• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.13 no.3
• /
• pp.222-229
• /
• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Aging is an imperative problem for many countries in this century, and presents several challenges for the maintenance of good nutritional status. This study aims to assess the impact of socio-demographic factors, lifestyle and health status on the nutritional status among the elderly in Taiwan. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out in Taiwan. Data were obtained from the Mei Jau Health Management Institution, which is a private health evaluation provider with multiple health screening centers in Taiwan and Asia. This study included 7947 adults aged 65 years or above. The data were extracted between 2001 to 2010. Nutritional status was assessed using anthropometric data, biochemical data and dietary intake information. RESULTS: Among the 7947 participants with mean age of 70.1 (SD = 4.5) years, 20.2%, 6.6%, 10.5% and 52.5% experienced underweight, protein malnutrition, anemia and inadequate dietary intake in the past month, respectively. Age was negatively correlated with body weight (r = -0.19, P = 0.02), body mass index (r = -0.41, P < 0.001), albumin level (r = -0.93, P < 0.001) and hemoglobin level (r = -0.30, P = 0.008). Age above 70 years, gender, unmarried status, retirement, lack of education, low family income, smoking, alcohol drinking, sleep duration of 6-8 hours, vegetarian diet, multiple medications, comorbidity and dysphagia were positively associated with malnutrition in older adults. CONCLUSIONS: Underweight and inadequate dietary intake are prevalent among the elderly in Taiwan. Vegetarian diet, multiple medications, comorbidity, dysphagia and lifestyle factors such as smoking, alcohol drinking and sleep duration of 6-8 hours are risk factors for undernutrition in older adults.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.34 no.1
• /
• pp.113-123
• /
• 2009

Objectives: This study was performed to assess the effects of nutrition support for the elderly in rural communities. Methods: The data for this study were obtained from 148 aged over 65 years in G district(70 intervention group and 78 control group). General characteristics, physical health status, food intake, dietary habits, knowledge of nutrition and nutrition risk factors of the subjects were examined by individual interview. The participants were divided into two groups through the first questionnaire of nutrition: nutritional intervention group(nutritional intervention and education of nutrition) and control group(education of nutrition alone). Results: Nutritional intervention group showed significant increase of energy intake to 87.4% from 71.0% and of most nutrients except vitamin A and niacin after intervention. After nutritional intervention program, depression index was significantly decreased and changes of food habits, self-efficacy and conviction indices were significantly increased. Conclusions: This study showed that the nutritional intervention serving foods for short-term intervention period was very effective in improving the nutritional status. In addition, it suggested that it was not enough for nutritional improvement of the elderly to provide public health education or counseling alone, therefore, for achieving its goals, it should be needed proper nutritional supply to them.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
• /
• v.12 no.7
• /
• pp.69-82
• /
• 2021

This study targeted 4,572 middle-aged women to examine the relationship between nutritional status and dietary inflammatory index according to blood glucose level using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Data were analyzed using complex survey chi-square, General Linear Model and logisitc regression in SPSS Win 25.0 program. Women with high blood glucose (normal blood sugar→diabetes) had high rates of obesity and blood TG/HDL-cholesterol ratio. On the other hand, the Mean Adequacy Ratio (10 nutrients) and the intake of anti-inflammatory foods: beans, seeds, mushrooms, and fruits, were lower in the diabetic category. When we analysed the association between blood glucose and the Dietary Inflammatory Index, the risk of pre-diabetes and diabetes was significantly higher in the most pro-inflammatory diet category (Q5) compared to the most anti-inflammatory diet category (Q1). These findings suggest that nutritional education emphasizing the intake of various foods should be effectively conducted effectively in order to improve blood glucose among middle-aged women.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
• /
• v.24 no.6
• /
• pp.691-699
• /
• 2014

The purpose of this study was to examine the effect of temple food intake on health improvement. The survey was conducted from September to October 2013. The subjects in this study were 46 adults who participated in short-term 'Temple Stay' program. Every meal was prepared according to prearranged temple food menu, and it was provided to subjects for 4 weeks. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements and biochemical parameter were measured and nutritional & health status were analyzed to find the effect of the program. Nutrients content of the temple food was sufficient to dietary reference intake while content of fat, fiber, vitamin A and calcium from the meal was significantly higher than the subjects' usual diet. Mean body weight, BMI and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic) related with obesity and hypertension decreased after the program. The index referring to liver function and cardiovascular disease risk such as serum ALT, ${\gamma}$-GTP, TG and LDL decreased while HDL increased thereby showing positive effect. The above results anticipate that temple foods with an affirmative effect in improving health status have a potential benefit that can be applied to general food service. Further detailed study might provide information in developing healthy diet for a corresponding clinical problem.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.10-15
• /
• 2005

An increase in serum cholesterol is directly associated with high incidences of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) and atherosclerosis. Serum lipid profiles are highly dependent on dietary fatty acids and age. The purpose of this study was to examine the age-related effects of polyunsaturated/saturated fatty acid ratios and antioxidant supplementation under the control of the dietary peroxidizability index (PI) value on serum lipid profiles in rats. While the PI level of dietary fatty acids was controlled at 81.22, the P/S ratios of fatty acids were 0.38 and 4.81 (LP and HP). The diets were supplemented with a vitamin E 1000 mg/kg diet and a selenium 2.5 mg/kg diet (LPS and HPS). Female Sprague-Dawley rats ages 3 weeks (young) and 16 weeks (adult) were fed four different experimental diets for 4 weeks. The serum triglyceride concentration of LPS was significantly higher in young rats than in adult rats. The total-cholesterol concentration of LP and HPS were higher in young rats than in adult rats. The high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentration of LP, LPS and HP was higher in adult rats than in young rats. The low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) concentration was higher in young rats than in adult rats. T-C/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios were much higher in young rats than in adult rats. In conclusion, P/S ratios and antioxidant supplementation did not affect T-C/HDL-C and LDL-C/HDL-C ratios as risk factors of CVD in adult rats when we controlled the PI value in the diet Probably, the invisible and confounding effects of dietary PI value implicate the beneficial roles of dietary P/S ratios and antioxidants in CVD. Accordingly, controlling the dietary PI value may be advantageous to lower the risk of CVD in adult rats.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.30 no.4
• /
• pp.451-457
• /
• 1997

This study was designed to investigate the effect of the ratio of energy from carbohydrate to total calories on dietary intake, obesity index, blood pressure, and blood lipid content in cardiovascular disease patients over 35 years old. A total of 552(227 male, 325 female) subjects were divided into three groups according to carbohydrate/total energy ratio : carbohydrate ratios below 25 percent were in the low carbohydrate group( <61.1%), between 25 and 75 percent carbohydrate were medium($\geq$61.1-<74.7%), and higher than 75 percent were in the high carbohydrate group($\geq$74.7%). The anthropometric data, nutrient intake, serum lipid levels, and blood pressure of each group were compared with one another. For men and women with high carbohydrate intakes, Inadequate nutritional intake was observed. Abdominal fat accumulation and blood TC level for men in the high carbohydrate group were higher than in medium or low carbohydrate groups. Therefore, it seems that high carbohydrate intake may produce adverse effects on abdominal fat accumulation and blood lipid patterns. Blood pressure, however, was significantly higher for women in low and high carbohydrate groups than in medium carbohydrate group. These results suggest that extremely high and low carbohydrate intake may raise the risk of cardiovascular disease and that it is necessary to consume nutritionally balanced meals. This can be done by controlling the ratio of dietary carbohydrate at a medium level in order to prevent and/or to reduce the risk.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.3-14
• /
• 2003

The purpose of this study was to estimate the nutrient intake, dietary habits, and body indices among preschool children. The study subjects were 166 kindergarten children, aged 4 to 6 years. A measurement of the weight, height, chest circumference, and head circumference of the children was conducted. The general home environment and factors related to the eating habits of children were collected using a questionnaire that included information about physical activity, outdoor playing time, television watching, family income, and parents education and occupations. Underweight, overweight were defined based on a value of less than 110 and more than 140 on the Rohrer Index, or less than 90 and more than 120 on the weight-length index (WLI). The average Rohrer and WLI for the preschool children were 14.3 $\pm$ 23.2% and 104 $\pm$ 13.5%. Using the WLI, 12.7% of the preschool children were underweight 62.6% were normal, and 24.7% were overweight or obese. On the Rohrer Index, 32.0% of the preschool children were underweight, 34.7% were normal, and 34.1% were overweight or obese. With regard to frequency of regularity of eating breakfast, 2.5% of preschool children skipped breakfast every morning. The risk of being overweight increased in preschool children who had faster eating times. The Rohrer and WLI were negatively related to faster eating times. The average daily energy intake was 1272 Kcal, which corresponded to 79.5% of the Korean RDA. In particular, the average intakes of calcium, iron, and vitamin B$_2$ were much lower than the Korean RDAs for each of those nutrients. Children whose mothers had occupations were at greater risk of decreased nutrient intake than those whose mothers were at home. The data presented in this study confirm that, in preschool children, undernutrition remains the nutritional problem of great concern in Korea, even though Koreans are starting to have worrisome rates of overweight. Therefore, during the early years of life, focus should remain on sustaining Proper growth and development.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.1330-1334
• /
• 2013

The purpose of this study was to analyze the association between self-reported voice problem and body mass index. Data were collected from the 5th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey (2010) from 5,811 subjects(2,503 men and 3,308 women) aged 19 years and olders. chi-square, t-test and multi-nominal logistic regression analysis were used that to compare self-reported voice problem and variable(age, sex, hight, weight, waist measurement, body mass index). body mass index(OR=1.028, 95% CI: 1.003-1.056) was independently associated with self-reported voice problem(p<0.031). also over weight-two step obesity (OR=1.765, 95% CI: 1.036-3.006) were independently associated with self-reported voice problem(p<0.036). The results of comparison verified that body mass index are valuable self-reported voice problem of risk factor. when the evaluation were conducted, what was considered body mass index is needed.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.161-166
• /
• 2001

Purpose: Poor living conditions such as overcrowding and sharing a bed are reported to be significant risk factors for H. pylori infection throughout childhood. We investigated the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori infection in Korean athletes who are obliged to live together in training camps over six months a year. Methods: Blood sampling and surveying through questionnaire were performed on 440 regular high school students (228 boys and 212 girls) and 220 athletes (148 boys and 72 girls) of a physical education high school. We measured serum IgG Ab to H. pylori in order to compare the prevalence of H. pylori infection between normal adolescents and athletes. In addition, we conducted a nutritional analysis and questionnaire survey for socioeconomic status in order to compare other risk factors that might influence H. pylori infection between groups. Results: The prevalence (43.2%) of H. pylori infection in athletes was higher than that (22.7%) in the controls. No significant differences in the nutritional factors or socioeconomic status, such as Hollingshead index, type of house, and crowding index, were found between the groups. Multivariate analysis showed that crowding and the difference in school type were the significant predictors of H. pylori seropositivity after controlling for dietary and socioeconomic factors. Conclusion: Living together in training camps might be a significant risk factor for H. pylori infection in athletes.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.18 no.1
• /
• pp.43-58
• /
• 2012

This study was designed to investigate the impact of a 12-week nutrition education program on 32 male industrial workers (average age: $44.5{\pm}3.8$ yrs, work duration period: $20.1{\pm}5.6$ yrs) diagnosed as having dyslipidemia in a medical checkup at their workplace. This program was implemented with a conceptual framework on strengthening self-efficacy for the improvement of the health conditions of the workers. Most of all, the study exhibited benefits in the industrial workers by ameliorating the risk factors associated with dyslipidemia via changes in dietary behaviors, nutritional knowledge, and attitudes, as well as anthropometric and biochemical parameters. After the nutrition education, overall lifestyle, including the ratios of smoking (P<0.05) and drinking (P<0.01), significantly improved. Exactly 65.6% of the subjects reported that their dietary habits changed. Body weight, BMI, percentage of body fat, and waist circumference all significantly decreased (P<0.001). The systolic (P<0.01) as well as diastolic blood pressures (P<0.001) decreased. Moreover, the degree of increase in serum HDL-cholesterol was appreciable (P<0.001), and the atherogenic index also decreased (P<0.01). Further, risk factors related to metabolic syndrome in subjects significantly decreased (P<0.001). The average scores for nutrition knowledge increased from 9.3 to 17.7 points (P<0.001). All of the participants agreed on the need for a nutrition education program at their workplace. Further, it should be pointed out that the participants strongly indicated the need for continuing nutrition intervention.