• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.752-771
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the effect of sodium reduction education program of a public health center on the blood pressure, blood biochemical profile and sodium intake of hypertensive adults. The program continued for 16 weeks with an 8-week nutrition education and an 8-week follow-up to forty two subjects, 6 males and 36 females aged 46 to 80 years. Subjects received nutrition education including lectures, activities, cooking classes and nutrition counseling. Physical fitness, management of stress, and nutrition counseling were provided during the follow-up. The program was evaluated three times, before and after the nutrition education, and after the follow-up. Systolic blood pressure (p < 0.0001) and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.001) were decreased after completion of the program. Body weight (p < 0.005), percent body fat (p < 0.005) and body mass index (p < 0.001) were decreased, too. There were no significant differences in blood glucose, HDL-cholesterol and triglycerides, while elevated levels of total cholesterol (p < 0.001) and LDL-cholesterol (p < 0.001) appeared after the program completion. Decreased intakes of vitamin A (p < 0.05), ${\beta}$-carotene (p < 0.001) and sodium (p < 0.001) were observed. Consumption frequency of noodles, soups, stews, kimchi, fishes/shellfish, seasoned vegetables, and salted seafoods/pickles (p < 0.05~p < 0.001) were decreased, while that of all food groups were not changed during the follow-up. Total score of nutrition knowledge related to sodium intake and hypertension (p < 0.001), and that of dietary behavior associated with high sodium intakes were changed positively (p < 0.001) only during the nutrition education. This sodium reduction education program, including the follow-up study showed positive effects on the blood pressure, sodium intake, nutrition knowledge and dietary behavior of hypertensive adults.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.5
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• pp.472-482
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• 2017

Purpose: This study examined the dietary behavior and the effects of nutrition education according to the stages of behavioral changes in sodium reduction of healthy male adults (20~69 years) in Gwangju Chonnam Regions. Methods: The research subjects were 200 male adults. Results: A significantly higher mean age was observed in the stage of Action Maintenance (A M) than in the stage of Precontemplation (PC) and stage of Contemplation Preparation (C P). Significant differences in the frequency of exercise, eating out, and preference for salty food, intake frequency of Udon, Ramen and Sundae according to the stages of behavior change in sodium reduction were observed. The dietary behavior scores and intake frequency-related dietary behavior scores of A M were significantly higher than PC and C P. Nutrition education for sodium reduction improved the dietary behavior score significantly in PC and C P, as well as the rate of correct answers of sodium-related nutrition knowledge in all stages. After the nutrition education, PC decreased greatly, and A M increased. Conclusion: Subjects in PC and C P had an undesirable propensity in dietary behavior, and nutrition knowledge compared to A M, but the nutrition education for sodium reduction greatly improved their dietary behavior and nutrition knowledge.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.366-378
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to develop a sodium index, which is a tool for estimating and assessing sodium intake easily and quickly, to assist in the prevention of various diseases induced by excess sodium intake in Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The 24-h urine collection and dietary behavior surveys were performed on 640 healthy people in 4 regions of South Korea, and an equation for the estimation of 24-h sodium intake was developed. The validity and reliability of the equation were verified with 200 adults. The sodium index was developed by converting the estimated sodium intake using the equation. Finally, the sodium intake status of 1,600 adults was assessed using the sodium index. RESULTS: The equation included sex, age, body mass index, eating habit and dietary behaviors related to sodium intake. In validity test of the equation, the mean bias between sodium intake using 24-h urine analysis and using the equation from the Bland-Altman plots was -1.5 mg/day. The sensitivity and specificity of the equation for estimation of sodium intake were 80.5% and 64.4%, respectively. In the reliability test of the equation, there was no significant difference between the first and second sodium intakes calculated using the equations, and Spearman's correlation coefficient between the 2 sodium intakes was 0.98. Sodium intake can be assessed as 'very moderate' for 75-100 on the sodium index, 'moderate' for 100-150, 'careful' for less than 75 or 150-200, and 'severe' for 250 or more. When sodium intake was assessed using the sodium index in 1,600 subjects, 54.3% and 24.3% of the subjects were assessed to be in the 'careful' and 'severe' categories, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Using a simple questionnaire, the sodium index can be used to monitor and assess sodium intake status, assisting in nutrition education and counseling in a large population.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2008

This study was performed to understand recognition and behaviors related to sodium intake of Korean adults. The data were collected from subjects including 267 male and 285 female adults in nationwide and compared by gender and by age. We found that the male group showed significantly higher smoking, alcohol drinking, and exercise does the female group. The older group (40 to 59 years) revealed significantly higher exercise and lower alcohol drinking; however general disease and hypertension prevalence, diet therapy practice, and meditation for hypertension were higher. Recognizing sodium levels of foods containing high-sodium, and sodium-nutriture labels when purchasing foods, and knowing differences between salt and sodium of the male group or recognizing sodium levels of foods containing high-sodium of the older group was worse than the other. Among the 32 food behaviors, only 12 were identified as significantly correlated to sodium intake levels including behaviors of preferring Chinese and Japanese foods to Western foods, preferring kimchi to raw vegetables, completely consuming soup, stew, noodle liquid, liking of dried fish and salted mackerel, frequent eat-outs or delivered foods, and so forth. There were significant differences between gender or age groups in terms of sodium intake-increasing behaviors; the male group showed higher behaviors of preferring salty taste and eating all broths. And the older group revealed higher behavior of adding table salt as well as the previous two, however, the younger group showed more behaviors of eat-outs or delivered foods and not the liquid of kimchi.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.232-237
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• 2012

This study was done to explore the effect of Korean women's salt usage behavior on their sodium intake and excretion according to aging. Dietary sodium intake and salt usage behavior were analyzed to compare the difference between young and middle-aged women. One hundred fifty six young women and 77 middle-aged women without hypertension or any current medication were recruited. Body mass index, waist hip ratio, blood pressure were measured from each subject. Salt usage behaviors were surveyed with questionnaire, sodium intake with 24-hr recall method, and sodium excretion with spot urine. Middle-aged women were more obese than young women according to body mass index and waist hip ratio. Blood pressure was significantly higher for the middle-aged. Young women consumed more fats and middle-aged women more carbohydrates. Middle-aged women consumed more sodium and potassium, and excreted more sodium. Among questionnaire items, kimchi, soup or pot stew, or salted vegetables were found to be related with high sodium diet. Salted vegetables and salted nuts and potato chips were significantly correlated with young women's high sodium diet, while soy sauce on fried food, kimchi, salted vegetables accounted for middle-aged women's high sodium diet. With these results, we concluded that middle-aged women consumed more carbohydrates, less fat, and more sodium and potassium than young women. Middle-aged women frequently choose kimchi, soup or pot stew, or salted vegetables, and they contribute to high sodium intake. We recommend to choose low-salt kimchi, less soup or pot stew, and more fresh vegetables for lower sodium diet.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.219-227
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• 2015

This study was designed to investigate dietary life related to sodium of participants in hypertension and diabetes preventive education at the public health center located in Incheon Metropolitan City. Subjects were comprised of 301 adults (males: 102, female: 199) of age 50 years and above. The questionnaire for dietary life and salty taste assessment were performed on the subjects. Data were analyzed using SPSS package (ver. 18.0). According to the result of questionnaire for dietary behavior, 70% of the subjects were in the low salt intake group (p<0.001). In the result of questionnaire for dietary frequency, all ages groups were in the low salt intake group (p<0.01). The data of questionnaire for dietary behavior showed that the subjects of age above 75 years preferred salted seafood, soup, and kimchi (p<0.01). The data of questionnaire for dietary frequency showed that the subjects of age between 65 and 74, least chose fried kimchi, noodle, and soybean paste soup with clams (p<0.05), and the healthy adult groups chose kimchi stew, ssam and ssamjang (p<0.05). The score for dietary behavior in male subjects was higher than female subjects (p<0.01). In particular, the score for dietary frequency was the lowest in the subjects of age between 65 and 74 (p<0.01). The mean value of salty taste assessment in the subjects was 0.41% which is higher than the ideal value of 0.3% (p<0.01). Offering more nutrition education and continuous feedback of healthcare center may be needed to improve the health status of the adults.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.73-86
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• 2015

The present study was performed to evaluate food behavior and nutritional status of children in a community child center using nutrition quotient according to age and growth index of children. The number of subjects enrolled in this study was 152 including 73 boys and 79 girls. Participants consisted of children from 5 to 12 years old, who visited a community child center in the area. Growth index was assessed through body mass index by height and weight and examined according to age. Subjects were divided into underweight, normal weight, overweight and obese according to questionnaire, which consisted of five categories including balance, diversity, moderation, regularity and practice, were analyzed by SPSS statistical program. Current results show significant differences in the diversity and regularity (p<0.05, p<0.001, respectively). Additionally, four items in the form of 10 questions showed significant differences related to habits of sodium-related food intake. This study design will be a useful tool in the evaluation of food behavior and nutritional status of preschoolers or elementary school children in community child centers, together with food frequency questionnaires related with sodium food intake.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.664-678
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• 2017

Purpose: To identify the effectiveness of policy evaluation, consistent monitoring is necessary. This study aimed to carry out mid-term evaluation of objectives and programs related to comprehensive plans for sodium intake reduction by 2020 for Seoul city and then reestablish the objectives of the sodium intake reduction plans. Methods: Literature reviews, data analysis, and reviews of expert focus-groups were performed to evaluate objectives, to develop a new goal, and to identify the priority subjects of the sodium intake reduction programs. In order to examine target populations for the programs, awareness and behaviors related to sodium intakes among Seoul citizens were examined by sex, age, and income level using the 2008~2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Results: Current objectives of the sodium intake reduction plan by 2020 for Seoul city were not appropriate, so objectives were reset to 3,600 mg of sodium intake by 2020 among Seoul citizens with 2% reduction per year. Although sodium intake showed a decreasing trend by year, it was still high, especially in men. The sodium intake reduction programs currently in progress have not been assessed at multiple levels across multiple sectors and have only been assessed fragmentarily. For dietary behavior related to sodium intakes by sex, age, and income level, sodium intake was higher in the group with less than 100 g of fruit intake compared to the group with 100 g or more. Subjects aged 30~59 years and the low household income group showed relatively higher sodium intakes. Based on the data analysis and the expert review, the priority subject of the sodium intake reduction programs was determined to be adult men. In terms of a program strategy for sodium intake reduction, multi-level and setting approaches, including work sites, home, and restaurants, were suggested to reduce sodium intakes of the target subject. Conclusion: The suggested objectives should be consistently monitored by data analysis, and the determined programs need to be phased in over 5 years.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.477-484
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• 2015

The objective of this study was to investigate the awareness of the meaning of a low-sodium diet as well as the self-reported preference of saltiness and sodium-intake related dietary behaviors for university students in Busan. A survey was conducted with 977 students (male: 512, female: 465). For the self-reported preference of saltiness, 45.8% of the participants reported 'moderate' preference, 35.3% reported 'salty' preference, and 18.8% reported 'unsalty' preference. Males had significantly higher scores than females (p<0.01). Regarding awareness of the meaning of a low-sodium diet, 20.8 % of the students did not recognize the phraseand, males had significantly lower awareness than females (p<0.01). The 'salty' group had a significantly lower rate than others (p<0.01). Males had significant higher sodium-related dietary behaviors scores than females for the following questions 'I often eat dried seafood and salted seafood', 'I usually eat all the broth in soups or stews' (p<0.01), 'I usually eat a lot of kimchi and salt-pickled vegetables', 'I usually eat soy dip or hot pepper dip with sushi and fritters' (p<0.05). Mean scores for sodium-related dietary behaviors by self-reported preference of saltiness were 2.49/5.00 (unsalty), 2.87/5.00 (moderate), and 3.19/5.00 (salty), respectively. There was a statistically significant difference between the groups (p<0.01). The lower the scores for the self-reported preference of saltiness, the lower the scores for sodium intake-related dietary behaviors (p<0.01). The average score for sodium-related dietary behaviors in the group familiar with the meaning of a low-sodium diet was significantly lower than that of the group that 'did not know' (p<0.01).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.724-736
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• 2012

This study was intended to investigate the sodium-related perception, dietary behavior, and practicability of methods for reducing sodium intake(RSI) according to the stage of change in consumers. The survey was conducted to 770 housewives, among them 553 subjects who answered the key questions for the stage of change were categorized into 'Maintenance (M)' stage (maintaining reduced salt intake for more than 6 months; n = 287, 51.90%), 'Action (A)' stage (maintaining reduced salt intake for less than 6 months; n=139, 25.14%), and 'Pre-Action (P)' stage (not starting reduced salt intake; n = 127, 22.97%). The subjects in M and A were significantly older than those in P (p < 0.01). The scores of desirable dietary habit and dietary balance were the highest in M followed by A and P. When eating out, the subjects in P considered 'price' more and 'healthiness of food' less than those in M and A did. Among the guidelines for RSI, 'Avoid Processed Foods', 'Eat enough vegetables and fruits' and 'Add little amount of dipping sauce for fried food' were selected as the three easiest items to perform. With regard to the sodium-related perception, the subjects in M considered eating-out food to be more salty than homemade dishes, read nutrition labels more, avoided table salt or dipping sauce for fried food more, and had 'own low-sodium recipe' than those in P (p < 0.001). It is suggested that practicability of actions for RSI and the stage of change should be considered to develop effective personalized education program and nutrition guidance.