• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.29 no.1
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• pp.104-111
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• 1996

This study was carried out to determine the folate status of adolescent girls. Serum and red blood cell(RBC) folate levels of 132 Korean adolescent girls aged 12 to 15 years were evaluated by micorbioligical assay using Lactobacillus casei(ATCC 7469). Serum folate concentrations were less than 3ng/ml in 4.5% and 3 to 4.9ng/ml in 42.4%. Of the RBC folate values, 4.5% were less than 120ng/ml and 40.2% were 120 to 159ng/ml. These findings demonstrated that serum folate levels were subnormal in 46.9% and RBC folate levels were subnormal in 44.7% of the adolescent girls. Serum and RBC folate concentration tend to be high in folate supplemented subjects. There was no significant difference in serum and RBC folate levels, hemoglobin, and hematocrit values between regular meal group and irregular meal group.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.216-223
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• 2013

The purpose of this study is to assess folate intake, and serum and red blood cell (RBC) folate concentrations, and investigate the association between folate status and health-related behaviors among Korean college students. A total of 169 students, aged between 18 and 27 years, participated in this study. Dietary intake data were collected by trained interviewers using a 24-hour recall method for three non-consecutive days in 2009. Information on health-related behaviors was obtained by a self-administered questionnaire. Serum and RBC folate concentrations were measured by microbiological assay. The average intakes of folate were $456{\mu}gDFE$ and $347{\mu}gDFE$ in male and female students, respectively. While the average serum folate concentration was significantly lower in male students (8.9 ng/mL) compared to female students (12.5 ng/mL), RBC concentrations were not significantly different between male (398.6 ng/mL) and female students (405.3 ng/mL). In male students, low serum folate concentrations were associated with total folate intake less than the Estimated Average Requirement, non-use of folic acid supplements, smoking, alcohol drinking at least once a week and low physical activity. In female students, low serum folate concentrations were associated with smoking and alcohol drinking at least two drinks at a time and BMI ${\geq}25$. Alcohol drinking and low physical activity were also associated with low RBC folate concentrations in both male and female students. In order to improve folate nutritional status of college students, the practice of desirable health-related behaviors, such as non-smoking, moderate alcohol drinking, regular physical activity, and maintenance of healthy BMI should be encouraged along with consumption of folate-rich foods and supplements.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.315-325
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• 2013

We evaluated folate status of child-bearing age women diagnosed with abnormal pap smear in the US post-folic acid (FA) fortification era and assessed the determinants of NTD-protective and supra-physiologic (SP) concentrations of folate. The distribution of 843 women according to NTD-protective concentrations of RBC folate, plasma folate and SP concentrations of plasma folate were tested in relation to demographic and life-style factors. Logistic regression models specified NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate or SP concentrations of plasma folate as dependent variables and demographic and life-style factors as independent predictors of interest. More than 82% reached NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate and ~30% reached SP concentrations of plasma folate. FA supplement use was associated with having SP concentrations of plasma folate rather than NTD-protective concentrations of folate. African American (AA) women and smokers were significantly less likely to achieve NTD-protective concentrations of RBC and plasma folate. A large majority of women reached NTD-protective concentrations of folate with the current level of FA fortification without using supplementary FA. Therefore, the remaining disparities in AA women and in smokers should be addressed by targeted individual improvements in folate intake.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.4
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• pp.512-520
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• 1999

Microbiological method using a 96-well microplate reader for folate assay was established, and folate intake and blood folate concentrations of 23 female college students were assessed. To evaluate folate intake, dietary data were collected by a 3-day weight food record, and serum and RBC folate concentrations were measured by the new method. The coefficient of variation for the new method was less than 10%. Mean daily folate intake of the subjects was 126.7${\mu}g$ which is only 50.7% of the RDA. The mean concentrations of serum and RBC folate were 7.46ng/ml and 294.4ng/ml, respectively, which were within the normal range. These results indicate that folate intake seems to be underestimated due to incomplete food composition database. Therefore, folate database should be appropriately in order to asses folate intake accurately.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.6
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• pp.1006-1013
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• 1998

The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of different levels of ethanol ingestion on 131ate metabolism and plasma homocysteine concentration in Sprague-Dawley male rats receiving 0, 10, 30% of their caloric intake as ethanol for S weeks. Diets containing 10% ethanol had no effect on plasma and red blood cell(rbc) 131a1e. However, in rats fed a 30% ethanol diet, rbc folate increased and plasma 131ate decreased significantly, In the rats maintained first on a 30% ethanol diet for S weeks and then on a control diet for 2 weeks, the levels of plasma and rbc f31ate were normalized by withdrawal of ethanol. Urinary fo1ate excretion increased markedly in rats fed 10% and 30% ethanol diets and decreased to 51% of controls by withdrawal of ethanol. Plasma homocysteine concentration increased significantly in rats fed a 30% ethanol diet. The results suggest that chronic ingestion of ethanol increased urinary 131ate excretion markedly, which may decrease plasma 131ate and deplete liver folate.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.37-44
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to provide a reference range for plasma homocysteine and to explore the relation between plasma homocysteine and nutritional indexes in a Korean college women. Thirty women were selected from college students in Seoul area With mean age of 22.4y. Dietary intakes of Vitamins B$_{6}$, B$_{12}$, folate were estimated from a 3 day food diary method and plasma homocysteine concentration was mearsured as well as the levels of blood vitamins. The results obtained are as follows. Mean daily intake of energy, vitamin B$_{6}$, B$_{12}$, and folate were 1731.9kcal, 0.9mg, 2.2mg and 139.8$\mu\textrm{g}$ respectively. Mean plasma homocysteine concentration was 12.4$\mu$mol/l with a range between 6.7 and 17.8$\mu$mol/l and the mean concentrations of plasma vitamin B$_{6}$(PLP), serum vitamin $_{12}$, Serum folate and RBC folate were 77.5nmol/l, 267.4pmol/l, 17.1 nmol/l and 736.5nmol/l arid 736.5nmol/l respectively. we found a negative correlation between plasma homocysteine concentration and dietary vitamins, and blood levels of vitamin although it was not significant.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.142-162
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• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea. Methods: We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (${\geq}18.5kg/m^2$), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin $B_1$, $B_6$, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake. Conclusions: These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.717-726
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• 2010

This study was conducted to investigate health status and nutrient intakes among 5th grade elementary students at Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 2010. This study was cross-sectional study on 1,384 children (687 boys, 697 girls) from nine elementary schools located in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. The average height, weight and BMI were 145 cm, 40.6 kg $19.2\;kg/m^2$ for boys and 145.4 cm, 38.2 kg, $18.0\;kg/m^2$ for girls. The prevalence of overweight and obesity were 11.3%, 5.2%, respectively. Serum AST, ALT, glucose, HDL-Cholesterol and RBC levels were significantly higher, while TG levels was significantly lower for boys than for girls. The average energy intake was 1772.4 kcal, which was 98.7% of Estimated Energy Requirement (EER). The boys consumed more energy intake (1800.4 kcal) than the girls (1744.7 kcal). Also, they took insufficient calcium and folate (69.1% and 83.3% of Recommended Intake (RI)) and excess sodium (297.6% of Adequate Intake (AI)) and 85.1% of the subjects had breakfast everyday. In general, the proportion of the children who consumed fruits and vegetables at least once or more a day was low. There was a higher proportion of children in boys who had ramyun and milk with sufficient physical activity than those in girls. As a result of this study, we can find risk factors on obesity and metabolic disorders, and the results can be used for an evidence of nutrition education program and the intervention program.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.5
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• pp.575-586
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• 2006

This study was performed to compare nutrient intakes, diet quality and serum indices (TG, Total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, RBC, Hb, Hct, Serum iron, ferritin, MCV) of obese and normal weight children. The subjects were 149 children living in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas. Each subject was assigned to one of such as normal weight group ($15th{\le}BMI$ percentile < 85th, n = 82) or obese children ($85th{\le}BMI$ percentile, n = 67) according to their percentile of BMI by The Korean Pediatric Society. Data on dietary intakes, body composition and serum indices were obtained. Differences of all the above variables were assessed. Energy, carbohydrate, fat, cholesterol, total fatty acid, SFA, MUFA, PUFA, phosphate, potassium, zinc, vitamin $B_1$ and vitamin $B_6$ intakes of girls in the obese group were higher than those of the normal weight group (p<0.05). The intake of fiber was as insufficient as below 50% of KDRIs in both groups. Nutrient adequacy ratio of calcium, iron, phosphate, zinc and folate in obese boys were lower than those of normal weight boys (p<0.05). Energy intakes of grain and milk and dairy food in the obese girl group ($905.9{\pm}344.5kcal,\;210.9{\pm}166.4kcal$) were higher than those of normal weight girls ($671.2{\pm}360.7kcal,\;184.0{\pm}103.5kcal$) (p<0.05). HDL-cholesterol level of obese boys ($52.7{\pm}6.3mg/dL$) was significantly lower than that of normal weight boys ($65.3{\pm}15.6mg/dL$). Serum iron level of obese boys and girls (boys: $79.4{\pm}32.6mg/dL$, girls: $98.3{\pm}16.2mg/dL$) was significantly lower than those of normal weight children (boys: $104.8{\pm}38.6mg/dL$, girls: $106.7{\pm}28.9mg/dL$) (p<0.05). These results suggest that there should be sensible food selection and more intakes of fruit and vegetable are needed to improve the nutritional status in obese children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.164-170
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutrient intakes, blood pressure, and biochemical values and lipid profile in blood according to smoking status. Subjects were recruited from Korean adult men, which included non-smoker (n=47), smoker (n=58), and ex- smoker (n=44) . Anthropometrical measurement, blood pressure measurement, dietary intake assessment using 24-hour recall method, and blood collection and analysis were conducted. The average age, height, weight, and BMI of the subject were 54.7 years, 165.8 cm, 67.3 kg, and $24.5\;kg/m^2 $, respectively. There was no significant difference in general characteristics among three groups. The mean daily intakes of energy and protein were 1740.9 kcal and 69.6 g. The daily folate intake of the smoker was significantly lower than that of the non- smoker or ex-smoker. However, cholesterol intake of the smoker was significantly higher than two groups. The daily total food intake was 1250.0 g for non-smoker, 1180.1 g for smoker, and 1237.5 g for ex-smoker. The mushrooms intake in the smoker was significantly lower than that in the ex - smoker. However, eggs intake of the smoker was significantly higher than two groups. The RBC count and serum GOT/GPT of the subjects were $4598.2\times1000/mm^3$ and 27.3/27.3 U/L. The WBC count, hematocrit and hemoglobin of the smoker were significantly higher than those of the non-smoker and ex-smoker. Blood pressure and serum lipids of the subjects were 128.3/75.5 mmHg for SBP/DBP, 180.2 mg/dL for total cholesterol, 160.8 mg/dL for triglyceride, 41.5 mg/dL for HDL-cholesterol, 106.5 mg/dL for LDL-cholesterol, and 3.5 for atherogenic index. Especially serum triglyceride of smoker was significantly higher than that of non-smoker. The above results revealed that some nutrient intakes, such as folate and cholesterol, and hematological findings, and serum triglyceride of the smoker were different from non-smoker. However, these differences were recovered to non-smoking status by prohibition of smoking. Therefore, in order to stop smoking, the effect of smoking on nutritional and health status should be informed to smoker and more systematic study should be conducted.