• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.344-353
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• 2016

Objectives: New retinol activity equivalent (RAE) was introduced as vitamin A unit in Dietary Reference Intake (DRI) for Koreans 2015. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the adequacy of 2015 reference intake (RI) of vitamin A in RAE unit by the comparison with RI and dietary intake of vitamin A. Methods: Analyses on RI of vitamin A were based on the Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for Koreans (1962~2000) and DRIs for Koreans (2005~2015). Analyses on Koreans dietary intake of vitamin A were based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) reports (1969-2014). For recalculation of RI and dietary intake of vitamin A in RE to RAE, 2013 Koreans intake of retinol: carotenoids ratio of 13: 87 was applied. Results: RI of vitamin A was 600~750 RE for Korean adult, and 339~425 RAE when calculated by applying the retinol and carotenoids intake ratio. Vitamin A intakes of Koreans were <100% RI, 267~668 RE from 1969 to 2001. From 2005, vitamin A intake had increased to >700 RE, >100% RI. When vitamin A intake was converted from RE to RAE (2005~2014), 718~864 RE became 405.8~488.1 RAE, decreased to 56.5% level. The recent 2015 RI of vitamin A is 850 RAE, two times of 2005 & 2010 RI of 425 RAE for adult male. Conclusions: When nutritional status of vitamin A was assessed for Koreans using the estimated average requirement (EAR) of 2015 (570, 460 RAE for male, female adults, respectively), ratio of deficient people increased significantly when judged based on the previous intake of Koreans, <490 RAE. We needs to examine the 2015 RI (EAR) of vitamin A, find a way to measure the accurate intake of dietary vitamin A, and to increase the dietary intake of this vitamin.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.231-239
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships between Yangsaeng and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF) of Korean adults and older people practicing Dan Jeon Breathing. Methods: The participants were 133 adults and elderly people practicing Dan Jeon Breathing. Data were collected by self-reported questionnaires, which were constructed to include Yangsaeng and quality of life (WHOQOL-BREF). Frequency, percentage, mean standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, Pearson correlation coefficient, and Cronbach ${\alpha}$ value were used with the SPSS 14.0 win program to analyze the data using for finding. Results: Significant differences in Yangsaeng were evident on the basis of age, gender, duration of DJB, regular practice of DJB, and other exercises. There were significant differences in quality of life in terms of existence of spouse and duration of DJB. Also, all subcategories in Yangsaeng were positively related to all domain of quality of life. Conclusion: The results indicate that the quality of life of adult and elderly Koreans who practice DJB is more closely associated with Yangsaeng. Therefore, Dan Jeon Breathing can be utilized as a nursing intervention for Yangsaeng and quality of life of Koreans.

• Korean Journal of Comparative Education
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.51-73
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• 2016

The study aims to examine the achievements and shortcomings of adult political education that had been conducted in former Eastern Germany following German unification. More specifically, the study focuses on drawing some policy suggestions and implications for carrying out adult political education for North Koreans in a unified Korea. In fact, former East Germans after German unification needed to receive political education to adjust to a new social system and get related various informations that they had never experienced before. In this context, former East Germans were provided with political education on democratic political system, capitalism, and various laws and regulations that they need to know to get used to a new social system. However, the results of the study indicate that adult political educational system in the former Eastern Germany shows some shortcomings regarding former East Germans' indifference about political education, educational contents which was not cut out for East Germans, and absence of proper methodological approaches. Furthermore, the study points out that North Koreans' educational background and their experiences in North Korea should be considered when selecting subjects and contents of political education for North Koreans in a unified Korea.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.2
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• pp.136-141
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• 2010

North Korean defectors who settle in South Korea have experienced severe food shortage and transition of food environment which could affect their health status. However, little is known about their anthropometric measurements and dietary intake after settlement in South Korea. The purpose of this study is to compare anthropometric measurements and dietary intake between North Korean young adults who defected to South Korea and those of South Koreans. We hypothesized that North Korean young adults' physiques and dietary intake would be poorer than that of South Koreans. We compared anthropometric measurements and dietary intake from 3-day food records in a cross-sectional study of 103 North Korean young adult defectors, aged 12 to 24 and 309 South Korean subjects. North Korean subjects were significantly shorter (4.9 to 10.8 cm) and lighter (6.0 to 12.5 kg) than the control group. Body mass index were significantly different between North and South Korean groups only in men. North Korean young adult defectors had lower mean daily intakes of energy and most nutrients and food groups compared to the control group, while North Korean subjects had higher nutrient density diet than that of South Koreans. The proportion of subjects who had dietary intakes of nutrients of less than the Estimated Average Requirement was higher in North Korean subjects than in controls except for in the cases of vitamin A and vitamin C. In conclusion, we recommend providing nutrition support programs for North Korean young adult defectors to secure adequate nutrient intake.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.21 no.2
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• pp.184.2-184.2
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• 1991

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1338-1346
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• 1998

North Korea has been experiencing a serious food shortage. However, the extent and magnitude of malnutrition and health problems are virturally unknown because a nationwide food and nutritional survey has never been conducted. To get a better udnerstanding of the situation., an exhaustive literature search on the health and nutritiona conditions of North Koreans was performed. We also obtained anthropometric data on 274 North Korean Defectors who are recently resettlers in the South. Some(137) measurements were taken at the time of entry to the South, and the remaining data was from the health and nutrition mail survey conducted by us on North Korean refugeee re-settlers. Health and inutritional status of North Koreans was found to be less than desirable as shown in high infant mortality rates, high mortality and morbidity rates of malnutriton-related infectious deseases, and smaller body sizes. Striking differences were noted in all of the above health and nutrition indicators between north and South Koreans. Considering the fact that North and South Koreans are homogeneous in their genetic back-ground, ours study results clearly demonstrate that the health and nutrition of North Koreas has deteriorated with the dhronic food shortage, which might have sorsened with a recent food crissi. The smaller and thinner adult stature proevailing in North Korea could play a significant negative role in the country's economy, since lower lean body mass has been associated with reduced work productivity that could hinder economic growth and development.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.299-305
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• 2004

Adult periodontitis (AP) is a chronic inflammatory disease whose etiology is not well defined. Some studies suggested that the clinical characteristics of this disease may be in part explained by genetic factors, and some attempts to find genetic markers for this disease were successful. The interleukin-1 (IL-1) gene family as one of genetic factors may influence the expression of adult periodontitis. The aim of present study is to investigate the frequencies of genetic polymorphisms in the IL-1 gene family encoding three genes (IL-1A, IL-1B and IL-1RN) in Korean AP patients and periodontically healthy controls. There were no significant differences in genotype and allele frequencies of these polymorph isms between two groups, respectively. However, -511 polymorphism of IL-1 B gene was significantly associated with mean pocket depth (MPD, mm) value in AP patients (P<0.05). Therefore, our results suggest that -511 polymorphism in the IL-1B gene may be useful as a genetic marker for the severity of AP in Koreans.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.441-453
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to determine the mediating effect of perceived stress in the influence of obesity awareness on health behavior, and to verify the moderating effect of nationality between Koreans and Chinese in the influence of obesity awareness on health behavior through perceived stress. Data were collected from August 26 to October 11, 2019, through in-person questionnaire surveys administered to 140 adult participants from a university and general hospital in Seoul, South Korea and 140 adult participants from a university and general hospital in Shenyang, China. Study results revealed that, the obesity awareness of participants had a significant effect on their health behavior, and the mediating effect of perceived stress was significant in the influence of obesity awareness on health behavior. According to nationality, a significant difference was shown between Koreans and Chines in the way obesity awareness directly affected health behavior. However, the indirect effect of obesity awareness on health behavior through perceived stress was not controlled. These results showed that the obesity awareness of Chinese adults had a greater effect on their health behavior than Koreans. In addition, obesity awareness increased perceived stress and decreased positive health behavior in both Koreans and Chinese adults. Therefore, managing the stress caused by obesity is an important factor in increasing positive health behavior.

• Proceedings of the Korea Society of Environmental Toocicology Conference
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• 2003.05a
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• pp.177-177
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• 2003

Adult periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease whose etiology is not well defined. Recent studies have shown that vitamin D receptor gene has been a candidate for the susceptibility of adult periodontitis. The purpose of this study is to investigate the frequency of Taq I restriction fragment length polymorphism (RELP) in the vitamin D receptor gene in 141 periodontically healthy controls and 32 adult periodontitis patients. Taq I RFLP in the vitamin D receptor gene were detected by PCR amplification, followed by restriction enzyme digestion and 2% agarose gel electrophoresis. There were no significant difference in the distribution of Taq I RFLP between healthy controls and adult periodontitis group (P > 0.05). Thus, Taq I RFLP in the vitamin D receptor gene may not confer the susceptibility to adult periodontitis in Korean population. However, t allele distributions of this RFLP showed various frequencies among ethnic groups studied. Further studies in other ethnic groups will be required.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.772-782
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• 2005

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between Korean lifestyle characteristics and health status and to identify the variables influencing health in Korea. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive correlational design was used to explore the lifestyle characteristics and health status of 397 Korean adults. Correlational analysis calculated the correlation between lifestyle and health status. To examine the relationship among demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and health status we used the t-test and one-way ANOVA. Stepwise multiple regression was conducted to examine the significant predictors of general health among subjects. Results: Positive correlations were seen between general health (GH) and the overall score and subscales of the Lifestyle. The stepwise regression model showed that vitality (VA), body pain (BP), nutrition, and occupation were significant variables influencing general health (GH). Conclusions: These findings provide evidence regarding the lifestyle patterns and healthstatus among Koreans. When planning intervention strategies for this population, exercise and physical activity should be principal focus areas.