• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.6
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• pp.520-526
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• 2012

Various forms of fermented soybean products are well documented for their health benefits. The efficacy of anti-obesogenic effect of Doenjang, one of the most commonly used seasonings in Korean cuisine, has been reported only in animal models; thus, an evaluation of Doenjang needs to be conducted in human studies. We aimed to test the hypothesis that Doenjang supplementation reduces body weight and changes body composition in overweight adults. A total of 51 overweight adults participated in this study. A group of males with BMI ${\geq}23kg/m^2$ and waist to hip ratio (WHR) ${\geq}$ 0.90, and a group of females with BMI ${\geq}23kg/m^2$ and WHR ${\geq}$ 0.85 were randomly assigned to either a Doenjang supplement (9.9 g dry/day) group or a placebo group for a 12-week randomized, double-blind and placebo-controlled study. Anthropometric parameters, abdominal fat distribution by computerized tomography (CT) and blood components were measured before and after the intervention period. After the 12-week study, the Doenjang supplementation group had significant reductions in body weight (kg), body fat mass (kg) and body fat (%) compared to the placebo group, the supplementation of Doenjang resulted in a significant reduction in visceral fat ($cm^2$), although no changes were observed in total and subcutaneous fat are as ($cm^2$), serum lipid profiles and dietary intakes. The present study demonstrated that daily supplementation of 9.9 g dry/day of Doenjang for 12 weeks reduces body weight and visceral fat in overweight adults.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.525-534
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• 2019

Objectives: Reduced glucose utilization in the main parts of the brain involved in memory is a major cause of Alzheimer's disease, in which ketone bodies are used as the only and effective alternative energy source of glucose. This study examined the effects of a low-carbohydrate and high-fat (LCHF) diet supplemented with a ketogenic nutrition drink on cognitive function and physical activity in the elderly at high risk for dementia. Methods: The participants of this study were 28 healthy elderly aged 60-91 years showing a high risk factor of dementia or whose Korean Mini-Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) score was less than 24 points. Over 3 weeks, the case group was given an LCHF diet with nutrition drinks consisting of a ketone/non-ketone ratio of 1.73:1, whereas the control group consumed well-balanced nutrition drinks while maintaining a normal diet. After 3 weeks, K-MMSE, body composition, urine ketone bodies, and physical ability were all evaluated. Results: Urine ketone bodies of all case group subjects were positive, and K-MMSE score was significantly elevated in the case group only (p=0.021). Weight and BMI were elevated in the control group only (p<0.05). Grip strength was elevated in all subjects (p<0.01), and measurements of gait speed and one leg balance were improved only in the case group (p<0.05). Conclusions: We suggest that adherence to the LCHF diet supplemented with a ketogenic drink could possibly influence cognitive and physical function in the elderly with a high risk factor for dementia. Further, we confirmed the applicability of this dietary intervention in the elderly based on its lack of any side effects or changes in nutritional status.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.355-366
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The study was performed to investigate health-related lifestyle, dietary habits, and depression according to exercise frequency to understand complex factors that affect effective health management. Thus, exercise frequency, health-related lifestyle, dietary habits, and depression were evaluated in college students in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do areas. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A survey was conducted on college students, aged 19-29, in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do areas from May 13 to May 31, 2020. A total of 594 questionnaires were collected and 566 (269 from males, 297 from females) were statistically analyzed, except 28 with incomplete responses. Collected data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 21.0 program. RESULTS: The sex distribution of the 3 groups according to exercise frequency was significantly different; the ratio of males in over 3 times/week group was significantly higher than those in 1-2 times/week group and no-exercise group (P < 0.001). The height (P < 0.001), weight (P < 0.001), and body mass index (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in over 3 times/week group compared to no-exercise group. The ratio of subjects who answered 'good' or 'very good' for subjective health condition was significantly high in the order of 'over 3 times/week' group (59.1%), '1-2 times/week' group (34.5%), and 'no-exercise' group (25.0%) (P < 0.001). The ratio for meal regularity was high as 56.6% in 'over 3 times/week' group and the ratio for irregular meals was significantly higher in 'no-exercise' group (67.2%) and '1-2 times/week' group (54.9%) (P < 0.001). Among questions on dietary habits, 'Eat meat, fish, egg or beans' (P < 0.01) and 'Eat fruit' (P < 0.01) were significantly higher in 'over 3 times/week' group compared to 'no-exercise' group. 'Drink more than 2 liters of water' (P < 0.001) was 0.70 in 'over 3 times/week' group, which was significantly higher than 0.54 in '1-2 times/week' group and 0.38 in 'no-exercise' group. Moderate depression and severe depression that need treatments were significantly lower in 'over 3 times/week' group (18.7%) compared to '1-2 times/week' group (26.0%) and 'no-exercise' group (29.7%) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It is considered that combined intervention for exercise habits, proper dietary habits, and depression management is needed for effective health management.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.231-243
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• 2020

Purpose: To determine the metabolic influence of the traditional Korean diet (K-diet), which has been regarded as a healthy diet, we investigated the profile of urine organic acids that are intermediates of various types of metabolism including energy metabolism. Methods: Ten women aged 50-60 years were recruited and randomly divided into 2 diet groups, K-diet and control diet, the latter of which is a Westernized Korean diet that is commonly consumed by Koreans nowadays. Before and after the 2-week intervention, 46 urine organic acids were determined using LC/MS/MS, along with clinical parameters. Results: The average concentrations of succinate (4.14 ± 0.84 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0346) and hydroxymethylglutarate (3.67 ± 0.36 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 2.97 ± 0.29, p = 0.0466), both of which are intermediates of energy metabolism, decreased in the K-diet group after the 2-week intervention, but these were not observed in the control diet group. In particular, the average concentration of succinate in the K-diet group was lower than that in the control group (3.33 ± 0.56 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0284) after 2 weeks. The concentrations of two tryptophan metabolites, 5-hydroxyindolacetate (3.72 ± 0.22 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 3.14 ± 0.21, p = 0.0183) and indican (76.99 ± 8.35 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 37.89 ± 10.06, p = 0.0205) also decreased only in the K-diet group. After the 2-week intervention, the concentration of kynurenate, another tryptophan metabolite, was lower in the K-diet group than that in the control diet group (3.96 ± 0.51 ㎍/mg creatinine vs. 2.90 ± 0.22, p = 0.0356). Interestingly, the urine level of kynurenate was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.61424, p = 0.0003) and total cholesterol (r = 0.46979, p = 0.0088), which decreased only in the K-diet group (239.40 ± 15.14 mg/dL vs. 198.20 ± 13.25, p = 0.0163). Conclusion: The K-diet alters the urinary excretion of organic acids involved in energy metabolism and tryptophan metabolism, suggesting the influence of the K-diet on these types of metabolism. Urine organic acids changed by the K-diet may serve as biomarkers in future studies.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.302-312
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• 2015

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of constitutional diets in comparison with general low calorie diets in obese women. The subjects were 52 adult obese women that participated in a calorie restriction diet program (control group, n=16) or a constitutional diet program (experimental group, n=36) for 8 weeks. The subjects in the experimental group were classified as negative (Yin) or positive (Yang) constitution. The obesity management program focused on the calorie restriction diet (300~400 kcal reduction per day) for the control group, whereas, for a constitutional diet without calorie restrictions was allowed for the experimental group. Daily intakes of nutrient and food were assessed using a 24 hr recall method. Body measurements and blood biochemical parameters were measured at baseline and after 8 weeks. After the intervention, weight, body fat, BMI, waist circumference and hip circumference decreased significantly in both the control and experimental group. Energy intake increased from 1,679.6 kcal to 1,810.6 kcal along with significant increase in protein, carbohydrate, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, zinc, vitamin A, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, niacin and vitamin C in the experimental group. Calcium intake increased from 54.0% to 72.4% of DRI in the experimental group. Hemoglobin concentrations were significantly decreased in the control group, but were increased in the experimental group. In addition, blood glucose, serum total cholesterol and triglyceride were significantly decreased in the experimental group. In conclusion, consumption of a constitutional diet without calorie restrictions for 8 weeks was effective for weight reduction with improvement of blood glucose, serum cholesterol and triglyceride.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2023

Objectives: This study examined the association between the experience of disease management education and the use of nutrition labels according to the sociodemographic characteristics and health behaviors of people diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes living in the community. Methods: Among the participants from the Community Health Survey (2018), 74,283 individuals diagnosed with hypertension or diabetes were included in the study population. According to gender, this study evaluated nutrition label use by the experience of disease management education, individual sociodemographic characteristics, and health behavior. Finally, using multiple logistic regression analysis, the association between disease management education and nutrition labels was calculated using the odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence interval (CI). Results: Males (24.5%) experienced more disease management education than females (22.6%). In addition, younger age, higher education level, and higher equalized personal income experienced more disease management education (P < 0.001). The educational experience rate was higher in the male subjects who did not smoke or were involved in high-risk alcohol consumption (P < 0.001). In addition, the rate of disease management education experience was significantly higher for both men and women who exercised by walking (P < 0.001). The use of nutrition labels was higher in females (9.9%) than males (5.8%), and both males and females were significantly higher in young age, high education, high income, and professional and office positions (P < 0.001). The utilization rate of nutrition labels was high in non-smoking male subjects and high-risk-drinking female subjects. In addition, the utilization rate of nutrition labels was significantly higher in males and females who exercised by walking and those who experienced disease management education (P < 0.001). After adjusting for individual sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, and disease management education, the use of nutrition labels was high among females (OR 3.19, 95% CI 2.85-3.58), high income (Q4; OR 1.62, 95% CI 1.41-1.87, Q5; OR 1.58, 95% CI 1.37-1.84) and highly educated (high school; OR 2.87, 95% CI 2.62-3.14, above college; OR 5.60, 95% CI 5.02-6.23) while it was low in the elderly (OR 0.43, 95% CI 0.40-0.47), and economically inactive (OR 0.86, 95% CI 0.76-0.96). The use of nutrition labels was high in non-smokers (OR 1.29, 95% CI 1.13-1.48), nonhigh-risk drinkers (OR 1.22, 95% CI 1.08-1.38), and subjects who exercised walking (OR 1.44, 95% CI 1.34-1.54). There was no difference in the utilization rate of nutrition labels according to obesity, and the utilization rate of nutrition labels was significantly higher in subjects who had experienced disease education (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.24-1.44). Conclusions: Education on the use of nutrition labels, which contributes to food selection for healthy eating, might be a tool for dietary management. Moreover, the utilization rate can be a good indicator for predicting the proportion of the population practicing the guide for disease management. Improving the utilization rate of nutrition labels through disease management education can be a useful intervention for people with chronic diseases who need healthy eating habits for disease management and preventing complications, particularly those diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.374-382
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• 2009

Young adults are likely to start a new life style which may cause weight gain or obesity since leaving their parents for higher education or university. Whilst young people are slim in general, it is common to see them trying to manage their weight. Few studies have been carried out in Korea to support those changes in lifestyle that can result in weight gain in early adulthood. This study aims to identify prevalence of dieting as well as factors inducing weight gain among university students under unrestricted living conditions. A total of 99 university students were enrolled and asked to complete a questionnaire over a 3-day study period from June to September, 2008. T-test and $X^2$-test were applied to compare each behavior between weight gainers and maintainers. Logistic regression was also used for further analysis. Half of the participants used 'eat less' and 'exercise' as a way of dieting, and weight gainers tried to control their weight significantly more than weight maintainers. Most participants were engaged in very little exercise and were more likely to watch TV and use a computer. The time of lunch was proven as the only factor to predict weight change in the participants. As a result of this study, an intervention to promote exercise with friends or as a group is required to makeup for the lack of exercise among young adults. Further studies are also necessary to investigate how each meal time a day relates to the amount of food eaten. (Korean J Community Nutrition 14(4) : $374{\sim}382$, 2009)

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.257-262
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• 2014

Severe combined immunodeficiency (SCID) is a life-threatening syndrome of recurrent infections and gastro-intestinal alterations due to severe compromise of T cells and B cells. Clinically, most patients present symptoms before the age of 3 months and without intervention SCID usually results in severe infections and death by the age of 2 years. Its association with intestinal anomalies as multiple intestinal atresias (MIA) is rare and worsens the prognosis, resulting lethal. We describe the case of a four year-old boy with SCID-MIA. He presented at birth with meconium peritonitis, multiple ileal atresias and underwent several intestinal resections. A targeted Sanger sequencing revealed a homozygous 4-bp deletion ($c.313{\Delta}TATC$; p.Y105fs) in tetratricopeptide repeat domain 7A (TTC7A). He experienced surgical procedures including resection and stricturoplasty. Despite parenteral nutrition-associated liver disease, the patient is surviving at the time of writing the report. Precocious immune system assessment, scrutiny of TTC7A mutations and prompt surgical procedures are crucial in the management.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.97-107
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• 2001

The clustering of insulin resistance with hypertension, glucose intolerance, hyperinsulinemia, increased triglyceride and decreased HDL cholesterol levels, and central and overall obesity has been called syndrome X, or the insulin resistance syndrome(IRS). To develop a nutrition service for IRS, this study was performed to evaluate the prevalence of each component of the metabolic abnormalities of IRS and analyze the clustering pattern of IRS among subjects living in the Taegu community. Participants in this study were 9234(mean age ; M/F 48/40yrs);63.5% were men, 24.4% were obese, 13.3% had hypertension. 3.7% had hyperglycemia, and 32.4% had hyperlipidemia. The IRS was defined as the coexistence of two or more components among metabolic abnormalities; obesity, hypertension. hyperglucemia and hyperlipidemia. The prevalence of IRS in Taegu was 19.2%(M/F:20.8%/16.4%), the clustering of these fisk variables was higher in advanced age group. Among the subjects of IRS having two of more diseases, 75.6% were obese, the pattern were similar in men and women. The younger, the higher the prevalence of obesity associated clustering patterns. The prevalence of obesity associated patterns among the hyperglycemia associated clustering patterns was 44.5%. The samples of the representative clustering patterns were obesity and hyperlipidemia (8.0%), hypertension and hyperlipidemia(3.2%), hypertension, obesity and hyperlipiemia(3.1%), hypertension and obesity(2.3%), and hyperglycemia and hyperlipidemia(0.8%). The clustering of obesity and hyperlipidemia until 50 year old groups, and the clustering of hypertension and hyperlipidemia in the 60 and 70 age groups were the most prevalent. We concluded that insulin resistance syndrome was a relatively common disorder in the Taegu community, and prevalence and the characteristics of the intervention strategies for IRS are desired, an effective improvement will be achieved.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.3-12
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• 2000

The nutritional and health status of low-income alone-living elderly(ALE) was assessed in relation to the activity of daily living (ADL) and nutritional risk factors. One hundred and eighty five ALE over 65 years old, living in the Sungnam area, were interviewed in their homes through questionnaires. The results were as follows : 63.6% of the subjects considered themselves in poor the health and only 4.3% of them considered thermselves healthy. 89.7% of the subjects answered that they were suffering from illness and 29.7% were taking medication. The ADL was assessed through 10 checklist items and the average score of the ADL was $84.78{\pm}11.11$(maximum :100) The nutritional risk index(NRI) was evaluated by 12 risk factors and the average score of the NRI was $4.43{\pm}1.38$ (maximumː12) The scores of the ADL were positively correlated with the scored of the instrumental activities of daily living (IADL)(r=0.7523, p<0.001) and negatively correlated with NRI(r= -0.2694, p<0.001) When subjects were divided into nutritionally high risk group(HNARI: TEX>$NRI{\geq}5$) and nutritionally low risk group(LNRI : NRI<5) according to the USA screening basis, 48.9% of the subjects belonged to the HNRI, But 16.9% of the HNRI and 34.4% of the LNRI belonged to the fourth quartile($Q_{0.75}$) of the ADL, the distribution of which showed significant differences(p<0.05) We suggest that the application of the ADL as a screening tool for nutrition intervention programs for the elderly. Oncemore, further research is needed to develop appropriate checklist items for the ADL and NRI along with the screening basis for the NRI 새 diagnose the adverse nutritional status of the Korean elderly.