• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.144-155
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• 2024

Objectives: This study evaluated dietary intake and food sources of essential fatty acids in Korean adolescents. Methods: This study was comprised of 3,932 adolescents (9-18 years) who participated in the 2016-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. Dietary intake and food sources of essential fatty acids, including alpha-linolenic acid (ALA), eicosapentaenoic acid (EPA), docosahexaenoic acid (DHA), and linoleic acid (LA) were evaluated using data obtained from one-day 24-hour dietary recall. The proportions of adolescents consuming ALA, EPA + DHA, and LA above or below the adequate intake (AI) of the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans were calculated. All statistical analyses accounted for the complex sampling design effect and appropriate sample weights. Results: The mean intakes of ALA, EPA, DHA, and LA among Korean adolescents were 1.29 g/day, 69.6 mg/day, 166.0 mg/day, and 11.1 g/day, respectively. Boys had higher intakes of all essential fatty acids compared to girls. By age group, adolescents aged 15-18 years showed lower intakes of EPA and DHA compared to adolescents in younger age groups. The 9-11-year-old adolescents had lower intakes of ALA and LA than older adolescents. The proportions of adolescents who consumed more than AI were 35.7% for ALA, 30.4% for EPA + DHA, and 41.5% for LA. Adherence to the AI for ALA did not differ by sex or age group, although boys showed a lower adherence to the AI for EPA + DHA than girls. Major food sources for ALA and LA were plant-based oils, mayonnaise, pork, and eggs. Mackerel was the most significant contributor to EPA and DHA intake (EPA, 22.6%; DHA, 22.2%), followed by laver, squid, and anchovy. Conclusions: The proportion of Korean adolescents who consumed EPA + DHA more than AI was low. Our findings highlight that nutrition education emphasizing an intake of essential fatty acids from healthy food sources is needed among Korean adolescents.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.7
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• pp.802-811
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• 1999

The purposes of this study were to 1) examine the dietary patterns of fatty acids and the fatty acid composition in serum, 2) determine selenium (Se) concentrations, and 3) investigate how serum fatty acid compositon affects serum levels of Se in Korean elementary school children. The subjects consisted of 168 school children(82 boys & 86 girls) belonging to 1st through 6th grades, and their dietary assessment was evaluated. The serum fatty acid composition was analyzed by GLC, and the ICP/MS method was employed to measure serum Se concentration. Total average intake of PUFA, MUFA and SFA were 10.5g, 12.7g, 11.2g respectively. Total average dietary P/M/S ratio was 1.10/1.18/1.0. The average intake of $\omega$3 fatty acids and $\omega$6 fatty acids were 1.33g, 9.19g, respectively. The $\omega$6/$\omega$3ratio was 14.2 which is higher than the recommended range. In serum fatty acid composition, PUFA, MUFA, SFA were 40.6%, 28.1% and 31.6% respectively. The average $\omega$3 fatty acid composition was 3.80%, and the mean value of $\omega$6 series was 36.8%. The M/S ratio of girls was significantly higher than boy's in fatty acids intake and in serum composition. Mean Se concentration of total subjects was 416.7ug/l and it was significantly higher in the lower grades(1st-3rd)than in the upper grades(4th~6th, p<0.05). Although the mean serum Se concentration was negatively correlated with PUFA composition in total boys and girls, it was not significant. Serum Se concentration was negatively correlated with P/S ratio and C24:1 concentration(p<0.05). In addition, serum composition of $\omega$6 PUFA and C24:1 showed negative correlations with serum Se in only lower grades girl(1st~3rd), and further studies are needed to clarify in these phenomena. In conclusion, the mean serum Se concentration was significantly lower in upper grades (4th~6th)than in lower grades(1st~3rd) of elementary school children and was negatively correlated with P/S ratio of serum fatty acids. More detailed studies on relationship between Se and fatty acids are required.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.3
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• pp.410-419
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to investigate the consumption pattern of snacks-containing trans-fatty acid in adolescents living in the Kwang-ju area of Korea, and to analyze the relevance toward their eating behaviors, body composition, nutrient intakes, and consumption frequency of snacks-containing trans fatty acid. A survey questionnaire was developed in order to investigate general environmental factors, eating behavior, nutritional knowledge, and the consumption frequency of snacks-containing trans fatty acid. A total of 312 middle school students were surveyed. The collection rate was 97% and ultimately 282 cases were analyzed. Anthropometric measurements, body composition data, and nutrient intakes were also collected. The consumption frequencies for snacks-containing trans-fatty acid were negatively correlated with food behavior scores (p<0.01) however, pocket money and snack intake frequency per day were positively correlated with consumption frequency. Also, snack consumption frequency had some correlation with the subjects' anthropometric measurements and body composition data such as total body water (p<0.01), body protein (p<0.01), body minerals (p<0.01), and skeletal muscle mass (p<0.01). Finally, the consumption frequency of snacks-containing trans fatty acid was significantly correlated with calcium intake (p<0.05), it also showed correlations with vitamin A, retinol, ${\beta}-carotene$, and folic acid intake, although statistical significance was not verified.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.224-232
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• 2020

Glaucoma is one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide and is characterized by degeneration of the optic nerve. Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) is the major contributing factor to optic nerve damage. However, some patients develop glaucoma even with normal IOP. Other factors, including age, race, myopia, and nutrition, can affect glaucoma risk. Dietary fat intake and serum fatty acid composition are closely related with the fatty acid profile of the retina and thus can modulate glaucoma risk. In this study, we collected serum samples from 34 glaucoma patients (26 primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and 8 normal tension glaucoma (NTG)) and 45 healthy controls and analyzed their serum phospholipid fatty acid concentrations. The results show that the ratio of oleic acid to stearic acid (OA/SA), which is an indicator of stearoyl-CoA desaturase activity, was higher in POAG patients when compared to normal controls. The ratio of eicosapentaenoic acid to arachidonic acid (EPA/AA), which is an indirect marker of eicosanoid biosynthesis, was also higher in glaucoma patients (p=0.048). These results imply that dietary fatty acid intake and serum fatty acid profile can influence glaucoma risk. Additional study is necessary to identify the relationship between fatty acids and glaucoma.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.47 no.6
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• pp.435-442
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• 2014

Purpose: The objective of this study was to develop a fatty acid database (DB) for estimation of intake levels of fatty acids in the Korean population, using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey (KNHANES). Methods: Analytical values of fatty acids in foods were collected from food composition tables of national institutions (National Fisheries Research & Development Institute, Rural Development Administration), Japan Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology, US Department of Agriculture, and journal articles that previously reported analytical fatty acid content of some Korean foods. The coverage of fatty acids was C14:0, C16:0, C18:0, C18:1, C18:2 n-6, C18:3 n-3, C20:5 n-3 (EPA), C22:6 n-3 (DHA), SFA, MUFA, and PUFA (n-3, n-6, n-9). The fatty acids DB covered a total of 5,144 food items used in the KNHANES nutrition survey. The food items were preferentially filled with analytical values of the collected data source. An analytical value for each food item was selected based on the priority criteria and the quality evaluation of data sources. Missing values were replaced with calculated or imputed values using the analytical values of similar food items from the data source. Results: A total of 1,545 analytical values, 2,589 calculated values, and 1,010 imputed values were included in the fatty acid DB. The developed fatty acid DB was applied to 2,112 food items available for 2011 KNHANES data. Mean intake levels of total fatty acids and saturated fatty acids were 40.3 g/day and 13.2 g/day, respectively. The estimation of total fatty acid intake was 84.3% (men 83.2%, women 86.0%) of daily total fat intake. Conclusion: This newly developed fatty acid DB would be helpful in determining the association of fatty acids intake and related health concerns in the Korean population.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.399-407
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• 1991

The purpose of this study was to estimate the intake of individual fatty acid and eventually to contribute to the establishment of dietary guidelines and recommendations of fatty acids for the Koreans. The subjects consisted of female college students aged 20 to 29 years old. Their dietary intake was assessed twice. in summer and in winter, by means of a 24-hour dietary recall method. Food models and other measuring tools were also used. Concentrations of serm total triglyceride, total cholesterol and HDL-& LDL-cholesterol were measured. The subjects consumed 12.3g of polyunsaturated fatty acids, 14.3g of monounsaturated fatty acids and 14.99g of saturated fatty acids per day The ratios of polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acids( P/S) and polyunsaturatedimonounsaturatedi saturated fatty acids (P/M/S) taken by the subjects were 0.8/1.0 and 0.8/l.0/l.0, respectively. The ratio of w61w3 fatty acids was found to be 8.3/l.0. All of these values seem to fall in the desirable range. The percentages of total calorie from carbohydrate. fat and protein were 59.4%, 23.4% and 17.2%, respectively. The concentrations of serum total triglyceride, total cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were 59.3ms/dl, 192.7mg/dl, and 59.0mg/dl, and 121.9mg/dl., respectively.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.396-405
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was conducted to compare the nutrient intake of normal healthy adults with those having hypercholesterolemia. Methods: We analyzed data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI). A total of 12,636 adults (5,223 males and 7,413 females) aged 19 or older were included in the study. Results: Males with hypercholesterolemia were older and had a higher waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood sugar levels (FBS) and serum triglyceride (TG) concentrations compared to the normal group. Females with hypercholesterolemia were older and had higher FBS levels and serum TG concentrations compared to the normal group. While comparing nutrient intake by the 24-hour recall method, the male normal group showed a higher intake of fat, saturated fatty acid (SFA), monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA), vitamin A and thiamin compared to the hypercholesterolemic group. However, the male normal group had a lower intake of iron and vitamin C compared to the hypercholesterolemic group. The female normal group had a higher intake of energy, protein, fat, SFA, MUFA, polyunsaturated fatty acids, cholesterol, riboflavin, and niacin compared to the hypercholesterolemic group, but had a lower intake of iron compared to the hypercholesterolemic group. A comparison of nutrient intake by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) showed the following: There was no significant difference in nutrient intake between the normal men and women and those with hypercholesterolemia. After adjustment for confounding factors, nutrient intake by FFQ of the male normal group showed higher levels of n-3 fatty acid and vitamin C compared to the group with hypercholesterolemia. However, there was no significant difference in nutrient intake between the two groups of women. Conclusions: The average intake of n-3 fatty acids and vitamin C of the male group with hypercholesterolemia was lower than that of the normal group. However, since KNHANES is a cross-sectional study, prospective cohort studies are required to analyze the risk factors of hypercholesterolemia.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.81-96
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate arterial stiffness index, physical activity, and food and nutrient intake in middle-aged adults over 40 years when the incidence of cardiovascular disease begins to increase. Methods: This study included 106 subjects (48 males and 58 females) aged between 40 and 64 years. The arterial stiffness index (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity [baPWV], and ankle-brachial index [ABI]) were measured using a blood pressure pulse wave testing device. Physical activity was assessed using the Korean version of the Global Physical Activity Questionnaire, and food and nutrient intake was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 54.4 years. Although the ABI of the subjects was within the normal range, they were divided into tertiles to compare physical activity and food and nutrient intake. In males, the time spent on moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) was significantly higher in T3 (600.6 min/week) than in T1 (304.4 min/week). In females, the time spent in sedentary behavior was significantly lower in T3 (294.5 min/week) than in T1 (472.1 min/week). In addition, the frequency of fish consumption was significantly higher in T3 (1.27 frequency/day) than in T1 (0.64 frequency/day) in females. Polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) and ω-3 fatty acid intake, adjusted for energy intake, were significantly positively correlated with ABI (r = 0.200 and r = 0.218, respectively). Conclusions: High MVPA (in males), low sedentary behavior (in females), and PUFA and ω-3 fatty acid intake through fish consumption may be associated with low peripheral artery stiffness. Therefore, arteriosclerosis can be prevented through physical activity and proper dietary therapy.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.181-190
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• 2019

Objectives : Epidemiological studies in other countries show that a low intake of omega-3 fatty acids (FAs) increases the risk of depression or suicidality. However, no studies have investigated the associations of suicidality with omega-3 FAs in Korea. Hence, this cross-sectional study aimed to investigate the effects of omega FAs on suicidality in the general South Korean population. Methods : The data in this study were sourced from adults (n=215,860) who completed the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI), and the associations between omega FAs and suicidality were analyzed using multivariate logistic regressions. Results : Our results demonstrated that high omega-3 FA intake was associated with a decreased risk of suicide (OR=0.83, 95% CI : 0.71-0.98) and the high omega-6 to omega-3 FA ratio was associated with an increased risk of suicide (OR=1.25, 95% CI : 1.02-1.54). Additionally, a high intake of omega-3 FAs was associated with a decreased risk of suicide in men, but not in women (OR=0.72, 95% CI : 0.59-0.88). Conclusions : Overall, our findings suggest that a lower intake of omega-3 FA is associated with the increased risk of suicidality in the general Korean population, especially in men.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.414-422
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• 2023

Objectives: This study evaluated usual dietary intakes of total fat and fatty acids among the Korean population based on the revised Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans 2020 (2020 KDRIs). Methods: This study utilized data from the eighth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES 2019-2021). We included 18,895 individuals aged 1 year and above whose 1-day 24-hour dietary recall data were available. To calculate the external variability using the National Cancer Institute 1-day method, data from the U.S. NHANES 2017-March 2020 Pre-pandemic dataset were employed. The total fat and fatty acid intake were evaluated based on the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDRs) and Adequate intake (AI) of 2020 KDRIs for each sex and age groups. Results: Approximately 86% of the Korean population obtained an adequate amount of energy from total fat consumption (within the AMDRs), indicating an appropriate level of intake. However, the percentage of individuals consuming saturated fatty acids below the AMDR was low, with only 12% among those under 19 years of age and 52% aged 19 years and older. On a positive note, approximately 70% of the population showed adequate consumption of essential fatty acids, exceeding the AI. Nevertheless, monitoring the intake ratio of omega 3 (n-3) to omega 6 (n-6) fatty acids is essential to ensure an optimum balance. Conclusions: This study explored the possibility of estimating the distribution of nutrient intake in a population by applying the external variability ratio. Therefore, if future KNHANES conduct multiple 24-hour recalls every few years-similar to the U.S. NHANES-even for a subset of participants, this may aid in the accurate assessment of the nutritional status of the population.