• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.38-48
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to compare regional differences in salty taste assessments, nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes and dietary behaviors associated with high-salt diets in four national regions in Korea (Region 1: Seoul, Sokcho, Region 2: Buyeo, Jecheon, Gong Ju, Region 3: Daegu, Gyeongsan, Region 4: Jeon Ju). Subjects were 860 persons who participated in sodium reduction campaign. The result of the salty taste assessment by region was not significantly different. The nutrition knowledge score of subjects in Region 1 was the highest. Dietary attitude scores that showed preference for high-salt diets of Region 2 and Region 4 subjects were higher than those of Regions 1 and 3 subjects (p < 0.001). Dietary behavior scores were not significantly different among regions. The correlation between sodium intake and salty taste assessment was significant (p < 0.01). Older subjects who had high blood pressure levels and lower nutrition knowledge were more likely to have high sodium intakes. Even though the salty taste assessment and dietary behavior scores by region were not significantly different, the salty taste assessment scores had a significant negative correlation with nutrition knowledge and had a significant positive correlation with dietary attitude and dietary behavior in terms of preference for high-salt diets. Therefore, nationwide education regarding salt intake reduction and health and a campaign to encourage favorable attitudes and behavioral changes regarding consumption of a no-salt / low-salt diet is needed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.1
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• pp.36-42
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted for comparison of salty taste assessment, salty taste preference, high-salt dietary attitude, and high-salt dietary behavior by stages of behavior change among school-aged children and adolescents. Methods: A total of 1,595 students (1,126 school- aged children, 469 adolescents) from 43 elementary schools and 17 middle and high schools in Daegu were tested using salty taste kits and surveyed using questionnaires on stages of behavior change, high-salt dietary attitude, and behavior. Results: Adolescents showed a significantly higher result for salty taste assessment than school-aged children (p < 0.01). In salty taste assessment, the students of pre-contemplation stage (n = 498) and contemplation stage (n = 686) showed higher scores than students of action stage (n = 351) and maintenance stage (n = 60). Regarding the salty taste preference, students of maintenance stage preferred the lower two samples (0.08%, 0.16%) and students of pre-contemplation stage preferred the higher two samples (0.63%, 1.25%). High-salt dietary attitude scores and dietary behavior scores were highest for students of pre-contemplation stage and were lowest for students of maintenance stage. Conclusion: Salty taste assessment, high-salt dietary attitude, and high-salt dietary behavior were significantly different by stages of behavior change among school-aged children and adolescents. This study suggests the need for examination of the stages of behavior change before nutrition education for effective education.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.402-412
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effectiveness of nutrition education and counseling on the salty taste assessment, nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude of 21 hemodialysis patients. Five times of the nutrition education and three times of nutrition counseling were performed for a period of 5 months. Biochemical analysis revealed that creatinine was significantly high (p < 0.001), blood urea nitrogen and serum albumin were significantly low (p < 0.05, p < 0.01) and Na, K, Cl, K, P and uric acid were not significantly different. The distribution rate of unsalty taste preference were significantly high and the distribution rate of salty taste preference were significantly low after nutrition education and counseling (p < 0.001). Nutrition knowledge significantly improved following 5th month of education and counseling (p < 0.01). Particularly, the scores for questions related to sodium were improved. The dietary attitude was significantly improved during the counseling period (p < 0.05). There were improvements in responses to 'use food exchange list on diet' and 'habitually add salt or soy sauce before the meal'. According to these results, salty taste assessment, nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude were significantly improved by the hemodialysis diet therapy practices of hemodialysis patients. Therefore, we conclude that there was a need for low-salt diet education and nutrition counseling to help them recognize the taste of low-salt foods and strive towards a preference for less salty tasting foods and the consumption of a low-salt diet.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.376-386
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the sodium-related dietary attitudes, behaviors, and nutritional knowledge in university students according to the practice of dietary guidelines for Koreans established by the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Republic of Korea. Based on the total practice score related to the dietary guidelines (PDG), we classified subjects into a "low practice of the dietary guidelines (LPDG)" group (n=94, male=43, female=51) (total score of PDG ${\leq}13$) and a "high practice of the dietary guidelines (HPDG)" group (n=56, male=32, female=24) (total score of PDG >13). Subjects were asked about general characteristics, lifestyle, salt-related dietary attitudes, behaviors, and nutritional knowledge using a questionnaire. The LPDG group had more subjects who were breakfast skippers (p<0.001) compared to the HPDG group. The LPDG group (31.26) had a significantly lower score in terms of salt-related dietary attitudes compared to the HPDG group (33.77) (p=0.0042). The score for salt-related dietary attitudes was significantly higher in the HPDG (32.52) group than in the LPDG (29.91) group (p=0.0041). There was no significant difference in the total score for salt-related nutrition knowledge between the groups. The correlation analysis indicated that the dietary guidelines practice score had a positive correlation with the salt-related dietary attitude score (r=0.3593, p<0.0001) and the dietary attitude score (r=0.3443, p<0.0001) after adjustments for sex. These results show that the degree of adherence to the dietary guidelines for adults may be related to sodium-related dietary attitudes, behaviors, and nutrition knowledge.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.216-227
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to develop a nutrition education program for dietary salt reduction using various nutrition education materials. The effect of a 5-week nutrition education program on salty taste assessment, nutrition knowledge, salt attitude for a high-salt diet, salt content in food, and individual satisfaction with the salt concentration of meals during the education period was evaluated. Nutrition education materials included two animations, a pamphlet, panels, and a website, as well as other training resources. Subjects participating in this study were 335 employees (164 male, 171 female) at 15 foodservice operations in Daegu. Preference for higher levels of salty taste and food containing higher amounts of salt were lowered. Knowledge regarding the necessity for dietary salt reduction was higher (p < 0.001) than before nutrition education, and salt content in a meal was reduced. As the program progressed, average salt concentrations of soups were significantly lowered (p < 0.05), and there was greater satisfaction with the lower concentration (p < 0.001). This was a positive indication of the program's success. In addition, it was found that subjects who participated in the program several times have changed their preference to lower levels of salty taste and have increased their nutrition knowledge (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). Thus, the positive effect of this 5-week nutrition education program developed for, and applied to, foodservice employees, concerning dietary salt reduction was confirmed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.4
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• pp.350-357
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• 2009

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of a salt reduction education program. Subjects participating in this study were 251 employees (166 in the "educated" group, 85 in the "non-educated" group) at 8 hospital and industry food service operations in Daegu. After the salt reduction education program was carried out, a salty taste assessment of both groups was conducted. The educated group had statistically significant differences and the noneducated group did not have statistically significant differences. In terms of nutrition knowledge, while the nutrition knowledge of the educated group was increased (p < 0.001), that of the non-educated group rose at a rate of 0.92. In terms of dietary attitude, the educated group exhibited increased preference toward less salty foods when compared to the noneducated group (p < 0.001). Regarding dietary behavior, the score of the educated group was improved (p < 0.001), thereby indicating a preference for less salty taste. This means that nutrition education had influence on dietary behavior. However, after education, sodium excretion for the educated group was not significantly decreased, compared to before education. The results show that there was a positive correlation between salty taste assessment and dietary attitude and behavior for a high-salt diet. There was a positive relationship between attitude for a high-salt diet and sodium intake; when people prefere a more salty taste, they eat more sodium. Therefore, in order to change dietary preference away from salty taste and to decrease sodium intake, a nationwide, systematic and continuous salt reduction education program is needed.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.89-100
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was carried out to measure knowledge, attitude, and practice and related factors of low-salt diet among university students. Methods: Data from a convenience sample of 251 nursing and engineering students of two universities in south-western part of Korea were collected during March 16~20, 2015 using a self-reporting questionaire and urine test. The instruments developed by Lee and Song(1999) were used to measure knowledge and practice, and Ahn(2013) for attitude toward low-salt diet. A spot urine salt stick($SaltSinal^{(R)}$) was also used to evaluate practice of low-salt diet. Data were analyzed using SPSS 21.0, and t-tests, ANOVA, Pearson correlation, and Scheffe test were used. The study was IRB approved. Results: Knowledge, attitude, and practice of low-salt diet was low and spot urine salt level was high among university students. Knowledge and attitude were higher and spot urine salt level was lower among nursing students. Knowledge and attitude were related to gender and drinking. Living arrangement, monthly allowance, smoking, frequency of eating-out, frequency of breakfast were shown not to be related to knowledge and attitude. None of the variable investigated were significantly related to practice of low-salt diet. However, spot urine salt was related with gender, living arrangement, and smoking. Conclusions: A rigorous health education is necessary in order to lower dietary salt among university students. Considering frequent eating-out among university students, it is also very important to lower salt amount in foods sold on- and off-campus.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.5
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• pp.578-588
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to evaluate associations of dietary sodium (Na) intake with salt-related dietary behaviors of 218 university students (95 men; 123 women) living in Gyeonggi area. Dish frequency questionnaire (DFQ) was used to identify salt-related dietary behaviors and to determine Na intakes. In men, systolic & diastolic blood pressures, Na intakes and DFQ-15 scores were significantly higher than in women. High-salt intake group (HS), classified by DFQ-15, had higher scores of high-salt dietary attitude and more Na intakes than low-salt intake group (LS). HS took protein foods and had balanced diets less frequently than LS (p<0.05). HS had fried dishes & fatty meats, and added salt to dishes more frequently (p<0.05). HS and LS had differences in preference of soy-boiled and Chinese or Japanese foods, in intake frequency of bean-paste soup, in use of soy sauce with fried food or raw fish, and in salt addition to dishes at the table (p<0.05). HS, classified by Na intakes, had high-salt dietary attitudes such as preference of seasoned rice & soy-boiled foods and habitual addition of soy sauce or salt to dishes at the table. The subjects using food labels when purchasing had better salt-related attitudes & behaviors, and lower DFQ-15 scores & Na intakes than the non-users (p<0.01). Self-assessed HS (SHS) had worse salt-related attitudes and behaviors (p<0.05). Male self-assessed LS (SLS) had higher Na intakes, which indicated that self-assessment of salt preference did not actually reflect Na intake. In summary, male university students belonged to a high-risk group of salt intakes, and HS preferred soy-boiled foods or fatty dishes, frequently added salt to dishes and rarely had balanced diets. These results suggest that nutrition education programs for university students should include fundamental dietetics and a balanced diet, in addition to a low-Na diet.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.1
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• pp.59-65
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• 2013

Excessive sodium intake leading to hypertension, stroke, and stomach cancer is mainly caused by excess use of salt in cooking. This study was performed to estimate the salt content in school meals and to compare differences in perceptions related to sodium intake between students and staffs working for school meal service. We collected 382 dishes for food from 24 schools (9 elementary, 7 middle, 8 high schools) in Gyeonggi-do and salt content was calculated from salinity and weight of individual food. The average salt content from elementary, middle, and high school meals were 2.44 g, 3.96 g, and 5.87 g, respectively. The amount of salt provided from the school lunch alone was over 80% of the recommended daily salt intake by WHO. Noodles, stews, sauces, and soups were major sources of salt intake at dish group level, while the most salty dishes were sauces, kimchies, and stir-fried foods. Dietary knowledge and attitude related to sodium intake and consumption frequency of the salty dishes were surveyed with questionnaire in 798 students and 256 staffs working for school meal service. Compared with the staffs, the students perceived school meals salty and the proportions of students who thought school meals were salty increased with going up from elementary to high schools (P < 0.001). Among the students, middle and high school students showed significant propensity for the preference to one-dish meal, processed foods, eating much broth and dipping sauce or seasoning compared with the elementary students, although they had higher nutrition knowledge scores. These results proposed that monitoring salt content of school meals and consideration on the contents and education methods in school are needed to lower sodium intake.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.6
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• pp.537-549
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was conducted to examine blood pressure and other characteristics of a high sodium intake group assessed with 24-hr urine analysis and the dietary factors related to the risk of high sodium intake among Korean adults. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted with adults aged 20-59 years. Subjects who completed 24-hr urine collection (N = 205) were divided into 3 groups (tertile) according to the sodium intake estimated with 24-hour urine analysis. We compared the blood pressure, BMI and dietary related factors of the 3 groups (low, medium, high sodium intake group) with General Linear Model (GLM) and Duncan's multiple range test (p < 0.05). The risk factors related to high sodium intake were assessed with odds ratio (p < 0.05). Results: The sodium intake (mg/day) of the 3 groups were $3359.8{\pm}627.9$, $4900.3{\pm}395.1$ and $6770.6{\pm}873.9$, respectively, corresponding to daily salt intake (g/day) 8.5, 12.4 and 17.2, respectively. High sodium group showed significantly elevated age, BMI and systolic/diastolic blood pressure. Being male gender was associated with significantly increased risk of sodium intake (OR = 1.972; 95%CI: 1.083-3.593). The other factors related to high sodium intake were higher BMI (${\leq}25$) (OR = 2.619; 95% CI: 1.368-5.015), current alcohol consumption (OR = 1.943; 95%CI: 1.060-3.564), and having salty soybean paste with salt percentage > 14% (OR = 3.99; 95% CI: 1.404-6.841). The dietary attitude related to increased risk of high sodium intake included 'enjoy dried fish and salted mackerel' (p < 0.001) and 'eat all broth of soup, stew or noodle' (p < 0.001). Conclusions: Because high sodium intake was associated with higher blood pressure, nutrition education should focus on alcohol consumption, emphasis on related dietary factors such as using low salt soybean paste, improvements in the habit of eating dried fish and salted mackerel or eating all broth of soup, stew or noodle.