• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.223-234
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• 2004

The aim of this study was to investigate intake of health foods and supplements and its associated factors in middle and old-aged adults in order to contribute to health promotion of Korean population by providing a guide for proper use of health foods and supplements. About 69% of the subjects reported that they were currently taking health foods and supplements or had experiences of having them in the past, whereas 31.2 % reported they had never taken them. The most commonly used type of health foods and supplements was vitamin C as reported by 41.8% followed by others such as lactobacillus products, multi-vitamins, tonic medicine and cardiotonic drug, artificially processed Ginseng foods, vitamin B complex, enzyme supplement, calcium, aloe, apricot extract products, chitosan products, loyal honey, squalene, refined fish oil and iron products. The major reason for taking health foods and supplements was 'to protect the weak constitution' with 155 (42.1%) responses, and the motive for the intake was the suggestion from family-relatives with 235 (63.9%) responses, and the place of purchase was pharmacy with 140 (38.0%) responses, the average monthly expense was 20,000-40,000 won with 140 (26.2%) responses, and effects after the intake was 'so and so' with 180 (33.6%) responses as the highest. More health foods and supplements were consumed as age and education were statistically significantly increased (p<0.05). For health and lifestyle and the intake of health foods and supplements, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and the presence of health management were statistically significant (p<0.05). Male subjects than female subjects and the 30s than the 405 and 50s were appeared to have poorer dietary behaviors (p<0.05). For the health locus of control and the intake of health foods and supplements, the health locus of control score was 22.82 for consumers and 22.79 for non-consumers, showing no significant difference. Logistic regression analysis was performed to find out major factors that affect the intake of health foods and supplements, in which gender, education, smoking, perceived health status, the presence of illness, and health management were significant to the intake of health foods and supplements. It is shown that subjects with perception and attitude of 'health foods and supplements are useful in health maintenance and disease prevention' and 'the information and variety for health foods and supplements are great' have higher probability of taking health foods and supplements.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.12
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• pp.520-525
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• 2014

Purpose: Childhood obesity is an increasing public health issue worldwide. We examined dietary patterns among adolescents in a dormitory school, identified obese adolescents and tried to intervene to improve food habits and physical activity. Methods: We conducted an experimental prospective longitudinal study based on 36 obese (body mass index $[BMI]{\geq}95th$ percentile) adolescents (aged 12-18 years) compared with controls (healthy children: normal age-appropriate BMI ($BMI{\leq}85th$ percentile). Six months' intervention included lifestyle-modification counseling (once a week by a clinical dietician), and an exercise regimen twice a week, 60 minutes each time, instructed by a professional pediatric trainer). Both groups underwent baseline measurements at the beginning of the study and 6 months later (arterial stiffness, blood pressure, pulse, weight and height, hemoglobin, creatinine, liver enzymes, highly sensitive C-reactive protein and complete lipid profile). Results: Twenty-one participants completed the study. Low compliance from participants, school staff and parents was observed (participation in planned meetings; 71%-83%). BMI significantly decreased from $32.46{\pm}3.93kg/m^2$ to $30.32{\pm}3.4kg/m^2$ (P=0.002) in the study group. Arterial stiffness was not significantly different between the 2 groups and did not change significantly after 6 months' intervention (P=0.494). No significant changes in CRP and lipid profile were observed after the intervention. Conclusion: Making lifestyle modifications among adolescents in a dormitory school is a complex task. Active intervention indeed ameliorates BMI parameters. However, in order to maximize the beneficial effects, a multidisciplinary well-trained team is needed, with emphasis on integrating parents and the school environment.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.235-245
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• 2016

Objectives: This study estimated the adult Korean daily intake of acrylamide (AA) and investigated its relationship with demographic, lifestyle and dietary habits by using urinary concentrations of N-acetyl-S-(2-carbamoylethyl)-cysteine (AAMA). Methods: Human data (n=1870) was collected in a nationwide cross-sectional biomonitoring program representing the population (18-69 years) residing in South Korea. Urinary AAMA was analyzed with a LC-MS/MS system. Daily intakes of AA were estimated using mass daily AAMA, which was calculated through urinary AAMA concentration and daily creatinine excretion. Statistical analysis was performed with SAS procedures for calculating geometric means, confidence intervals and the exponentiated beta coefficient of multiple linear regressions. Results: Daily intake of AA was estimated at $0.475{\mu}g/kg$ body weight (BW) per day (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.447-0.503). In the case of current smokers, AA intake was $0.957{\mu}g/kg$ BW per day (95% CI: 0.847-1.067), which was significantly higher than that of former smokers and never smoked (p<0.0001). The strong affecting factors were age (95% CI: 0.68-1.14; p=0.0180), education level (95% CI: 1.05-1.42; p=0.0163), body mass index (BMI) (95% CI: 1.00-1.82; p<0.0001), and smoking status (95% CI: 0.97-3.05; p<0.0001). Korean dietary habits increasing AA intake were coffee (p=0.0005), cup noodles (p=0.0010) and canned foods (p=0.0005). Meanwhile, foods decreasing AA intake were fresh fruit (p=0.0076), cooked beef (p=0.0335) and cooked pork (p=0.0147). Conclusion: The Korean daily intake of AA in adults was estimated to be similar with those found in developed countries. The factors increasing daily AA intake were coffee, cup noodles and canned foods, and decreasing factors were fresh fruit, cooked beef and cooked pork.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.197-206
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• 1998

This study was attempted to identify emerging consumer trends on dietary and food purchasing behaviors and perception for the convenience foods. Self completed questionnaires were collected from 710 housewives in Seoul and Kyunggi province and analyzed statistically. A questionnaire consisted of 3 parts including demographic backgrounds, dietary and food purchasing behaviors, perception for the convenience foods. Among demographic variables age, occupation and lifestyle were the significant factors affecting consumers' behaviors and perception of dietary lives. Over half of housewives, who are the primary persons responsible for home meal preparation, confessed that they do not enjoy meal planning and preparation any more. An attitude toward in home food preparation was significantly different among age groups, working or non-working women and lifestyles. Most of the respondents go shopping for foods whenever they need to or 2-3 times a week. They also did not plan before going foods shopping and purchase decisions were made in-store. They considered quality of foods more important than price. Consumers were not willing to purchase pre-cut packaged vegetables or pre-cooked foods on the market. However, they showed strong desire and demand for the development of convenience korean foods coupled with high quality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.2897-2901
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• 2013

Gastric cancer is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths in the world. Although certain dietary factors and lifestyles have been suggested to be associated with gastric carcinogenesis, there have been few investigations focusing on rural areas. A case-control study was therefore carried out to investigate the risk factors of gastric cardia cancer (GCC) in rural areas of Linzhou. A total of 470 newly diagnosed cases of GCC and 470 healthy controls were included. Face-to-face interviews were conducted, using a uniform questionnaire containing questions on demographics, per capita income, living habits, dietary habits and family history of tumors. The relationship between putative risk factors and GCC was assessed by odds ratios (OR) and their 95% confidence intervals (95%CI) derived from conditional logistic regression model by the COXREG command using SPSS 12.00. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate simultaneously the effects of multiple factors and other potential confounding factors. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that smoking (OR=1.939, 95%CI:1.097-3.426), alcohol drinking (OR=2.360, 95%CI: 1.292-4.311), hot food consumption (OR=2.034, 95%CI: 1.507-2.745), fast eating (OR=1.616, 95%CI: 1.171-2.230), mouldy food (OR=4.564, 95%CI: 2.682-7.767), leftover food (OR=1.881. 95%CI: 1.324-2.671), and family history of tumor (OR=2.831, 95%CI: 1.588-5.050) were risk factors for GCC. High per capita income (OR=0.709, 95%CI: 0.533-0.942), high education level (OR=0.354, 95%CI: 0.163-0.765), consumption of fresh fruits (OR=0.186, 95%CI: 0.111-0.311) and vegetables (OR=0.243, 95%CI: 0.142-0.415), and high BMI (OR=0.367, 95%CI: 0.242-0.557) were protective factors for GCC. Our data indicate that unhealthy lifestyle and dietary habits might be important contributors to GCC in this population.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.285-295
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to compare the awareness of dietary patterns and health of full-time and employed housewives. The investigation gathered information on general characteristics, dietary lifestyle, nutritional status, and health by questionnaire as well as anthropometric measurements. The subjects included housewives living in Seoul and Gyeonggi Province (86 full-time and 127 working housewives) during November 2009 to January 2010. The average age, height, and weight of the housewives were $45.8{\pm}7.6\;yr$, $161.0{\pm}8.4\;cm$, and $55.7{\pm}6.3\;kg$, respectively. The average monthly income of the households was 3 million to 5 million won (31.4% full-time and 37.0% working housewives), and their average food expense was 200,000 to 500,000 won (46.5% full-time and 48.1% working housewives). More than 90% of the studied homes were nuclear families and the most common number of children was 2 to 3 (79.1% full-time and 76.4% working housewives). The ratio of employed housewives who ate regular meals was 35.4%, but that of the full-time housewives was 48.2% (p<0.05). Of the working housewives, 7.1% never ate breakfast and the primary reason for skipping breakfast was 'busy in the morning' (61.1%). The type of food that the housewives preferred when eating out was Korean food, both for the full-time and employed housewives (76.0%). All the housewives overate calories and the full-time housewives ate more protein, fat, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B6, niacin, vitamin C, vitamin E, folic acid, and cholesterol than the employed housewives (p<0.05). Both the full-time and employed housewives were more satisfied with supper than with other meals. About 30.6% of the full-time and 33.9% of the working housewives had no interest in health, but answered that regular exercise was very important for health (33.3% full-time and 39.7% working housewives). In conclusion, working housewives have poor dietary habits and nutrient intakes, thus substantial measures to improve these problems are urgently needed.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.3
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• pp.280-287
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• 2003

To investigate effects of the shared living on nutrient intakes,250 college male students who were living alone (104 men) or sharing accommodation with friends (134 men) were participated. Their average age was 22.6 years, their average height was 171.8 cm, their average weight was 65.6 kg and their average Body Mass Index (BMI) was 22.2. The caloric intakes of the men living alone or sharing accommodation were 55.9% and 72.5% of the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA), respectively. The decreased caloric level of the group living alone seemed to be due to their decreased protein and fat consumption as compared to that of the group sharing accommodation. The group living alone consumed increased amounts of fiber for breakfast and half the carbohydrates, but more fat (p < 0.05) in snacks than the group sharing accommodation. The daily carbohydrate : protein : fat (C : P : F) ratio averaged 58.6 14.1 27.3, which is a lower carbohydrate and a higher fat ratio than the Korean recommended ratio. However, the group living alone was closer to the Korean recommended ratio than the group sharing accommodation. The food intake habits were evaluated as being poorer in the group living alone as compared to the group sharing accommodation, less frequent consumption of fried / pan-fried dishes, and fruits / juices, but more frequent consumption of instant / processed foods. In comparing the eating patterns of the two groups, the group living alone showed better eating habits, such as more“breakfast eating”and less“snacking in the morning, afternoon or late at night”whereas the group sharing accommodation showed better eating habits such as less“picky eaters”and less “eating out”. In the group living alone, their lower caloric intake was assumably due to their fewer side dishes, however they showed higher eating frequencies of instant i processed foods. Since the lifestyle of living alone seems to grow gradually among young men, we strongly recommend dietary education for them.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.403-414
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• 2010

Reducing women's bone mineral density (BMD) has close relationship to risk in osteoporosis. This study was carried out to identify bone density risk factors affecting women's BMD, and to analyze the relationship of age, between BMD and menopause, BMI, blood pressure lifestyle and dietary habits for bone health by physical measurement and questionnaires. The study subjects, 128 women living in Seoul, were divided into 4 age group; 30~39 years (17), 40~49 years (54) and 50~59 years (36) and 60~69 years (21). There were significant differences in mean height, BMI, systolic blood pressure, menache and menopause age and menopause ratio and BMD T-score among the 4 age groups. BHD was significantly decreased according to increasing age and BMI and menopause. The rate of BMD risk subjects was significantly different increasing with age and BMI. The rate of risk group were 0%, 13%, 22.2% and 71.4%, by age groups and 0%, 16.2%, 33.3% and 52.9% by BMI respectively. BMD of menopause groups was significantly decreased from 1.23 (40 years) to 1.34 (60 years). p < 0.001. Also systolic blood pressure were significantly increased from 116.5 mmHg (30 years) to 130.81 mmHg (60 years). The T-score of normal group also decreased significantly from 1.27 to 0.13 (60years) with age. There were significant negative correlation between BMD and age (r = -0.409) menopause (r = -0.346), BMI (r = -0.218) systolic blood pressure (r = -0.193), salty taste eating out (r = -0.185) (p < 0.05). There were significant positive correlation between BMD and meat fish and walking time. In conclusion, bone density decreased with age. Most of the 50 years' subjects were in risk group. BMI, menopause, systolic blood pressure, frequency alcohol consuming. To prevent osteoporosis, over 40 years needed to be educated to maintain normal weight and the improvement of eating and living habits.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1585-1592
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• 2013

Functional food for prevention of chronic diseases is one of this century's key global challenges. Cancer is not only the first or second leading cause of death in China and other countries across the world, but also has diet as one of the most important modifiable risk factors. Major dietary factors now known to promote cancer development are polished grain foods and low intake of fresh vegetables, with general importance for an unhealthy lifestyle and obesity. The strategies of cancer prevention in human being are increased consumption of functional foods like whole grains (brown rice, barley, and buckwheat) and by-products, as well some vegetables (bitter melon, garlic, onions, broccoli, and cabbage) and mushrooms (boletes and Tricholoma matsutake). In addition some beverages (green tea and coffee) may be protective. Southwest China (especially Yunnan Province) is a geographical area where functional crop production is closely related to the origins of human evolution with implications for anticancer influence.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.271-282
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• 2005

This study analyzed the physical indices, food habits and nutrient intakes of patients with hypertension, to provide better research data for the prevention and the cure for disease as well as basic data for nutrition education. The subjects were 44 patients who visited the general hospital, located in Daegu, to receive hypertension treatment The lifestyle, food habit, nutrient intakes, anthropometric measurements, body fat and blood pressure were measured as main indices. By the BMI, $72.8\%$ of the patients were over weight or obesity $(>23\;kg/m^2)$. In the male group, the WHR tended to increase according to the BMI (p<0.05). In the female group, the body fat tended to increase according to the BMI (p<0.05). The group with more monthly income showed lower systolic blood pressure than the group with smaller monthly income (p<0.05). The scores about food habits concerning balanced diet and preference for salt were low, which implied that food habits of subjects were not desirable. The intakes of riboflavin and calcium didn't meet the RDA requirements. Especially, the lack of calcium was more ap~nt in the female patients than the male ones. Despite this, they had more than enough protein, vitamin C, and iron. The physical indices according to blood pressure revealed that the group of higher blood pressure showed greater WHR (p<0.001). The male group with higher systolic blood pressure showed greater BMI than one with lower systolic blood pressure (p<0.05). As for nutrient intakes according to blood pressure, the group with higher blood pressure had more sodium and iron than one with lower blood pressure (p<0.05). The patients with hypertension tended to be more overweight or obese, preferred salty foods, and were in an unbalanced state of nutrient intakes. Thus more systematic and ongoing measures should be pursued to take care of patients with hypertension.