• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.7
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• pp.1122-1131
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate self-assessed preferences for saltiness as well as salt-related dietary behaviors of university students in Gyeongsangbuk-do. Data were collected from subjects, including 175 male and 225 female university students. This survey was conducted using self-boarding questionnaires. Exactly 29.5% of all students answered 'salty' for their self-assessed preference of saltiness, and 42.5% indicated 'salty' for their assessed saltiness of university foodservice operations. Salt-related dietary behavior scores were significantly different among monthly spending money (P<0.01), self-assessed preference of saltiness (P<0.001), frequency of using university foodservice operations (P<0.001), and assessed saltiness of university foodservice operations (P<0.001). Among the 15 items of salt-related dietary behaviors, 4 items scored over 3.00/5.00, including frequent eating-out or consumption of delivered foods, kimchi, soy paste soup or other broth soups, and ramyon (instant noodle). Males revealed higher preferences for ham or sausage (P<0.05), table salt (P<0.01), broths (P<0.01), and complete consumption of soups and stews (P<0.01), whereas females showed greater preferences for eating-out or delivered foods (P<0.01). Overweight students showed higher preferences for all broths and complete consumption of soups and stews (P<0.01).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.49 no.2
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• pp.88-98
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• 2016

Purpose: We recruited 118 women in their early 20's to examine the relationship between sodium intake and salty taste thresholds and preference. We also examined the association of salty taste preference with sodium-related dietary behaviors and major dishes contributing to sodium intake. Methods: Daily sodium intake was estimated using a 127-item dish-frequency questionnaire. Salty taste thresholds and preference were measured using rating scales using water solution of NaCl and a self-administered questionnaire based on a Likert scale, respectively. Results: Salty taste preference showed positive correlation with daily sodium intake and sodium intake-increasing behaviors, and inverse association with sodium intake-decreasing behaviors, including salt and soy sauce use at the table, the frequency of eating out and home delivery of foods, broth consumption of soup, stew or noodle soup, the use of ready-to-serve or processed foods, fresh vegetable intake, and the accommodating attitude toward bland food. Intake of sodium-contributing dishes, including ramen, spicy soft-tofu stew, radish kimchi, and dishes containing kimchi, also showed positive association with salty taste preference. Unexpectedly, detection and recognition thresholds of salty taste showed no association with salty taste preference, sodium intake, and sodium-related dietary behaviors. Conclusion: These findings suggest that salty taste preference could reflect sodium intake of individuals rather than thresholds of saltiness, and may be used as a simple and effective proxy for usual sodium intake.