• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.209-217
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• 2003

The food and nutrition system is a network of processes linking agriculture, food, eating, nutrition, and health. The system includes a series of nine stages (production, processing, distribution, acquisition, preparation, consumption, digestion, transport, and utilization) and two types of contexts (biophysical and sociocultural). Analysis of whole food and nutrition systems provides information about the structure and processes involved in the complete scope of food and nutrition, assisting in the identification of ″upstream″ influences and ″downstream″ consequences in the system. The current analysis gathered existing data about the food and nutrition system in South Korea from public sources and professional publications, and interpreted that information to consider how different elements of the system contribute to health. The findings revealed that South Korea has substantial domestic food production and processing supplemented by imports, widespread food distribution in markets and a growing number of Korean and Western restaurants, a relatively low percentage of household income spent on food, growing use of new food preparation methods such as microwave ovens, a rice/vegetable/fish based three-meal consumption pattern, few recorded digestive problems, increasing calorie storage as body fat, and a relatively low chronic disease prevalence compared to other developed societies. Examination of the full scope of the food and nutrition system provides a broad perspective using whole system thinking that can identify potential strategies for future research and intervention.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.405-416
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• 2007

This study was to examine the needs among elementary school dietitians (n = 115) for developing a nutrition information internet site for children. A survey questionnaire included general characteristics, internet use regarding health and nutrition information, and needs for developing a nutrition information site. The mean age of the subjects was 36.2 years. The higher working experience group (> 10 years of working as dieticians) had higher mean age (p < 0.001), had a larger number of enrolled students at school (p < 0.01) and the number of those receiving school lunch (p < 0.01) than the counterparts (${\le}10$ years group). Sources of health and nutrition information were mainly PC/internet (60.4%) and seminar (14.4%). About 95% used health or nutrition information using the internet, however, the majority of users (71.6%) used internet information only when they needed it. Major reasons for using internet information was 'to get nutrition education materials' (63.8%) and 'to obtain general nutrition information' (21%). One third of the subjects were satisfied with nutrition information internet sites; major problems with internet sites were 'lack of content' (38.9%) and 'lack of practical information' (33%). These characteristics regarding internet use were not different between work experience groups. Major problems with nutrition education were 'lack of nutrition educational materials' (41.1 %) and 'lack of nutrition education skills' (32.1%). These were significantly different between the work experience groups (p < 0.01). Subjects preferred CD/internet to leaflet/booklet as nutrition educational materials. In developing nutrition sites for children, subjects wanted topics such as obesity assessment, dietary assessment, and obesity. Subjects responded that contents of nutrition information should be 'suitable to the children's knowledge levels' (31.1%), 'interesting enough by including quizzes, games and songs' (27.8%), 'inserting many illustrations/icons' (16.3%). In terms of designing internet sites for children, they wanted that internet sites should 'be easy enough to find the sites' (29.2%), 'use illustrations and characters' (24.8%), 'use communication channels such as Q&A' (18.7%). Needs for developing internet sites for children were not different by the work experience group. This study suggests that web sites for children should be carefully developed considering the contents and design, have less information with more illustrations, designed to induce the interest of children, as well as including sections such as eating habit assessment and games.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.sup
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• pp.9-21
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• 2007

This study aimed to assess the total sugar intake for Korean and to identify major food sources contributing to those food components. Korean adults aged over 20 years old from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2001 and 2002 were selected. The data were analyzed to obtain nationally and seasonally representative information on the health and nutritional status of the Korean. Forty food groups were used in identifying food sources of total sugar and energy intake. Total sugar contents of foods in the KNHANES data sets were estimated by food code matching technique with Release 18 of the USDA National Nutrient Database for Standard Reference. Sample weighted means, standard errors, and population percentages were calculated using SAS and SUDAAN. The mean total sugar intake of the Korean was 60.3g in 2001, 40.9g in spring 2002, 45.7g in summer 2002, and 52.1g in fall 2002, which were 30-44% of intake of US people. Fresh fruit was identified as the most significant food source for total sugar intake in Korean population in all age groups and all seasons. The next major food sources following fresh fruits were candy/jelly/syrup/honey, coffee/coffee caream, vegetables, Kimchi, soft drinks, milk, fruit juice, cookie/cracker/cake, and vegetable juice/grain juice, which showed similar results through the seasons. While carbonated soft drink was the most significant food sources for total sugar or added sugar intakes for US people. The total sugar intakes were significantly higher in women, higher educational level, and residing in metropolitan area. As intake of total sugar increased, intakes of protein, fiber, calcium, phosphorus, iron, Vit A, B1, B2, C, niacin showed significantly increased, while high intakes of added sugars showed low intakes of some micronutrients in the US people. Percentages of people who consumed nutrients below EAR were less in higher total sugar intake group than in lower intake group. From these results, we can conclude that the food consumption habits including the total sugar intake of Korean people seems relatively good so far. More reliable database of total sugar and added sugar composition tables in public domain should be established in the future, and also more researches about total sugar and added sugar for Koreans should be continued.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.48-61
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Magnesium is an essential nutrient for human health. However, inadequate intake is commonly reported worldwide. Along with reduced consumption of vegetables and fruits and increased consumption of refined or processed foods, inadequate magnesium intake is increasingly reported as a serious problem. This study aimed to assess magnesium intake, its dietary sources, and the adequacy of magnesium intake in Korean populations. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data was obtained from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2019 and included individuals aged ≥1 yr who had participated in a nutrition survey (n=28,418). Dietary intake was assessed by 24-h recall, and dietary magnesium intake was estimated using a newly established magnesium database. Diet adequacy was evaluated by comparing dietary intake with the estimated average requirement (EAR) suggested in the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes 2020. RESULTS: The mean dietary magnesium intake of Koreans aged ≥1 yr was 300.4 mg/d, which was equivalent to 119.8% of the EAR. The prevalence of individuals whose magnesium intake met the EAR was 56.8%. Inadequate intake was observed more in females, adolescents and young adults aged 12-29 yrs, elders aged ≥65 yrs, and individuals with low income. About four-fifths of the daily magnesium came from plant-based foods, and the major food groups contributing to magnesium intake were grains (28.3%), vegetables (17.6%), and meats (8.4%). The top 5 individual foods that contributed to magnesium intake were rice, Baechu (Korean cabbage) kimchi, tofu, pork, and milk. However, the contribution of plant foods and individual contributing food items differed slightly by sex and age groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study found that the mean dietary magnesium intake among Koreans was above the recommended intake, whereas nearly one in 2 Koreans had inadequate magnesium intake. To better understand the status of magnesium intake, further research is required, which includes the intake of dietary supplements.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.368-379
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• 2002

This study investigated the correlations among the health consciousness, nutrition knowledge, dietary habits and nutrition attitudes of school teachers. The subjects of this study were 75 male and 152 female leachers in elementary and middle schools in Masan city. The survey was conducted by using a questionnaire. Even though the average body mass index (BMI) and the obesity index were normal in both male and female subjects, 33.3% of the male subjects were overweight/obese, while 18.5% of the female subjects were underweight, according to the obesity index. The food components of most concern during mealtime were (in order of importance) salt, MSG and cholesterol by male subjects, and salt, fat and MSG by female subjects. The subjects considered self-relaxation as the most important factor in maintaining optimal health status, followed by resting, bathing or use ova sauna, moderation in diet, exercise, decreasing alcohol intake, and no smoking. Newspapers/magazines and TV/radio were the primary sources of nutrition and health information of the subjects. As the degree of health consciousness increased, scores of the dietary habits and nutrition attitudes increased. Nutrition knowledge scores and nutrition altitudes scores increased with subjects'increased level of perception of the importance of acquiring nutrition knowledge and nutrition information. There was a highly significant correlation between the degree of health consciousness and dietary habit score (${\gamma}$ : 0.3, p<0.001). The degree of health consciousness was also significantly correlated (${\gamma}$=0.6, p<0.001) with nutrition attitudes scores. But the correlation between the degree of health consciousness and nutrition knowledge was not statistically significant. The degree of the perception of the importance of nutrition knowledge showed a positive correlation with nutrition attitude (${\gamma}$:0.4, p<0.001) and dietary habit (${\gamma}$:0.3, p<0.001). The degree of perception about the importance of nutrition knowledge and nutrition information was positively correlated with nutrition knowledge (${\gamma}$:0.2, p<0.001) and nutrition attitudes (${\gamma}$:0.3, p<0.001).

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.54-64
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• 1987

The purpose of this study is to computerize all the necessary information on the daily food value and nutritional status for individuals and groups. In this research, a FOCUS-16jXT (16 bit personal computer ) compatible with IBM-PCjXT was used, and the database files and programs were created by using the dBASEIII package. The food life evaluation system consists of 3 subsystems of Reference, Nutrition Status Assessment and Food Source. The findings are summerized a8 follows: 1. Reference: This subsystem enables users to proceed to the next step, if necessary, by describing each subsystem. 2. Nutrition Status Assessment. 1) Food Habit Assessment: This subsystem determines whether the user has a good food habit or not, based on the answers for ten questions about daily food life. 2) Obesity Assessment: This subsystem calculates Broca index, which is used as a indicator of obesity. 3) Nutrient Intakes: When personal data such as age, sex, weight, height and food consumptions are input, it is possible to calculate the followings. i) Comparison between the amounts intaked and the recommended dietary daily allowances of various nutrients ii) Nutrient intakes from each food group and their composition rates for the nutrients iii) Nutrient intakes per unit body surface area iv) Composition of lipid intake 3. Food Sources: The appropriate food sources for the lacking nutrients will be recommended to the subjects.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.25-32
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• 1999

In this study, focus group interviews were used to investigate female university students' eating behavior, factors related to eating behavior, information sources for nutrition, and formats for nutrition education. Thirty-six students participated in one of five focus groups during December 1998 in Seoul. Focus group discussions were video, audio-taped, transcribed and analyzed by major themes. Results showed that subjects have undesirable eating behaviors, such s eating irregular meals and skipping meals. These behaviors are caused by a lack of time, habit, or for the purpose of losing weight. The students tended to have unbalanced diets and frequently ate out. They had a large amount for dinner and frequently snaked when stressed or had an empty stomach. Most of them were interested in weight control and had attempted to lose weight, but they did not participate in regular exercise. The most frequently used source for nutrition information was the mass media, but much nutrition information was based on what they learned from home economics class during middle to high school. They received more support from mothers, elder sisters, and friends for eating behaviors, such s lowering caloric intake and losing weight. In nutrition education, they wanted to learns behaviorla skills to adopt healthy behaviors, including meal planning, applying scientific weight control methods, exercise that fit into their lives, and stress management. They also mentioned that nutrition screening and assessment should be a part of nutrition education programs. As a method for nutrition education, subjects preferred an individualized approach to group education. These results provide the qualitative information for developing nutrition education programs which will be implemented for Korean University students.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2008

This study was conducted to evaluate the quantitative and qualitative aspects of Korean websites related to nutrition education. A total of 30 websites were ultimately selected through 4 major Internet search engines, including Naver, Yahoo, Daum, and Nate, using several key words (i.e., nutrition education, dietary life education, nutrition information, nutrition management, etc.). A systematic review was conducted for each of the selected websites based on the American Library Association (ALA) website checklist and a data abstract form that was adapted from a previous study. Approximately two thirds of the websites were established between 2002 and 2005, and 46.6% were administrated by public health centers or schools/colleges. The most frequently targeted group was the generally healthy population (30.0%). Among the various topics of nutrition information provided, “balanced diet” was the topic most often provided by the websites. Also, an increasing trend for utilizing multimedia tools was observed; however, little technical support or instruction was provided by the websites. Only 50.0% and 63.3% of the sites clearly stated their operators and sources of provided information, respectively. Overall, the purposes of sites were clearly stated, and were not overshadowed by advertising. And most features of design, stability, and content were found to be appropriate, but several aspects, such as establishing a help/FAQ menu, regularly updating nutrition information, and converting provided information into a database for easier search and update, needed improvement. In addition, active operational strategies are greatly needed to encourage the application of materials found on sites into real educational settings.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.257-268
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Zinc is an essential trace mineral which is important for the growth and development of the human body and immunological and neurological functions. Inadequate zinc intake may cause zinc deficiency with its adverse consequences. In this study, we aimed to estimate the dietary zinc intake levels and sources among Koreans. SUBJECTS/METHODS: For this secondary analysis, we obtained data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2016-2019. Individuals aged ≥ 1 yr who had completed a 24-h recall were included. The dietary zinc intake of each individual was calculated by applying data from a newly developed zinc content database to the KNHANES raw data. We also compared the extracted data with the sex-, age-specific reference values suggested in the Korean Dietary Reference Intakes 2020. The prevalence of adequate zinc intake was then evaluated by the proportion of the individuals who met the estimated average requirement (EAR). RESULTS: The mean zinc intake of Koreans aged ≥ 1 yr and adults aged ≥ 19 yrs were 10.2 and 10.4 mg/day, equivalent to 147.4% and 140.8% of the EAR, respectively. Approximately 2 in 3 Koreans met the EAR for zinc, but the zinc intake differed slightly among the different age and sex groups. In children aged 1-2 yrs, 2 out of 5 exceeded the upper level of intake, and nearly half of the younger adults (19-29 yrs) and the elders (≥ 75 yrs) did not meet the EAR. The major contributing food groups were grains (38.9%), meats (20.4%), and vegetables (11.1%). The top 5 food contributors to zinc intake were rice, beef, pork, egg, and baechu kimchi, which accounted for half of the dietary intake. CONCLUSION: The mean zinc intake among Koreans was above the recommended level, but 1 in 3 Koreans had inadequate zinc intake and some children were at risk of excessive zinc intake. Our study included zinc intake from diet only, thus to better understand zinc status, further research to include intake from dietary supplements is needed.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.503-509
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• 2013

There is little information on dietary vitamin K intake and nutritional status of daily requirements of vitamin K in Korea. The objective of this study was to investigate the vitamin K intake and major food sources of Vitamin K in Koreans. The survey data from the 2010-2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey of 7,792 subjects (aged 19-64 years) were examined. Total vitamin K intake was calculated from 24-hour dietary recall using a vitamin K food database, Computer Aided Nutritional analysis Program and the United States Department of Agriculture database. The geometric mean of vitamin K was estimated as $322.40{\pm}6.33ug/day$ for men and $271.20{\pm}4.92ug/day$ for women. Daily vitamin K intake increased significantly with age (p for trend < 0.001). The main food source of vitamin K was vegetables (72.84%), including cabbage kimchi (19.26%), spinach (17.38%), sesame leaves (7.11%), radish leaves (6.65%), spring onions (6.28%), and laver (4.82%), followed by seaweed, seasonings, and fat and oils. We observed that the vitamin K intake of Koreans was relatively higher than that reported by other studies in Western countries and differed depending on age.