• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.5
• /
• pp.997-1006
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Asthma and allergic rhinitis (AR) are closely related and considered as allergic respiratory diseases (ARD), and their prevalence has recently increased. Data on the association of dietary antioxidant vitamin intake with asthma and AR in adults are limited. The present study aimed to investigate the associations of vitamin A and C intake with asthma, AR, and all cases of both diseases in young adults who participated in a cross-sectional national survey, with the use of high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) level as an effect modifier. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study included 6,293 male and female adults aged 20-49 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted between 2016 and 2018. The questionnaire-based reports on asthma and AR diagnosis were used to determine outcome variables. Further, 24-h recall data on dietary vitamin A and C, carotene, and retinol intake were acquired. Logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI). RESULTS: Dietary vitamin C intake was inversely associated with asthma prevalence among participants with hs-CRP levels (≥ 1 mg/L); the OR of asthma prevalence was 0.27 (95% CI, 0.08-0.84) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Similar association analyses limiting to non-users of dietary supplements were performed to rule out the potential effects of supplement intake on the outcomes; results showed a stronger association. However, the association between vitamin C and asthma was not significant in participants with hs-CRP levels < 1 mg/L; the OR of asthma was 1.44 (95% CI, 0.66-3.16) for participants with vitamin C consumption ≥ 75 mg/day compared with those consuming < 20 mg/day. Vitamin C intake was not associated with AR. Moreover, there was no association between vitamin A intake and neither asthma nor AR. CONCLUSIONS: These findings suggest that higher vitamin C intake may play a potential role in reducing asthma prevalence. Nevertheless, further studies should be conducted to evaluate whether this association is causal.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.8 no.5
• /
• pp.558-563
• /
• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Most Koreans consume nearly 70-80% of the total sodium through their dishes. The use of a salinometer to measure salinity is recommended to help individuals control their sodium intake. The purpose of this study was to compare sodium content through chemical analysis and salinity measurement in foods served by industry foodservice operations and homemade meals. MATERIALS/METHODS: Workplace and homemade meals consumed by employees in 15 cafeterias located in 8 districts in Daegu were collected and the sodium content was measured through chemical analysis and salinity measurements and then compared. The foods were categorized into 9 types of menus with 103 workplace meals and 337 homemade meals. RESULTS: Workplace meals did not differ significantly in terms of sodium content per 100 g of food but had higher sodium content via chemical analysis in roasted foods per portion. Homemade meals had higher broth salt content and higher salt content by chemical analysis per 100 g of roasted foods and hard-boiled foods. One-dish workplace meals had higher salinity (P < 0.05), while homemade broths and stews had higher sodium content (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The sodium content per 100 g of foods was higher in one-dish workplace meals (P < 0.05) and in homemade broths and stews (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a salinometer may be recommended to estimate the sodium content in foods and control one's sodium intake within the daily intake target as a way to promote cooking bland foods at home. However, estimated and actual measured values may differ.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.735-746
• /
• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Metabolic syndrome is closely associated with lifestyle factors, including diet and nutritional intake. Modern trends show a shift in food consumption from healthy home-cooked meals to processed and instant foods. Therefore, this study analyzed the association between ultra-processed food intake and the development of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults based on the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013-2018. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects of this study were 17,414 adults aged 19-80 years who participated in the 6th-7th KNHANES. Processed food was classified into four categories, NOVA1 to NOVA4, using 24-h recall data. The higher the NOVA category, the more processed the food. Statistical analysis was conducted using logistic regression to investigate the prevalence of metabolic syndrome according to the consumption of ultra-processed foods. RESULTS: Among the diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome, hypertension (odds ratio [OR], 0.72; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.62-0.85; Q4 vs. Q1, P-trend < 0.001) and high triglycerides (OR, 0.83; 95% CI, 0.72-0.94; Q4 vs. Q1, P-trend < 0.001) showed a correlation with the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods. The OR for metabolic syndrome, according to the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods, is shown only for men. The OR showed that the percentages of energy consumed from ultra-processed foods were associated with increased metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that consumption of ultra-processed foods raises the risk of metabolic syndrome especially among men. To prevent metabolic syndrome, it is necessary to prepare appropriate dietary guidelines for Korean adults.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
• /
• v.22 no.3
• /
• pp.342-352
• /
• 2007

We investigated the intake trends of street foods for middle school, high school and colleges students through the survey study. In addition, the factors affecting the students' consumption of street foods and their perception toward hygiene status of street vendor were studied. The levels of total aerobic bacteria, coliform groups and enterobacteriaceae in Kimbab, eomuk, and eomuk-kukmul were counted using 3M petrifilms. More than ninety seven % of the respondents had experienced street foods. All the respondents ate street foods 1 to 5 times a month. Forty percent of the respondent stated that 'good taste' and 'time-saving convenience' were their reason for eating the street foods. Their favorite foods were ddokbokgi and various fried foods. All the students responded that frying oil, drinking water, and soy sauce as well as the street vendors' attire and their cooking tools in street vendor were unsanitary. Forty percent of the respondents ranked frying oil as the most unsanitary substance. Eighty percent of the respondents responded that an enforcement of hygiene should be imposed on the street foods vendor. There were significant differences (p<0.001) among the student's age in the opinion related to the reasons of eating street foods, hygiene enforcement, existence of street foods and interest of hygiene status of street foods. High correlation (p<0.05) between the frequency of street foods and snack intakes was shown, regardless of student's age. The result shows that those who eat snacks more than once a day tend to eat street foods more frequently. Aerobic plate counts in Kimbab in 5 different vendors exceeded 10$^5$/g and contamination levels of enterobacteriaceae or coliform in Kimbab exceeded more than 10$^3$/g, which did not satisfy the microbiological standards. In conclusion, although the respondents thought that the sanitation of street foods was poor, most of them want the street food vendor to be maintained with better hygiene condition. This indicated that the regulation for safe street foods should be enforced and educational information about the preparation and serving for safe street foods should be provided to street food vendor.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.429-444
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bone density and dietary intake for college women in their twenties. This study was performed on 160 female college students residing in Gangwon-do. It was conducted using ultrasound measurement of calcaneus bone density, anthropometric checkup and food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) comprising 94 kinds of commonly consumed foods. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the T-score of bone density: a normal group (n = 113 persons, T-score ${\geq}1$) and a risk group (n = 47, T-score < 1.0). The average age of the subjects was 20.17 years and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Body weight and body fat percentage of the normal group were significantly higher than those of the risk group. The mean daily energy intake of the normal group was significantly higher than that of the risk group. Also, protein, fat, vitamin A, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron and zinc intake for the normal group were significantly higher than for the risk group. For the intake of the commonly consumed foods (or dishes) listed in FFQ, the mean daily intake amount of loaf bread, rice cake, potatoes, spicy beef soup, cucumber, seasoned spinach perilla leaves, crown daisy, stir-fried mushroom, sea mustard, beef rib, ham, chicken, mackerel, common squid, drink type curd yogurt, oriental melon and chocolate in the normal group was significantly higher than in the risk group. While, the mean daily intake of ramyun (instant noodle) and carbonated beverage by the normal group was significantly lower than that of the risk group. In conclusion, 20 something female college students showed a higher rate (26.9%) of the bone mineral density risk group (osteopenia or osteoporosis). For the risk group, the levels of nutrient and food intake were lower than in the normal group. Therefore, the bone density risk group needs to increase their nutrient intake and diet quality by increasing the intake of various foods. In addition, they should decrease the intake of foods, which are negative for skeletal health such as instant noodles and carbonated beverages.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.34 no.3
• /
• pp.374-379
• /
• 2005

The intake of health foods with physiological effects may cause adverse effects due to their intrinsic compounds, external contamination or consumers' eating patterns. To keep pace with the increasing interest on the safety assurance, Health Functional Food Act has been enacted and standards and specifications for 32 products have been proclaimed by Korea Food and Drug Administration in 2004. To reduce the safety problems related with the intake of non regulated health intended food, we classified the health intended foods materials into two groups, as proclaimed health functional food materials and others, and examined the difference of intake patterns on both categories. Among 16,474 health intended foods responded by 5,175 respondents and their household members, 49.2% were categorized as health functional food materials. The average number of total health intended foods intake and health functional foods intake per person were 3.19 and 1.58 respectively. The proportion of health functional foods in total health intended foods per person was higher in the group with less than 20 years old, therefore this age group needs relatively low concern. On the other hand, 40-59 years old females who have taken the highest number of health food items, 30-59 years old males who had the lowest proportion of health functional foods to total health intended food, and their consumed foods such as medicinal plant and animal protein based restoratives need relatively high concern about intake safety of health foods.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.13 no.5
• /
• pp.379-390
• /
• 2003

The daily food intake and its related factors of the elderly(aged over 60) living in Incheon were compared. Self administered questionnaires were collected from 418 elderly. Statistical data analysis was completed using a SPSS v. 10.0 program. The results are summarized as follows: About 70% of elderly took grains and starch foods relatively high. The daily intakes of them was significantly influenced by ages of elderly, self-perceived health status, degree of drinking, meal regularity and nutritional balance of meals. More than 80% of elderly responded to take the food group of meat, fish and eggs poorly. Among various factors, the residence type and snack intake frequency influenced the daily intake of those foods statistically. A half of elderly took the vegetables and fruits everyday more than average. The daily consumption of vegetables and fruits was significantly influenced by sex, ages, exercise, snack intake frequency and preference of spices. Most elderly consumed fewer servings of milk and dairy products. About 60% of them did not take milk and dairy products daily. The daily contribution of those foods was significantly influenced by residence and exercise. 45.5% of elderly took oils and sugars more than average everyday which was influenced significantly by residence, exercise, snack intake frequency and meal regularity. In conclusion, the important influencing factors on the daily food intakes of elderly might be related to ages, residence, family, smoking, drinking, exercise, snack intake frequency and meal regularity. Therefore, a situation-oriented and practically organized nutrition education and ingestion support programs which consider the elderlies' socioeconomic status may help to improve the daily food intake of elderly in Incheon area.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
• /
• v.23 no.1
• /
• pp.83-96
• /
• 2010

Purpose: A survey was conducted by questionnaire to investigate outpatients' intake status of health food. Methods: The survey of visiting oriental OB&GY clinic in 4 hospitals of oriental medicine and 1 oriental medical clinic has found the status of health food intake. Results: 1. Total respondents were 339(Male: 54, Female: 264) and their average age was $41.4{\pm}11.8$. Outpatients of oriental medicine clinic were 113, outpatients of hospitals of oriental medicine were 226. 2. Among the respondents, 156(40%) persons were taking health food as of today and the proportion of health food intake by oriental medicine clinic's outpatients is higher than the proportion of outpatients of hospitals of oriental medicine. 3. There is no difference in educational background and income among the outpatients who visited the oriental medicine clinic or hospitals of oriental medicine. And the middle income group's health food intake ratio was the highest. 4. The survey showed that heath food intake ratio got higher as persons became old. 5. Among the health foods, the multi-vitamin was most frequently taken. And omega 3, Ginseng steamed red, Vitamin C, Glucosamine, Calcium m were also frequently taken. Conclusion: A study for health food intake status by clinic is indispensable to establish the standard for efficient intake of health food.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
• /
• v.16 no.5
• /
• pp.361-369
• /
• 2016

Oral health can influence on diverse food intake, and food intake affect oral health related quality of life. The aim of this study was to select key foods to be able to represent oral health related quality of life in Korea. We used the data of 503 Korean older persons to participate in the oral health promotion programme in 2009. The low consumption or low intake foods with criteria in 2012 National Nutrition Statistics were eliminated among 30 foods of food intake ability (FIA) at first. Decision tree model, correlation analysis, factor analysis, and internal reliablity test were used for oral health related quailty of life (OHRQoL) key food selection. We selected 13 foods-hard persimmon, dried peanut, pickled radish, caramel, rib of pork, glutinous rice cake, cabbage kimchi, apple, yellow melon, boiled chicken meat, boiled fish, mandarin, noodles as OHRQoL Key Foods 13. Thirty foods of FIA and OHRQoL Key Foods 13 displayed the same pattern of variation among sociodemographic groups. In a regression model, both of 30 foods of FIA and OHRQoL Key Foods 13 influenced on oral health impact profile-14. The findings suggest that OHRQoL Key Foods 13 have good reliability and validity and be able to use in oral health survey.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.11 no.3
• /
• pp.353-364
• /
• 2005

The informations concerning knowledge, value and consumption pattern for rice foods of elementary schoolchildren (630 boys and 550 girls in 5th or 6th grade) were investigated in Changwon and Gimhae of Gyeongnam province. They were asked based on knowledge, one’s value and intake frequence of rice foods by questionnaries. Menus for 3 days including 2 weekdays and 1 weekend day were taken from 136 students (77 boys and 59 girls) in two Elementary Schools in Changwon and Gimhae to know intake reality of rice product. The purpose of this survey was to find the way of encouraging rice intake and preference which now seemed to be low because of simplified, westernized eating habits, and to provide basic information needed for inheriting and improving our traditional cooked rice centered eating culture. The results are summarized as follows. The knowledge of rice was positively correlated to the one’s value (r=0.365, p<0.001) and the preference (r=0.132, p<0.001), the one’s value was positively correlated to preference (r=0.409, p<0.001). The score of knowledge for rice was 12.8 points out of 20, the girls get points(13.12) significantly higher than the boys (12.53) (p<0.01). One's value about rice foods was 37.35 points out of 50 what is relatively high. They have eaten cooked rice type food for 2.24 times per day. Both boys and girls in Changwon and Gimhae area were having cooked rice type food significantly more during weekdays compared to weekends (p<0.001) by 3 days food record. According the results, we can see the possibility that schoolchildren can be encouraged to eat more rice foods by nutritional education to go with the development of various programs.