• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.415-424
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Existing evidence on lifestyle modification programs for weight loss is limited by the high attrition rate of such programs. Identifying predictors of adherence to a lifestyle modification program could result in program improvement. However, little is known about behavior-specific adherence and its psychological predictors. This study aimed to examine the psychological predictors of adherence after one-month participation in a community-based lifestyle modification program among Chinese overweight and obese adults in Hong Kong. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 205 Chinese overweight and obese adults aged $38.9{\pm}10.5years$ completed the study. Data were collected at baseline and after one month using self-reported questionnaires, which assessed knowledge (self-developed scale), motivation (Treatment Self-Regulation Questionnaire), stage of change (Stage of Exercise Scale) and self-efficacy (Self-Rated Abilities for Health Practices Scale). At one month, a 4-day dietary recall and the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form were used to assess dietary and physical activity (PA) adherence. Food and PA diaries were examined to indicate self-monitoring. Program attendance was tracked between baseline and one-month follow-up. RESULTS: After one month, participants reported high dietary adherence, attendance, and adherence to self-monitoring but low PA adherence. Multiple regression analyses suggested that diet self-efficacy (baseline) and nutrition knowledge (one-month change) were independent predictors of dietary adherence score at one month, whereas autonomous PA motivation (baseline) and PA self-efficacy (both baseline and one-month change) were independent predictors of PA adherence score at one month. No significant psychological predictor was identified for attendance or self-monitoring. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that the effect of psychological factors on adherence differs between diet and PA adherence outcomes. To promote adherence, practitioners should assess self-efficacy, knowledge, and motivation at the beginning of a weight-loss program and explore behavior-specific strategies to improve knowledge and self-efficacy. The results of this study have direct implications for program improvements.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the change in the obesity index in girls receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), based on treatment duration, and to aid in nutritional counseling by investigating dietary habits and lifestyle. Methods: Anthropometric examinations were conducted on 62 girls treated with GnRHa from January 2010 through July 2014. Parents were asked to fill out questionnaires on patient dietary habits and lifestyle. Results: The group taking GnRHa for over 1 year had a higher rate of obesity increase than the group taking GnRHa for less than 1 year, but they had common habits related to obesity, which should be corrected. In addition, 69.2% of the normal weight group taking GnRHa for over 1 year gained weight, and needed more intensive programs, which include physical exercise and nutritional education. Although girls with precocious puberty showed a decrease in the intake of high-calorie foods with nutritional intervention regardless of treatment duration, they still had problems that needed improvement, such as shorter meals and lack of exercise. Conclusion: Girls with precocious puberty and their parents should emphasize maintenance of proper body weight, especially when treatment for over 1 year is anticipated. Consistent education in nutrition, ways to increase intensity and duration of physical activity, and the need to slow down mealtimes are important in managing obesity; doctors need to perform regular checkups and provide nutritional counseling.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.38-53
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Abdominal obesity is associated with metabolic disorders, and, in recent years, its prevalence in Korea has continuously increased. The change of lifestyle, particularly diet, is critical for the reduction of abdominal obesity. This study evaluated the effectiveness of an intervention focused on dietary self-efficacy and behaviors on the improvement of abdominal obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Abdominally obese adults with additional cardiovascular risk factors were recruited through 16 medical facilities in South Korea from the year 2013 to 2014. The participants were randomly divided into 2 groups: an intensive intervention group (IG) that received a multi-component intervention to reduce abdominal obesity, by mainly focusing on dietary attitude and dietary behavior change, and a minimal information intervention group (MG) that received a brief explanation of health status and a simple recommendation for a lifestyle change. The interventions were provided for 6 mon, and health examinations were conducted at baseline, 3-, 6-, and 12-mon follow-ups. A path analysis was conducted to identify the process governing the changes in abdominal obesity. RESULTS: The IG showed an improvement in self-efficacy for eating control and diet quality at 6-mon follow-up. Abdominal obesity improved in both groups. Waist circumference was observed to be decreased through the path of "improved self-efficacy for eating control in food availability-eating restriction-improved dietary quality" in IG. Most changes in follow-ups were not significantly different between two groups. CONCLUSIONS: The intensive program targeting the modification of dietary behavior influenced management of abdominal obesity, and the effect occurred through a step-by-step process of change in attitude and behavior. Generally, improvements were also seen in the MG, which supports the necessity of regular health check-ups and brief consultation. The results can be used for further development and implementation of more successful interventions.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Industry Convergence
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.793-802
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• 2023

The aim of this study analyzed changes in dietary habits and lifestyles before and after COVID-19 targeting adolescents, using the food consumption behavior survey (2019 vs 2021). In the change in health-related factors, height decreased overall, and a significant difference was especially evident in males. Awareness that functional foods and eco-friendly foods contribute to health has increased. Among the results of dietary behavior, the frequency of skipping breakfast showed that the rate of not skipping breakfast and the rate of skipping breakfast more than 5 times increased at the same time(p=0.019). The rate of eating out decreased significantly after COVID-19, and it was analyzed that schools and school cafeteria, as well as Street carts or restaurants and academy, all increased significantly as places where snacks were not consumed. In order to analyze changes in food-related lifestyle, it was grouped into convenience-seeking, quality/safety-seeking, taste-seeking, and health/safety-seeking. 'Small packaged or pre-processed products' decreased. On the other hand, items such as 'Safety rather than price when choosing food' and 'Don't eat food that could go bad' improved. 'Tend to eat regularly' was higher than 2021 compared to 2019. Also 'Tend to purchase HACCP and GAP-certified products' are increased. Because of COVID-19 changes in lifestyle have affected the diet of adolescents. The results of this study suggest that it can be used as a guideline establishment and nutrition counseling material for the formation of correct eating habits for adolescents in the future pandemic era.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.125-132
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• 2005

Hypercholesterolemia has been regarded as a major risk factor of coronary heart disease(CHD). CHD is increasing in recent years among Koreans due to westernization of lifestyle and dietary behaviors. In the United States, implementation of the National Cholesterol Education Program(NCEP) had resulted 40% decline in mortality from CHD. This study was designed to evaluate the effect of medical nutrition therapy on serum lipid levels and discuss the effective nutrition education contents. Thirty outpatients(Male 40%, female 60%) with hypercholesterolemia were educated by medical nutrition therapy(MNT) protocol. At first visit and after three months of MNT, we assessed serum lipid profile, body weight and surveyed general characteristics, lifestyle and food habits through questionnaire. After 12 weeks of MNT, there were significant reductions in serum cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C). Foods habits and lifestyle were changed to the desirable patterns. These results indicate that lipid profile is improved by changes of dietary behaviors and lifestyle. Especially in case of obesity, cholesterol lowering effect of MNT was more powerful. Consequently, MNT is effective on reduction of serum lipids by behavior change in hypercholesterolemic patients.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.408-430
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was performed to investigate dietary and lifestyle habits, dietary behaviors, and food frequency according to the level of smartphone addiction among 408 university students in Kyungnam province. Statistical analyses were performed using the SPSS software package. Based on using the Smartphone Addiction Poneness Scale, 28.4% were potential-risk smartphone users and while 13.2% were high-risk smartphone users. The levels of depression (P<0.05) and stress (P<0.05) and frequency of snacks (P<0.01) were higher in high-risk and potential-risk groups than in the normal group, and meal frequency was highest in the high-risk group (P<0.01). Percentages of using a smartphone at meal time (P<0.01) and snacking while using a smartphone (P<0.01) were higher in potential-risk and high-risk groups than in the normal group. Percentages of skipping meals (P<0.001) and slow eating speed (P<0.01) due to using a smartphone were higher in high-risk and potential-risk groups than in the normal group, and percentages of taste change (P<0.05) were higher in the high-risk group than in the potential-risk and normal groups. Percentages of exercise reduction (P<0.01), body weight increase (P<0.05), sleep disturbance (P<0.001), and increase in stress (P<0.01) due to using a smartphone were higher in the high-risk group than in the normal group. Scores of dietary behaviors avoiding salty food (P<0.01) and excessive drinking (P<0.001) were higher in the high-risk group than in the normal group. Scores for frequency of oil or nuts (P<0.05) and fatty meats (P<0.01) were highest in the high-risk group. Our results suggest that effective nutrition education programs are needed to solve unhealthy dietary and lifestyle habits from high-risk smartphone users in university students.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.259-269
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• 2021

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the changes in the eating habits and lifestyle of middle-aged women in Gwangju during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A total of 428 middle-aged women aged between 40 and 60 participated in a survey relating to general information, food and lifestyle, health functional food, and menopausal symptoms. The correlation between the variables was analyzed. Results: In the positive habits, the intake of nutritional supplements for immunity enhancement increased the most, followed by the use of media to learn healthy eating tips, and diets including healthy food. Negative habits increased in the order of frequency of taking delivery orders, levels of stress or anxiety, and time spent sitting or watching movies. In the case of recommended foods, the intake increased the most in the order of eggs, fruits, vegetables, milk/dairy products, and seaweed. Non-recommended foods increased in the order of meat, bread, rice, and noodles. The awareness of health functional foods was in the increasing order of interest, knowledge, consumption experience, and purchase amount. The type of health functional food intake was in the increasing order of probiotics, multivitamin and mineral supplements, vitamin C, collagen, and omega-3. Menopausal symptoms were in the increasing order of bone and joint pain, poor sleep quality, emotional ups and downs, loneliness, and feeling of emptiness. In the correlation of major variables, positive habits showed a significant positive correlation with recommended food intake and the recognition of health functional foods. Negative habits showed a significant positive correlation with non-recommended food intake and a significant positive correlation with menopausal symptoms. Recommended food intake showed a significant positive correlation with health functional food recognition and intake and menopausal symptoms. Conclusions: This study suggests that it is necessary to establish social measures to reduce the negative effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on middle-aged women and to ensure effective self-management through a healthy lifestyle since the pandemic has a long-term impact.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.459-473
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• 2020

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the effects of a lifestyle intervention program on weight gain, dietary habits, fatigue and pregnancy stress, blood pressure, and neonatal birth weight, using Cox's interaction model of client health behavior for overweight and obese women. Methods: This was a quasi-experimental research with a non-equivalent control group pre-post test design. A total of 52 patients who met the selection criteria, including 25 in the experimental group and 27 in the control group, were the subjects of the study; they comprised overweight and obese pregnant women who were receiving prenatal care at A and B women's hospital in J province. The lifestyle intervention program ran for 12 weeks in total and consisted of interactions involving affective support, health information, and professional/technical competencies. The data collection period was from February 1, 2017 to August 31, 2017. Results: This study showed differences in the appropriate weight gain rate (χ²=6.17, p=.013), suppression of an increase in fatigue (t=-2.32, p=.012), and an increase in pregnancy stress (t=-1.87, p=.034). Yet, no differences in physical activity, dietary habits change, blood pressure, and neonatal birth weight (p>.05) were found. Conclusion: The study findings indicate that this program could be an effective intervention for the control of appropriate weight gain, fatigue, and pregnancy stress. Therefore, a lifestyle intervention program based on Cox's interaction model of client health behavior could be an efficient strategy for a positive health outcome of overweight and obesity pregnant women.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.79-88
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• 2001

Management of nutrient intakes through behavior-mordification can be important for improving exercise performance in athletes. The purpose of this study was to determine the effectiveness of nutritional counseling for improving exercise performance capability in athletes. The subjects were seven golfers and fourteen ju-do athletes from Hoseo university, and they have nor received professional hel[ from dieticians. Prior to nutritional counseling, their dietary intakes, lifestyles and dietary habits were evaluated. Nutritional counseling sessions were conducted by a trained dietician every 2-3 weeks for 3-4 month. After 5 counseling sessions, nutrient intakes, lifestyle and dietary habits were re-evaluated. Exercise performance capability was measured by maximal exercise stress test using treadmills. Individual data were assessed as quality index represents the better nutritional status. The common dietary and lifestyle problems were overeating binging, overeating, snacking and drinking alcohol prior to the nutritional counseling. After counseling sessions, the quality index of dietary habits seemed to decrease, especially in ju-do athletes, representing nutritional problems were resolved. Body fat and body mass index decreased in ju-do athletes, but not in golfers. Both athletes have shown to increase oxygen uptake at anaerobic threshold and maximal oxygen uptake status, which represents that the athletic performance capacity was improved after counseling sessions. Their respiratory quotients were decreased. In conclusion, nutritional counseling sessions over five times are an effective and efficient approach to change dietary habits to improve exercise performance capacity. Furthermore, clients can have good dietary habits and learn how to manago muscle strength by behavior modification through multiple nutritional counseling sessions. (Korean J Nutrition 34(1):79-88, 2001)

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.34 no.6
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• pp.683-696
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• 2019

This study examined the nutritional status and dietary behaviors of university students in Gangwon-do as well as the effects of dietary education on them. Forty college students were recruited, and their dietary lifestyle was examined using an Adult NQ questionnaire before and after dietary education. The questionnaire items were grouped into four categories: balance, diversity, moderation, and dietary behavior. The mean NQ score out of 100 was 48.00. Among the three grades of the NQ grade criteria, most subjects (50%) were in the lowest grade, which was poor. The mean scores of the NQ factors were highest for moderation (68.76%), followed in order by diversity (50.81%), dietary behavior (45.66%), and balance (21.01%). Compared to the criterion value, moderation was only good, and balance was the worst. These results suggest that the nutritional status of the subjects is poor. On the other hand, there was a significant change in the areas of the NQ score (53.7), balance (29.22) and dietary behavior (56.77) after dietary education. Nevertheless, the 'balance' area remained lower than the average, highlighting the need for education on food intake to enable diverse food intake.