• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.151-162
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• 2014

This study conducted a survey to analyze awareness, preferences, and the current state of consuming environmentally friendly organic food while eating-out in 435 adults aged 20 and above in Daegu, Korea. Most subjects (95%) showed awareness of environmentally friendly organic food, and 88.5% of subjects answered environmentally friendly organic food is 'needed'. The percentage of eating out for families was 58.9%, and 49.0% of subjects said they eat out one to three times per month on average. In addition, subjects preferred a price range between 10,000 and 20,000 won per person when eating out, and they mostly favored Korean restaurants when ordering environmentally friendly organic food. Analysis of awareness of environmentally friendly organic food showed that among 'health' factors, 'environmental' factors, 'social' factors, and 'dietary essential' factors, 'health' factors showed the highest percentage for awareness. A survey on preferred foods by gender showed that both genders preferred vegetables the most. The results show that subjects in their 20s and 30s favored vegetables and fruits while subjects in their 40s preferred vegetables and grain animal products. Analysis of preferred types of environmentally friendly organic foods showed that men preferred polished rice while women preferred brown rice. Subjects in their 20s and 30s preferred strawberries, whereas those in their 40s preferred cherry tomatoes and those in their 50s and above favored tomatoes (p<0.001). Among root and tuber crops (63.4%), sweet potato was the most preferred. Among fruits, subjects preferred apples while among special crops, they most preferred oyster mushrooms; both genders preferred Korean beef. The most preferred livestock product of subjects in their 20s was pork, whereas subjects in their 30s preferred Korean beef. Subjects in their 40s preferred Korean beef and pork in the same proportions, whereas subjects in their 50s and above favored eggs the most.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.463-476
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• 2016

Objectives: Environmental, social and personal factors influence eating patterns. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between unhealthy food outlets within a residential area and obesity using nationally representative Korean survey data and data from the Census on Establishments. Methods: Data on the food intakes and socioeconomic variables of a total of 9,978 adults aged ${\geq}19$ years were obtained from the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Geographic locations of restaurants were obtained from the 2013 Census on Establishments in Korea. Administrative area was categorized into tertiles of count of unhealthy food outlets based on the distribution of number of unhealthy food outlets among all urban (Dong) and rural (Eup or Myun) administrative districts in Korea. Multilevel logistic regressions model were used to assess the association between the number of unhealthy food outlets and obesity. Results: People living in the district with the highest count of unhealthy food outlets had higher intakes of fat (45.8 vs. 44.4 g/day), sodium (4,142.6 vs. 3,949.8 mg/day), and vitamin A (753.7 vs. $631.6 {\mu}gRE/day$) compared to those living in the district with the lowest count of unhealthy food outlets. A higher count of unhealthy food outlets was positively associated with frequent consumption of instant noodles, pizza, hamburgers and sandwiches, sweets and sour pork or pork cutlets, fried chicken, snacks, and cookies. Higher exposure to unhealthy food outlets was associated with increased odds of obesity (1st vs. 3rd tertile; OR 1.689; 95% CI 1.098-2.599). Conclusions: A high count of unhealthy food outlets within a residential area is positively associated with the prevalence of obesity in Korea. The results suggest that food environmental factors affects the health outcomes and interventions aiming to restrict the availability of unhealthy food outlets in local neighborhoods may be a useful obesity prevention strategy.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.251-261
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• 2010

This paper examines the dining tendencies of Koreans toward meat dishes and their related factors, with 301 people residing in Korea as subjects. We questioned this population on their restaurant choices, eating habits, preferences and a dislike with respect to method of cooking. All age groups, with the exception of 50~60 year-olds, were found to consume meat dishes in specialized restaurants. The selection factor for restaurants varied, depending on the age group: affordable cost was the most important factor for whom under 20 year-old. Whereas 20-40 year-old people considered taste and ambience the most for choosing restaurant. The 50-60 year-old people found to seek for convenient restaurant. In terms of the most preferred parts of beef, 20-30 year-old people preferred tenderloin (42.3%) while 40-60 year-old people preferred sirloin (45.6% and 41.2% each). All the other age groups preferred ribs the most (It was also found that) men preferred the rib parts and women preferred tenderloin. With respect to pork, all age groups preferred pork belly, with the highest response rate in the under 20 age group. When consuming meat dishes, 91.0% of respondents pointed to roasting as the most frequent preparation method, the reason being good taste was deemed the highest number of responses. In a survey on preference for stewed meats, 74.8% of the sample pool was found to prefer stew dishes but 24.9% of respondents provided negative answers, the reason for dislike was found to be poor taste for women, and both a long preparation time and poor taste for men. In fact, regardless of marital status, a high number of responses were given for poor taste as the reason for disliking stew dishes. Based on the examined factors for inconveniences in preparing meat dishes, the most common inconvenience factor was the odor of meat left on clothes after the dining experience, followed by the smoke generated in roasting meat, and the safety risk involved with changing the grill. In terms of stir fry preparation, the negative thoughts were due to the splashing of food and spices while cooking, followed by the meat odor left on clothes after dining experience, and the sanitation level of the cooking containers. For deep frying the sanitation level of cooking containers was the biggest reason for dislike, followed by splashing of food when preparing. Lastly, it was indicated that the problem of steaming method was a difficulty of judging the portion, on the top of this, people found that the sanitation level of cooking container and a long preparation time were also the problem of this cooking method.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.99-108
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• 2001

A survey was conducted to assess the food-purchase behavior of 197 Taejon full time housewives 30 to 49 years of age. Food purchase was assessed using a questionnaire and the resulting data were analyzed using SPSS programs. Demographic data revealed that most of the households have three to five family members and that the Engel Indices of the participating households were mostly between 10 and 30%. Noticeable results of the food purchase assessment are as follows. In the grain and grain products items, the low-education group purchased more rice and barley than the high-education group, whereas the high-education group purchased more glutinous rice, brown rice, bread, macaronis and spaghetti than the low-education group. In the vegetable items, the low-education group purchased more Chinese cabbage and radish than the high-education group, while the high-education group purchased more head lettuce, broccoli and sweet pepper than the low-education group. In the meat items, the beef purchase was higher in the high-education than in the low-education group, while the pork purchase was higher in the low-education than in the high-education group . In the processed meat items, ham was the most favorite purchase item regardless of the education level. In the fish and shellfish items, Pacific cod and Alaska pollack were purchased more in the low-education than in the high-education group, and salmon and dried icefish strip were purchased more in the high-education than in the low-education group. No items in fruit group showed significant differences in the purchase amount between the low-education and the high-education group although the latter purchased more imported-fruits such as melons, kiwis, grapefruits, and oranges. Dairy products such as milk, cheese and butter were purchased more in the high-education than in the low-education group. It was also found that both the number of food items and the consumption of foods coming from animals were higher in the high-education than in the low-education group.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.129-136
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• 2012

Dioxins are chemical substances that are not properly decomposed degradation under natural photochemical, biological and chemical conditions in the environment, and bio-accumulate through the food chain, so pose a risk of causing adverse effects to human health and the environment. Ninety seven percent of human exposure to dioxins comes through meat, fish, dairy consumption and so on. Pork is the largest proportion meat aspect of daily intake in the Korean food. Pigs are three times more than Cattle in terms of breeding population and production amount in the world, and the amount is increasing every year. Therefore, it is necessary to monitor the exposure level of dioxins in pig's body. Also, it is required to evaluate the presence of these chemical substances in the pig's feed grain such as corn, soybeans, and tallow. The purpose of this study was to evaluate PCDD/Fs in pig's feed to search the origin of PCDD/Fs. Feed samples obtained were wheat from East Europe, corn from South America and America, soybean meal from Korea, America, South America and India and tallow from Korea. The preparation of samples was based on the EPA method 1613. Instrumental analysis was based on the use of high resolution gas chromatography coupled to high resolution mass spectrometry (HRGC/HRMS). The concentrations of 2,3,7,8-tetrachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (TCDD) and 1,2,3,7,8-pentachlorodibenzo-p-dioxin (PCDD), which are the most toxic potent dioxins, were not observed in any of the samples. However OCDD was detected in most of the samples. The TEQs in the feed samples were ranged from 0 pg TEQ/g to 0.09841 pg TEQ/g. Especially, the high level of TEQs was observed in the samples of wheat from East Europe and soybean meal from Korea.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.607-615
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to analyze the characteristics of Chinese foods in main ingredients, sauces, and cooking methods, and to assess the applicability of kochujang in Chinese foods. Twenty Chinese foods and commercial kochujang were selected by a Chinese head cook. The main ingredients were 24 kinds such as pork, chicken, shrimp, bok choy, bean curd, Chinese noodles etc., which were generally used in Korean foods. The main Chinese sauces were 11 kinds, and soy sauce was used in 12 foods, shang loo tau soy sauce in 2, wine in 8, oyster sauce in 7, rice wine in 6. The classification of cooking units in all Chinese foods was performed and the cooking frequency was deep frying>pan frying>boiling>stir frying>steaming>roasting. The proper amount of kochujang (weight ratio) was decided by pre-test of the Chinese head cook and Chinese food added kochujang was assessed by a Chinese focus group. The overall preference of Chinese food added kochujang was assessed highly and was related to the kinds of sauces, and to the kinds of main ingredients. The foods which used soy sauce or shang loa tau soy sauce were preferred. Sweetness by using kochujang wasn't preferred in several foods. Saltiness and aftertaste by using kochujang didn't affect the food preference, and the intensity of color and pungency were evaluated as a moderate level. An increased amount of kochujang would be possible in several foods. However, the increase in the amount of kochujang for intensive color and pungency in Chinese foods was directly related to the increase of sweetness, which had been discussed as the main problem in lowering the preference. Therefore, the screening of various Chinese foods harmonized with kochujang and the determination of the proper mixing ratio with Chinese sauces are very important. The results of this study could be used as basic data for the promotion of kochujang consumption in the Chinese market.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7479-7486
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• 2014

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is one of the most common cancers worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the interaction between the presence of a polymorphism of the XRCC1 gene and known risk factors for colorectal cancer in Thailand. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted in Thailand. The participants were 230 histologically confirmed new cases and 230 controls matched by sex and age and recruited from the same hospital. Information about demographic characteristics, life style, and dietary habits was collected using structured interviews, and blood samples were taken which were used for the detection of a homozygous and heterozygous polymorphisms of XRCC1. Associations were assessed using multiple conditional logistic regression. Results: In the univariate analysis, factors found to be significantly associated with an increased risk for CRC were the presence of the XRCC1 AA homozygote (OR= 4.95; 95% CI: 1.99-12.3), a first degree family history of cancer (OR= 1.74; 95% CI: 1.18-2.58), and a high frequency of pork consumption (OR= 1.49; 95% CI: 1.00-2.21). Intakes of fish fruit and vegetables appeared to be protective factors, but the associations were not statistically significant. In the multivariate analysis only the XRCC1 AA homozygote polymorphism and a family history of cancer emerged as risk factors (OR= 4.96; 95% CI: 1.90- 12.95 and OR=1.80; 95% CI: 1.18-2.72, respectively). Conclusions: While the XRCC1 AA homozygote and a family history of cancer were found to be associated with an increased risk of CRC, none of the dietary intake variables were clearly identified as risk or protective factors. There is a need for further research to determine the reasons for this.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.10
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• pp.5953-5956
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• 2013

Background: Cholangiocarcinoma (CCA) is the most common cancer in Northeast Thailand. It is also a crucial health problem for Thai people. Various risk factors for CCA have been identified in the upper part of Northeast Thailand, but no similar studies of risk factors have been conducted in the lower parts of the region. This study aimed to investigate factors associated with CCA in the resident population. Materials and Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted during 2009-2012 with the recruitment of 123 CCA cases and 123 non-CCA patient controls, matched for sex, age and residential area. Information was collected by interview with a structured questionnaire. Blood samples were collected for assays of anti-OV antibodies. Associations between various personal factors, dietary habits, family history, the presence of anti-OV antibodies and CCA were analyzed using multiple conditional logistic regression. Results: Patients who consumed raw meat (beef, pork) and alcoholic beverages ${\geq}3$ times per week had a higher risk of CCA than non-consumers ($OR_{adj}$=4.33; 95%CI=1.14-16.35 and $OR_{adj}$=2.13; 95%CI=1.00-4.55, respectively). Patients who had a family history of cancer had a higher risk than those who did not ($OR_{adj}$=4.34; 95%CI=1.80-10.43). Also, patients who had anti-OV antibodies (AU>23.337) had a higher risk than those whose anti-OV antibodies were below the cut-off ($AU{\leq}23.34$) ($OR_{adj}$=3.09; 95%CI=1.04-9.16). Conclusions: As is the case in the upper part of Northeast Thailand, OV infection is a crucial risk factor for CCA in people who live in lower part of the region. Similarly, a family history of cancer and the consumption of alcohol are risk factors for CCA.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.2007-2017
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• 2016

Background: Modifying lifestyle factors such as diet and exercise can reduce the risk of cancer. Psychological stress (PS) might be indirectly associated with cancer because it alters lifestyle factors. However, the relationship among these variables has not been fully investigated. Thus, we examined interactions between self-reported PS (SRPS) and habitual exercise on diet. Materials and Methods: In all, 5,587 men and 2,718 women were divided into "exerciser" and :non-exerciser" groips, based on whether they exercised reguarly, and classified into three SRPS levels: low, moderate and high. Diet was estimated using a validated food frequency questionnaire. Using a general linear model, food and nutrient consumption was estimated for each SRPS level in the 2 exercise groups, and the interactions between SRPS levels and exercise were calculated. Results: In women, the intake of pork and beef, low fat milk and yogurt, natto (fermented soybean), carrots and squash, other root vegetables, mushrooms, seaweeds, and wine along with the nutrients vegetable protein, soluble, insoluble and total dietary fiber, daidzein, genistein, carotene, retinol equivalents, vitamin B2, pantothenic acid, potassium, calcium, magnesium, phosphorus and iron demonstrated significant interaction with SRPS and habitual exercise (p for interaction <0.05). In men, raw and green leafy vegetable and fruit and vegetable juice significantly interacted with SRPS and habitual exercise (p for interaction <0.05). Conclusions: We suggest that certain foods and nutrients, which are thought to have a protective effect against cancer, interact with SRPS and habitual exercise, especially in women. This information is valuable for understanding and improving interventions for cancer prevention.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.200-206
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• 2006

A survey was conducted to investigate the preferences of wedding reception food, food consumption and its nutrient density, and the factors that influence nutrient density, in order to obtain baseline data for the development of an educational program on dining out. Subjects included 105 male and female adults who attended a wedding ceremony and consumed wedding reception food in the Chungbuk area between August and September 2004 and interviewed using a questionnaire. 63.0% of the subjects responded that they over-ate at the reception. 20.5% reported that they skipped the meal before the reception. The respondents who skipped the meal had more calorie intakes (899kcal) than those who did not (800kcal). In food preferences, noodles (51.0%), watermelon (47.0%), rice cake (39.0%), sweet and sour pork (38.0%), potato noodles stir-fried with vegetables (37.0%), beef rib soup with cooked rice (37.0%), bulgogi (35.0%), braised beef ribs (35.0%), fried shrimp (32.0%) were higher percentages in order. People preferred grain, meat and fatty food to vegetables. Total calorie intake from the reception foods were 881 kcal for males, and 769kcal for females. In evaluation of nutrient density, the density of calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C and dietary fiber did not meet the standard of the recommended intake. Especially, vitamin C and dietary fiber were less than 50% of the recommended level. The main factors that influence the nutrient density were household incomes, occupations, marital status, and total fat consumed. In conclusion, an educational program should be developed and offered to improve their dietary quality.