• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.233-243
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aims to investigate and explain the influence of personal characteristics on female immigrants' perception and attitude towards the Korean food culture. Methods: Exploratory research was performed by conducting a self-administered survey. A purposive sampling method was used to recruit 289 participants to determine their level of information awareness, perception and familiarity with Korean food culture. Results: Female immigrants' mean FNS score was 3.70. FNS score decreased in women from Northeast Asia, women who received higher education, and in urban women. The level of information awareness of Korean Food culture was 3.47, which was above average. Women from Southeast Asia had a higher level of awareness about cooking methods and table setting. Females living in the countryside and those who had lived for more than 7 years in Korea had higher levels of information awareness than other groups. Women from Southeast Asia perceived that Korean food is spicy; on the other hand, women from Northeast Asia discerned that Korean food is pungent and is prepared scientifically. The neophilic group more positively recognized Korean foods based on taste and nutritional value than did the neophobic group. Subjects living in the countryside were more likely to evaluate nutritional value, scientific aspects and artistry higher. The research also found that the neophilic group and immigrants who had lived for more than 7 years in Korea were significantly correlated with the familiarity with Korean food culture. Conclusion: The findings provide an initial step towards developing a customized education program for female marriage immigrants to adapt and to become familiar with Korean food culture with a comprehensive understanding of personal traits for accepting a new food culture.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.299-311
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• 2013

An educational application (App) called 'Children's Food Avatar' was developed in this study by using a food DB of nutrition and functionality from Rural Development Administration (RDA) as a smart-learning mobile device for elementary school students. This App was designed for the development of children's desirable dietary habits through an on-line activity of food choices for a meal from food DB of RDA provided as Green Water Mill guide. A customized avatar system was introduced as an element of fun and interactive animation for children which provides nutritional evaluation of selected foods by changing its appearance, facial look, and speech balloon, and consequently providing chances of correcting their food choices for balanced diet. In addition, nutrition information menu was included in the App to help children understand various nutrients, their function and healthy dietary life. When the App was applied to 54 elementary school students for a week in November, 2012, significant increases in the levels of knowledge, attitude and behavior in their diet were observed compared with those of the control group (p < 0.05, 0.01). Both elementary students and teachers showed high levels of satisfaction ranging from 4.30 to 4.89 for the App, therefore, it could be widely used for the dietary education for elementary school students as a smart-learning device.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.37-47
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• 2022

Purpose : We aimed to investigate the effects of nutritional foods on sarcopenia prevention and physical function among the elderly living in rural communities during the COVID-19 pandemic by providing customized nutrition. Methods : This study was conducted in the rural community of SCC. Participants (n=24, over age 65) were randomly assigned into a Protein group (n=12) and a Vitamin group (n=12). The protein group was given 23 g/d of protein (whey, soybean, BCAA) for 8 weeks and the Vitamin group 23 g/d of vitamin (B, C, D, E and mixed minerals such as calcium, magnesium, zinc) for 8 weeks. All participants had their body composition such as height, weight, skeletal muscle mass, body mass index, and body fat percentage, measured using bioelectrical impedance analysis (BIA) and physical function assessed using grip strength and the short physical performance battery (SPPB). Results : At the end of the intervention, there was a significant increase in skeletal muscle mass (p<.01) in the Protein group (p=.002, 4.92 %) compared to the baseline: it increased by 2.33 %. The Vitamin group had a significant increase in body fat percentage after the intervention (p=.001, 15.35 %) compared to the baseline: body fat percentage decreased by 4.49 %. There were no significant differences in left and right Grip strength/Weight, SPPB, 4-m gait speed, chair stand test, and sense of balance in both groups. Conclusion : The findings from this study suggest that 8 weeks of protein intake have a significant effect on skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage. Protein intake helped promoting the health of the elderly in rural community during the COVID-19 pandemic. It will assist creating a foundation for providing customized nutrition for the elderly in rural community in the future.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.133-148
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• 2021

This study was undertaken to identify dietary patterns of Korean elderly people living alone, and to compare the quality of diet consumed. Data of 821 elderly people aged 65 years or older who were living alone, was obtained from the 2016~2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey. The percentage energy intake from 24 food groups was calculated, and a cluster analysis was applied to identify dietary patterns. General characteristics, energy and nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ) were analyzed. Dietary variety score (DVS) and dietary diversity score (DDS) were subsequently calculated. The rice-centered diet group and mixed diet group were characterized as consuming higher intake of rice and a wider variety of food groups, respectively. The mean age and percentage of participants living in rural areas were higher, whereas education level and monthly income were lower, in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). Intakes of energy and all other nutrients (except carbohydrate and thiamine) were lower in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). The NAR for all nutrients (except thiamine), MAR, and INQs (except thiamine and iron) were significantly lower in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). The rice-centered diet group had significantly lower DVS (P<0.001) and DDS (P<0.001), as compared with the mixed diet group (P<0.001). Due to the insufficient energy and nutrient intake in the rice-centered diet group, it is necessary to develop nutritional monitoring and customized nutrition policies for these individuals.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.248-265
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the dietary behaviors of preschool children using the nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P) and analyzed the difference in the scores of the children's dietary behaviors in regards to the parents' health consciousness. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 257 children aged 3-5 years and their parents residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do, South Korea. The questionnaire is composed of demographic characteristics, the NQ-P questions, and health consciousness. All data were statistically analyzed by SPSS program (ver. 25.0) and the statistical differences in variables were evaluated by χ2 test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, 1-way analysis of variance and Tukey's multiple comparison test. RESULTS: There was a significant difference on the intake frequency of processed meat by region and fast foods by age, region, and weight status (P < 0.05). There was also a significant difference in not moving around while eating by weight status and parents' effort to have healthy eating habits by sex (P < 0.05). The mean score of NQ-P of the total subjects was 59.47, which was within the medium-low grade. The mean score of balance was 61.62, and the boys were significantly higher than girls (P < 0.05). As the age of children increased, the mean score of the moderation was significantly decreased (P < 0.05). The scores of NQ-P (P < 0.05), balance (P < 0.01), and environment (P < 0.05) were significantly higher in the high group of parents' health consciousness than the low group. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of the evaluation by NQ-P, the dietary behaviors of preschoolers residing in Seoul and Gyeonggi-do need to be improved. For improving their eating behavior and nutritional health status, parents and children need customized nutrition education programs based on sex, age, region and weight status of preschool children as well as the degree of parents' health consciousness.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.664-678
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• 2021

Purpose: Food allergies in children are known to impact the quality of life for growing children as well as their parents. This study investigates the status of food allergy and its management among preschoolers, and evaluates the effect on parental burden. Methods: In May 2019, five kindergartens and daycare centers in Jeju area were randomly selected, and parents (n = 638) who had preschoolers younger than 6-year-old were surveyed using a questionnaire. A total of 387 participants were included in the final data analysis. Results: The percentage of children (aged 3 to 6 years old) who experienced food allergies was 16.8%; 44.6% had been diagnosed as having a food allergy by doctors. Food allergies were first experienced in more than two-thirds of the subjects when they were less than a year old. Egg and milk were the most frequent allergenic foods with some skin related symptoms. A mere 15.4% children suffering from food allergies were offered substitutes for their allergenic foods. Lastly, as compared to other parents, the parents of children who experienced food allergies had not only higher nutritional knowledge, but also heavier parental burden including emotional distress. Regardless of their nutritional knowledge, parents of children with food allergy expressed their willingness to attend nutrition education classes, if available in future. Conclusion: For prevention of food allergies and proper nourishment of children with food allergies, there is a necessity to provide customized-nutritional education for the affected parents to help alleviate their parental burden, especially for reducing emotional distress.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.55 no.1
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• pp.19-27
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• 2022

This study estimated the direct and indirect socioeconomic costs of 238 diseases and 22 injuries from a social perspective in Korea from 2007 to 2015. The socioeconomic cost of each disease group was calculated based on the Korean Standard Disease Classification System. Direct costs were estimated using health insurance claims data provided by the National Health Insurance Service. The numbers of outpatients and inpatients with the main diagnostic codes for each disease were selected as a proxy indicator for estimating patients' medical use behavior by disease. The economic burden of disease from 2007 to 2015 showed an approximately 20% increase in total costs. From 2007 to 2015, communicable diseases (including infectious, maternal, pediatric, and nutritional diseases) accounted for 8.9-12.2% of the socioeconomic burden, while non-infectious diseases accounted for 65.7-70.7% and injuries accounted for 19.1-22.8%. The top 5 diseases in terms of the socioeconomic burden were self-harm (which took the top spot for 8 years), followed by cirrhosis of the liver, liver cancer, ischemic heart disease, and upper respiratory infections in 2007. Since 2010, the economic burden of conditions such as low back pain, falls, and acute bronchitis has been included in this ranking. This study expanded the scope of calculating the burden of disease at the national level by calculating the burden of disease in Koreans by gender and disease. These findings can be used as indicators of health equality and as useful data for establishing community-centered (or customized) health promotion policies, projects, and national health policy goals.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.1
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• pp.74-84
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• 2017

Purpose: In this study, factors of metabolic syndrome and nutritional status were examined according to gender and occupations using the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This study was conducted on 1,750 workers (male : 892, female : 858) aged between 30 and 64, who participated in a health survey, health examination, and nutrition survey using the 6th 2013 KNHANES. Occupations were classified into white collar and blue collar workers, and nutrient intake was analyzed using a food frequency questionnaire. Analysis of complex sample design data through SPSS 19.0 was used for analysis. Results: The prevalence rate of metabolic syndrome among blue collar (35.1%) was higher than that among white collar workers (26.8%) in male subjects (p < 0.05) as well as in blue collar (24.8%) compared to white collar workers (8.9%) in female subjects (p < 0.001). Intake frequency per week, considering one portion by food category, showed significant differences in cooked rice (p < 0.05) and bakeries and confectioneries (p < 0.05) in make workers as well as stew and casserole (p < 0.01) and fruits (p < 0.05) in female workers. With regard to nutrient intake by occupation and gender, white collar workers consumed a greater amount of nutrients (not including total energy intake) compared to blue collar workers in both male and female workers. With regard to nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) according to gender and occupation, white collar workers showed higher numbers than blue collar workers in both male and female subjects. Conclusions: This study examined the prevalence rates of metabolic syndrome and nutrient intake according to gender and occupation. In both male and female subjects, blue collar workers showed higher prevalence rates compared to white collar workers, and their diet quality was worse than white collar workers' diet quality. Considering this result, customized nutrition education according to gender and occupation should be provided to workers to prevent diseases.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.53 no.1
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• pp.13-26
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• 2020

Purpose: This study identified the relationship between dietary habits and health-related behaviors depending on the Big Five personality factors (extraversion, openness, agreeableness, conscientiousness, neuroticism). Methods: The NEO-II test was administered to 337 male and female college students in Seongnam City, Gyeonggi Province, and their dietary habits and health-related behaviors were surveyed. Results: The male participants showed higher scores for extraversion, openness, agreeableness, and conscientiousness compared to that of their female counterparts, while the female participants showed higher scores for neuroticism. As for the results of multivariate logistic regression analysis, in the case of men, higher scores for extraversion were related to a lower intake of instant/fast foods and a higher intake of vegetables; higher agreeableness scores were related to a lower intake of fruit; and higher neuroticism scores were related to a heavy intake of high-cholesterol foods. It was found that higher openness scores were associated with a higher intake of burnt fish/meat and a lower intake of animal fat, while higher agreeableness scores were related to a lower intake of burnt fish/meat in women. Also, those subjects with higher openness and agreeableness scores were found to better consider the nutritional balance when having a meal. In the case of the male participants, higher openness scores were related to increased physical activity, while higher neuroticism scores were related to increased smoking and a lack of sleep. As for the women, those with higher extraversion scores smoked more, while those who recorded higher agreeableness scores were involved in more physical activities. Conclusion: Differences were observed in dietary habits and health-related behaviors between men and women depending on personality factors, and the analysis results of some dietary habits according to personality factors were inconsistent with those of the overseas studies. Therefore, to provide customized nutritional counseling when considering each individual's personality factors, more research results from domestic samples should be collected and accumulated.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.604-617
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• 2019

Purpose: To investigate the effect of eating behavior on nutritional status according to temperament type. Methods: One thousand one hundred three preschool children aged 2 to 6 years in Gyeongsan, Gyeongsangbuk-do from April to June 2018 were surveyed about their eating behavior and nutritional status using DBT (Dietary Behavior Test) and NQ (Nutrition Quotient) which are proven tests. The dietary behaviors of the children were classified into four categories: approach avoidance, sensory sensitivity, hyperactivity, and irregularity. NQ scores were divided into five categories: balance, diversity, moderation, regularity, and practice. Results: The mean of the children's age was 3.42 ± 1.4 (596 boys and 507 girls). The percentage distribution of the NQ grade was as follows: 5.5% (highest), 12.5% (high), 47.1% (medium), 22.2% (low), and 12.6% (lowest). The risk group of approach avoidance and sensory sensitivity had significantly (p < 0.001) lower scores than the normal group in balance factor (51.9 ± 12.0 vs. 57.8 ± 15.9 in approach avoidance type, 52.6 ± 17.6 vs. 57.7 ± 15.9 in sensory sensitivity type) and diversity factor (32.5 ± 24.4 vs. 50.1 ± 22.4 in approach avoidance type, and 32.5 ± 24.0 vs. 50.7 ± 22.2 in sensory sensitivity type). The scores of the hyperactivity risk group were significantly lower in moderation factor (78.2 ± 12.1 vs. 81.2 ± 11.9), and those of the irregular risk group were significantly lower in variety (35.9 ± 24.5 vs. 48.8 ± 23.2), regularity (57.6 ± 37.1 vs. 66.1 ± 17.6), and practice (57.1 ± 19.4 vs. 65.1 ± 22.5) factors than the normal group (p < 0.001). Especially, the risk group of approach avoidance and sensitivity type had significantly (p < 0.001) lower intakes of whole grain, fruit, bean and bean products, vegetables, and Kimchi. Conclusion: This present study suggested that the eating behavior based on temperament of demanding preschool children affected food choice resulting in food consumption diversity of children. Therefore, it is important to provide customized nutrition education programs based on temperament type.