• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.21 no.3
• /
• pp.181-193
• /
• 2015

This study investigated anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, nutrient intakes, and bone density of Korean elderly men (over 65 yrs). Data on bone density and anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index and blood pressure) and biochemical (total cholesterol, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, triglyceride and hemoglobin) characteristics, nutrient intakes, and nutrient density were obtained from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008~2011). Subjects were categorized into smoking and non-smoking groups, and smoking groups were divided into three groups by smoking period (under 20 yrs, 21~40 yrs and over 41 yrs). Serum triglyceride concentrations of the smoking group aged 21~40 yrs were higher than those of other groups (P<0.01), whereas other biochemical factors were not different. Intake ratios of energy, protein, phosphorus and sodium in subjects were over 100% of Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans (KDRI). Nutrient densities according to intakes of thiamin, riboflavin, and niacin per 1,000 kcal were significantly different among the groups (P<0.05). Bone density of subjects decreased according to smoking period (T-score of total femur in non-smoking group -0.3108, and -0.2918, -0.4941, -0.6847 in smoking group, respectively). Ratio of osteoporosis was 38.1% in the non-smoking group and 44.4%, 51.1%, and 64.0% in the smoking group, respectively. The findings of the present study show that smoking may be associated with bone health, higher ratio of osteoporosis, and low nutrient density in elderly men. Therefore, practical and systematic non-smoking programs are required to improve the bone density of elderly men as well as maintain healthy bone levels and desirable lifestyle.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.22 no.2
• /
• pp.88-105
• /
• 2016

This study investigated anthropometric and biochemical characteristics, food and nutrient intakes, and changes in body mass index (BMI) of Korean middle age men (40~49 yrs). Data on BMI, anthropometric (height, weight, waist circumference, body mass index, blood pressure), and biochemical (total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, hemoglobin, GOT, GPT) characteristics, food and nutrients intakes, nutrient density, and index of nutrient quality were obtained from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2001, 2005, 2011). Subjects were divided into three groups by year. Weight, BMI, and hemoglobin increased significantly by year. All anthropometric factors except height showed a positive relation with BMI by year. Consumption of barley, chinese noodle, confections, soybean milk, egg, ice cream, pizza, fried foods, banana, coffee, and raw rice wine increased significantly by year. Intake ratios of nutrients except water and fiber were over 100% of KDRI generally. INQ according to intakes of protein, calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamine, riboflavin, and niacin per 1,000 kcal increased significantly by year. Distribution of BMI status of subjects showed a significant difference by exercise. The findings of the present study show that BMI of subjects increased by year, and intakes of all nutrients except calcium and riboflavin showed aspects of overnutrition by year. Intakes of fruits decreased while intakes of raw rice wine and coffee increased by year. Therefore, practical and systematic nutrition programs are required to maintain optimum BMI and appropriate intakes of nutrients to maintain a desirable lifestyle and improve dietary life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.15 no.11
• /
• pp.4429-4436
• /
• 2014

Background: Although the nutritional may exert effect on the breast cancer risk, it is not clear whether the role diet is the same in sedentary and physically active women. The aim of this study was to evaluate the association between fruit, vegetable and carbohydrate intake and the risk of breast cancer among Polish women considering their physical activity level. Materials and Methods: A case-control study was conducted that included 858 women with histological confirmed breast cancer and 1,085 controls, free of any cancer diagnosis, aged 28-78 years. The study was based on a self-administered questionnaire to ascertain physical activity, dietary intake, sociodemographic characteristics, reproductive factors, family history of breast cancer, current weight and high, and other lifestyle factors. Odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated in unconditional logistic regression analyses including a broad range of potential confounders. Results: With comparison of the highest vs lowest quartile of intake, strong significant associations were observed for total vegetables (OR=0.37, 95%CI=0.20-0.69 P for trend <0.01 and OR=0.53, 95%CI=0.29-0.96, P for trend <0.02), and total fruits (OR=0.47, 95%CI=0.25-0.87, P for trend <0.05 and OR=0.47, 95%CI=0.24-0.90, P for trend <0.02) among women characterized by the lowest and the highest quartile of physical activity. No associations were observed for total carbohydrate intake. Additional analysis showed a positive association for sweets and desert intake among women in the lowest quartile of physical activity (OR=3.49, 95%CI=1.67-7.30, P for trend <0.009) for extreme quartiles of intake comparing to the referent group. Conclusions: The results suggest that a higher consumption of vegetable and fruit may be associated with a decreased risk of breast cancer, especially among women who were low or most physically active throughout their lifetimes. These findings do not support an association between diet high in carbohydrate and breast cancer. However, a higher intake of sweets and deserts may by associated with an increased risk of breast cancer among women who were less physically active.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.6
• /
• pp.670-678
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Eating-out among Korean people has become an important part of modern lifestyle due to tremendous growth of the food service industry and various social and economic changes. This study examined trends in meal patterns and meal sources while eating-out among Korean adults aged 19 years and older. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data were from the 1998-2012 KNHNES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey) by the 24-hour dietary recall method. This study included 55,718 adults aged 19 years and older. For analysis of eating-out frequency, data were categorized by source of meals and serving place. RESULTS: Average frequency of meals consumed away from home increased from 1998 to 2012, although it remained lower than that of meals at home. In addition, male, unmarried, employed, higher educated, and high income individuals more frequently consumed meals away from home. Moreover, sodium intake while eating-out significantly increased from 2,370 mg in 1998 to 2,935 mg in 2012. Lastly, percentage contributions of daily total protein intake, fat intake, and sodium intake from eating-out increased to more than half (53-55%) in 2012 compared with 47-48% in 1998. CONCLUSIONS: As eating-out has grown in popularity, greater recognition of public health and nutritional education aimed at promoting healthy food choices is needed. In addition to developing consumer education for overall healthier eating patterns, individuals who are younger, unmarried, higher educated, and males are especially at risk and require attention.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.35 no.2
• /
• pp.213-222
• /
• 2002

The alkaline comet assay has been used with increasing popularity to investigate the level of DNA damage in biomonitoring studies within the last decade in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the alkaline comet assay as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage for monitoring in the Korean population, and also to evaluate the effect of nutritional status and lifestyle factors on H2O2 induced oxidative DNA damage measured by the alkaline comet assay in human lymphocytes. The study population consisted of 61 healthy Korean male volunteers, aged 20-28. Epidemiological background data including dietary habits, smoking habits and anthropometrical measurements were collected through personal interviews. After blood collection, the comet assay in peripheral lymphocytes and plasma lipids analysis was carried out and the results analyzed. Tail moment (TM) and tail length (TL) of the comet assay were use\ulcorner to measure DNA damage in the lymphocytes of the subjects. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations were observed between DNA damage (TM or TL) and smoking habits expressed as cigarettes smoked per day and pack years (r = 0.311 and 0.382 for TM, r = 0.294 and 0.350 for TL, respectively). There were also significant positive correlations between DNA damage parameter and waist-hip ratio. Higher plasma triglyceride levels were associated with increased damage to DNA. There were no correlations between the consumption frequencies of vegetables and DNA damage to the subjects. However, consumption frequencies of fruit and fruit juice intake were inversely associated with the TM and TL. The results indicate that die comet assay is a simple, rapid and sensitive method for detecting lymphocyte DNA damage induced by cigarette smoking. Consumption of fruit or fruit juices could potentiall modify the damaged DNA in the human peripheral lymphocytes of young Korean men.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.29 no.5
• /
• pp.547-558
• /
• 1996

A rapid increase in urbanization and industrialization brings about a change in economic status which results in considerable changes in lifestyle including food habits and disease and mortality patterns. The purpose of the present study was to investigate recent food habit changes if any, reasons for food habit change, current food consumption patterns, and breakfast practices among urban adults with middle and upper income levels. Three hundred men and women, aged 20-60 years, were randomly selected and interviewed individually by trained interviewers. Among the twenty food groups studied, subjects reported that, compared to two years ago, they are now eating more fast foods, meats, fish, vegetables and fruits, and less rice, noodles, pastries, and salt. The changes in fast foods, fruits, and rice consumption patterns varied significantly between age, sex, income level, and BMI groups. The two most primary reasons for food habit changes were 'for my own health' and 'for my family's health', which shows that health seems to be the major concern in changing food habits. Among meals, the breakfast meal was rated as the most important one, and was not affected by the sociodemographic variables. However, the average rate of skipping breakfast was found to be as high as 33% with a greater rate in younger age groups. The rats of breakfast skipping was found to vary between different income, education, and BMI groups. Among the subjects who eat breakfast meals daily, a traditional Korean breakfast of rice and soup was found to be still a predominant choice, although younger age groups, upper income groups, and people with more education choice, although younger age groups, upper income groups, and people with more education tended to eat a western-style breakfast more frequently. These findings are applicable at the planning and implementation stages of various nutritional improvement projects as a part of the National health Promotion Law.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.46 no.2
• /
• pp.89-95
• /
• 2013

Objectives: Little is yet known about the determinants of bone mineral density (BMD) in young adults. Thus, in this study, we aimed to determine the factors that have an impact on BMD in young men. Methods: Questionnaires were sent out to 111 male medical students. Information on age, socio-economic status, medical history, lifestyle, physical activity during adolescence, school club participation, current physical activity, and dietary intake were collected by the survey. Height, weight, percent body fat and muscle mass were estimated by bioelectrical impedance, and BMD was obtained using calcaneal quantitative ultrasound. Using the Poisson regression model, prevalence ratios (PRs) were used to estimate the degree of association between risk factors and osteopenia. Results: The height and current physical activity showed a correlation to the Osteoporosis Index. Among the categorized variables, past physical activity during adolescence (p= 0.002) showed a positive effect on the bone mineral content. In the multivariate model, past physical activity (${\geq}1$ time/wk) had a protective effect on osteopenia (PR, 0.37; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.18 to 0.75) and present physical activity (1000 metabolic equivalent of task-min/wk) decreased the risk of osteopenia (PR, 0.64; 95% CI, 0.44 to 0.91). Conclusions: Past physical activity during adolescence is as important as physical activity in the present for BMD in young men.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.42 no.3
• /
• pp.234-245
• /
• 2009

Nutritional assessment for the elderly can identify health status and morbidity. However, development of Nutritional Risk Index (NRI) remains limited for elderly because of difficulties in understanding physiological mechanism of elderly. This study was performed to analyze and develop Nutritional Risk Index for Korean elderly Women (Geriatric Nutritional Risk Index, GNRI). Based on literature review, factors for NRI were identified and indices were assessed by a cross-sectional survey. The survey involved Korean elderly women (${\geq}$60, n = 94) in Gwangju area, and sociodemographics, lifestyle characteristics, health conditions, dietary intakes based on 24h- recall, anthropometric measures (wt, ht, BMI, waist, hip, WHR, body protein, body fat, abdominal fat, and triceps skinfold thickness), and clinical biochemistry parameters (systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, total protein, albumin, prealbumin, hemoglobin, hematocrit, fasting blood glucose, HbAlc, ferritin, Zn, Ca, Na, K, Vit E, Vit $B_{12}$, folate, C-reactive protein) were examined relation to nutritional risk index. Based on literature review and data analyses, three NRIs were categorized (NRI I, NRI II, NRI III) and used for further analysis. NRI I was related to having metabolic syndrome, NRI II was related to serum albumin and body weight, and NRI III was related to food habit and health concerns. Abdominal fat (%) of elderly was correlated with each NRIs. NRI II was correlated with nutritional deficiency and higher tendency of inflammatory response, and NRI III was correlated with nutritional status which tend to be lower on aging (protein, folate, Vit $B_{12}$). NRI can serve as a useful tools in assessing health risk and nutritional status. Some modification of items in NRI and validity study are need to apply to Korean elderly.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.111-117
• /
• 2005

It has been more than three decades since the first assay assessing circulating 25 (OH)D in human subjects was performed That publication as well as several that followed it defined 'normal' nutritional vitamin D status in human populations. Recently, the wisdom by which 'normal' circulating 25 (OH)D levels in human subjects were assigned in the past has come under question. It appears that sampling human subjects, who appear to be free from disease, and assessing 'normal' circulating 25 (OH)D levels by plotting a Gaussian distribution is grossly inaccurate. There are many reasons why this method is inaccurate, including race, lifestyle habits, sunscreen usage, age, latitude, and inappropriately low dietary recommendations for vitamin D. For instance, a 400 IU/day. AI for vitamin D is insignificant when one considers that a 10-15 minute whole body exposure to peak summer sun will generate and release up to 20,000 IU vitamin $D_3$ into the circulation. Recent studies, which orally administered up to 10,000 IU/day vitamin $D_3$ to human subjects for several months, have successfully elevated circulating 25 (OH)D levels to those observed in individuals from sun-rich environments. Further, we are now able to accurately assess sufficient circulating 25 (OH)D levels utilizing specific biomarkers instead of guessing what an adequate level is. These biomarkers include intact parathyroid hormone (PTH), calcium absorption, bone mineral density (BMD), insulin resistance and pancreatic beta cell function. Using the data from these biomarkers, vitamin D deficiency should be defined as circulating levels of 25 (OH)D$\leq$30 ng/mL. In certain cases, such as pregnancy and lactation, significantly higher circulating 25 (OH)D levels would almost certainly be beneficial to both the mother and recipient fetus/infant.

• Journal of the Korean Institute of Oriental Medical Informatics
• /
• v.15 no.2
• /
• pp.101-113
• /
• 2009

Objectives: Nowadays, the number of patients having the Functional Gastrointestinal Disturbance has been on the rise and this tendency is clear in the female group. This study is aimed to investigate their cause of disease, dietary lifestyle, digestion functions, general symptoms and any disadvantages in daily lives etc. Also, it would suggest any effective results from oriental medical treatments. Methods: The total number of 20 female patients, who have been participated in this study, have been treated at Oriental Internal Medicine, Dong-eui Hospital. We have performed the survey with 50 questionnaires. Results: Most patients were having dyspepsia and had been treated more than once before the survey. The major cause of their disease includes irregular eating habits(p<0.05) and stressful mental conditions. The patients had suffered much disadvantages in daily lives and different symptoms. Specially, pain in the below of stomach pit and early satiation were common.(p<0.05) However, the Discomfort index of patients has been decreased from 9.22 point to 2.85 point after oriental medical treatment. It means this treatment has meaningful effectiveness to the Functional Gastrointestinal Disturbance patients. Conclusion: We have investigated the features of female patients with Functional Gastrointestinal Disturbance and conclude that the Oriental Medical Treatment is effective to them.