day during the study (p=0.000), but it did not have any correlations with weight loss and changes of body compositions. Biochemical measurements including blood triglyceride(p <0.006) and leptin(p<0.000) levels were significantly decreased, LDL cholesterol level was increased(p<0.05), but all the blood lipid levels were in the normal ranges. Fatty liver echogenicity and menstrual irregularity were improved after the diet intervention(p<0.000 and p<0.034). In conclusion, this B-week low-calorie diet intervention using raw-food formula was effective for obese premenopausal women in reducing obesity and its risk factors so as not to proceed towards comorbidities. However, the variation of blood lipid levels should be observed for a longer Period.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.230-241
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Inadequate nutrition in infants and young children affects physical growth and neurocognitive development. Therefore, early nutritional intervention is important to promote catch-up growth in young children with faltering growth. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutritional supplementation with a pediatric concentrated and balanced nutritional supplement formula on promoting growth and improving nutritional status in children with nonorganic faltering growth. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Children aged 12-36 months whose body weight-for-age was < 5^th percentile on the Korean Growth Charts were enrolled. Children born premature or having organic diseases were excluded. Children were instructed to consume 400 mL of formula per day in addition to their regular diet for 6 months. Pediatricians and dietitians educated the parents and examined the subjects every 2 months. Anthropometric parameters were measured at baseline and at 2, 4, and 6 months, and laboratory tests were done at baseline and 6 months. The good consumption group included children who consumed ≥ 60% of the recommended dose of formula. RESULTS: Total 82 children completed the 6-month intervention. At baseline, there were no significant differences in all variables between the good consumption and poor consumption groups. Weight and weight z-scores were significantly improved in the good consumption group compared to the poor consumption group at the end of the intervention (P = 0.009, respectively). The good consumption group showed a significant trend for gaining weight (P < 0.05) and weight z-score (P < 0.05) compared to the poor consumption group during 6 months of formula intake. The concentration of blood urea nitrogen was significantly increased in the good consumption group (P = 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Nutritional supplementation with a concentrated and balanced pediatric nutritional formula along with dietary education might be an effective approach to promote catch-up growth in children with nonorganic faltering growth.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5733-5739
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• 2014

Background: Breast cancer is the most common female malignancy in the world. Beta glucan can be a hematopoietic and an immune modulator agent in cancer patients. The aim of this trial was to determine the effect of beta glucan on white blood cell counts and serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Materials and Methods: This randomized double-blind placebo-controlled clinical trial was conducted on 30 women with breast carcinoma aged 28-65 years. The eligible participants were randomly assigned to intervention (n=15) or placebo (n=15) groups using a block randomization procedure with matching based on age, course of chemotherapy and menopause status. Patients in the intervention group received two 10-mg capsules of soluble 1-3, 1-6, D-beta glucan daily and the control group receiving placebo during 21 days, the interval between two courses of chemotherapy. White blood cells, neuthrophil, lymphocyte and monocyte counts as well as serum levels of IL-4 and IL-12 were measured at baseline and at the end of the study as primary outcomes of the study. Results: In both groups white blood cell counts decreased after 21 days of the intervention, however in the beta glucan group, WBC was less decreased non significantly than the placebo group. At the end of the study, the change in the serum level of IL-4 in the beta glucan group in comparison with the placebo group was statistically significant (p=0.001). The serum level of IL-12 in the beta glucan group statistically increased (p=0.03) and comparison between two groups at the end of the study was significant after adjusting for baseline values and covariates (p=0.007). Conclusions: The findings suggest that beta glucan can be useful as a complementary or adjuvant therapy and immunomodulary agent in breast cancer patients in combination with cancer therapies, but further studies are needed for confirmation.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.219-225
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• 2005

The objective of the study was to define dietary patterns in the representative Korean adult population and to explore their associations with other factors. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted on a stratified random sample (n = 9,968) of the Korean population in 2001. This study analyzed data of 5,721 adult population aged 30 and over. Demographic and lifestyle factors were assessed by questionnaires and food consumption by a 24-h recall method. Cluster analysis identified two dietary patterns with 22 food groups: the larger group that included $85\%$ of total subjects was named as the 'traditional' pattern due to greater intakes of white rice, kimchi, and vegetables, and the smaller group was named as the 'modified' pattern which had greater intakes of noodles, bread, snack, and fast foods. The modified pattern had significantly higher proportion in younger age, higher educational level, residing in metropolitan area, and higher household income. The modified group showed significantly higher intake of all nutrients except carbohydrate. Percent of energy from fat intake, $22\%$ was significantly higher in the modified group than $14\%$ in the traditional group. There were no differences in prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its 5 components among patterns. In conclusion, there were two distinctive patterns that were associated with socio-demographic, nutrient intake, and health risk factors in Korea. It should be considered when designing nutrition policy and intervention program.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.5
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• pp.537-545
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary sugar intake, particularly added sugar and sugar-sweetened beverages, has received worldwide attention recently. Investigation of dietary behaviors may facilitate understanding of dietary sugar intakes of children and adolescents. However, the relationship between dietary sugar intake and dietary behaviors in the Korean population has not been investigated. Thus, this study aimed to estimate dietary sugar intake and food sources according to sex as well as examine the relationship of dietary sugar intake with frequent snacking and dietary patterns among Korean children and adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We pooled data from five studies involving Korean children and adolescents conducted from 2002 to 2011. A total of 2,599 subjects aged 9-14 years were included in this study. Each subject completed more than 3 days of dietary records. RESULTS: Mean daily total sugar intake was 46.6 g for boys and 54.3 g for girls. Compared with boys, girls showed higher sugar intakes from fruits (7.5 g for boys and 8.8 g for girls; P = 0.0081) and processed foods (27.9 g for boys and 34.9 g for girls; P < 0.0001). On average, 95.4% of boys and 98.8% of girls consumed snacks during the study period, and total sugar intake showed a significantly increasing trend with increasing energy intake from snacks (P < 0.0001 for both sexes). Two dietary patterns were identified by cluster analysis: Traditional and Westernized patterns. Total sugar intake was higher in the Westernized pattern (56.2 g for boys and 57.2 g for girls) than in the Traditional pattern (46.5 g for boys and 46.3 g for girls). CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that multilateral and practical development of a nutrition education and intervention program that considers dietary behaviors as well as absolute sugar intake is required to prevent excessive sugar intake in Korean children and adolescents.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.297-303
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Understanding individual's intention, action and maintenance to increase fruit and vegetable intake is an initial step in designing nutrition or health promotion programs. This study aimed to determine stages of change to increase fruit and vegetable intake and its relationships with fruit and vegetable intake, self-efficacy, perceived benefits and perceived barriers. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted among 348 public university staff in Universiti Putra Malaysia. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire and two days 24-hour diet recall were used. RESULTS: Half of the respondents (50%) were in preparation stage, followed by 43% in action/maintenance, 7% in pre-contemplation/contemplation stages. Respondents in action/maintenance stages had significantly higher self-efficacy (F = 9.17, P < 0.001) and perceived benefits (F =5.07, P < 0.01) while respondents in pre-contemplation/contemplation and preparation stages had significantly higher perceived barriers (F = 4.83, P < 0.05). Perceived benefits tend to outweigh perceived barriers pre-ceding to taking action. Self-efficacy is important in motivating individuals to increase fruit and vegetable intake as self-efficacy and perceived barriers crossed over between preparation and action/maintenance. Respondents in action/maintenance stages had the highest adjusted mean serving of fruit and vegetable intake (F = 4.52, P < 0.05) but the intake did not meet recommendation. CONCLUSION: Intervention strategies should emphasize on increasing perceived benefits and building self-efficacy by providing knowledge and skills to consume a diet high in fruits and vegetables in order to promote healthy changes in having high fruit and vegetable intake.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.3 no.3
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• pp.212-219
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate the association between hair mineral levels and nutrient intakes, age, and BMI in female adults who visited a woman's clinic located in Seoul. Dietary intakes were assessed by food frequency questionnaire and mineral levels were measured in collected hairs, and the relationship between these was examined. The average daily nutrient intakes of subjects were compared to those of the KDRIs, and the energy intake status was fair. The average intake of calcium in women of 50 years and over was 91.35% of KDRls and the potassium intake was greatly below the recommended levels in all age groups. In the average hair mineral contents in subjects, calcium and copper exceeded far more than the reference range while selenium was very low with 85.19% of subjects being lower than the reference value. In addition, the concentrations of sodium, potassium, iron, and manganese in the hair were below the reference ranges in over 15% of subjects. The concentrations of sodium, chromium, sulfur, and cadmium in the hair showed positive correlations (P < 0.05) with age, but the hair zinc level showed a negative correlation (P < 0.05) with age. The concentrations of sodium, potassium, chromium, and cadmium in the hair showed positive correlations (P < 0.05) with BMI. Some mineral levels in subjects of this study showed significant correlations with nutrient intakes, but it seems that the hair mineral content is not directly influenced by each mineral intake. As described above, some hair mineral levels in female adults deviated from the normal range, and it is considered that nutritional intervention to control the imbalance of mineral nutrition is required. Also, as some correlations were shown between hair mineral levels and age, BMI, and nutrient intakes, the possibility of utilizing hair mineral analysis for specific purposes in the future is suggested.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.206-215
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• 2011

Currently, metabolic surgery (Laparoscopic Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, LRYGB) has an important role and should be recommended as an intervention in the management of obese patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). A successful outcome of surgery requires medical nutrition therapy. Therefore, we performed a retrospective study on 25 patients with T2DM who underwent LRYGB at Yeouido St. Mary's Hospital from October 2008 to May 2010. The patients were followed up for an average of 6 months after surgery (range: 2~19 months). Diabetes was resolved in 80% of the patients. Percentage of excess weight loss was (%EWL) was 56.2%. After surgery, fasting blood sugar (FBS) and HbA1c were significantly reduced (123 mg/dl, A1c 6.7%, P<0.001) and triglyceride was also significantly reduced to 107.6 mg/dl (P<0.05). As diets of the patients progressed from liquid to soft to regular diet, energy, carbohydrates, and fat intakes increased significantly (P<0.001). But protein intake did not change significantly. Nutrient intake of the patients after the surgery was significantly lower than the recommended diet for the non-surgery group. Patients experienced side-effects related to the diets after surgery, including hair-loss (76%), smelly gas (52%), vomiting (48%), etc. A significantly positive correlation was observed between vomiting and FBS (P<0.001). There was a significant relationship between side effects and the amount of nutrient intakes. Therefore, guide patients to a diet progression with treatment to minimize side effects, especially vomiting. And monitor their dietary life to be healthy and not to regain weight until remission of T2DM.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.1
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• pp.74-80
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• 2014

Water is essential for life and plain water instead of sugar-sweetened beverages is one approach for decreasing energy intake. Due to limited data on characteristics associated with water intake among Korean adolescents, this study examined associations of demographic and behavioral characteristics with plain water intake by using nationally representative sample of South Korean adolescents. The data (2007-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) for 1,288 high school-aged adolescents (15-18 years) were used. Multivariable logistic regression was used to calculate adjusted odds ratios (OR) for factors associated with low water intake (< 4 cups/day) and very low water intake (< 2.5 cups/day). Nationwide, 38.4% and 19.0% of adolescents reported drinking water < 4.0 cups/day and < 2.5 cups/day, respectively. The mean plain water intake was 5.7 cups/day for males and 4.1 cups/day for females. Females had significantly higher odds for drinking water < 2.5 cups/day (OR = 2.2) than males, whereas adolescents with low milk consumption had significantly lower odds for drinking water < 2.5 cups/day (OR = 0.7). Factors significantly associated with a greater odds for drinking water < 4 cups/daywere being female (OR = 2.8) and not meeting physical activity recommendations (${\geq}20$ min/day on < 3 days/week) (OR = 1.6). Being underweight, overweight, and obese were significantly associated with reduced odds for drinking water < 4 cups/day (OR = 0.7, 0.4 and 0.5, respectively). However, intake of soda, coffee drinks, fruits, vegetables, and sodium and eating out were not significantly associated with low or very low water intake. These findings may be used to target intervention efforts to increase plain water intake as part of a healty lifestyle.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to implement and evaluate the health education program for elementary school children. The program consisted of nutritional education and physical exercise. The subjects composed of 89 school children, first through sixth grade (n = 100), who had completed ten weeks of health education program from April through July 2010. Pre-post intervention design was used to evaluate the program effectiveness. After completing health education program, the number of overweight subjects decreased (boys 13 to 11 and girls 11 to 9) and the number of obese subjects decreased from 5 to 4 for boys and 4 to 2 for girls The number of sit-ups significantly increased in both 1-2 grade girls and 3-4 grade girls. Backward trunk extension of 1-2 grade girls also significantly increased (p < 0.05). The level of serum total cholesterol decreased from 171.8 mg/dL to 153.5 mg/dL (p < 0.001). Hypercholesterolemia (above 239 mg/dL), hyperLDLcholesterolemia (above 175 mg/dL) and low level hemoglobin subjects changed to normal levels. Total score of nutrition knowledge increased from 5.9 to 6.1 (p < 0.05), percentage of perception answers increased significantly in 5 out of 10 items and percentage of correct answers increased significantly in 6 out of 10 items (p < 0.05). Three food habits improved, including, "having breakfast", "having diverse foods" and "having vegetables per meal" (p < 0.05). Two self-efficacy items improved significantly, including, "having meals slowly", "having exercise instead of watching TV or computer" (p < 0.05). These results suggest that health education program for elementary school children including nutritional education and physical exercise may be effective to improve their anthropometric characteristics, physical fitness, hyperlipidemia, nutrition knowledge, food habits and self-efficacy.