• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2012

Knowledge of the prevalence of human Toxoplasma gondii infection is required in the Republic of Korea. In this study, we surveyed the seroprevalence of T. gondii infection and analyzed the risk factors associated with seropositivity among residents in 2 administrative districts; Seoul and the island of Jeju-do, which have contrasting epidemiologic characteristics. Sera and blood collected from 2,150 residents (1,114 in Seoul and 1,036 in Jeju-do) were checked for IgG antibody titers using ELISA and for the T. gondii B1 gene using PCR. In addition, participants completed a questionnaire that solicited information on gender, age, occupation, eating habits, history of contact with animals, and travel abroad. The T. gondii B1 gene was not detected in all residents examined. However, ELISA showed 8.0% (89 of 1,114 sera) positive for IgG antibodies against T. gondii in Seoul and 11.3% (117 of 1,036 sera) in Jeju-do. In both districts, the positive rates were higher in males than in females, and those 40-79 years of age showed higher rates than other ages. In Seoul, residents older than 70 years of age showed the highest positive rate, 14.9%, whereas in Jeju-do the highest prevalence, 15.6%, was in those in their sixties. The higher seropositive rate in Jeju-do than in Seoul may be related to eating habits and occupations. The present results and a review of related literature are indicative of an increased seroprevalence of T. gondii in Korea in recent years.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.60-72
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• 2018

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate the awareness of energy drinks, energy drink consumption behaviors, and associated factors among college students. Methods: A total of 536 students from three universities in Cheongju completed a self-administered questionnaire regarding awareness and consumption of energy drinks as well as general characteristics, health-related characteristics, and eating habits. Results: Approximately half of the respondents reported they knew what energy drinks were, while 45.7% had heard of energy drinks but did not know what they were. However, 76.9% had experience in using energy drinks. The main reason for using energy drinks was to stay awake, and the main place that they were used was on campus or at the library. More than 70% of energy drink users did not read the caffeine contents of energy drinks. After consuming energy drinks, 31.3% experienced adverse effects, the most serious being sleep disturbance. Approximately 33% of students consumed energy drinks once a month or more frequently, and men consumed energy drinks more frequently than females. Energy drink users who consumed at least one drink each month were more likely to be natural science major or drink more milk for male students, and to have more allowances or consume less meat for female students, compared with non-users. Conclusions: Our study showed that 33% of students consumed at least one energy drink each month, and there were a small number of students consumed energy drinks almost every day or energy drinks mixed with alcohol. Accordingly, college students should be taught potential health hazards of energy drinks mixed with alcohol as well as energy drinks alone. In addition, reading labels about caffeine and sugar contents in energy drinks is encouraged.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2005

This study was conducted to identify the effect of meridian acupressure on defecation of patients with post spinal operation. The nonequivalent control group posttest only design was used. The data were obtained from 77 post spinal operative patients, 34 in the experimental 43 in control group in Y Hospital, Seoul, Korea. The neurosurgical unit A and B ward, assigned by matched sample by the name of operation such as laminectomy and posterior lumbar interbody fusion are performed. Meridian acupressure meant the method that an examiner presses response points distributed in the pass of energy vessel. In this study, meridian acupressure program was performed on as points in order of Hegue (LI-4), Zhigou (TE-6), Zusanli (S-36), Shangjuxu (S-37), Xiajuxu (S-39), Tianshu (S-25), Taichong (L-3) which was known to be related to large intestine. Data were collected from 1, July 2003 to 1, September 2003. Meridian acupressure program was carried out for 20 minutes 4 hours after operation twice daily. In order to evaluate the effect of meridian acupressure intervention, they were asked time of bowel recovery, gas passing, and defecation though questionnaire method. Data were analyzed by the SPSS/ WIN 11.0 program. The results of this study were summarized as follows; 1. Homogeneity tests of general characteristics and operation related characteristics of the experimental group and the control group were performed. General characteristics included age, sex, defecation habit, eating pattern, fluid intake, life style, activity, usage of laxative and etc. 2. Hypotheses were verification as follows; 1) Recovery of bowel sound of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure intervention was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-6.770,P=.000). 2) Time of gas passing of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-8.003, P=.000). 3) Time to defecation of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was faster than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-9.026, P=.000). 4) Abdominal discomfort due to defecation of the experimental group who received meridian acupressure program was lesser than that of the control group after spinal operation (t=-3.431, P=.001). From these results, meridian acupressure intervention was effective for recovery of bowel sound, reduce time to gas passing, time to defecation and lessen abdominal discomfort due to defecation on post spinal operative patients. And therefore this intervention can probably considered on clinical practice.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.509-519
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• 2016

Objectives: Adulterated food education in adolescence period is very important because dietary management related to food safety is not made in a short period. This study aimed to identify dietary lifestyle factors which drive adulterated food management among middle and high school students. Methods: Data was collected from 270 middle and high school students in Daegu using a self-administered questionnaire in March and April of 2015. Data was analyzed using frequency analysis, one-way analysis of variance, ${\chi}^2$-test, factor analysis, reliability analysis, regression analysis, and cluster analysis. Results: The results of factor analysis indicated that adulterated food management awareness was classified into necessity, difficulty, and food purchasing anxiety. The adulterated food management capability was sub-grouped into environmental grasp, food identification, cooking hygiene, and situation management. The adulterated food management efficacy composed of management confidence, action intention, and knowledge. Dietary lifestyle comprised of gustation, family, and health factors after factor analysis, and it consisted of all seeking group, gustation seeking group, family seeking group, health seeking group, and family and health seeking group after cluster analysis. The gustation, family and health factors were significantly affected the factors of awareness, capability and efficacy of adulterated food management (p < 0.05). The frequency of health conditions, helping with meal preparation, and the times of eating out were significantly different according to seeking groups of dietary lifestyle (p < 0.01). The scores of awareness, capability and efficacy of adulterated food management of family and health seeking group were significantly higher than the other seeking groups (p < 0.05). Conclusions: This study suggests that adulterated food management education programs should account for gustation, family and health factors of dietary lifestyle to be effective for adolescents.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.172-180
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• 2003

This study was performed to document the weight loss diet practice and dietary habit related to weight control in child-bearing Korean women. The subjects were 1,434 women aged 17-39 years. The subjects were classified into 3 groups based on BMI: low weight(LW) BMI < 18.5; normal weight(NW), 18.5 BMI 22.9; and overweight(OW), 23.0 BMI. Anthropometric, general characteristics, weight control practice, and the quality of diet were assessed by a questionnaire. LW group had higher rate of smoking and drinking. They also complained more subjective symptom of anemia and used less nutritional supplementation. Weight loss diet had been practiced by about 40% of subjects and the percent was increased with increasing BMI. The reason of weight loss diet were significantly different by BMI groups(p<0.05); LW to keep body in shape, OW for health. Low BMI group had experienced more side effects after weight loss diet(p<0.05). LW group usually used inappropriate method to control weight such as skipping meals and some of OW group reported using drug to lose weight. All subjects have been skipped their meals of 3.9 times per week, especially 4.3 times in LW group. By mini dietary assessment, most of the subjects did not have regular meals. LW group tended to eat what they like and OW group preferred fried food. This study showed that child-bearing aged women make a ceaseless effort apart from their weight, and LW group have a matter of grave concern because of their dietary habit and weight control practice. Additional research should be necessary to assess the relation of health and weight loss diet in young women.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.149-157
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• 2008

This study examined the cost consciousness, food materials satisfaction, job satisfaction, and degree of food materials management of chefs, as a means to increase food materials management efficiency in hotel restaurants and to make suggestions, for efficiently reducing food material costs, Chefs from eleven 5-star hotels and one exceptional-grade restaurant in Seoul were asked to fill out a questionnaire for sampling. A total of 350 questionnaires were distributed and 334 were returned (95.4% return rate). The characteristics of the respondents were examined by population statistics analysis, and the chefs' cost consciousness, food materials satisfaction, and job satisfaction were examined by descriptive statistics after reliability and propriety analyses. The degree of cost consciousness in the respondents was very high and this degree of consciousness proved to have a partially significant impact on the degree of food materials management. That is when the chefs were more conscious about cost, the degree of food materials management was high. This implies that food materials satisfaction can be enhanced by enhancing the degree of food materials management. Job satisfaction also had a partially significant, influence on the degree of food materials management. Therefore, it is necessary to maintain consistency in the quality and inspection of food materials, provide related information, enhance the satisfaction level for standards of food materials and improve policies for welfare and career after retirement in order to enhance the job satisfaction of chefs and subsequently reduce costs in relation to the level of food materials management.

• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.88-95
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• 2016

Purpose: Gestational weight gain and prepregnancy body weight are important factors of childbirth outcomes, which further cause obesity, metabolic diseases, or psychological problems later in women's lives. Changes in diet, westernized lifestyle, traditional postpartum care, and childbirth at older age are thought to be threats to proper weight management in Korean women of reproductive age. Public health and antenatal care need to focus on the proper body weight management of women by carefully planning pregnancy to postpartum periods. Purpose: This study explored the body weight changes from pregnancy to postpartum and the related characteristics in women within 12 months after childbirth. Methods: A cross-sectional, retrospective study was conducted with 102 Korean women within 12 months after childbirth. Data were collected using an online survey system, and a structured questionnaire available for electronic self-administration was modified to include demographics, obstetrical history, and body weight at 6 time points. The International Physical Activity Questionnaire and Eating Habit Measurement instruments were also used in data collection. A professional survey agency recruited the participants, and data were automatically saved and then analyzed. Results: The average age of the participants was 33.8 years, 48% were housewives and were well-educated. Seventy-two percent of the participants were primiparas and 82% had breastfed their babies. The body mass index (BMI) ranged from 17.3 to 27.8, indicating that 21.5% of the participants were overweight or obese. The mean gestational weight gain was 11.8 kg, and weight loss was apparent during the first 3 months postpartum. The mean decline in weight was 3.4 kg at one year after childbirth. Women wanted to lose 5.6 kg (range: 3~20 kg), however 44% of them reported that they had not engaged in any weight control efforts. Further, 72% of them reported having engaged in a low level of physical activity. Body weight was not associated with women's characteristics, physical activity score, and diet. Conclusion: Women's awareness of gestational weight gain, lifestyle modification, and the risk of prolonged weight retention should be promoted through the antenatal and women's healthcare systems. As pregnancy and childbirth are critical events that affect women's health, integrative education to ensure healthy transition to life after delivery is required.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.137-148
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• 2003

Introduction: This research was performed to contract the attitude of dietary restriction and the psychological problems such as depressive mood and perceived stress and to investigate the relationship of these and obesity in women who visited the obesity clinic. Methods: During May 2001, sociodemographic variables, physical characteristics, Three Factor Eating Questionnaire(TFEQ), Symptom Check List-90-R(SCL-90-R) and Perceived Stress Scale were assessed from 150 female who visited the obesity clinics which were located at downtown, Seoul and the Hospital of Ajou University, Medical College. Hamilton depression rating scale(HDRS) was estimated by author. And then 116 female cases who filled up the questionnaire faithfully were included. Results: Obese group more than Body Mass Index(BMI) $25.0kg/m^2$ was 50% of the total subjects. BMI was increased as the age goes up(p<0.001). The frequency of unmarried cases in the under normal weight group was high rate of 48.8% while it in the obese group was 13.8%(p<0.001). There was no significant difference in the rate of smoking and alcohol drinking among subjects by BMI. There was no significant difference of TFEQ among subjects by BMI and the percent of body fat. Factor 2(r=0.27, p<0.01) and Factor 3(r=0.24, p<0.01) were significantly correlated with Global Severity Index(GSI). Only the paranoia scale among each estimated mean value of T scores of SCL-90-R by BMI was the significant difference between the overweight group and the obese group(p<0.05). T scores of scales of SCL-90-R were less than 50, but T scores of the under normal weight group and the obese group were higher than overweight group. GSI was significantly correlated with HDRS(r=0.75, p<0.01) and Perceived Stress Scale(r=0.32, p<0.01). Depressive mood in the obese group was significantly higher than non-obese group that HDRS was compared to two groups by the percent of body fat(p<0.05). Perceived Stress Scale was no significant correlation with BMI and the percent of body fat. All of the subject were in trouble of high stress. Stress affected dietary restriction owing that perceived stress had a relation with Factor 2(r=0.29, p<0.01) and Factor 3(r=0.37, p<0.01). Also, it affected psychological characteristics owing that perceived stress had a relation with the depression scale, GSI and HDRS(r=0.33, r=0.32, r=0.34, p<0.01). Conclusion: Obese women have more psychological difficulties including depression and high perceived stress, which closely related with the attitude of dietary restriction. Psychiatric intervention and aggressive assessment of psychological problems will be needed to the people who visit the obesity clinic in the future.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.165-180
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• 2008

The present study is a descriptive survey on factors affecting middle school students' oral health belief and oral health practice. In order to find methods for forming right beliefs and inducing desirable behavioral patterns, we conducted a questionnaire survey with 470 students at two middle schools in Cheongju and drew conclusions as follows. Of the 470 questionnaires, 457 were recovered. With 10 inappropriately answered ones excluded, 446 questionnaires were analyzed. 1. As to oral health belief according to general characteristics, susceptibility was 2.63 points (p=0.035) in male students, 2.68 (p=0.016) in 3rd year students, and 2.92 (p=0.002) in only child students. Seriousness was 2.57 (p=0.017) in male students, 2.67 (p=0.001) in 3rd?year students, and 2.92 (p=0.001) in only child students. barrier was 2.62 (p=0.009) in 3rd year students, and 2.95 (p=0.002) in only child students. Benefit was 3.40 (p=0.011) in female students, and 3.43 (p=0.003) in 1st year students. salience was 3.21 (p=0.006) in female students, and 3.24 (p=0.009) in 1st year students. 2. As to oral health belief according to oral?health?related factors, susceptibility and seriousness were 2.69 (p=0.003) and 2.72 (p=0.000), respectively, in the lower?middle class group, 2.83 (p=0.001) and 2.80 (p=0.003), respectively, in the drink taking group, and 2.80 (p=0.000) and 2.75 (p=0.000), respectively, in the low conversation group. barrier was 2.63 (p=0.018) in the lower?middle class group, 2.67 (p=0.021) in the low conversation group, and 2.77 (p=0.000) in the group fearing the visit to the dental clinic. Benefit was 3.36 (p=0.000) in the high conversation group, and 3.37 (p=0.0l5) in the group visiting the dental clinic for prevention. salience was 3.26 for beverage and 3.20 (p=0.003) for fruit and vegetable. 3. As to oral health practice according to general characteristics, the score of oral health practice was 3.21 (p=0.000) in female students, 3.30 (p=0.000) in those aged 12 or below, and 3.27 (p=0.000) in 1st?year students. 4. As to oral health practice according to factors related to oral health, the point was 3.17 (p=0.002) in the middle upper class group, 3.24 (p=0.001) in the group eating mainly fruit or vegetable, and 3.18 (p=0.030) in those with experience in education. 5. Oral health practice was in a negative correlation with susceptibility (r=-0.143), and in a positive correlation with benefit (r=0.229) and salience (r=0.286).

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.103-118
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• 2007

Housewives' perception on obesity related variables to their family members according to the composition of children in the family was explored. Ninety housewives responded to a questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic informations, body weight perception, eating behaviors perception, and physical activity level for herself as well as her family. They were categorized into three groups based on child composition of the family; boys only (BO), girls only (GO), and boys and girls (BG) families. Boys in BO showed higher value of height, weight, and WHR than girls in GO (p <.05), while no differences were noticed in BMI and the waist girth between the groups. Mothers of BO perceived boys were active while mother of GO did girls were inactive (p <.05). Girls in GO ate meals less regularly than boys in BO and girls in BG. In general, housewives' perception on body weight of family members was relied on BMI and waist girth. As mother's BMI increased, the boy's BMI in BO was also elevated (p <.05), but not in others. Mothers' perception on caloric intake and activity encouragement were not accounted for morphological characteristics. Results suggest that housewives perceived obesity related variables differently based on the composition of children of the family.