• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.16-22
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• 2007

Objective : The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of DNA damage in human lymphocytes caused by smoking and other lifestyle factors. Methods : The study population consisted of 173 normal healthy male adults from 21 to 59 years old. The demographic and lifestyle variables were obtained from administered questionnaires. The level of lymphocytic DNA damage in the peripheral blood was evaluated by the Comet assay. Statistical analyses were done by general linear model analysis and Dunnett's multiple comparison. Results : The difference in DNA damage between smokers and non-smokers was statistically significant. The means for the Tail%DNA were found to be 10.48 in the current smokers and 9.60 in the non-smokers (p < 0.05). The tail moment means were 1.58 and 1.45 (p < 0.05) for the current smokers and non-smokers, respectively. The number of cigarettes smoked per day did not result in a significant difference in the level of DNA damage among the smokers. Other lifestyle factors such as age, and drinking and exercise habits were not related to DNA damage. Conclusions : The DNA damage in the lymphocytes of smokers was found to be significantly higher than that for non-smokers. However, the number of cigarettes smoked per day was not related to DNA damage. Further study is needed to evaluate the relationship between the amount of smoking and level of damage to DNA. In addition, the status of DNA repair activities should be assessed.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.63-73
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• 2017

Objectives: This study was conducted to survey the related factors of metabolic syndrome of Chinese workers aged 20 years and above. Methods: The study was conducted at three locations in Shandong, China, currently working and took the physical examination (PE) within one year in the area as target participants. Personal characteristics, physical and biochemical results based on the PE, lifestyle habits, and food intake of the participants were used to analyze the relationship with metabolic syndrome. Results: Results showed that overall, thirty-one subjects (22.5%) had metabolic syndrome, twenty males (32.7%) and eleven females (14.2%). Metabolic syndrome was related to age, gender, educational level and occupational type with more risk in male (P < 0.05), people of older age (P < 0.001), low educational level (P < 0.05) and non-office workers (P < 0.01). According to the life style scores, lifestyle evaluation showed specifically alcohol consumption and smoking (P < 0.001) and stress management (P < 0.05) as important factors that were associated with the metabolic syndrome. High calorie (P < 0.01) and carbohydrate (P < 0.01) intakes were observed on male participants with metabolic syndrome in comparison to the non-metabolic syndrome but no significant difference on female participants. Conclusions: This results of this study can be used as significant supporting data to prevent and control metabolic syndrome in Chinese workers.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.395-407
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• 2019

Objectives: This study examined the association of the sleep quality and patterns with the dietary behavior, including snack and beverage consumption, taste preferences, as well as lifestyle of university students. Methods: The subjects were 406 university students in Cheongju, Korea, and the data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire. They were divided into two groups according to the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI): good-quality sleepers (PSQI score ≤ 5) and poor-quality sleepers (PSQI score > 5). The data were analyzed using a χ²-test, independent t-test, and analysis of covariance using the SPSS 25.0 program. Results: Fifty-two percent of university students were categorized as poor-quality sleepers by the PSQI. Students classified as poor-quality sleepers had delayed bedtimes, and a shorter duration in bed and total sleep hours than the good-quality sleepers did. Poor-quality sleepers were more prevalent among those who were female, having irregular mealtimes, or frequent late night meals. They also consumed fast food frequently, such as fried chicken and hamburgers, and noodles when adjusted for gender. In addition, drinks with caffeine over milk were dominant among poor-quality sleepers. Furthermore, the preferences for spicy and salty tastes and longer smartphone usage were more prevalent in those with poor-sleep quality. Conclusions: These results showed that more than 50% of university students reported disturbed sleep and poor quality sleep was associated with less desirable snack consumption and taste preference, more smartphone usage, and others. Therefore, nutrition education program along with lifestyle changes promoting sufficient sleep are encouraged to provide for university students, particularly those who have poor sleep quality.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.392-400
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• 2021

With the globalization of Korean education and the rise in the average level of education, the number of international students in Korea, especially those from China, is rapidly increasing every year. This study aimed to provide the basic information for healthy dietary education by evaluating the dietary and nutritional status of Chinese students living in Gwangju province of Korea. Data from 468 subjects who met the study participation criteria and who had given their written informed consent were used for analysis. Of the total subjects, 52.4 and 80.1% were non-drinkers and non-smokers, respectively (p<0.01). It was observed that women were more stressed than men when they did not have convenient access to a Chinese food market near their place of residence (p=0.032). The subjects with a high cultural adaptation consumed kimbap (p<0.001) and pizza (p=0.017) more frequently than the subjects with a low cultural adaptation. An analysis of the nutrient quotient revealed that male scores were higher than those of the females with regard to water intake (p=0.035) and exercise level (p=0.021). For Chinese students living in Korea to maintain proper dietary habits, it is necessary to educate them on how to purchase convenience foods and improve their lifestyle, including limiting drinking and smoking. It is also necessary to develop emotional support programs for stress management and cultural adaptation.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.544-553
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• 2024

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: There are concerns about the adverse health effects of behavioral changes linked to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). We conducted a survey to investigate changes in lifestyle habits, including exercise and eating, during the COVID-19 pandemic and their association with changes in weight. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a survey of 5,000 people in Hakui City, Japan, to assess their lifestyles and diets during the COVID-19 pandemic. A total of 3,992 complete responses were received. We also obtained pre- and post-pandemic health check-up data for 704 of the respondents. These health data were combined with the results of the questionnaire survey to identify factors associated with weight changes. Data were analyzed for 704 individuals. RESULTS: The mean body mass index was 22.5 ± 3.1 kg/m² for respondents whose weight did not change and 25.1 ± 2.7 kg/m² for respondents whose weight increased. The pre-pandemic mean values for abdominal circumference in females and for gamma-glutamyl transferase in males tended to be higher in those whose weight increased. Those with decreased weight tended to be older. Respondents who were already overweight were more likely to gain weight because of COVID-19-related changes in their lifestyle. In males, alcohol consumption was directly associated with weight, and in females, abdominal circumference was more important. CONCLUSION: The study found pre-pandemic overweight individuals likely gained more weight during it, with alcohol consumption being a significant factor for males. Weight loss was more crucial for those over 70, rather than weight gain.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 2004

To investigate the effect of eating habits and lifestyle on the food intake of university students in Daejeon, 104 male students(26.75％) and 282 female students(73.75％) were surveyed about their food intake, eating habits, and lifestyle using the questionnaire. The major food served as breakfast was steamed rice(76.05％) and there was a little significant difference between male and female. The major food served as lunch was also steamed rice(73.77％) and male students ate it more than female ones. According to the survey, 41.95％ of the subjects had breakfast regularly, and 24.35％ seldom, which showed no significant difference between male and female. In case of lunch, the percentile of subjects(54.55％) who had regularly eaten lunch was more than that of breakfast, and there was a little significant difference between male and female. The survey said most subjects(49.22％) had eaten dinner irregularly, which rate was higher in male students. The meal skipped usually was the breakfast(24.35％), which rate was higher in female students. The reason why the subjects skipped the meal was mainly due to the lack of sufficient time for breakfast and lunch, and for dinner to the weight loss. Among the subjects, 80％ said they were non-smokers; 96.44％ in female students and 35.58％ in male ones. In case of drinking, most subjects said they sometimes drank(67.19％) and the frequency of drinking was once or twice a month(51.99％), which showed the significant difference between male and female. In the aspects of effects of drinking and smoking on the food intake, the drinking practice after eating was shown to be the highest(55.98％); smoking generally affected the food intake, which showed the difference between male and female. Food intake during the examination period didn't show any differences to the usual one or increased a little bit, which showed a difference between male and female. Losing appetite during the examination period was shown mainly in the female students. When they felt blue or tired, the food intake decreased, which showed a significant difference between male and female was shown. When feeling good, the food intake significantly increased, which showed a significant difference between male and female. Therefore, there was a significant difference between male and female in the actual eating habits and in the aspects of food intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.445-454
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• 2018

Purpose: Changes in eating habits and malnutrition due to dysphagia are important health problems for older adults. This study investigated the effects of an educational program aimed at improving diet quality in community-dwelling older adults at risk for dysphagia in South Korea. Methods: We assessed 27 individuals in the experimental group and 26 individuals in the control group between September and October 2015. All participants were aged 65 years or older and were at risk for dysphagia. A combined diet and exercise program was applied to the experimental group (n = 27) for six weeks. We examined changes in participants' eating habits and their knowledge and attitudes concerning dysphagia risk. The nutrition intake of all participants was measured before and after the intervention using 24-hr dietary recall. Results: There was a significant increase in knowledge of dysphagia risk in the experimental group, with scores increasing from 3.7 to 7.1, out of 10 points (p < 0.001). There were also significant improvements in eating habits after the intervention in the experimental group, with scores increasing from 21.9 to 28.3, out of 36 points (p < 0.001). The attitude score of participants in the experimental group increased significantly, from 15.2 to 16.7, out of 20 points (p = 0.016). Conclusion: Developing educational programs can help older adults living in the community lead a healthier lifestyle and improve their ability to manage their diet.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.2
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• pp.213-222
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• 2002

The alkaline comet assay has been used with increasing popularity to investigate the level of DNA damage in biomonitoring studies within the last decade in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the usefulness of the alkaline comet assay as a biomarker of oxidative DNA damage for monitoring in the Korean population, and also to evaluate the effect of nutritional status and lifestyle factors on H2O2 induced oxidative DNA damage measured by the alkaline comet assay in human lymphocytes. The study population consisted of 61 healthy Korean male volunteers, aged 20-28. Epidemiological background data including dietary habits, smoking habits and anthropometrical measurements were collected through personal interviews. After blood collection, the comet assay in peripheral lymphocytes and plasma lipids analysis was carried out and the results analyzed. Tail moment (TM) and tail length (TL) of the comet assay were use\ulcorner to measure DNA damage in the lymphocytes of the subjects. Statistically significant (p < 0.05) positive correlations were observed between DNA damage (TM or TL) and smoking habits expressed as cigarettes smoked per day and pack years (r = 0.311 and 0.382 for TM, r = 0.294 and 0.350 for TL, respectively). There were also significant positive correlations between DNA damage parameter and waist-hip ratio. Higher plasma triglyceride levels were associated with increased damage to DNA. There were no correlations between the consumption frequencies of vegetables and DNA damage to the subjects. However, consumption frequencies of fruit and fruit juice intake were inversely associated with the TM and TL. The results indicate that die comet assay is a simple, rapid and sensitive method for detecting lymphocyte DNA damage induced by cigarette smoking. Consumption of fruit or fruit juices could potentiall modify the damaged DNA in the human peripheral lymphocytes of young Korean men.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.563-576
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate night-time eating habits, and dietary habit and nutrient intake of university students in a particular area of Chungnam. We surveyed night-time eating status, frequency, and preference for eating foods at night in 458 university students. We divided the subjects into two groups according to their night-time eating habits and gender and compared dietary behavior, lifestyle, and nutrient intake between the groups. In total, 77.1% of the students ate a night-time snack. The major reason why they ate a night-time snack was hunger. The cost of the night-time snacks was 3,000~10,000 won and they ate mostly with their friends. The order of frequent night-time eating foods was beverage, milk and its products, snacks, flour foods, and fruits. The subjects with a night-time eating habit skipped breakfast, went to bed late, and drank alcohol more than subjects without a night-time eating habit. Total and animal fat intake of subjects with a night-time eating habit in both men and women were significantly higher than subjects without a night-time eating habit. In conclusion, night-time eating by university students may be a bad habit from the viewpoint of skipping breakfast, drinking alcohol, and eating a high fat diet. Therefore, in support of proper dietary management, it is necessary to form positive dietary habits, including night-time eating.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.3
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• pp.403-414
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• 2010

Reducing women's bone mineral density (BMD) has close relationship to risk in osteoporosis. This study was carried out to identify bone density risk factors affecting women's BMD, and to analyze the relationship of age, between BMD and menopause, BMI, blood pressure lifestyle and dietary habits for bone health by physical measurement and questionnaires. The study subjects, 128 women living in Seoul, were divided into 4 age group; 30~39 years (17), 40~49 years (54) and 50~59 years (36) and 60~69 years (21). There were significant differences in mean height, BMI, systolic blood pressure, menache and menopause age and menopause ratio and BMD T-score among the 4 age groups. BHD was significantly decreased according to increasing age and BMI and menopause. The rate of BMD risk subjects was significantly different increasing with age and BMI. The rate of risk group were 0%, 13%, 22.2% and 71.4%, by age groups and 0%, 16.2%, 33.3% and 52.9% by BMI respectively. BMD of menopause groups was significantly decreased from 1.23 (40 years) to 1.34 (60 years). p < 0.001. Also systolic blood pressure were significantly increased from 116.5 mmHg (30 years) to 130.81 mmHg (60 years). The T-score of normal group also decreased significantly from 1.27 to 0.13 (60years) with age. There were significant negative correlation between BMD and age (r = -0.409) menopause (r = -0.346), BMI (r = -0.218) systolic blood pressure (r = -0.193), salty taste eating out (r = -0.185) (p < 0.05). There were significant positive correlation between BMD and meat fish and walking time. In conclusion, bone density decreased with age. Most of the 50 years' subjects were in risk group. BMI, menopause, systolic blood pressure, frequency alcohol consuming. To prevent osteoporosis, over 40 years needed to be educated to maintain normal weight and the improvement of eating and living habits.