• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.37 no.3
• /
• pp.210-222
• /
• 2004

In recent years, the number and proportion of Korean elderly have grown rapidly, and elderly individuals show a disproportionate risk for poor nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of sociodemographic background to nutrient intake of persons 65 years of age or older, living in 15 cities in Korea. Data on 1973 subjects (603 males, 1370 females), who participated in the Korean Elderly Nutrition Survey (2000), were analyzed. Their mean age was 72.3 years and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.2 kg/$m^2$. Basic sociodemographic data were obtained through personal interviews. The 98-item semi-food frequency questionnaire, developed and previously validated for Korean middle-aged and elderly subjects, was administered. “Percentage of subjects who consumed under 75％ Korean RDA,” “number of nutrients consumed below 75％ Korean RDA,” “mean nutrient adequacy ratio,” and “nutrient density” were used to determine nutritional status. Male elderly had better nutritional quality than female elderly. Nutritional quality decreased with age, especially in older elderly (over 75). Elderly who were underweight (BMI 〈 20 kg/$m^2$) showed poorer nutritional quality than those who were normal weight (BMI 20∼25 kg/$m^2$) and overweight (BMI $\geq$ 25 kg/$m^2$). Elderly who lived alone had significantly poorer nutritional quality than those who lived with a spouse, and/or with children. Lower education level and economic dependence also showed lower nutritional quality. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of specific sociodemographic factors on nutritional quality. For number of nutrients under 75％ RDA as a dependent variable, education level explained 4.8％ of the variance, followed by living status, age, body mass index, gender, and living expense support (Model $R^2$ = 0.091). For mean nutrient adequacy ratio as a dependent variable, model $R^2$ was 0.098. Therefore, sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, body mass index, living status, educational level, and economic status influenced elderly nutrition status. These results indicate that an elderly nutrition intervention should focus on subjects who are poorly educated, living alone, age 75 or older, and/or underweight.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.20 no.1
• /
• pp.77-90
• /
• 2007

Purpose : This study identified the patterns of smoking of students attending middle schools and high schools, and analyzed its related health risk behaviors. Methods: The data was based on the survey of 1,517 middle students and 911 high students residing in Kyung-Gi district. Results: The current smoking rates of male and female middle students are 5.3%, and 3.1% respectively. The rates of experiences in smoking are 21.4% and 16.0%(male/female). The current smoking rates of male and female high students are 17.9% and 8.5%, whereas the rates of experiences in smoking are 34.2% and 23.3% respectively. On the other hands, 14.1% of middle students and 12.0% of high students were exposed to smoking for at least 2 hours per day. The majority of middle and high school smokers started smoking when they were in middle or high school. And the most popular places to smoke were children's playgrounds, public open area., parks, and so on. Whether having a smoker as a friend or not and students' own perception towards smoking influenced the decisions to smoke for middle and high students. Both middle and high students, regardless of their gender, who have higher rates of drinking experiences and the hours of computer usage were found to have higher rates of smoking experiences. Meanwhile, the sleeping hours is in reverse proportion to the rate of smoking experiences. There was statistically significant difference in smoking experiences related to the degree of obesity only in the female high students: underweight and overweight students showed higher rates of smoking experiences than those falling in the normal weight range. Conclusion: For the effective prevention of adolescence smoking, it is necessary to adopt a comprehensive approach, which classifies the target population according to their age and sex and cover all health risk behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.39 no.9
• /
• pp.1286-1294
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of nutrition education focus on food habit, eating behaviors, dietary attitude, nutrition knowledge, and nutrients intake. The nutrition education was provided to 103 overweight and obese children in Chonbuk area. Nutrition education lessons were conducted 40 min/lesson, 12 times in year (6 times/semester). We assessed the change in knowledge using a questionnaire on food habit, eating behaviors, dietary attitude, nutrition knowledge and nutrients intake using 24 hr recall method. After the nutrition education, dietary habits were significantly improved. Especially, the answer of 'Don't eat when feel full' were significantly improved (boys (p<0.01), girls (p<0.05)). And the answer of 'Eat sugar meal frequently (chocolate, candy)' which is a dietary attitude question was significantly improved (girls (p<0.05)). There were positively changes in the dietary attitude and nutrition knowledge, but there were no significant differences after program. The results suggest that this nutrition education must be continue for positive food habit change in the long term.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
• /
• v.12 no.1
• /
• pp.30-38
• /
• 2009

Purpose: To investigate the physical and biochemical parameters related with elevated serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) levels in obese children. Methods: One hundred forty-two obese or overweight children who visited the out-patient clinics of Chungnam National University Hospital between January 2006 and August 2008 were enrolled. Physical measures and biochemical tests were performed in all patients. Liver sonography was performed in 43 patients. They were divided into the following 2 groups based on ALT levels: group I, normal ALT levels (n=65); and group II, elevated ALT levels (n=77). We compared the physical measures, biochemical results, and ultrasonographic findings of the livers in both groups. Other causes of elevated serum ALT levels were ruled out. Results: The male-to-female ratios were 1.6:1 in group I and 7.6:1 in group II. Among physical parameters, the waist circumference-to-height ratio and hip circumference-to-height ratio were significantly higher in group II (p=0.001 and 0.046, respectively). Among biochemical parameters, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), ${\gamma}$-glutamyltransferase (${\gamma}$-GT), and total cholesterol levels were significantly higher in group II (p<0.001, 0.001, and 0.001, respectively). The AST/ALT ratio was <1 (mean, 0.55) and statistically lower in group II. There was a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and ${\gamma}$-GT (p<0.001, r=0.750), and a positive correlation between the serum ALT level and the waist circumference-to-height ratio in group II (p<0.001, r=0.401). Conclusion: The results suggest that the waist circumference-to-height ratio and ${\gamma}$-GT may be associated with elevated alanine aminotransferase activity in obese children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.85-97
• /
• 2017

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate dietary habits related to weight reduction and snack intake habits of $4^{th}$ to $5^{th}$ grade elementary students located in Jeju-si, Jeju, South Korea. Methods: The $4^{th}$ and $5^{th}$ grade elementary school students (total n = 234, equally matched numbers of normal weight children and overweight/obese children (n = 117/group)) were surveyed using a questionnaire and a 24-hour dietary recall method in Oct 2015. Results: The percentage of students who experienced reduced food intake to control weight was 26.3% in the normal weight group (NG) and 77.6% in the obese group (OG). Most frequently answered meal for reduced intake was snacks in the NG and dinner in the OG. Percentages of daily calorie intake among subjects were 17.2% for breakfast, 33.8% for lunch, 29.7% for dinner, and 19.3% for snacks. Frequency of snack intake was 2.1 times a week in NG and 1.6 times a week in OG, which showed a statistical difference between body weight groups. Types of snack foods were distinctly different depending on where children consumed them, although no difference was observed between NG and OG. In addition, snack intake level of low energy and nutrient-dense foods was significantly lower in the OG compared to the NG, whereas snack intake level of energy dense and low-nutritive foods was not different between the OG and NG. Conclusion: Taken together, snack intake level with consideration of frequency and amount of snack intake showed that children in the OG consumed significantly less low energy and nutrient-dense foods compared to the NG. Therefore, nutritional education for choosing healthy snack foods for children regardless of body weight status is crucial based on family-school links.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.32-40
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Obesogenic environments in children, in particular excessive intake of sodium, generate hypertension, which is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Methods: In all, 725 children, 379 boys and 373 girls, aged 8~9 years were recruited from seven elementary schools in Kuro-ku, Seoul. To evaluate whether or not obesity risk was modulated by salt-sensitive genes, Solute Carrier Familiy 12 member 3 (SLC12A3) was used as the target. After children were assigned into obese (BMI > 85 percentile) or non-obese groups, anthropometry, blood biochemistry, and dietary intakes were measured according to the genotypes GG (wild) or GA+AA (hetero+mutant). Results: Without gender differences, high TG and low HDLc were detected in the obese group compared to the non-obese group. Regardless of obesity, weight gain and blood pressure (BP) increased in the SLC12A3 GA+AA genotype rather than in the GG type. HDLc was associated with obesity risk without genotype difference. Odd ratios for risk of obesity were 15.57 (95% CI 2.192~110.654), 22.84 (95% CI 1.565~333.469), and 9.32 (95%CI 1.262~68.817) in boys and girls with GA+AA genotypes as sodium intake increased above 4,000 mg/day. Dietary calcium, sodium, folate, and vit C were associated with obesity risk according to gender or genotype differences. Since high folate intake reduced obesity risk in only boys with GG type. Risk for overweight and obesity increased in boys with GA+AA genotypes and dietary habits with high sodium and cholesterol and low folate. Conclusion: The A allele of SLC12A3 rs11643718 was sensitive to development of obesity in children as sodium intake increased.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.24 no.5
• /
• pp.103-118
• /
• 2007

Housewives' perception on obesity related variables to their family members according to the composition of children in the family was explored. Ninety housewives responded to a questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic informations, body weight perception, eating behaviors perception, and physical activity level for herself as well as her family. They were categorized into three groups based on child composition of the family; boys only (BO), girls only (GO), and boys and girls (BG) families. Boys in BO showed higher value of height, weight, and WHR than girls in GO (p <.05), while no differences were noticed in BMI and the waist girth between the groups. Mothers of BO perceived boys were active while mother of GO did girls were inactive (p <.05). Girls in GO ate meals less regularly than boys in BO and girls in BG. In general, housewives' perception on body weight of family members was relied on BMI and waist girth. As mother's BMI increased, the boy's BMI in BO was also elevated (p <.05), but not in others. Mothers' perception on caloric intake and activity encouragement were not accounted for morphological characteristics. Results suggest that housewives perceived obesity related variables differently based on the composition of children of the family.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.17 no.2
• /
• pp.226-242
• /
• 2012

Consumption of foods with high energy and low nutrient values has been linked to various health issues including obesity and chronic diseases. This study investigated the high-energy/low-nutrient food consumption status and its relationship with obesity status and intake of energy and nutrients, using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS). The prevalence of overweight and obesity among 2-18 year-olds was 8.4% and 10.8% in 2008 and 8.5% and 9.0% in 2009, respectively, in KNHANES. The prevalence of obesity among 12-18 year-olds was 13.9% in 2008 and 11.4% in 2009 in KNHANES, while it was 8.1% in 2008 and 8.2% in 2009 in KYRBWS. Consumption patterns of high-energy/low-nutrient foods were diverse depending on the particular food type. High-energy/low-nutrient foods such as cookies were most often consumed more frequently (2~3 times per week), but fast food type foods were generally consumed less frequently (once per week or less). No significant relationships between highenergy/ low-nutrient food consumption and level of energy and nutrient intakes were found in either datasets. Adolescents who were not obese more frequently consumed ramen (p < 0.001), cookies (p < 0.001) and fast food (p < 0.001) than those who were obese in KYRBWS, however, such relationships were not found in KNHANES. This direction of the relationship could be probably attributed to the cross-sectional nature of the datasets. This study was limited by the cross-sectional nature of the data, therefore, further longitudinal research using various study techniques would be necessary to understand the effects of high-energy/low-nutrient foods on child obesity.

• Journal of Distribution Science
• /
• v.9 no.3
• /
• pp.55-64
• /
• 2011

This study is important in its focus to find key clues in the marketing strategy, consumer behavior, and communication processes that define the infantile obesity market. The study, the first of its kind, surveyed a target audience, purchasing group, and housewives in their quest to determine purchasing decisions and effective branding strategy planning for the infantile obesity market. Another key component of the study was to focus on the key direct and/or indirect distribution channels for the subject market. Recently, obesity has emerged as a major social concern; some studies show that the onslaught of an adverse eating culture in Korea emanates from the prevalence of fast-food dining establishments. Obesity among children leads to adult obesity, especially if the young people's parents are overweight; notably, if either one or both of the parents are obese, the percentage of young people eventually being obese is approximately 80 to 85 percent. Because obesity is the cause of many major health concerns later in life, the struggle for a healthy life is considerably adversely affected by parents' consumer behavior. Infantile obesity, resulting in adult obesity, is also an important national economic and social issue. The sizable direct and indirect economic costs, as well as the tremendous social costs of obesity, cannot be overstated. Effective food branding and advertising centered on food preferences and dietary behaviors, especially to children, creates an effective marketing effort that, ultimately, leads to positive results. Thus, the purpose of this study is to demonstrate that the treatment of childhood obesity in Korea, through the activation of a brand and retail market, can effectively solve social and economic problems that result from infantile and childhood obesity. In this study, obesity markets and distribution channels in the purchase decision-making factors determining factor based on it effective inspection and branding strategies and brand marketing communications strategy proposed measures contribute to the obesity drug market and further enable the childhood obesity problem is intended to assist in solving.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.35 no.10
• /
• pp.1385-1393
• /
• 2006

The purpose of this study was to investigate nutrient intake status and dietary behaviors in elementary school children. The subjects were 98 boys and girls in the 4~6 grade and divided into three groups by body shape. The protein intakes of the subjects were higher than the Korean EER (estimated energy requirements). Especially male over weight group had more than twice intakes (216.0% ) comparing the Korean EER. The mean daily intakes of calcium, iron, vitamin A and vitamin C in all subjects did not meet the Korean RI (recommended intake). The vitamin C intake of male underweight group was only 43.2% comparing the Korean RI. Rice & cereals were main food sources of energy, protein and iron, and milk & milk products were main food sources of calcium. As their weights were high, the meal volume and the rate of skipped meal were shown to be high (p<0.05). Thus, this study implicates that desirable nutrition education may be needed for overweight and underweigh children.