• Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.2 no.1
• /
• pp.5-11
• /
• 2000

Populations both in the US and worldwide are aging. It is projected that by the year 2030 the population of Americans over 65 will increase to 70 million, more than twice their number in 1998. About one-third of elderly over the age of 65 have debilitating chronic health conditions that greatly impede their activities. Age-associated chronic diseases are believed to be associated with free radicals and the imbalance in antioxidant and oxidative stress contributes to development of several chronic health conditions. Diet and nutrients can have great impact in the health status of elderly. Several factors may contributor to the inadequate consumption of nutrients in elderly, including an inability to chew food adequately, polypharmacy, living along and limited income. Low intake of energy and several micronutrients are common among the elderly. Although overt deficiency of nutrients among the elderly is not common. a recent study showed that while elderly consume more fat, the total energy intake is low among the elderly. Inadequate intake of antioxidant nutrients such as vitamin E in elderly may contribute to the development of chronic health problems. Intake of higher than normal RDA levels of vitamin E for long periods of time has been shown to reduce the risk of many degenerative diseases, such as cardiovascular diseases(CVD) and cancer, and improve immune response in elderly. High intake of other antioxidants is also associated with reduced risk chronic diseases. Dietary antioxidants are abundant in fruits and vegetables. However, due to variety of factors, the elderly may not be able to receive these and other micronutrients through diet. Therefore, supplemental intake of micronutrients in the form of multi vitamins/minerals and/or specific micronutrients is a more practical approach to the maintenance of health status in the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.5 no.3
• /
• pp.411-418
• /
• 2000

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship of body mass index with environmental and dietary factors including nutrition knowledge, and nutrition attitude of Korean adolescents. Anthropometric measurements, questionnaire responses, and 24-hour dietary records of 531 elementary, 543 middle, and 533 high school students residing in Seoul and Kyunggi-do were collected. Data was analysed using SAS computer program. The results are as follows. Mean BMI of elementary school boys was higher than that of girls. However, there were no significant differences in mean BMI between sexes both in middle and high school students. Calcium and iron consumption were lowest among elementary and middle school students, respectively when the intake was expressed as a percentage of the Korean RDA. Energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin B$_1$, vitamin B$_2$, niacin, and vitamin C intakes(% RDA) were lowest among high school students. The factors influencing BMI of elementary students were BMI of the parents in boys, and BMI of the father in girls. In middle school students, energy intake, fathers BMI, mothers nutrition knowledge and students BMI, and nutrition knowledge were related to the obesity indices of boys, while fathers and mothers BMI were related to the mean obesity index of girls. In high school students, nutrition knowledge and mothers nutrition attitude were related to the obesity index of boys, while BMI of parents was related to the obesity index of girls. In conclusion, mothers and fathers BMI were the most common factors influencing the BMI of these adolescents. Although these results can not determine if food behaviour directly affects BMI, it may influence the BMIs of family members, and therefore nutrition education to keep normal weight and desiradle food habits should be emphasized. More systematic studies to investigate the cause-effect relations of these factors are required.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.21 no.4
• /
• pp.354-365
• /
• 2016

Objectives: Studies that reported the association between diet quality/nutritional intake status and mortality have rarely used long-term follow-up data in Asian countries, including Korea. This study investigated the association between the risk of mortality (all-cause and cause-specific) and the diet quality/nutritional intake status using follow-up 12-year mortality data from a nationally representative sample of South Koreans. Methods: 8,941 individuals who participated in 1998 and 2001 Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were linked to mortality data from death certificates. Of those individuals, 1,083 (12.1%) had died as of December, 2012. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the relative risks of mortality according to the level of diet quality and intakes of major nutrients. Indicators for diet quality index and nutritional intake status were assessed using MAR (mean adequacy ratio) and energy and protein intake level compared with the 2010 Korean DRI. Results: Higher diet quality/nutritional intake status were associated with lower mortality; the mortality risk (95% confidence interval) from all-cause of lowest MAR group vs highest was 1.66 (1.27 to 2.18) among ${\geq}30$ year old, and 1.98 (1.36 to 2.86) among 30~64 year old individuals. Those with below 75% of energy and protein intake of Korean DRI had higher mortality risks of all-cause mortality compared to the reference group. Diet quality/nutritional intake status was inversely associated with mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Conclusions: Poor Diet quality/nutritional intake status were associated with a higher risk of mortality from all-cause and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer among South Korean adults.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.16 no.3
• /
• pp.375-385
• /
• 2011

The nutritional balance of the menu plans prepared according to the target pattern was examined. Total of 81 home economics teachers throughout the nation and 161 3rd-grade middle-school girls in Chungnam area participated. The data was collected by questionnaire and analyzed by using SPSS WIN 12.0. Although both teacher and student groups had fairly good knowledge on preparing menu plans related concepts, they rarely make use any menu planning currently. More than 85% of menu plans investigated exceeded their energy goal in the target pattern. The energy contribution ratios of carbohydrate: protein: fat were 56.1%: 17.4%: 26.5% in teachers' menu plan and 55.1%: 17.2%: 27.7% in students' menu plan. The NAR of the protein, phosphorous, iron, zinc, vitamin A and C, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, B6 was 1 or near 1. But in case of calcium, 56.5% of the menu plan prepared by the students was less than 1, and in case of folate 75.3% of teachers', and 85.1% of students' were less than NAR 1. The MAR of the 12 nutrients examined were 0.98, 0.97, and the DVS were 51, 49 for menu plan prepared by teachers and students, respectively.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.1
• /
• pp.100-110
• /
• 2008

Recently, a lot of epidemiological studies revealed that low HDL-cholesterol level was a better predictor of risk for coronary heart disease than total cholesterol. This study investigated the anthropometric parameters, clinical blood indices, and dietary factors influencing serum HDL-cholesterol level by using a cross-sectional study for Korean female college students. The subjects were 94 female college students. They were divided into three groups according to their serum HDL-cholesterol levels, low HDL-cholesterol (<50 mg/dL, n=20), medium HDL-cholesterol (50 $\leq$, < 60 mg/dL, n=39) high serum HDL-cholesterol groups (60 $\leq$ mg/dL, n = 35). This study examined their demographic data and dietary intake throughout a questionnaire. Clinical blood indices were measured using an automatic blood chemistry analyzer (Selectra E), after 12 hours of fasting. BMI, body weight, fat mass, and waist circumferences were significantly increased according to low serum HDL-cholesterol levels. Serum lipid analysis showed a significantly higher level of TG, LDL-/HDL-Ratio, atherogenic index in the low HDL-cholesterol group. Serum levels of GPT, uric acid and alkaline phosphatase in the low HDL-cholesterol group were significantly higher than in the other group. The average consumption of energy was 1627 kcal and 77.76% of estimated energy requirement (EER). The mean ratio of calories from carbohydrate: protein: fat was 57:15:28. The low HDL-cholesterol group was significantly higher than the other groups in eggs, fat and oils consumption. Interestingly, milk and diary products consumption of low HDL-cholesterol group was half (p < 0.05) of those of the other groups. In conclusion, serum HDL-cholesterol levels appeared to be decreased by increasing BMI, fat mass, waist circumference, and serum TG level. In addition, some dietary factors seemed to be related to serum HDL-cholesterol levels. However, further research is needed to elucidate the exact relationship between serum HDL-cholesterol level and dietary factors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.12 no.3
• /
• pp.361-371
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to assess the daily steps, physical activities and activity coefficient of the elementary school children in the rural area. Body weight, height and daily steps were measured and one-day activity diaries were collected by interviewing children. The average age of the subjects was $9.96{\pm}1.02$ years. Average height, weight, obesity index, body fat and muscle of subjects were $136.2{\pm}8.9cm,\;35.2{\pm}8.5kg,\;99.6{\pm}18.8%,\;22.9{\pm}8.5%\;and\;35.8{\pm}6.0%$, respectively. The average daily steps of the subjects was 17,584 and daily steps (19,314) of 3rd grade students was significantly higher than that (15,712) of 5th grade children. But there was no significant difference in daily steps and activity coefficients between boys and girls. Daily steps (23,347) of exercise group showed the significantly higher than that (16,144) of non-exercise group. Gender and grade of subjects did not have significant influence on activity coefficients, but there was a significant difference in activity coefficient on weekdays between the exercise group ($1.82{\pm}0.30$) and non-exercise group ($1.50{\pm}0.21$). Analysis of variance revealed stronger associations between daily steps and body fat (%) than between daily steps and BMI. Daily steps showed significant negative correlation with body fat (%) measured using two methods r=-0.321 and r=-0.365, respectively. Activity coefficient was significantly correlated (r=0.436) with daily steps, thus increasing daily steps cm prevent and treat childhood obesity by increasing the energy expenditure. The higher activity coefficients (weekday 1.56, weekend 1.53) of the subjects was caused by the fact that rural students spent more time outside and enjoyed stronger activities than urban students. The results of this study can be used to estimate energy requirements for Korean children based on exercise levels and living areas.

• Journal of the Korean Society for Marine Environment & Energy
• /
• v.18 no.3
• /
• pp.157-165
• /
• 2015

This study investigated and compared sediment properties and macrobenthic community structures within heated effluent plumes at the discharge areas of Kori Nuclear Power Plant (KNPP) and Sinkori Nuclear Power Plant (SNPP) in Korea, which have different thermal effluent discharge systems. There were significant differences in sand, clay and organic carbon contents between sediments at the two discharge areas. Species richness and abundance of macrobenthos were higher at the SNPP discharge area than at that of the KNPP, although the values at both areas were comparable to previous studies in coastal areas of eastern Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.9 no.6
• /
• pp.742-752
• /
• 2004

The purpose of this study is to offer information related to recommended dietary allowances for young children and food guidelines for preschool children in Sweden. Sweden, located in Europe, is the most developed country for young child care system. Swedish nutrition policy background, Swedish recommended dietary allowances for young children, and food guidelines of early childhood education center in Sweden were used. The number of Swedish child care centers increased from 70,000 in 1970 to 700,000 in 2000. The Swedish Institute of Public Health promoted children's indoor and outdoor activity. The aim of the Swedish public health contains children's safety, good food habits, and eating food safely. Swedish Food Administration made recommended dietary allowance and food guidelines for children care centers. The aim of food guidelines was to increase energy, calcium, iron, and dietary fiber intake. Swedish RDA contains minimum and maximum intake as well as mean intake for macro and micro nutrients. The fat intake ratio of energy is increased for younger children. For preschool children, the food guideline is determined by dietary allowances for breakfast, lunch, and snack respectively. Food guideline contains meal time schedule, menu for each meal using food model, amount of food for age group, and recommended dietary allowance for each meal. It is recommended for Korean early childhood education center: 1) Korean RDA for young children should be made range of intake, minimum and maximum intake. 2) Food guideline should be make for Korean child care center. 3) Korean child care centers should offer an afternoon snack twice for children who return home late. 4) Nutrition education program for preschool teachers should be developed for children's good eating habits and health promotion.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.7 no.2
• /
• pp.277-285
• /
• 2002

The purpose of this study was to develop a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) for subjects aged 50yr and over and to evaluate the validity of this SQ-FFQ. Dietary intake was assessed using SQ-FFQ that included 98 commonly consumed flood items selected from the results of the Korean Health and Nutritional Survey, 1998. Subjects (n = 2,660) aged 50yr and over were recruited from 7 metropolitan cities and 8 small cities. Each subject was interviewed using this SQ-FFQ developed in our laboratory and 24hr-recall method. Excluding incomplete data, Data from 1,149 subjects were used in this validity study. The nutrient intakes assessed by this SQ-FFQ were validated by comparing with the results from 1 day 24-hour recalls. Pearson's correlation coefficients between two methods were 0.71, 0.64, 0.53, and 0.43 for energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat, respectively for all subjects. Spearman's correlation coefficients were higher than those of Pearson's correlation coefficients. Kappa values for energy, carbohydrate, protein, and fat were 0.79, 0.72, 0.70, and 0.64, respectively. The percentage for misclassification of the lowest quartile into the highest quartile or vice versa was 1.25-1.39% for all nutrients. Therefore, this SQ-FFQ seems to be useful in assessing the nutritional status of the middle-aged and elderly subjects in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.587-597
• /
• 2006

This study was performed in order to identify nutritional factors affecting on skin sebum content with 131 female university undergraduates in 2003. We measured the sebum contents of 4 facial spots to classify their skin types. Daily energy and nutrient intakes of the subjects were not deficient except in calcium and iron, which were 466.2 mg (66.6% RDA) and 8.5 mg (53.4% RDA) relatively. We observed no significant difference of energy and nutrient intakes among the 3 skin types. But significantly higher consumption of grains and slightly higher frequencies of several food groups (excepting starches) were shown in oily skin types, so they might have higher nutrient intakes. Serum indices and food preferences mostly revealed no difference among the 3 skin types. But in the oily skin type, serum phosphorus levels were significantly lower than others, suggesting phosphorus-rich food consumption like soft drinks and pains could lead to a dry skin type rather than an oily one. Also in the oily skin type, sweet taste preference was slightly tower than others; more-over, sweet intake was lower samely significantly. There was mostly no significant relationship between facial sebum contents and nutrient intakes, dietary behavior, food frequency and food preference except in some factors. Animal protein intake showed a significant negative relationship toward facial sebum content. On the other hand, in normal skin type, Fishes consumed was slightly higher than others, so that higher animal protein consumption presumably leads to normal skin type. Frequency of fried food and bacon and preference of fried foods showed slightly negative relationships toward facial sebum content. Regular meal times showed significantly increased facial sebum content.