• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.23-31
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• 2019

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: A large number of studies on anemia have focused mostly on pregnant women or children. The vegetarian population, which is another potential risk group for anemia, remains largely unexplored. Therefore, this cross-sectional study examined the associations of the sociodemographic, lifestyle, nutritional, and psychological factors with the anemia status among female adult vegetarians. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 177 female vegetarians were recruited from a Buddhist and Hindu organization in Selangor, Malaysia. The participants completed a self-administered questionnaire, which analyzed their sociodemographic characteristics, physical activity level, sleep quality, depression, anxiety, and stress. The body weight, height, waist circumference, and body fat percentage of the participants were also measured. A 3-day dietary recall was conducted to assess their dietary intake. Blood samples (3 ml) were withdrawn by a nurse from each participant to determine the hemoglobin (Hb) level. RESULTS: The findings revealed 28.2% of the participants to be anemic. The age group (AOR = 2.46, 95% CI = 1.19-5.05), marital status (AOR = 2.69, 95% CI = 1.27-5.71), and percentage of energy from protein (AOR = 5.52, 95% CI = 1.41-21.65) were the significant predictors of anemia. CONCLUSIONS: Anemia is a public health problem among female vegetarians in this study. Health promotion programs that target female adult vegetarians should be conducted to manage and prevent anemia, particularly among those who are married, aged 50 and below, and with an inadequate protein intake.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.189-201
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• 2019

The objective of this study was to investigate the health status and nutritional intake of the old population living in Soonchang, Jeollabuk-do, Korea. 69 subjects aged 65 years and older were recruited in July 2016. The WHR, was significantly higher in elderly male group than elderly female group (p<0.05), but both groups had abdominal obesity (0.85 and over). T-score mean of elderly male and female groups were below $-2.5mg/cm^3$ that they were osteoporotic. In the elderly male group, the higher concentrations of creatinine, homocysteine and uric acid were found to be significantly unfavorable factors (p<0.001, respectively). The blood vitamin $D_3$ levels of elderly male group was significantly higher than that of elderly female group (p<0.05). The physical activity and self-rated health were significantly higher in elderly male group than in elderly female group (p<0.05, p<0.01, respectively). The nutrient intakes of male group were found to be significantly favorable factors than in female group. The score of mini nutrition assessment was significantly lower in elderly female group than in the elderly male group. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy and the prevention of disease of Korean elderly people living in rural areas.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.363-381
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• 2021

Objectives: This study examined the Korean elderly's dietary intake status, subjective health-related perception and chronic disease prevalence among age groups. Associations of dietary quality with subjective health-related perception and chronic diseases were also examined. Methods: Based on data from the 7th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a total of 3,231 elderly were selected and categorized into 4 age groups of '65 ~ 69', '70 ~ 74', '75 ~ 79' and 'over 80'. Nutrient intakes, proportions of those with insufficient nutrient intakes, Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), some subjective health-related perceptions and prevalence of major chronic diseases were compared according to the age groups. Differences in the subjective health-related perceptions and odds ratios of the chronic diseases according to the quartile levels of KHEI within the same age group were analyzed. Results: With the increase of age, several nutrient intakes (P < 0.001) and KHEI scores significantly decreased (P < 0.01). In women, activity restriction increased (P < 0.05), and EQ-5D score decreased with age (P < 0.001). Prevalence of hypertension (P < 0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.05) and anemia (P < 0.01) significantly increased, while hypertriglyceridemia (P < 0.01) significantly decreased only in men. Obesity prevalence decreased, while underweight prevalence increased (P < 0.05). Subjective health status, EQ-5D score and PHQ-9 score significantly improved as KHEI score increased in certain age groups of women (P < 0.05). Odds ratio of hypercholesterolemia significantly increased with the increase of KHEI score in 65 ~ 69-year-old women. However, hypertension and anemia significantly decreased with the increase of KHEI score in 75 ~ 79-year-old women (P < 0.05). Conclusions: The study findings suggest that nutrition management and policy for the Korean elderly need to apply a segmented age standard that can better reflect their dynamic characteristics.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.46-57
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• 2022

Background Adherence to healthy diet acts as a key role to modify sedentary lifestyle in real life setting. Constitution type of traditional Korean medicine has been prediagnosed to risk factors of cardiometabolic diseases. This study aims to evaluate the associations between body composition and healthy eating status in Korean adults by their constitution type. Methods Of 4046 participants from Korean Medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort study, Korean Medicine Daejeon Citizen Cohort (KDCC) study were included for analysis. Demographic, health-related behaviors and Korean Medicine (KM) type were surveyed based on a general health-related questionnaire. Anthropometric measurements and dietary factors by using Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) were assessed only in the half of the original participants. Results 50.8% of Taeeum was observed from eligible 1967 participants (66.7%, women). The highest KHEI score was observed in soyang group (52.0±0.3, p=0.006) compared to other two groups. In taeeum group, lower appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM)(%)(Taeeum: 38.7±0.1 vs. Soeum/Soyang: 39.2±0.1, p < 0.05), and higher percent of body fat (PBF)(%) (Taeeum: 32.9±0.2 vs. Soeum/Soyang: 29.0±0.2, p < 0.05) by the lowest tertile (T1) of the KHEI score, respectively. When the KHEI score increased by 1 point in taeeum group, a positive relationship was observed, which increased by 0.015% of ASM, however, a negatively related to in which body fat mass (BFM) decreased by 0.022 kg and PBF decreased by 0.024%. Conclusion Customized nutritional management is required that could help maintaining physical health and diet by their constitution type.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.24 no.4
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• pp.13-26
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• 2023

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to explore the factors that influence aerobic physical activity among Korean adults, including sociodemographic characteristics, health behavior, health status, social relationships, community satisfaction, and to find ways to increase aerobic physical activity among adults. Methods: In 2019, 191,152 adults in the Community Health Survey were analyzed, and complex sample frequency analysis, Rao-Scott test and complex sample logistic regression analysis were conducted by dividing them into the presence or absence of aerobic physical activity practice. Results: The rate of aerobic physical activity among adults was 36.0%, and males were higher than females. Among individual factors, gender, age, income level, smoking, drinking, weight control attempt, frequency of breakfast, obesity, quality of life, and subjective health status were factors that had a significant effect. Among social relationship factors, leisure activities and contact with neighbors at least once a week were significant factors, and only overall safety level satisfaction was a factor that had a significant effect on physical activity practice in community satisfaction factors. Conclusion: Programs focused on personal factors, social relationships, and networks should be strategically developed to improve the participation rate of adult aerobic physical activities, indicating the importance of these factors over community infrastructure. To development of community-centered professional integrated health education will be necessary in the future.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.4
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• pp.385-394
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to determine the zinc status of preschool children in Ulsan. The study was conducted in 95 children aged 3 to 6 years by investigating the anthropometric indices and assessing the biochemical analysis. The blood was analysed to assess serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase. And a questionnaire for dietary intakes using 24-hr recall method were performed by mothers of 95 subjects. The dietary intakes of children were analysed to determine the prevalence of inadequate and excessive intakes of zinc with Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). WHL (Weight-Length Index) and Kaup index were used to define obesity. The overall prevalence of overweight and obese subjects were 14.7% and 6.3% by WHL, were 15.8% and 13.7% by Kaup index. The mean intakes of zinc by children aged 3${\sim}$5y and 6y were 5.5 ${\pm}$ 1.4 mg/d (75.7% RDA) and 6.7 ${\pm}$ 2.0 mg/d, respectively, that was the level exceeding the estimated average requirement (EAR) and the recommended intake (RI) of Korean Dietary Reference Intakes. Less than 1.3% and 7.9% of children had usual zinc intakes below EAR and RI of KDRIs, respectively. The percentages of children with intakes exceeding the tolerable upper intake level (UL) were 2.6%. The zinc nutritional status by biological assay was found that mean serum zinc and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) of total subjects were 64.0 ${\pm}$ 8.4 ${\mu}$g/dl and 72.8 ${\pm}$ 14.9 U/L, there was not a significant difference between boys and girls. The range of serum zinc level was 45${\sim}$89 ${\mu}$g/dl and children with a low serum zinc concentration by several cut-off points were 18.9${\sim}$55.8%, especially. Serum zinc level was positively correlated to the intakes of calorie, calcium, fiber, iron, zinc, zinc/kg and height (p<0.001). Serum ALP was positively correlated height, weight and WLI. The zinc intake of children aiso showed a positive correlation with height and weight. These results indicate that there were significant correlations between the zinc status and growth of preschool children. Preschool children in Ulsan have dietary zinc intakes that exceed the new DRIs. The present level of intake does not seem to pose a health problem, but if zinc intakes with fortified foods and supplements were considered, the amount of zinc consumed by children may become excessive.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3500-3512
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to conduct a comparative analysis of health behaviors, health status, and health care utilization by the homeland of the internationally married women immigrants living in Korea. The subjects of this study were 171 married women immigrants who are registered at 7 multicultural centers in Chungbuk province. The study was conducted from September 2010 to November 2010 by surveying them with structured questionnaires translated in 7 different languages. In health behaviors the results indicated that there were statistically significant differences in high intensity exercise, walking, weight control, and the number of times having breakfast per week depending on the subject's homeland. In health status, there were statistically significant differences in low back pain incidence and obesity rate by the subject's homeland. In health care utilization, the subjects revealed statistically significant differences in utilizing health screening, in selecting primary medical institutes, and in the reasons for avoiding medical institutes depending on the subject's homeland. Health promotion policies that take the results of this research into account would provide suitable health care services for internationally married migrant women.

• Korean Journal of Transplantation
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.144-153
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• 2014

Background: Normal renal function and health have been recognized as important factors in living donors after kidney donation. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the health status and health-promoting lifestyle in living donors after kidney donation. Methods: A total of 678 living-kidney donors were counted in our center from January 1990 to December 2011. Only 84 donors agreed to participate in the survey by telephone. We received consent for participation in our survey from 48 donors (57.1%). Data were collected from May to August 2013 using donor characteristics, health status, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile I (HPLP-I). Results: The donors were predominantly female (62.5%) and the average age was 48.9±11.8 years, and the average period after nephrectomy was 9.7±5.7 years. The characteristics of donors included ideal body weight (37.5%), overweight (37.5%) in body mass index, and good health status (81.3%). Most donors underwent an annual medical check-up (56.2%), no health problem (81.3%), and no disease (64.6%). However, one patient was treated with dialysis for renal failure due to diabetes. The total average score for HPLP-I was 128.3±13.9. Higher than average scores (116.3±19.1) were observed for the general middle-aged woman. There were statistically significant differences in self-realization and nutrition in subsection of HPLP-I. Self-realization showed a higher score for Christian (F=2.743, P=0.041) and good health (F=3.389, P=0.017). Nutrition showed a higher score for overweight, obesity (F=6.783, P=0.000), and older than 60 (F=3.854, P=0.009). Conclusions: Most living kidney donors were healthy after their donation and had relatively high scores for health-promoting lifestyle. However, one patient had a serious health problem. In addition, younger, longer period after donation, and the rare health examination of donors showed a lower health-promoting lifestyle. Designed and continuous health-care management after transplantation is needed for kidney donors.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.48 no.3
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• pp.258-268
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• 2015

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the relationship of ready-to-eat cereal (RTEC) consumption with nutrition and health status. Examination of health status for this project included obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia, low-HDL-cholesterolemia, diabetes, anemia, and metabolic syndrome. Methods: Two groups, RTEC consumers and those who did not consume RTEC, were identified using 24-hour dietary recall data from the 2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Nutritional intakes and risk factors of the two groups were compared using covariates-adjusted statistical procedures. Statistical analyses were performed using SAS survey procedures, and strata, cluster, and weight were considered. Subjects of analysis of nutritional intake were between the ages of 1 and 75, and those considered in the risk factor analysis were between the ages of 19 and 75. Results: Results showed that 3.8% of the Korean population was RTEC consumers. Compared to the subjects who did not intake RTEC, RTEC consumers exhibited significantly higher intakes of calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, and vitamin C. It was also discovered that the percentage of people whose intakes were less than EAR decreased with RTEC consumption. RTEC consumption showed significant association with decreased systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, serum triglyceride, and serum total cholesterol. Consequently, prevalence of hypertension among RTEC consumers was significantly lower than that among non-consumers, and the odds ratio for hypertension was 0.19 after adjusting the models for covariates. Conclusion: Results of this study clearly suggest an association of RTEC consumption with improved nutritional status and cardiometabolic risk profile in Korean adults. Conduct of additional studies will be necessary in order to determine the nature of these relationships.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.416-427
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• 2011

This study investigated the association among parental socioeconomic level, overweight, and eating habits with diet quality in Korean sixth grade school children. A 3-day dietary survey was conducted, and a questionnaire and anthropometric data were collected from the Korean child obesity cohort (320 boys and 345 girls). The children were classified into two groups (low or high level) based on monthly household income and paternal and maternal education status. Lower maternal education status was associated with a higher risk for overweight in girls (odd ratio, 1.91; 95% confidence interval 1.07-3.44), whereas belonging to a higher socioeconomic group in terms of parental income or parental education level resulted in the consumption of significantly more fruit. Boys did not show significant differences in the intake of most nutrients or diet quality regardless of socioeconomic status. However, girls in the lower socioeconomic group had a lower food habit score (higher frequency of breakfast skipping and ramen noodle consumption), diet quality, and intake of nutrients (carbohydrate, vitamin C, potassium, and fiber) than those in the higher socioeconomic group. Therefore future nutrition policies and interventions should support parents and children with lower socioeconomic status to develop health-related behaviors that may prevent childhood overweight.