• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.4 no.3
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• pp.235-242
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• 2010

The objectives of this study were to examine the association between dietary factors and underweight and overweight adult Vietnamese living in the rural areas of Vietnam. A cross-sectional study of 497 Vietnamese aged 19 to 60 years (204 males, 293 females) was conducted in rural areas of Haiphong, Vietnam. The subjects were classified as underweight, normal weight, and overweight based on BMI. General characteristics, anthropometric parameters, blood profiles, and eating habits were obtained and dietary intake was assessed using 24-hour recalls for 2 consecutive days. A high prevalence of both underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/$m^2$) and overweight (BMI ${\geq}$ 23 kg/$m^2$) individuals was observed (14.2% and 21.6% for males and 18.9% and 20.6% for females, respectively). For both genders, the overweight group were older than the under- and normal weight groups (P = 0.0118 for males and P = 0.0002 for females). In female subjects, the overweight group consumed significantly less cereals (P=0.0033), energy (P = 0.0046), protein (P = 0.0222), and carbohydrate (P = 0.0017) and more fruits (P = 0.0026) than the underweight group; however, no such differences existed in males. The overweight subjects overate more frequently (P = 0.0295) and consumed fish (P=0.0096) and fruits (P=0.0083) more often. The prevalence of both underweight and overweight individuals pose serious public health problems in the rural areas of Vietnamese and the overweight group was related to overeating and high fish and fruit consumption. These findings may provide basic data for policymakers and dieticians in order to develop future nutrition and health programs for rural populations in Vietnam.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.87-96
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• 2017

Objectives: We studied the relationship between health behavior and subjective unhappiness in high school students. Methods: Using 27,097 responses from the 2015 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey for general high school students. we analyzed by multiple logistic regression based on the complex sample design Results: Unhappiness was positively related with the low economic status, smoking, drinking, fast foods intake, and negatively related with fruit intake in results of multiple logistic regression. Conclusion: Health behaviors have a significant impact on the unhappiness of high school students. Therefore, in-depth research and policies to decrease unhappiness of high school students through health promotion are required.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.57-69
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• 2011

Objectives: Purpose of this study is to analyze and to estimate which and how much genetic and environmental factors have affected on growth. Also, a method of final height prediction can be developed from this study results. Methods: Correlation analysis and categorical regression analysis were conducted between genetic and environmental factors correlated with the final adult height, through survey from 171 male. Results: Mid parental height, neonatal body weight, intake frequency of beef, chicken, milk, fruits and coffee, sleep quantity and quality during the elementary school and sleep quantity during the middle school have affected on the final adult height. And a regression equation with 0.494 for coefficient of determination was obtained. Conclusions: Mid-parental-height has the most affected on the final adult height. Among environmental factors, food and sleep have significantly affected, but exercise doesn't. Among foods, meal, beef, and milk intake have remarkably affected on the final height, and chicken and fruit also have affected in some degree, but coffee has affected badly. Among sleep habits, sleep quantity during the elementary school has the most affected, sleep quality during the elementary school and sleep quantity during the middle school also have affected in some degree on final height. The younger the age is, the more sleep have affected and sleep quantity have more affected than sleep quality. Neonatal weight also has remarkably affected on the final height. Through this analysis, the final adult height can be predicted using regression equation which covers 49.4% of genetic and environmental factors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.794-802
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• 2002

This study was intended to evaluate the overall effects of nutritional education on adults having two or more symptoms of chronic degenerative disease. A nine week nutritional education program was provided for 65 adults with chronic diseases. We assessed the changes in dietary knowledge, eating behavior and socio-psychological factors. When we evaluated the nutrient intakes of the subjects, their energy intake was 79.4% of the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). Their dietary intake of other nutrients was also below the RDA level except for Vitamin C. Their knowledge of dietary therapy was slightly improved after the implementing of nutritional education. The dietary behavior of ‘night snacks before sleep’was significantly improved. While the overall fear due to disease was significantly increased, self-efficacy was not improved. Self-efficacy for eating “three regular meals” and “choosing fruit, vegetable and grain” were significantly decreased. Family support for “buying food which is good for my health” was also significantly increased, whereas “advises me to eat appropriate foods for health” was decreased. Biochemical analysis indicated that blood levels of triglyceride, cholesterol and blood pressure improved after nutrition education. Therefore, we concluded that nutritional education program for people with chronic degenerative diseases could change the diet therapy knowledge, dietary behavior, and the fear due to disease, support from family and behavior intention toward the direction to improve the chronic disease condition. However, it did not improve self-efficacy. Our study also indicated that nutritional education strategies to improve self-efficacy should be an important aspect in a long term education plan for patients to establish desirable eating habits.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.517-524
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There are limited studies investigating the eating patterns of children's favorite foods. The present study aimed to evaluate a wide range of children's favorite foods, derive its eating patterns, and identify factors related to the patterns. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional study included 5,458 students in elementary, middle, and high schools. The survey was conducted at each school to evaluate children's favorite food intake, including the intake frequency of 31 food items or food groups, and its related factors, such as demographic, economic, and environmental characteristics and awareness of policies on children's favorite foods. Factor analysis using varimax rotation method and logistic regression analysis were conducted. RESULTS: Two factors were derived as major eating patterns from data of children's favorite foods: the 'unhealthy eating pattern' which mainly involves confectionery, chocolate, ramen, fried food, etc.; and the 'healthy eating pattern' which mainly involves soybean milk, vegetables, fruit juice, and nuts. A stepwise selection procedure through the regression analysis revealed that allowance, use of screen media, less awareness of policies on children's favorite foods, and less interest in health were positively related to the tendency of unhealthy or less-healthy eating patterns (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study examined that the eating patterns of children's favorite foods were associated with certain environmental characteristics and awareness about the related policies. These findings suggest that a nutrition education program regarding children's favorite foods needs to be conducted according to the characteristics of students to develop their healthy eating habits and proper choice of favorite foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.535-554
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• 1999

The present study was conducted to investigate the relation of eating behavior and food intake to 534 adolescents' obesity indices. Group means of relative body weight (RBW) were 93.66 for males and 97.12 for females. Body mass index(BMI) were 20.39 for males and 20.41 for females. Respondents were divided into 3 groups on the basis of RBW as an obesity index. Astonishingly, 44.76% of total respondents were underweight and 12.92% overweight and obese. 64.54% of respondents usually skipped their breakfasts and 24.23% their dinners. More males did not have their breakfasts than females. In contrast, more females skipped their dinners than males. A significant difference was found between males and females in their eating habits(p<.001) that should be changed. As their undesirable eating habits, males pointed out 'skipping meals', while females stressed 'overeating'. There were more overeating respondents in the overweight group, while more respondents skipping their meals were found in the underweight group. Many females(72.79%) and males(52.78%) tended to alternate consistently overeating and fasting to lose weight. The most important reason for losing weight was to improve their appearance(61.12%). In addition, nutrient score indices of respondents were very low with a mean of 33.39. Only 42.13% of total respondents showed good nutrient score indices. More males ate meat, bean, white vegetables, potato and fat than females(p<.05), whereas more females ate bread, rice cake and fruit than males(p<.01). Among the 3 groups -overweight, normal weight and underweight groups, overweight group was the most eaters of meat, fish, egg and milk; underweight group was the least eaters of them.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.145-152
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• 2011

This study was conducted to investigate the meal quality and dietary behaviors of low-income family children by qualitative method. The subjects were 12 children(2 boys and 10 girls) aged 7 to 11, enrolled in an after-school care center in Kimpo, Gyeonggi province. Most of their mothers had jobs(83.3%) and 75% were the beneficiaries of a government assistance program. When compared using body mass index(BMI) percentile, 16.7% of the subjects were classified as being overweight. The food intake patterns and meal qualities were evaluated from dietary records for three non-consecutive days. The mean dietary diversity score(DDS) was 3.8, suggesting at least one food group was deficit. Only 8.3% of the records indicated a satisfactory intake of all five food groups, and fruit was the most deficit food group(58.3%). Also, the proportion of balanced of meals was low, especially breakfast(36%), in that main dish(the source of protein) was not included. The children had problematic eating behaviors, such as an unbalanced diet, eating meals in a hurry, skipping breakfast, and irregular meal times. They answered that they liked to eat simple meals and convenient foods. In conclusion, nutrition education should incorporate strategies to reach families and help with meal planning and management, as well as modifying the eating behaviors of children, in order to improve nutritional status.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.259-275
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• 2008

Children are an important target of health promotion activities due to the life long effects. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to evaluate a nutrition education program offered to primary school students by community health centers. Eight hundred and twenty-six children from 4 primary schools in Seoul voluntarily attended the program. Teachers taught the classes with materials that were provided to them. The subjects were asked to fill out a questionnaire before and then after completion of the program. The data were analysed by SPSS. The results showed that there were significant positive differences in the children's nutrition knowledge scores after the program (p<0.001). In terms of dietary attitude, the rate of 'yes' responses, as a desirable answer to many questions, had increased (p<0.001); however, this positive change in scores was not statistically significant. For dietary habit changes, it was shown that the proportion of children regularly eating breakfast five days a week had improved to 3.3%. And the proportion of children eating fast foods and instant foods decreased. There was no change in fruit intake, but vegetable intake increased (p<0.001). However, the children's overall dietary habit scores did not show a significant change. In the evaluation of the program, 52.3% of the subjects answered that was helpful, and they viewed 'fast food' as the most interesting topic, whereas 'nutrition labeling' was the most difficult topic in the program. The program's effectiveness was positive in terms of enhancing the 'nutrition knowledge', 'dietary attitudes', and 'dietary habits' of the children. Therefore, the above results indicate that this type of program, provided by community health centers, was effective for nutrition education.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.274-282
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• 2014

Objectives: The objective of this study was to revise the target pattern in food guidance system for adolescents' balanced menu planning. Methods: The food groups in the target pattern were divided into detailed food items, and intake number were assigned to each food items based on the revised standard food composition table. The validity of revised target pattern was examined. Menu planning according to the revised target pattern was made available to 305 male and female middle school students and the nutritional assessment of the menu plan were carried out using SPSS WIN 12.0. Results: The energy contents, energy contribution ratios of carbohydrate, fat, and protein, and 4 minerals' and 6 vitamins' contents of the revised target pattern were adequate. The average energy contents of the menu planned according to revised target pattern were 400~500 kcal higher than that of the revised target pattern when the revised standard food composition was applied. The energy contribution ratios of fat were 28.9%, close to maximum of acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) (30%), and that of carbohydrate were 54.5%, lower than minimum of AMDR (55%). The nutrient adequacy ratios (NARs) of calcium and vitamin C were less than 1.0. According to index of nutritional quality (INQ) of food items, kimchi, milk dairy products, and soybean curd were energy efficient source for calcium, kimchi, fruit, vegetable and seaweed were energy efficient source for vitamin C, with INQ of food items were higher or close to 2.0. Kimchi was the best energy efficient source of calcium and vitamin C. Conclusions: Revised target pattern based on the adolescent's foods intake was not good enough for balanced menu planning by adolescents, because what they ate and what they wanted to eat were very much different. Detailed guidance for food selection is necessary in each food items.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.317-327
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to investigate Chinese female marriage immigrants' dietary life after immigration to Korea, focusing on comparison between Han-Chinese (traditional Chinese) and Korean-Chinese (Chinese of Korean descent). Methods: An in-person survey was conducted with women married to Korean men, having one child or more aged 1-6 years old, and having resided in Korea for at least one year before the survey. The data were collected from the 309 respondents comprising 151 Han-Chinese and 158 Korean-Chinese in the summer of 2013. Results: Overall, there was no significant difference in dietary practice, dietary acculturation, dietary behavior, dietary habits, and food intake between the Han-Chinese and the Korean-Chinese respondents. Over 50% of the respondents ate Korean food every day. The overall level of dietary acculturation was about 3.5 out of 5 points. The average score of healthy dietary behavior was a little bit higher than 3 out of 5 points. Approximately 3/4 of the respondents showed increasing frequency of eating out. The respondents reporting increase food diversity were over 70%. Decreased frequency of skipping meal was about 60% of the respondents. Over 50% of the respondents showed increasing consumption of Kimchi, vegetables, fruit, and meat. Conclusions: Dietary life of Korean-Chinese female marriage immigrants was similar to that of Han-Chinese female marriage immigrants after immigration to Korea. The results from this study suggest that not only Han-Chinese but also Korean-Chinese should be targeted in various diet-related acculturation support programs as important multicultural populations in Korea.