• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.6 no.3
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• pp.238-245
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• 2012

This study investigated the preference and intake frequency of a list of 15 commonly available high sodium Malaysian foods/dishes, dis cretionary salt use, and their possible association with demographics, blood pressures and anthropometric measurements among 300 Malaysian university students (114 males, 186 females; 259 ethnic Chinese, 41 Indians; 220 lean, 80 overweight). French fries and instant soup noodle were found to be the most preferred and most frequently consumed salty food, respectively, while salted fish was least preferred and least frequently consumed. Males had a significantly higher intake frequency of at least 6 of the salty foods, but the preference of most salty foods was not significantly different between genders. Ethnic Chinese significantly preferred more and took more frequently traditional and conventional Malaysian foods like asam laksa (a Malaysian salty-sour-spicy noodle in fish stock), salted biscuits and salted vegetable, while Indians have more affinity and frequency towards eating salty Western foods. Body Mass Index was significantly negatively correlated with the intake frequency of canned/packet soup and salted fish while waist circumference was significantly positively correlated with the preference of instant noodle. Also, an increased preference of potato chips and intake frequency of salted biscuits seemed to lead to a decreased WHR. Other than these, all the other overweight/obesity indicators did not seem to fully correlate with the salty food preference and intake frequency. Nevertheless, the preference and intake frequency of asam laksa seemed to be significant negative predictors for blood pressures. Finally, increased preference and intake frequency of high sodium shrimp paste (belacan)-based foods like asam laksa and belacan fried rice seemed to discourage discretionary salt use. In conclusion, the preference and intake frequency of the high sodium belacan-based dish asam laksa seems to be a good predictor for ethnic difference, discretionary salt use and blood pressures.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.86-96
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• 2020

This study analyzed the dietary behaviors and adaptation for Korean foods among Central Asian workers(Mongolia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan) living in South Korea to provide basic and fundamental data that allows Central Asian workers to have desirable eating habits while living in South Korea. Questionnaires were completed by 186 Central Asian workers living in South Korea. From this study, we found that 56.8% of respondents ate three meals a day, and 27.2% of respondents ate two meals a day. 29.7% of respondents had no snacks. For adapting Korean food, Mongolia, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan workers had difficulties adapting spicy and salty flavors and unpleasant smell while Kazakhstan workers had difficulties due to sweet flavors and spicy and salty flavors. Men adapted better than women to adapt Korean food. Women respondents ate Korean food more often than men. And the Uzbekistan ratio of eating homeland food daily was the highest. By providing understanding of dietary patterns of Central Asian workers, these results can be used as the basic and fundamental data for their Korean food adaptation.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.126-136
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to investigate Chinese customers' perceptions of Korean foods and their satisfaction toward Korean cuisine restaurants. The subjects of this study were 202 Chinese individuals who visited Korean cuisine restaurants in Shanghai, China. The subjects viewed Korean foods as favorite foods and perceived them as fresh and seasonal, and mostly composed of cereals and vegetables however they did not view Korean cuisine as good for health. As compared to customers visiting a Korean restaurant for the first time, those who had visited Korean restaurants previously agreed more strongly with the following items: 'Korean food has a beautiful color', 'Korean food is familiar', 'Korean food smells good', 'Korean food is healthy', 'Korean food is nutritious', and 'Korean food is salty and spicy'. In addition, as compared to occasional visitors, frequent visitors of Korean cuisine restaurants more strongly agreed with the followings: 'Korean food has a beautiful color', 'Korean food is expensive', 'Korean food is healthy', 'Korean food is nutritious', 'Korean food is salty and spicy', and 'Korean food includes many fermented foods'. The subjects considered 'appearance of menu', 'variety of menu', 'nutrition of menu', and 'Chinese characters for menu and ingredients' as the most important attributes when choosing Korean cuisine restaurants. The frequent customers of Korean cuisine restaurants considered 'kind service', 'employee knowledge of Korean foods', 'operation hours of restaurant', and 'cleanliness of restaurant' as the most important restaurant attributes. In addition, the frequent customers of Korean cuisine restaurants were more satisfied than the occasional customers with the followings: 'nutritional quality of menu', 'quick service', 'cleanliness of restaurant', 'appearance and signboard of restaurant', and 'image of restaurant'. The implications of the data are discussed.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.26 no.5
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• pp.533-542
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to understand the risk of falling associated with postmenopausal women and to identify the relationships between this risk and factors such as lifestyle, metabolic syndrome, and bone mineral density. Methods: The sample was 128 postmenopausal women between 50 and 65 from one menopausal clinic in an urban city. The Risk Assessment for Falls Scale II, developed by Glydenvand and Reinboth (1982) and adapted by Park Young-Hye (2003), was modified and used for this study. Results: The average fall-risk score in postmenopausal women was 7.2 out of 33, the fall-risk score associated with lifestyle was higher in women exposed to stress frequently or who favored spicy or salty foods. The fall-risk score associated with metabolic syndrome was higher in groups with HBP or with a waist circumference of 80cm or greater. The fall-risk score in groups with three or more factors of metabolic syndrome was the highest. Conclusion: The risk of fall in post-menopausal women was higher in groups with only elementary education, unemployed, reported two or more chronic diseases or reported frequent exposure to stress and for women who preferred spicy or salty foods or exhibited three or more factors of metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.4
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• pp.373-382
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• 2021

Purpose: For college students, poor eating habits can cause problems with adult health. This study investigated the status of sweet food intake and the degree of stress in college students in the Seoul and Gyeonggi areas to provide a basis for nutrition education by analyzing the relationship between stress and sugar intake. Methods: The subjects were 760 college students, and the survey was conducted using a questionnaire. Statistical analysis for collected data was performed using SPSS (version 21.0). Results: The stress score showed higher stress in female students. Females had more stress in their employment and study-related problems than males. For changes in food intake under stress, the intake was increased greatly in females than in males. For food preference changes before and after stress, males preferred more spicy foods and less salty foods after stress. After stress, females significantly preferred sweeter and spicier foods and less salty, sour, and bitter foods. The intake of sweet foods by stress factors showed that the intake of snacks was higher under the condition of 'worry, fatigue, and tension', and the intake of beverages was increased significantly under the condition of 'anger and aggression'. Conclusion: Sweet foods were preferred under stress, and the amount of intake was increased. Education on food selection and nutrition information should be provided to prevent health problems that can be developed by the reckless intake of sweet foods. Active guidance is needed for college students to select the proper snacks instead of nutritionally insufficient foods to relieve stress.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.269-280
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between HMR use and eating habits in young Korean adults. This cross-sectional study was conducted on 575 adults (232 men, 343 women) in their 20s and 30s in Korea. Their use of HMRs (classified as ready-to-eat, ready-to-cook, and fresh convenience foods) and eating habits were surveyed. The main reasons for HMR use by men and women were convenience (54.7%, 64.4%) and promptness (24.2%, 24.2%), respectively. The most frequent place for HMR purchase was a convenience store (74.1% and 65.0%, respectively). Regarding the frequency of HMR use, 1~2 times a week was the highest for ready-to-eat (40.9%) and ready-to-cook (30.1%), while no eating was the highest for fresh convenience foods (41.0%). HMR preference was the highest (3.8 out of 5 on a 5-point scale) for ready-to-eat, followed by ready-to-cook (3.3 points) and fresh convenience foods (3.3 points). The use frequency and preference of total HMRs, ready-to-eat foods, and ready-to-eat foods were positively correlated with unfavorable eating habits, including unbalanced eating, overeating, salty eating, spicy eating, skipping, and irregular meals. However, fresh convenience foods showed negative correlations with unbalanced eating, overeating, and salty eating. The use frequency and preference of total HMRs, ready-to-eat foods, and ready-to-cook foods were positively correlated with undesirable eating habits. However, fresh convenience food showed a negative correlation with eating habits such as unbalanced, overeating, and salty eating. These results should be considered for favorable food production and consumer guidance to promote healthy food choices.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.79-87
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• 1988

The purpose of this study was to investigate preferences of foreign athletes staying in the Athletic Village for '86 Asian Olympic Games for Korean traditional foods as served in the restaurant. A survey was conducted to 762 foreign athletes that selected Korean traditional foods in Athletic Village restaurants, from September 16 to 24, 1986. Most people preferred Korean traditional foods for its taste. Yachae Bokkum (Sauted Vegetable), Jonbok Juk (Rice Porridge of Abalone), Kimchi, Usol Chim (Tongue Stew), Dak Juk (Rice Porridge of Chicken) were preferred by most foreign athletes. Chongpo Muk (Mung Bean Starch Jelly), Toran Guk (Taro Soup) were not preferred. They proposed improvement of salty, hot and strong spicy taste in Korean traditional foods.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.266-274
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• 2017

This study aimed to investigate potential acceptability of Korean jang products among Halal food consumer's to predict its market possibility in a Halal food market. Focus Group Interview (FGI) was implemented to 11 Halal food consumers residing in Korea for more than 4 month. During the test, 3 types of fermented paste, doenjang, ssamjang and gochujang were evaluated by applying these to Korean foods. In depth interview was conducted on the liking of the jang applied samples, general experiences of Korean food and fermented food in their home countries. The results showed that consumers were positive to Korean jang applied samples in general. The mean liking ratings of doenjang, ssamjang and gochujang were 7.1, 7 and 7.6 on 9-point hedonic scale, respectively. Consumers focused on the sweet and spicy flavor quality of the samples. Consumers commonly responded that the doenjang tasted too salty and needed to increase sweet and spicy flavor, and ssamjang needed to increase spicy flavor as well. Sweetening was necessary for gochujang. The reasons of liking Korean jang were because the flavors were unique yet familiar. The balanced flavor of salty, sweet and spicy flavor were additional reasons of liking. However, the fermented smell of jang products were reasons of disliking the products.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.594-606
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• 2015

Acculturation may manifest dietary behavioral changes of students from overseas. This study investigated the dietary attitudes, food intakes, and dietary behaviors of 121 Chinese college students residing in Busan, Korea. Using a focus group interview and structured survey, subjects were divided into two groups (SG, LG) based on their self-rated acculturation status. The SG (n=70) and LG (n=51) groups consisted of participants that had resided in Korea for shorter than 18 months versus 18 months or longer, respectively. The SG group was more likely to point out the taste of Korean foods as being too sweet, salty, and spicy but less greasy. A food frequency questionnaire was developed to assess normal intake of Korean ethnic, Chinese ethnic, and common foods. The LG group consumed more Korean foods such as rice cake, dried laver, and radish kimchi but less Chinese foods such as bread glue ball and kidney bean. The LG group consumed more salty and fatty foods and Korean liquors, whereas the SG group consumed more fruits and noodles. Based on the exploratory factor analysis, the SG group showed significantly higher scores for "dietary regularity" but lower scores for "indulgence of unhealthful food" factors. In summation, the LG group became more accustomed to Korean foods and adopted less desirable dietary behaviors compared with the SG group. Findings suggest that the residential period of Chinese college students may be associated with their self-rated acculturation status and food acculturation process, and therefore tailored nutrition education programs are needed to support Chinese students' healthier dietary behaviors and food acculturation process.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.3 no.5
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• pp.722-728
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• 1998

The purpose of this study was to compare dietary patterns, dietary behaviors and life styles before and after breast cancer surgery in Korea. The subjects were 220 females who underwent surgery for stage I-III breast cancer at general hospitals. Food intake, eating habits, snacks, eating-out, use of nutritional supplements and healthy foods, and drinking and smoking habits were studied using a questionnaire. SAS program was used for statistical analysis of the data. The results are as follows : 1) Most subjects were housewives aged more than 40 years. 2) After breast cancer surgery, intakes of fruits and vegetables were increased and those of meat, salty and spicy foods were decreased. 3) There was a significant difference in takes of caffeine beverages, snacks, fast foods and instant foods before and after breast cancer surgery. 4) There was a significant difference in meal regularity and skipping breakfast before and after breast cancer surgery. 5) The frequency of eating-out was decreased and low-fat foods, such as Japanese foods, were preferred after breast cancer surgery. 6) Nutritional supplements and natural healthy foods were used more after breast cancer surgery. 7) Most subjects were non-smokers and drank little alcohol and the rate of regular drinking significantly decreased after breast cancer surgery. Therefore, there was a significant difference in dietary patterns and behaviors resulting form breast cancer. Further more, dietary factors may be a contributing factor in the incidence at breast cancer in Korea.