• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.5
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• pp.410-414
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Several nutritional screening tools were recently developed to screen the risk of malnutrition in hospitalized children, but have not been validated in Asia. We compared four nutritional screening tools for pediatric patients in evaluating nutritional risks in newly hospitalized children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Medical records of newly admitted pediatric patients between June 2016 and May 2017 at two tertiary hospitals were reviewed. Initial information by nurses and hospital records by doctors on baseline demographic, clinical, and anthropometric data at admission were collected in all subjects. Nutritional risks were evaluated using four nutritional screening tools including the pediatric nutritional risk score (PNRS), the screening tool for the assessment of malnutrition in pediatrics (STAMP), the paediatric Yorkhill malnutrition score (PYMS), and the screening tools for risk of nutritional status and growth (STRONGkids). RESULTS: A total of 559 patients (310 boys and 249 girls, mean age $6.3{\pm}5.5years$) were recruited. Patients in medical and surgical departments were 469 (83.9%) and 90 (16.1%), respectively. The prevalence of patients at risk of malnutrition were 31.1% for low risk, 52.2% for medium risk, and 16.6% for high risk by PNRS; 11.4%, 39.7%, and 48.8% by STAMP; 26.5%, 25.4%, and 48.1% by PYMS; and 35.6%, 58.9%, and 5.5% by STRONGkids. PNRS versus STRONGkids and STAMP versus PYMS showed moderate agreement (kappa = 0.566 and kappa = 0.495, respectively). PYMS and STAMP revealed a relatively high sensitivity of 87.8% and 77.6% for wasting. CONCLUSION: Different nutritional screening tools revealed considerably different results in evaluating nutritional risks in newly hospitalized children. Since pediatric patients are at risk of malnutrition at admission and during hospitalization, screening tools should be applied properly according to the situation of each hospital.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.354-365
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• 2016

Objectives: Studies that reported the association between diet quality/nutritional intake status and mortality have rarely used long-term follow-up data in Asian countries, including Korea. This study investigated the association between the risk of mortality (all-cause and cause-specific) and the diet quality/nutritional intake status using follow-up 12-year mortality data from a nationally representative sample of South Koreans. Methods: 8,941 individuals who participated in 1998 and 2001 Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were linked to mortality data from death certificates. Of those individuals, 1,083 (12.1%) had died as of December, 2012. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the relative risks of mortality according to the level of diet quality and intakes of major nutrients. Indicators for diet quality index and nutritional intake status were assessed using MAR (mean adequacy ratio) and energy and protein intake level compared with the 2010 Korean DRI. Results: Higher diet quality/nutritional intake status were associated with lower mortality; the mortality risk (95% confidence interval) from all-cause of lowest MAR group vs highest was 1.66 (1.27 to 2.18) among ${\geq}30$ year old, and 1.98 (1.36 to 2.86) among 30~64 year old individuals. Those with below 75% of energy and protein intake of Korean DRI had higher mortality risks of all-cause mortality compared to the reference group. Diet quality/nutritional intake status was inversely associated with mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Conclusions: Poor Diet quality/nutritional intake status were associated with a higher risk of mortality from all-cause and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer among South Korean adults.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.9 no.6
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• pp.695-705
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• 2004

The risks of the metabolic syndrome (MS) is known to be related to the dietary behavior. The objective of this study is to evaluate the association between the relative risks of MS and the dietary habit and to provide the ideal dietary habits for prevention of chronic disease of the middle-aged. Healthy subjects aged 40-64 years (male n=122, female n=173) were recruited throughout Seoul area. MS was defined according to NCEP-ATP III criteria except central obesity, and Asia-Pacific Area criteria for central obesity (2000) was adapted. Subjects were stratified into 3 groups according to the number of total risk factors:'MS group' was defined as the subjects who have three or more risk factors, 'Risk group' was defined as ones to have one or two risk factors, and 'Healthy group' defined as ones with no risk factor. In this study, 'Health group' comprised of $40.7\%$, the percentage of 'Risk group' was $49.0\%$, and the 'MS group' was $9.5\%$ of the total subjects. The MS incidence was associated with low education (p<0.001), low economic status (p<0.05), and low self-assessed health recognition (p<0.05). The risk of MS increased with adverse life styles such as cigarette smoking (p<0.05), irregular meal time (p<0.05), skipping lunch (p<0.05), low interests in balanced diet (p<0.05), and higher salt intake (p<0.01). Healthy group self-evaluated nutritional knowledge more highly (p<0.05) and scored higher nutritional knowledge (p<0.001). However, there was no difference in overall nutritional behavior among the three groups, which implies that nutritional education method should be developed for the subjects to practice their teaming efficiently.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.5
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• pp.592-605
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• 2007

Undernutrition could be a significant deterrent to healthy aging and could negatively affect health outcomes in elderly. This study aimed to assess health-related factors which are associated with nutritional risks in middle-aged and elderly individuals by a cross-sectional study. Interviews were conducted with 2660 subjects (847 males, 1813 females), aged 50 years and over, in 15 cities in Korea. Data on food intake were obtained through a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Nutritional status were analyzed according to health-related factors including cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, stress and depression level. Less regular exercise was associated with a higher likelihood of a poor nutrition [odds ratio (OR) 1.94; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.43-2.65] of middle-aged and elderly male subjects. Cigarette smoking (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.24-2.71), less exercise (OR 2.58; 95% CI 2.07-3.21), stress (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.36-2.22), and depression (OR 1.34, 95% CI 1.08-1.67) of middle-aged and elderly female subjects was associated with a higher likelihood of a poor nutrition. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that less exercise proved to be the strongest predictors for the poor nutrition, followed by stress, smoking, and depression (model $R^2= 9.0%$). It suggests that guidance to promote regular exercise, to quit smoking, to minimize stress and depression level might help to improve nutritional status of middle-aged and elderly in Korea. These findings also suggest that having recommendable health behaviors are beneficial to the good nutrition of subjects aged 50 years and over.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.9
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• pp.777-785
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• 2005

Health outcomes are strongly associated with dietary factors. Poor dietary intake increases health risks and can have adverse affects throughout all stages of live and can be passed onto next generations. Korea faces a double burden of nutritional problems. One one side health problems are related to an inadequate diet including underweight, osteoporosis or anemia etc. On the other side the health problems are related to over consumption, including obesity, hypertension, diabetes, cancer, cardiovascular disease and etc. Improving the national health and nutritional status requires adjustments of nutrition policies that have primarily focused on under nutrition, to accommodate all nutrition concerns within the country. Nutrition research specific to Korean people must be promoted to produce scientific evidences on which to base nutrition policies. The creation of a nutrition-specialized institute is an important starting point.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.28 no.1
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• pp.5-16
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• 2017

This study was conducted to compare the nutritional status, nutrient intakes, and chronic disease risks of Chinese elderly people. MNA (Mini Nutritional Assessment) developed for elderly people was used to determine their nutritional status. In this study, participants consisted of 148 urban residents aged 65 years and over residing in three cities in Shandong Province, China. Participants were 67 (45.3%) men and 81 (54.7%) women, and average age was 72.8 years. According to MNA score, 77.7% of participants were 'well nourished', 22.3% were 'at risk of malnutrition', and 2% were 'malnourished'. Nutritional status was divided into two groups by MNA score as 'well nourished' and 'malnourished', which was formed with the combination of 'at risk of malnutrition' and 'malnourished'. Compared with the well nourished group, the malnourished group was older, and physical status indicators such as weight, BMI (Body Mass Index), and calf circumference of the malnourished group were much smaller. The malnourished group had higher prevalence rates of heart disease and stomach disorders while the well nourished group had a higher rate of hypertension. There was no significant difference between the malnourished group and well nourished group in nutritional intake below Chinese DRIs (Dietary Reference Intakes) among elder males. A higher proportion of elder females showed insufficient intakes of energy, protein, vitamin A, vitamin E, and zinc in the malnourished group compared to the well nourished group. The INQ (Index of Nutrition Quality) of calcium, magnesium, zinc, iodine, and most vitamins was less than 1 in both the malnourished and well nourished groups.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.9
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• pp.473-479
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• 2021

Background: Malnutrition has a high incidence among pediatric surgical patients and contributes to increased risks of postoperative complications and extended hospital stays. Purpose: The present study aimed to determine the influence of preoperative nutritional status on the postoperative outcomes of pediatric patients who underwent elective gastrointestinal (GI) surgery. Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted at Cairo University Specialized Pediatric Hospital. According to the designated inclusion criteria, 75 surgical cases of both sexes were included. A structured questionnaire was developed and administered. This questionnaire included 3 main sections: demographic data and nutritional status parameters at admission and discharge. Pre- and postoperative nutritional statuses were compared. Results: According to both the subjective global nutritional assessment and STRONGKIDS score Questioner, more than 60% of patients in the upper GI patient group were at risk of malnutrition. Wasting status was most common in the upper GI patient group (67%; vs. 39.1% in the lower GI group). Underweight status was more common in the hepatobiliary and upper GI patient groups (nearly 50% for each group) than in the lower GI group (30.4%). On the other hand, stunted patients had a higher incidence of complications and a prolonged hospital stay (P=0.003 and P=0.037, respectively), while underweight lower GI patients experienced a prolonged hospital stay (P=0.02). A higher proportion of patients with preoperative anemia than those without preoperative anemia required a blood transfusion (P=0.003). Conclusion: Nutritional assessment is a crucial component of pediatric surgical patient management. Both underweight and wasting statuses were more common among hepatobiliary and upper GI patients. Postoperative complications and a long hospital stay were more common among stunted patients.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.108-119
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• 2018

Purpose : This study evaluated the nutritional status and effect of nutritional support team (NST) management in critically ill patients. Methods : From January 2015 to August 2017, the study retrospectively investigated 128 patients aged above 19 years admitted to a medical intensive care unit (MICU). The patients were divided into two groups: NST (n=65) and non-NST (n=63) groups. Nutritional status, classification of bedsore risks, incidence rate of bedsore and clinical outcomes were compared. Results : The study found a higher rate of the use of enteral nutrition in the NST group (${\chi}^2=45.60$, p < .001). The prescription rate of parenteral nutrition (PN) was found to be lower in the NST group (4.6%) compared to the non-NST group (60.3%). There was a higher PN of total delivered/required caloric ratio in the NST, compared to the non-NST, group (${\chi}^2=3.33$, p=.025). There were significant differences for higher albumin levels (t=2.50, p=.014), higher total protein levels (t=2.94, p=.004), and higher proportion of discharge with survival rates (${\chi}^2=18.26$, p < .001) in the NST group. Conclusions : Providing NST management to critically ill patients showed an increase in the nutrition support. Further, to achieve effective clinical outcomes, measures such as nutrition education and continuous monitoring and management for the provision of nutritional support by the systemic administration of a nutritional support team should be considered.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.509-520
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether a mobile health (mHealth) application can instigate healthy behavioral changes and improvements in metabolic disorders in individuals with metabolic abnormalities. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Participants were divided into an mHealth intervention group (IG), which used a mobile app for 24 weeks, and a conventional IG. All mobile apps featured activity monitors, with blood pressure and glucose monitors, and body-composition measuring devices. The two groups were compared after 24 weeks in terms of health-behavior practice rate and changes in the proportion of people with health risks, and health behaviors performed by the IG that contributed to reductions in more than one health risk factor were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Preference for low-sodium diet, reading nutritional facts, having breakfast, and performing moderate physical activity significantly increased in the mHealth IG. Furthermore, the mHealth IG showed a significant increase of eight items in the mini-dietary assessment; particularly, the items "I eat at least two types of vegetables of various colors at every meal" and "I consume dairies, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, every day." The proportion of people with health risks, with the exception of fasting glucose, significantly decreased in the mHealth IG, while only the proportion of people with at-risk triglycerides and waist circumference of females significantly decreased in the control group. Finally, compared to those who did not show improvements of health risks, those who showed improvements of health risks in the mHealth IG had an odds ratio of 1.61 for moderate to vigorous physical activity, 1.65 for "I do not add more salt or soy sauce in my food," and 1.77 for "I remove fat in my meat before eating." CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the additional use of a community-based mHealth service through a mobile application is effective for improving health behaviors and lowering metabolic risks in Koreans.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.48 no.12
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• pp.1295-1309
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• 2005

Nowadays, the nutritional deficits are rarely seen in Korea. However, an increased availability of the highly palatable energy dense, nutrient-poor foods increases the risks of obesity and deficits of vitamins and minerals in the general population. Also, optimum intake of vitamins and minerals, which varies with age and genetic back ground, might not suffice the poor, young, obese, and elderly people. Young girls and individuals participating in weight reductions and aesthetic components are prone to micronutrient deficiencies because they restrict food intake and specific micronutrient rich foods. An inadequate intake of vitamins or minerals is associated with reduced physical performance and exercise capacity, increased obesity, decreased cognitive function, increased DNA damages such as single- and double-stranded breaks or oxidative DNA lesions, and accelerated aging process and increased neuronal damages with mitochondrial oxidative decay. Most of these deleterious effects of the deficit could be prevented by a one tablet of multivitamins with a good balanced diet. High dose B vitamins are frequently administered to overcome the metabolic inadequacy to the people with the less functional enzymes with increased Km values for their coenzymes due to the single gene mutation or due to the single nucleotide polymorphisms. And some certain antioxidant vitamins are also used in large quantities to overcome the oxidative stress and to repair the damages. In this review, new nutritional concepts of some vitamins and minerals, which are widely used and useful for the children, will be discussed.