• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.107-112
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• 1999

Diet quality index DQI) offers a new way of comparing eating habits across populations and across countries. Nutrients and food consumption data from 100 elderly Korean women aged 65 and older were collected in Seoul or Kyunggi-do, Korea by the 24 hour recall method. Diet quality index (DQI) was computed for 1049 elderly women (65 and older) from the 1994-1996 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) in the US according to US dietary guidelines, and applied to the diet of elderly Korean women for purposes of comparison. A modified 16-point DQI awarded 2 points each for moderate consumption of fat ($\leq$ 30% energy), saturated fat ($\leq$ 10%), cholesterol ($\leq$ 300 mg/day), sodium ($\leq$ 2400 mg/day), and protein ($\leq$ 100% RDA), adequate intakes of carbohydrate ($\qeq$50% energy) and calcium ($\qeq$ 100% RDA), and plenty of fruits and vegetables ($\qeq$ 5 servings). Criteria were based on US dietary guidelines. Partial scores were given if subjects were close to meeting these cutoff points. Diets with $\leq$ 300 mg cholesterol/day were reported by 97% or the Korean sample and 82% of the American sample, while 90% of the Koreans and 42% of the Americans met the goal of $\leq$ 30% of energy from fat, and 98% of the Koreans and 47% of American met the recommendation of $\leq$ 10% of energy from saturated fat. In contrast, only 8% of the Korean sample met the sodium recommendation of $\leq$ 2400 mg sodium per day, whereas 54% of the American subjects met this goal. The mean DQI scores were 10.1 for the elderly American women and 11.3 for the elderly Korean women. Overall, the elderly Korean diet was more consistent with the US dietary guidelines than the elderly American diet.

• Proceedings of the Korean Society of Soil and Groundwater Environment Conference
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• 1997.05a
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• pp.8-11
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• 1997

Current methods of evaluating soil contamination by heavy metals rely on analyzing samples for total contents of metals or quantities recovered in various chemical extracting solutions. Results from these approaches provide only an index for evaluation because these methodologies yield values not directly related to bioavailability of soil-borne metals. In addition, even though concentrations of metals may be less than those required to cause toxic effects to biota, they may cause substantial effects on soil chemical parameters that determine soil quality and sustainable productivity. The objective of this research was to characterize effects of Cu or Cd additions on soil solution chemistry of soil quality indices, such as pH, EC, nutrient cation distribution and quantity/intensity relations (buffer capacity). Metals were added at rates ranging from 0 to 400 mg/kg of soil. Soil solution was sequentially extracted from saturated pastes using vacuum. Concentrations of Cu or Cd remaining in soil solutions were very low as compared to those added to the soils, warranting that most of the added metals were recovered as nonavailable (strongly adsorbed) fractions. Adsorption of the added metals released cations into soil solution causing increases of soluble cation contents and thus ionic strength of soil solution. At metal additions of 200~400 mg/kg, EC of soil solution increased to as much as 2~4 dS/m; salinity levels considered high enough to cause detrimental effects on plant production. More divalent cations (Ca+Mg) than monovalent cations (K+Na) were exchanged by Cu or Cd adsorption. The loss of exchangeable nutrient cations decreased long-term nutrient supplying capacity or each soil. At 100 mg/kg or metal loading, the buffering capacity was decreased by 60%. pH of soil solution decreased linearly with increasing metal loading rates, with a decrement of up to 1.3 units at 400 mg Cu/kg addition. Influences of Cu on each of these soil quality parameters were consistently greater than those of Cd. These effects were of a detrimental nature and large enough in most cases to significantly impact soil productivity. It is clear that new protocols are needed for evaluating potential effects of heavy metal loading of soils.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.12-17
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of elderly women living in residential homes by estimating nutrients and food intakes. Food consumption survey was conducted by 3-day 24hr recall method with 99 elderly women aged 65 to 90 years from three residential homes in Seoul, Choonchun and Chunan and 46 free-living elderly women aged 65 to 88 years from Chunan as control group. Food intake data was converted into nutrient intake using computer aided nutritional analysis program. Mean energy intake and percentage of recommended daily allowance (RDA) of residential home residents were 1696㎉ and 101% of RDA while those of control were estimated as 1939㎉ and 119% of RDA. On average, absolute amount of nutrient intakes of residential home residents were slightly higher than control group. Subjects in control group showed significantly lower carbohydrate and vitamin A intake, while vitamin C intake was higher. However, nutrient intake quality determined by INQ (Index of nutritional quality) was significantly higher among control subjects in most nutrients except vitamin A than residential home residents. Intakes of calcium, vitamin A and riboflavin of all subjects in this study were less than 75% RDA meaning that nutritional status of calcium, vitamin A and riboflavin was insufficient and could possibly result in nutritional deficient. Some food groups such as milk or other dairy products must be strongly suggested to improve nutritional status of elderly women in this study. According to the results of this study, meal plans of residential homes are quite adequate in quantity of micronutrients, but need to be improved in both quantity and quality of micronutrients.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.322-328
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• 2011

The aim of this study was to use the Healthy Eating Index-2005 (HEI-2005) to assess diet quality and determine the relationship between the HEI-2005 and the energy and nutrient intakes of adolescents. A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1,104 healthy adolescents, mean age of $15.8{\pm}1.24$ years. Dietary intake was measured with the 24-hour dietary recall method, and dietary quality was assessed by means of the HEI-2005. Diet quality scores ranged from 23.7 to 77.5. The mean score was found to be $51.5{\pm}9.07$ according to the HEI-2005. There were no differences according to gender, 42.8% had a poor diet and 57.2% had a diet that needs improvement. No subjects had a "good diet". Lower mean subgroup scores were found for whole grains, total vegetables, total fruits, dairy products, and meat and beans. Fruits and vegetables scores were significantly high in girls, whereas sodium, oil, and meat and beans scores were significantly high in boys. Total HEI-2005 scores were increasingly associated with parental education level when age and gender were adjusted. There was a negative correlation between HEI-2005 scores and age, total energy intake, and fat intake. Positive correlation was only observed in the HEI-2005 scores for protein and dietary fibre intakes. Consequently, the overall diet quality and nutritional habits of Turkish adolescents need modification and improvement. In the family, measures should be initiated by the government, including advertisements and campaigns.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.270-282
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• 2023

We performed a study to examine the association between diet quality and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). Our study included 3,586 women aged 40-64 years who participated in the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The study subjects were classified into the NAFLD group (n=816) and the normal group (n=2,770) using the hepatic steatosis index. The anthropometric indices, blood profiles, and dietary intake data of the subjects were obtained. The waist circumference, body mass index, and the serum levels of triglycerides, fasting blood sugar, HbA1c, and systolic and diastolic blood pressures were higher in the NAFLD compared to the normal groups (p<0.001, respectively). The intakes of protein (g/kg body weight, p<0.001), potassium (p<0.001), and vitamin A (p=0.006) were significantly lower in the NAFLD group. It was observed that the higher the total Korean Healthy Eating Index score, the lower the risk of NAFLD. A reverse relationship was shown between the NAFLD risk and the intakes of total fruits, total vegetables, vegetables excluding Kimchi and pickled vegetables, meat, fish, eggs and beans. Therefore, it is recommended that middle-aged women in Korea increase their intakes of fruits, vegetables, and foods high in protein for the proper management of NAFLD.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.134-142
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: North Korean refugees (NKRs) in South Korea are a unique population as they must adapt in a new country with similar cultural traits but different social, political, and economic systems, but little research has been conducted on diet and nutrition in this population. This study examined food security, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes among adult NKRs living in South Korea and compared them to those of South Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 139 adult NKRs (25 men, 114 women) living in the Seoul metropolitan area, and 417 age- and sex- matched South Korean controls (SKCs; 75 men, 342 women) selected from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Food security and dietary behaviors (meal skipping, eating-out, meals with family, nutrition education and counseling, and nutrition label knowledge and utilization) were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. Nutrient intakes were assessed by 24-hr recall. The statistical analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ver. 23.0. RESULTS: In South Korea, food security had improved over the previous 12 months, but remained significantly poorer for NKR women than SKC women. Meal skipping was three times more frequent than for SKCs and eating-out was rare. Average energy intake was 1,509 kcal for NKR men and 1,344 kcal for NKR women, which was lower than those of SKCs (2,412 kcal and 1,789 kcal, respectively). Significantly more NKRs (men 24.0%, women 21.9%) showed simultaneously deficient intake in energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and riboflavin than SKCs (men 2.7% (P = 0.003), women 7.0% (P < 0.001)). NKR women had a significantly higher index of nutrient quality (INQ) for some nutrients than SK women. CONCLUSIONS: This study reports significant differences in food security, dietary behaviors, and nutrient intakes between NKRs and SKCs. Generally, NKRs reported lower intakes despite improved food security, but relatively good INQs across nutrients. Further research is needed to understand processes of food choice and consumption among NKRs to provide appropriate support aimed at improving diets.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.752-760
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• 2007

Inadequate nutritional status of pregnancy can cause underweight and premature birth, undergrowth and deliverance of physically and mentally defected babyies. The purpose of this study is to provide guidelines for preventing preterm delivery in the aspect of nutritional factors. The nutrient intakes were compared between a preterm delivery group and a normal term delivery group to recognize risk factors of preterm delivery. The results obtained are summarized as follows. The pregnancy period was statistically longer in the normal term group (p<0.0001). Weight increase was statistically higher in the normal term group (p<0.0001). Calories (p<0.05), carbohydrates (p<0.0005), dietary fibers (p<0.0001), potassium (p<0.0005), vitamin $B_1$ (p<0.0005), vitamin $B_6$ (p<0.05), vitamin C (p<0.0001), and folic acid (p<0.05) intakes were statistically higher in the normal term group. Nutrient density of vitamin $B_1$ (p<0.05) and vitamin C (p<0.0001) in the normal term group was statistically higher. Nutrient adequacy ratio of zinc (p<0.05), vitamin $B_1$ (p<0.05) and folic acid (p<0.05) were statistically higher in the normal term group. Index of Nutritional Quality of vitamin $B_1$ (p<0.05) and vitamin C (p<0.0001) were statistically higher in the normal term group. In this study, the normal term delivery showed higher intakes of calories, carbohydrates, dietary fiber, crude fiber, potassium, vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_6$ vitamin C and folic acid than the preterm delivery group. Deficiencies in various nutrients may lead to preterm delivery, therefore, balanced nutrient intake is recommended to prevent preterm delivery.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.517-526
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• 2015

This study was carried out to determine the depression symptoms and nutritional status of elderly females that ate congregate meals at lunch in rural Pocheon. The subjects were 18 elderly females aged over 65 ($75.7{\pm}4.6$ years) and information on smoking, subjective health status, depression symptoms and malnutrition risk were collected using a questionnaire administered with the help of trained research assistants. Measurements included mid-arm circumference and calf circumference. Food consumption for 3 days during breakfast and supper were determined by 24-hour recall and food consumption at lunch was determined as the difference between the amounts served and the plate waste. All data were compared between two age groups (${\leq}75$ and > 75). The subjects had the lowest nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for vitamin $B_6$ (0.523), followed by calcium and niacin and the lowest index of nutrient quality (INQ) for calcium (0.738). The older elderly had significantly lower NAR for vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$ and niacin as well as significantly lower mean adequacy ratio (MAR) compared to the young elderly. They also had significantly lower INQ for vitamin $B_1$ and vitamin C and significantly thinner arm circumference (28.3 cm vs. 31.3 cm). They consumed more than 40% of their daily intake for each nutrient at lunch. Higher proportions of nutrient intake from lunch provided evidence of the importance of congregate meals, suggesting that the government and society should support congregate meals to improve nutritional status.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.309-320
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• 2019

Objectives: This study was undertaken to compare dietary life of the elderly living alone and in a family, and to compare differences based on gender, for the 2013-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: The subjects included 2,612 elderly people aged over 65 years who participated in the health survey, health examination and nutrition survey. Subjects on a diet therapy were excluded. This study analyzed the general characteristics, dietary habits, daily energy and nutrient intakes, CPF ratio, estimated average requirement (EAR), nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR), index of nutrient quality (INQ), and food consumption of the elderly living alone and in a family. We also compared the differences based on gender. Results: Daily intake of food, water, dietary fiber, potassium, retinol, and riboflavin were low in the male elderly subjects living alone. The elderly living with family revealed higher NAR and MAR as compared to the elderly living alone. Although all MAR values were <1, the elderly living alone had lower values. Considering the intake of food, the consumption of seaweed, fish and shellfish, and oils (animal) was higher in elderly men living with families, whereas women living with families consumed more vegetables, fruits, seaweeds and seafood, as compared to their counterparts living alone. Furthermore, analyzing the foods consumed by the elderly people living alone, female subjects consumed more seaweed, milk and animal oil as compared to male subjects. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that the elderly living alone have poor nutrient intake as compared to the elderly living with families. Based on this research data, we recommend that it is necessary to improve the health and nutritional status of the elderly living alone.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.501-512
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• 2005

To assess the food habits and the seasonal differences of nutrient intakes and diet qualities of adult working women aged 30 - 49y in Busan, dietary survey was conducted in summer and in winter by a questionnaire and two-day food record. Anthropometric assessment was also investigated in two seasons. $91.8\%$ of those skipped breakfast in the main. $44.3\%$ had irregular meals. The mean daily energy intake was 1725.8 kcal with $63.3\%$ of energy intake being supplied by carbohydrates, $14.7\%$ by protein, $22.3\%$ by fat in summer and 1598.4 kcal with $62.1\%$ of energy intake being supplied by carbohydrates, $15.6\%$ by protein, $22.1\%$ by fat in winter. Over $70\%$ of iron intake came from plant origin in two seasons. The mean intakes of energy, calcium, iron and vitamin A in summer and energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin $B_2$ in winter were below Recommended Dietary Allowance (RDA) for Koreans. As well as insufficiency in iron, the bioavailability of iron is considered to have been low because most of iron intake came from plant origin in two seasons. For calcium and iron in summer and calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin $B_2$ in winter, proportions of subjects with intake levels less than $75\%$ of RDA were over $40\%$ in summer and over $50\%$ in winter, respectively. The nutrient adequacy ratios (NAR) were below 0.75 for calcium and iron in summer and calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin $B_2$ in winter. NARs of iron (p<0.05), vitamin A (p<0.01) and vitamin $B_2$ (p<0.001) in winter were significantly lower than those in summer. The mean adequacy ratios (MAR), an index of overall dietary quality were 0.85 in summer and 0.80 in winter. The MAR in winter was significantly lower than that in summer (p < 0.05). The indexes of nutritional quality (INQ) were below 1 for calcium and iron in summer and calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin $B_2$ in winter. The intake (p<0.05) and NAR (p<0.05) of vitamin $B_2$ showed positive significant correlations with height in winter. In conclusion, nutrient intake and diet quality of adult working women were different between the summer and the winter. So nutritional education programs for summer and winter are needed for adult working women.