• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.28 no.6
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• pp.576-584
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• 2013

Increasing numbers of Korean adults, especially women, are adopting vegetarian diets for various reasons. In this study, the characteristics of vegetarianism among females residing in Seoul were examined. In addition, the dietary habits and eating behaviors between vegetarians and non-vegetarians were investigated. A total of 148 females (73 vegetarians, 75 non-vegetarians) were recruited and questionnaires regarding their demographic characteristics and eating habits were completed. The eating behavior and daily intake of food groups was assessed using the three factor eating questionnaire-R18 (TFEQ-R18) and food frequency questionnaire, respectively. The ages, BMI, education, and religious affiliation were not significantly different between the two groups. More than 30% of vegetarians had followed a vegetarian diet for longer than 24 months. The most common motivations for vegetarianism in study participants were 'health or weight control' (46.6%) followed by 'environmental concerns or animal welfare' (24.7%). Vegetarians had a lower intake of cereals, Kimchi, and soda, but a higher intake of potatoes and sweet potatoes, vegetables, mushrooms, seaweed, and fruits compared to non-vegetarians. Significant differences in eating behavior scores were also found between the two groups; in particular, vegetarians reported higher levels of restrained eating and emotional eating than non-vegetarians. Scores of uncontrolled eating, however, were not significantly different between the two groups. In conclusion, these results suggest that while vegetarianism is associated with healthy dietary habits, it is associated with restrained eating behaviors which may increase the risk of eating disorders in women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.222-229
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Aging is an imperative problem for many countries in this century, and presents several challenges for the maintenance of good nutritional status. This study aims to assess the impact of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and health status on the nutritional status among the elderly in Taiwan. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Mei Jau Health Management Institution, which is a private health evaluation provider with multiple health screening centers in Taiwan and Asia. This study included 7947 adults aged 65 years or above. The data were extracted between 2001 to 2010. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric data, biochemical data and dietary intake information. RESULTS: Among the 7947 participants with mean age of 70.1 (SD = 4.5) years, 20.2%, 6.6%, 10.5% and 52.5% experienced underweight, protein malnutrition, anemia and inadequate dietary intake in the past month, respectively. Age was negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.19, P = 0.02), body mass index (r = -0.41, P < 0.001), albumin level (r = -0.93, P < 0.001) and hemoglobin level (r = -0.30, P = 0.008). Age above 70 years, gender, unmarried status, retirement, lack of education, low family income, smoking, alcohol drinking, sleep duration of 6-8 hours, vegetarian diet, multiple medications, comorbidity and dysphagia were positively associated with malnutrition in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Underweight and inadequate dietary intake are prevalent among the elderly in Taiwan. Vegetarian diet, multiple medications, comorbidity, dysphagia and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking and sleep duration of 6-8 hours are risk factors for undernutrition in older adults.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.271-279
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• 2000

Objectives : To assess the seroprevalence and risk factors of toxoplasmosis in high school students in Cheju Province, Korea. Methods : A total of 4,570 high school students from 18 schools in Cheju Province were investigated for Toxoplasma gondii antibodies(IgG) by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Risk factors for toxoplasmosis, such as place of residence, type of house, contact with cats and other pets, and rare meat consumption, were examined by questionnaire. Results . The overall antibody positive rate was 5.5% and ranged from 2.6 to 11.5% by school. There was no significant difference between males and females. Statistical analyses of the questionnaire data indicated that the risk factors for seropositivity were: (1) birth place (Cheju/others), (2) place of residence (rural/urban), (3) dietary habits (vegetarian/non vegetarian), (4) eating rare meat, (5) exposure to pets and (6) hepatitis B. Conclusion : We confirmed that the prevalence of the anti-Toxoplasma gondii antibody in a population of high school students in Cheju Province was to the previously reported prevalence.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7683-7688
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• 2015

Background: The study evaluated the patient, lifestyle and tumor profile in patients undergoing upfront surgery for sporadic colorectal cancer (CRC) in Indian population. Materials and Methods: One hundred consecutive patients were included. Details related to their demographic profile, habits, signs and symptoms, tumor profile, further treatment and follow up were recorded. Results: The majority of the patients had colonic cancer (68%), advanced tumor stage 3 & 4 (46%), moderately differentiated tumors (70%) with absence of lymphatic invasion (60%) and metastasis (90%). Correlations between tumor location and abdominal pain (p-value 0.002), bleeding per rectum (p-value <0.001), difficulty in micturition (p-value 0.012) and constipation (p-value 0.007) were found to be statistically significant. Abdominal pain was more frequently reported in patients with metastasis (p-value 0.031). Loss of weight statistically correlated with absence of lymphatic invasion (p-value 0.047). Associations between tumor stage and alcohol intake (p-value 0.050) and non vegetarian diet (p-value 0.006); lymphatic invasion and intake of spicy food (p-value 0.040) and non vegetarian diet (p-value 0.001) and metastasis and alcohol intake (p-value 0.041) were also observed. Age and tumor grade were also correlated (p-value 0.020). Conclusions: Minimizing the adverse lifestyle factors can help in reducing the overall incidence of CRC in the Indian population.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.257-265
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• 1989

Normal healthy non vegetarian and lact$\infty$,vo­v vegetarian women were studied after they con­S sumed carrot juices as supplements. Daily sup­p plementation resulted in significant increase in serum levels of $\alpha$-, $\beta$-carotene and total carote­n noid in nonvegetarians and $\alpha$-and $\beta$-carotene in lactoovovegetarians. Reflection in serum and $\beta$-carotene was higher in nonvegetarians m than lactoovovegetarians. However, serum caro­t tene values were not significantly different between group after continous supplementation of reducing amounts of carotenes. Serm retionol levels were not changed throughout the study period and were not significantly different bet­w ween nonvegetarians and lactooovegetarians. The results suggest that serm total carotenoid cannot bean indicator of individual carotene such as $\alpha$-or $\beta$-carotene in serum and serum carotene levels are closely related to dietary carotene intake both in nonvegetartins and lac­t toovovegetanans

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.306-314
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• 2002

The purpose of this study is to examine the relation between vegetarian diet and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The subjects of the study were 127 Buddhist nuns (age: 23 ~79 yr) for vegetarians and 235 healthy female adults (age: 23 ~79 yr) for non-vegetarians. This study covers food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. Average body mass index (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 22.47 and 21.08, waist/hip ratio (WHR) was 0.85 and 0.84, percentage of body fat (%BF) was 28.79 and 26.55, respectively. Average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.16 years. The triglyceride levee of the vegetarians was significantly lower for those who take nutrient tablet compared to those who either take vitamins or who do not take any nutrient supplement. Taking vitamins or nutrient tablet did not give any significant difference in total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol for vegetarians, while significantly high triglyceride was observed for the non-vegetarians taking nutrient tablet than the ether non-vegetarians. Taking vitamins or nutrient tablet did not affect the lever of HDL-cholesterol for either vegetarians or non-vegetarians. Athrogenic index (AI) was lower for the vegetarian group tailing nutrient tablet and for the non-vegetarian group not taking vitamins and nutrient tablet, than the other respective groups. Blood sugar of the vegetarians who take nutrient tablet was significantly lower than those tailing vitamins, while blood sugar of the non-vegetarians not taking any nutrient supplement was significantly lower than those taking nutrient tablet.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.350-356
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• 2001

The purpose of this study is to verify the relation among vegetarian diet, physical activity and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Two hundred and forty five buddhist nuns (age : 23~79 yrs) were selected as vegetarians. For control subjects, 235 healthy female adults (age : 23~79 yrs) were selected. Study period was from October 1996 to February 1997. The contents are consist of food consumption survey, anthropometric measurement, amount of energy expenditure, physical activity and clinical examination. Results were summarized as follows : The average ages of vegetarians were $44.2{\pm}17.3\;yrs$ and those of non-vegetarians were $40.5{\pm}18.4\;yrs$. Average body mass indices (BMI) of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were $22.5{\pm}2.7\;and\;21.1{\pm}2.5$, WHRs were $0.9{\pm}0.1\;and\;0.8{\pm}0.1$, and the average duration of vegetarian diet of the vegetarians was 13.1{\pm}12.9 years. All the nutrient intakes of both groups were over RDA's except calcium and vitamin A intakes of non-vegetarians that were below RDA's Fiber and vitamin C intakes of the vegetarians were significantly higher than those of non-vegetarians (p<0.01). Average energy intakes of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were $2177.1{\pm}420.6\;kcal/day\;and\;2103.2{\pm}534.9\;kcal/day$, total daily energy expenditure were $1789.9{\pm}325.8\;kcal/day\;and\;1703.8{\pm}344.8\;kcal/day$, those by physical activity were $507.8{\pm}360.9\;kcal/day\;and\;400.0{\pm}247.8\;kcal/day$. Serum lipid level, blood sugar, systolic blood pressure of vegetarians were significantly lower than those of non-vegetarians, but ratio of HDL-cholesterol/total-cholesterol was higher than those of non-vegetarians. Levels of total serum cholesterol of vegetarians and non-vegetarians were 161.4{\pm}33.3 mg/dL and 189.6{\pm}33.6mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol were $48.2{\pm}11.4\;mg/dL\;and\;50.8{\pm}12.2\;mg/dL$, LDL-cholesterol were $86.6{\pm}26.9\;mg/dL\;and\;111.1{\pm}17.0\;mg/dL$, atherogenic indice(AI) were $2.4{\pm}0.6\;and\;2.9{\pm}0.7$, fasting blood sugar were $90.8{\pm}14.3\;mg/dL\;and\;103.6{\pm}24.6\;mg/dL$, systolic blood pressure were $107.5{\pm}14.9\;mmHg\;and\;119.3{\pm}15.3\;mmHg$. Energy expenditure by physical activity was negatively correlated with levels of serum total-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol and atherogenic indice(AI). Therefore, physical activity and vegetarian diet effectively helped reduce blood lipids related to cardiovascular disease.

• Advances in Traditional Medicine
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.365-373
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• 2008

Murraya koenigii leaves commonly known as 'curry patta' are routinely added to Indian gravy and vegetarian dishes by south Indian as a favourate condiment. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effects of Murraya koenigii leaves (MKL) on memory in rats. Elevated plus-maze and Hebb-Williams maze served as the exteroceptive behavioral models for testing memory. Diazepam-, scopolamine- and ageing-induced amnesia served as the interoceptive behavioral models. MKL fed orally to various groups of young and aged rats with diet containing 2, 4 and 8% w/w of MKL for 30 days consecutively were investigated. The MKL diets produced a significant dose-dependent improvement in memory scores of young and aged rats and significantly reduced the amnesia induced by scopolamine (0.4 mg/kg, i.p.) and diazepam (1 mg/kg, i.p.). Therefore, it would be worthwhile to specifically investigate the therapeutic potential of MKL in the management of dementia patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4789-4792
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• 2012

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate complementary and alternative medicine use among breast cancer survivors in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: This study employed a descriptive research design approach to detail the CAM use among the target population. Convenience sampling was used along with a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 230 breast cancer survivors completed the use CAM scale. Prayer, reading books, taking antioxidants, eating various grains, and maintaining a vegetarian diet proved to be the five most frequently used CAM practices among patients in our study. More than 50.0% of the participants reported praying occasionally. More than 40.0% of participants read books occasionally, and 38.7% stated that they occasionally take antioxidants. Conclusions: These results provide more insight into CAM use for nurses who care for breast cancer patients.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.194-201
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• 1982

The objective of this research was to examine the relationship between food habits and personality. Two kinds of questionaries were distributed to 130 American college students. The data showed high relationship between personality and food habits. Poor diet group showed lower personality scores in personal adjustment, Affiliation, and nurturance while the scores in lability and succorance were higher than better diet group. A Considerable correalationship between eating preferences and personality was found. Vegetarian had higher scores in self - confidence, achievement, endurance, and autonomy while meat group were more dominant more aggressive and more changeable. Most of sweet food group were obese and had higher personality scores in abasement and deference.