• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.5 no.2
• /
• pp.112-116
• /
• 2011

We investigated the effect of paternal folate status on folate content and expression of the folate transporter folate receptor ${\alpha}$ ($FR{\alpha}$) in rat placental tissues. Rats were mated after males were fed a diet containing 0 mg of folic acid/kg of diet (paternal folate-deficient, PD) or 8 mg folic acid/kg of diet (paternal folate-supplemented, PS) for 4 weeks. At 20 days of gestation, the litter size, placental weight, and fetal weight were measured, and placental folate content (n=8/group) and expression of $FR{\alpha}$ (n=10/group) were analyzed by microbiological assay and Western blot analysis, respectively. Although there was no difference observed in litter size or fetal weight, but significant reduction (10%) in the weight of the placenta was observed in the PD group compared to that in the PS group. In the PD group, placental folate content was significantly lower (by 35%), whereas $FR{\alpha}$ expression was higher (by 130%) compared to the PS group. Our results suggest that paternal folate status plays a critical role in regulating placental folate metabolism and transport.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.35-44
• /
• 2012

This study was conducted to assess improvements in nutritional status following the application of nutrition education to elderly patients in a long-term care hospital. The study was carried out from January to May 2009, during which a preliminary survey, a pretest, the application of nutrition education, and a post-test were applied in stages. The number of subjects at pretest was 81, and the number of participants included in the final analysis was 61 (18 men, 43 women), all of whom participated in both the nutrition education program and the post-test. The survey consisted of general demographic items, health behaviors, dietary behaviors, the Nutrition Screening Initiative checklist, and nutrient intake assessment (24 hour recall method). The nutrition education program lasted for four weeks. It included a basic education program, provided once a week, and mini-education program, which was offered daily during lunch times. The survey was conducted before and after the education program using the same assessment method, although some items were included only at pretest. When analyzing the changes in elderly patients after the nutritional education program, we found that, among subjective dietary behaviors, self-rated perceptions of health (P<0.001) and of depression (P<0.001) improved significantly and that dietary behavior scores also improved significantly (P<0.001), while nutritional risk levels decreased. In terms of nutrient intake, subjects' intake of energy, protein, fat, carbohydrate, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C all increased significantly (P<0.001). These results indicated that nutritional education is effective in improving the nutritional status of elderly patients. We hope that the results of this study can be used as preliminary data for establishing guidelines for nutrition management tailored to elderly patients in long-term care hospitals.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.10 no.5
• /
• pp.356-371
• /
• 2000

This study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutritional counseling for farmers by using computer- based program to estimate pre - and post - knowledge and attitude changes. The desirable change of both knowledge and attitude focused on improving food Intake and early easing of body complaints. 311 agricultural workers in Korea were chosen for this experiment. The score was compared by 2 methods. In the first method, the scores were calculated from nutrient intake quantity and indices. In the second method, the difference of pre and post test of nutritional counseling by count of correct answers of foods and food preparation attitudes was measured according to different body complaints status. Major farming type was rice-planting(39%). The consciousness of health status of the subjects of less than 50 years old was good(42%), but it was only 20% in over 50 years' group. Female farmers felt uncomfortable in body complaints. Their body complaints were 2 times more than the male farmers, particularly, in over 50 years group. Nutrient intakes were lower in male based on the KRDA, except for vitamin C, niacin, and phosphate. Female farmers' nutrient intake was adequate based on the KRDA, but was low in vitamin A, pyridoxin, and iron. From the scores of knowledge and attitude by pre and post tests, counseling was efficient In nutritional education of all age groups, especially the older ones. The effect of counseling by farming type showed that the real agricultural workers had more increased score In the post test. This results Indicated that counseling about food, nutrition. and health to these workers was always effective. Therefore nutritional counseling and education program should be developed for different kinds of health and nutrition. It would be conducted to promote food behavior and improve nutritional and health status of farmers.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.438-446
• /
• 2009

This study aims to investigate chemotherapy-induced neutropenia, nutritional status and both relation of patients with acute myeloid leukemia during 1st consolidation chemotherapy and the therapy-related cytopenic phase in order to determine more effective nutritional support. We review medical records of total 54 cases received first consolidation chemotherapy on P hospital in Busan. The duration of neutropenia(Absolute Neutrophil Count<$1000/{\mu}{\ell}$) is mean 14.78 days, neutropenia occur on mean 10th(9.54) day of chemotherapy(D10). The nutritional parameters of total protein, body weight, BMI showed no significant interval change during chemotherapeutic cycle except albumin, cholesterol. The neutropenia wasn't dependent on general factor of gender, age, comorbidities, Body Surface Area(BSA). The correlation wasn't revealed between neutropenia and nutritional status. In conclusion, although nutritional status didn't affect neutropenia, this study provides detailed information on the neutropenic response of acute myeloid leukemia patients during induction chemotherapy.

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

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.5
• /
• pp.512-523
• /
• 2002

The objective of this study was to investigate the nutritional status, biochemical parameters, lipid and electrolytes concentrations of the enteral nutrition patients according to the duration of enteral nutrition. Eighteen neurosurgery patients in the intensive care unit (ICU) at K University Hospital were subjected in this study. The duration of enteral nutrition was classified into under or over six month of period. Anthropometric, biochemical, clinical, and dietary assessments were performed. Patients' intakes of energy and protein were insufficient, from 82% to 95% of their requirements. Mid-arm muscle circumference (MAMC) and mid-am muscle area (MAMA) were significantly lower in patients over six months of enteral nutrition than those in patients under six months. The subjects were malnourished as indicated by nutrition-related parameters such as hemoglobin, albumin, total lymphocyte count (TLC), tricep skinfold thickness (TSF), mid-arm circumference (MAC), MAMC, and MAMA. Serum chloride level of the patients eve, six months of enteral nutrition was lower (94.7 $\pm$ 3.4 mmo1/1) significantly as compared to that of patients (99.3 $\pm$ 3.5 mmol/ 1) under six months. Urinary sodium and chloride levels were lower in the longer time of enteral nutrition patients than those of shorter period of enteral nutrition patients (p < .05). While serum phospholipid level was higher in the patients over six months of enteral nutrition, other blood biochemical parameters and electrolyte concentrations did not show any differences with the duration of enteral nutrition. Neurosurgery patients in the ICU undergoing long-term enteral nutrition tube-feeding were malnourished and had a variety of metabolic complications. The duration of enteral nutrition could affect the patients' nutritional status, biochemical parameters, and electrolytes balance. The patients who require nutritional support over an extended time need the continuous follow-up care and monitoring by the nutrition support team for laboratory, clinical, and nutritional assessments.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.4
• /
• pp.376-382
• /
• 2017

Purpose: The consistent rise in the number of foreign students in Korea demands an accurate and detailed investigation into their dietary practices and nutritional status. For these international students, assimilation into new cultures can be stressful. The influence this process may have on dietary behaviors as well as overall health cannot be overlooked. Methods: The researchers in this study sought to investigate the nutritional status and dietary practices of Ghanaian students studying in Korea. A total of 81 Ghanaian male students with an average age of $29.4{\pm}4.0years$ were sampled between May and June 2016. Investigations were carried out on the general characteristics of the participants, their daily food and nutrient intakes using a 24-h dietary recall method, meal skipping practices, and the nutritional quality of their diets based on their meal skipping habits. Results: The study revealed that the daily nutrient intake of subjects did not fully meet the daily recommended nutrient intake (RNI) established by Ghanaian Ministry of Health and the World Health Organization (WHO) and Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO), particularly for energy, calcium, iron, zinc, and vitamin B2 requirements. The Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) for calcium was very low, posing a deficiency risk to the participants. Meal skipping practices among participants changed significantly after arriving in Korea. The study also compared the diet quality indicators (Nutrient Adequacy Ratio and Mean Adequacy Ratio) of those who skipped meals ${\geq}7times/week$ with those who skipped meals < 7 times/week. Participants who skipped meals ${\geq}7times/week$ were shown to have lower dietary intakes of vitamins B1 and B2 than those who skipped meals < 7 times/week. Conclusion: Ultimately, the study found that meal skipping among Ghanaian students was common, and their daily nutrient intakes did not meet the set dietary standards. Those who skipped meals ${\geq}7times/week$ had lower dietary intakes of vitamins B1 and B2 than those who skipped meals < 7 times/week. Based on our study findings, we recommend that nutrition education should be organized for the Ghanaian student community in Korea using our results as a template to draw up a nutrition program that is culturally appropriate.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.26 no.4
• /
• pp.280-295
• /
• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the characteristics of patients according to their nutritional status as assessed by five nutritional screening tools: Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA), NUTRISCORE, Nutritional Risk Index (NRI), Prognostic Nutritional Index (PNI), and Controlling Nutritional Status (CONUT) and to compare the agreement, sensitivity, and specificity of these tools. Methods: A total of 952 gastric cancer patients who underwent gastrectomy and chemotherapy from January 2009 to December 2012 at the Samsung Medical Center were included. We categorized patients into malnourished and normal according to the five nutritional screening tools 1 month after surgery and compared their characteristics. We also calculated the Spearman partial correlation, Cohen's Kappa coefficient, the area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity of each pair of screening tools. Results: We observed 86.24% malnutrition based on the PG-SGA and 85.82% based on the NUTRISCORE among gastric cancer patients in our study. When we applied NRI or CONUT, however, the malnutrition levels were less than 30%. Patients with malnutrition as assessed by the PG-SGA, NUTRISCORE, or NRI had lower intakes of energy and protein compared to normal patients. When NRI, PNI, or CONUT were used to identify malnutrition, lower levels of albumin, hemoglobin, total lymphocyte count, total cholesterol, and longer postoperative hospital stays were observed among patients with malnutrition compared to those without malnutrition. We found relatively high agreement between PG-SGA and NUTRISCORE; sensitivity was 90.86% and AUC was 0.78. When we compared NRI and PNI, sensitivity was 99.64% and AUC was 0.97. AUC ranged from 0.50 to 0.67 for comparisons between CONUT and each of the other nutritional screening tools. Conclusions: Our study suggests that PG-SGA and NRI have a relatively high agreement with the NUTRISCORE and PNI, respectively. Further cohort studies are needed to examine whether the nutritional status assessed by PG-SGA, NUTRISCORE, NRI, PNI, and CONUT predicts the gastric cancer prognosis.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.228-244
• /
• 1998

The nutritional status of 362 elderly men and women in Chung-bud area was evaluated in terms of their nutrient intakes, biochemical and anthrophometric measurements by interviews with questionnaires from August to October 1996. Mean intake of all nutrients except ascorbic acid did not meet the RDA for this sample. Protein, vit A, reboflavin, calcium were the most likely to be deficient on the basis of propotions of elderly consuming less than 75% of the RDA. The subjects nutrient intake was significantly affected by gender, marital status, number of family, family composition, educational level, pocket money, and region. Men in rural areas and women over 75 in urban areas were the most vulnerable groups with nutritional deficiency. According to serum biochemical indices, mean level of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL, total protein, albumin and iron belonged to normal range but mean level of HDL showed below the normal range. More elderly men and women in urban areas showed a higher percentage of abormal level of cholesterol, triglycerides, LDL and HDL than those in rural areas. More elderly men and women in rural areas had abnormal levels of RBC, Hematocrit and hemoglobin compared to those in urban areas. Mean height and weight of elderly men was 161.4cm and 56.2Kg, respectively and 149.1cm and 50.5kg for women. The elderly in rural areas were taller than those in urban areas but had less weight, MAC, TSF, MAMC. Mean BMI of this sample belonged to normal range. However, the elderly in rural areas had a higher rate of underweight and lower for overweight than those in urban areas. The elderly in urban areas had higher blood pressure than those in rural areas.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.32 no.3
• /
• pp.259-267
• /
• 1999

This study was conducted to investigate to the effect of weaning food-feeding methods on Preschool-Children's food habit, food preference and iron nutritional status for the subjects of 337 children, aged 18-60 months attending day care centers in Suwon and Seoul area. It divided the subjects into two groups according to the weaning food-feeding methods during their weaning period. One group(spoon-group) was defied as one had used to spoon over two times a day for 5 months and the ohter group (bottle-group) as one had used to bottle over two times a day for 5 months in weaning periods. All of the data were analyzed based on the weaning food-feeding method, mainly using bottle or spoon during their weaning period. The study results are summarized as follows. 1) 44.2% of the mothers mostly used bottle and 46.6% of them mostly used bottle to feed weaning foods. Age difference between the two groups was not found. 2) The numbers of daily consumed foods were significantly more higher in the spoon-group than the bottle-group and the amount of daily milk consumption was more higher among bottle-group. 3) Both of food intake frequency and food preference scores of the spoon-group were significantly higher than food intake frequency and food preference scores the bottle-group. 4) Iron nutritional status assessed by Hb and Hct was low in general. Only 26-63% of the subjects at each monthly age were in normal range. The higher the children's age, the more were grouped in normal range, which was more evident among children of the bottle-group. 5) Mother's nutrition knowledge related to weaning was more higher among spoon-group than both-group. There results shows the importance of appropriate weaning food-feeding methods for Preschool-children's food habit, food preference and nutritional status especially iron nutritional status. Nutrition education for mothers with weaning aged children has to be stressed and related programs have to be intervened effectively.