• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.54 no.1
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• pp.54-66
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• 2021

Purpose: Considering the various health benefits of vegetables, it is necessary to identify maternal correlates of vegetable preference and consumption in children for shaping desirable vegetable-related eating habits. This study aimed to investigate the maternal factors related to vegetable preferences and consumption in preschool-aged children. Methods: This is a cross-sectional study that surveyed 303 mother-child pairs (146 boys, 157 girls) to explore general characteristics, vegetable preferences, and cooked vegetable consumption in mothers and children using a questionnaire method. Maternal correlates of the child's vegetable preference and consumption were tested using a generalized linear model using SAS program. Results: Mothers' vegetable preferences and consumption were significantly higher than those in their children (p < 0.001). Mothers' vegetable preferences showed a significant positive correlation with the vegetable preferences of their children (mother-son, p < 0.001; mother-daughter, p < 0.001). Additionally, mothers' cooked vegetable consumption showed a significant positive correlation with the cooked vegetable consumption of children (mother-son, p < 0.001; mother-daughter, p < 0.001). Mothers' vegetable preferences and consumption respectively increased those of their children, in both boys and girls. Conclusion: Findings that mothers' vegetable preference and consumption correlates of children's vegetable preferences and consumption, indicate the importance of the mothers' role in increasing vegetable consumption in children. Mothers should be aware of the effects of their vegetable eating habits on their children's vegetable consumption and try to develop healthy eating habits. We suggest that the government or local communities provide nutrition education for mothers to adopt healthy eating habits and present information to educate their children on food and healthy dietary habits.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.294-301
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to analyze the effects of food neophobia on food choice motives, such as health concern, weight control, ethical concern, and vegetable consumption. A total of 290 questionnaires were completed. Moderated regression analysis was used to measure the moderating effects of food neophobia. Results demonstrated Model 3 to be the best fit, compared to Model 1 and Model 2. In Model 3, the effects of health concern and food neophobia on vegetable consumption were statistically significant (p<0.01). However, the effects of weight control and ethical concern on vegetable consumption were not statistically significant (p>0.05). As expected, the combination of health concern and food neophobia had a significant effect on vegetable consumption (p<0.05). However, weight control and food neophobia, and ethical concern and food neophobia had no significant effects on vegetable consumption (p>0.05). Moreover, health concern related to vegetable consumption was statistically significant at all levels of food neophobia, except, when level of food neophobia was high (p<0.001). In developing and testing moderated regression models, which integrate relationship among food neophobia, health concern, weight control, ethical concern and vegetable consumption in the future, this study may provide a deeper understanding of the complex relationship among vegetable consumption behavior-related variables.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.97-104
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to measuring the causal relationships among food involvement, health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, weight control and vegetable consumption. A total of 290 questionnaires were completed. Structural equation model was used to measure the causal relationships among constructs. Results of the study demonstrated that the structural analysis result for the data also indicated excellent model fit. The effects of food involvement on health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, weight control and vegetable consumption were statistically significant. As expected, health, mood, sensory appeal and eight control had significant effects on vegetable consumption. Moreover, health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal and weight control played mediating roles in the relationship between food involvement and vegetable consumption. In conclusion, based on structural analysis, a model was proposed of interrelations among food involvement, health, mood, convenience, sensory appeal, weight control and vegetable consumption. It should be noted that the original vegetable consumption model was modified and should, preferably, be alidated in future research. Other variables, such as attitude, subjective norm and perceived behavior control, may be incorporated to form vegetable consumption models that consist of new antecedent and consequence pairs.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.12 no.6
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• pp.527-534
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• 2018

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Veggiecation was developed to improve children's vegetable consumption through classroom lecture and cooking activities. In this study, we explored potential determinants of vegetable consumption behavior and intention, and examined the impact of Veggiecation on vegetable consumption behavior, intention and personal factors among Korean children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The 4-week Veggiecation program was implemented for second-graders in South Korea (35 children in the intervention group, 36 in the control group). We identified personal and environmental factors influencing vegetable consumption behavior and intention using multiple regression analyses. Consumption behavior, intention and, personal factors such as preference, attitude, and self-efficacy were compared between the groups before and after the intervention. RESULTS: Children's vegetable consumption behavior was significantly correlated with personal, social-, and physical-environmental factors as well as intention. Among the variables, preference was the most influential factor on intention, and attitude and intention had great influence on the behavior. After the program, children in the intervention group demonstrated significant improvements in vegetable consumption, intention, attitude, preference, and self-efficacy compared with children in the control group. CONCLUSION: Veggiecation, a school-based culinary nutrition education program, improved vegetable consumption and intention, as well as preference, attitude, and self-efficacy, in second-graders. Veggiecation has great potential, as a global program, to increase children's vegetable consumption. This program can be expanded through various channels, such as after-school programs or camps, to provide a positive impact for children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.107-116
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• 2020

There is only limited evidence for the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health in Korea. This study examined the relationship between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health according to physical activity among Korean adult women. Based on data of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2014-2016), a total of 5,332 participants were included in this analysis. With increasing fruits and vegetables consumption, the prevalence of depressive mood was significantly decreased (p for trend=0.0248). The prevalence of stress perception (p for trend=0.0422) and the prevalence of depressive mood (p for trend=0.0300) were decreased with increasing fruit consumption. The prevalence of depressive mood was significantly decreased when fruit and vegetable consumption (p for trend=0.0370) and fruit consumption (p for trend=0.0356) were increased for those Korean women with low intensity of physical activity. For the obesity group (Body mass index 25 kg/㎡), the prevalence of depressive mood was decreased with increasing fruit and vegetable consumption (p for trend=0.0111) and increasing fruit consumption (p for trend=0.0165). In conclusion, fruit and vegetable consumption were associated with mental health according to physical activity among Korean adult women. Further prospective studies are warranted to explore the association between fruit and vegetable consumption and mental health among Korean adult women.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Low consumption of fruit and vegetable is frequently viewed as an important contributor to obesity risk. With increasing childhood obesity and relatively low fruit and vegetable consumption among Thai children, there is a need to identify the determinants of the intake to promote fruit and vegetable consumption effectively. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study was conducted at two conveniently selected primary schools in Nakhon Pathom. A total of 609 students (grade 4-6) completed questionnaires on personal and environmental factors. Adequate fruit and vegetable intakes were defined as a minimum of three servings of fruit or vegetable daily, and adequate total intake as at least 6 serves of fruit and vegetable daily. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, the chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: The proportion of children with a sufficient fruit and/or vegetable intakes was low. Covariates of child's personal and environmental factors showed significant associations with sufficient intakes of fruit and/or vegetable (P < 0.05). Logistic regression analyses showed that the following factors were positively related to sufficient intake of vegetable; lower grade, a positive attitude toward vegetable, and fruit availability at home; and that greater maternal education, a positive child's attitude toward vegetable, and fruit availability at home were significantly associated with sufficient consumption of fruits and total fruit and vegetable intake. CONCLUSIONS: The present study showed that personal factors like attitude toward vegetables and socio-environmental factors, such as, greater availability of fruits were significantly associated with sufficient fruit and vegetable consumption. The importance of environmental and personal factors to successful nutrition highlights the importance of involving parents and schools.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.307-315
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Previous studies have shown an association between breastfeeding and higher fruit and vegetable consumption and the level of dietary variety in children. However, few studies have reported this association on the feeding characteristics. Therefore, this study examined the association of the feeding characteristics with the consumption of fruit and vegetable and dietary variety in children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study recruited 802 participants from their parents with information on their feeding, and 24-h dietary recall. The associations of the feeding characteristics with fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety score (DVS) were analyzed using a multiple logistic regression model. RESULTS: Compared to the feeding type of exclusive breastfed children, exclusive formula-fed children had a significant association with a lower DVS (odds ratio [OR], 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.23-0.77). Fruit and vegetable consumption was classified into 6 groups: non-salted vegetables (NSV), salted vegetables (SV), fruit (F), total vegetables (TV), non-salted vegetables + fruit (NSVF), and total vegetables + fruit (TVF). According to the mean level of fruit and vegetable consumption, compared to the duration of total breastfeeding for 6 month or less, a greater duration of breastfeeding for 12 mon had a significant association with a higher intake of NSVF and TVF (OR, 1.85, 95% CI, 1.20-2.85 and OR, 1.89, 95% CI, 1.22-2.92). On the other hand, the early introduction of formula feeding for 4 mon had a significant association with a lower intake of F and NSVF (OR, 0.59, 95% CI, 0.38-0.91 and OR, 0.63, 95% CI, 0.40-0.99). CONCLUSIONS: These results confirm that breastfeeding is associated with higher fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety, whereas formula feeding is associated with lower fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety. Therefore, the feeding characteristics in infants may affect fruit and vegetable consumption and dietary variety in children.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.188-197
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze daily kimchi, vegetable and fruit consumption by general characteristics and vegetable and fruit consumption from 1998 to 2012 by the Korean population based on the data of the KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study is based on the 1998-2012 KNHNES. Analysis data on 54,700 subjects aged 19 years and older were obtained from health behavior interviews and the 24-hour dietary recall method. RESULTS: Daily kimchi consumption and portion size of kimchi decreased significantly from 1998 to 2012 (adjusted P for trend < 0.0001). Meanwhile, daily consumption of both non-salted vegetable and fruit with and without kimchi did not significantly change between 1998 and 2012. Reduced consumption of kimchi, non-salted vegetable, and fruit was observed for both genders as well as daily meal episodes and cooking locations. Male and female subjects with insufficient non-salted vegetable and fruit intake were increased 1.4 times and 1.3 times, respectively, in 2012 than 1998. All subjects consumed at least 400 g/day of non-salted vegetable, fruit, and kimchi in each survey year, although they consumed insufficient amounts (< 400 g/day) of non-salted vegetable and fruit without kimchi. CONCLUSIONS: Since Koreans generally consume high amounts of fermented vegetables, including kimchi, total vegetables and fruit. Consumption of these foods by the Korean adult population reached 400 g, which is the recommended intake of the WCRF/AICR. Based on this result, it is necessary to promote consumption of kimchi in the Korean population and research the development of low sodium kimchi in the future.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2012

The purpose of this study was to examine beliefs, self-efficacy and eating behaviors by the stages of change in vegetable consumption among college students (n = 297). A survey was conducted to examine study variables, and subjects were categorized into three groups based on the stages of change: precontemplation/contemplation stage (PC/C), preparation stage (P), action/maintenance stage (A/M). Subjects had 3.7 servings of vegetables a day, and vegetable consumption was significantly different by stages of change (p < 0.001). The A/M group showed higher score on beliefs regarding vegetable consumption (p < 0.001) than the other groups, and perceived benefits of vegetable consumption (e.g. cancer prevention) more strongly (p < 0.05). The PC/C group felt more barriers than the A/M group, such as disliking cooking methods, texture of vegetables (p < 0.001), bad taste and bad experience of eating vegetables (p < 0.05). Self-efficacy score was 27.2, with decreasing self-efficacy from A/M to P, PC/C (p < 0.001). The A/M group showed more confidence in nine behaviors such as "eating vegetables during meals" and "replacing menu at home with more vegetable dishes" (p < 0.001) than the other groups. The A/M group had more desirable eating behaviors (e.g, having a variety of foods, eating regularly, consumption of food groups). This study suggests that target population for education and educational strategies be different based on the stages of change. For those in the PC/C stage, education might focus on reducing barriers and increasing self-efficacy. For those in the A/M stage, it is necessary to use strategies to maintain and reinforce behaviors for enough vegetable consumption.

• Culinary science and hospitality research
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.84-93
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• 2008

The purpose of this study was to measure the effects of food involvement and food neophobia moderating the relationships between vegetable consumption and health concern. The questionnaires with the items to measure constructs of health concern, food involvement, food neophobia and vegetable consumption were completed by 290 subjects in Jeonnam area. Moderated regression analysis was used to measure the relationships between variables. To test validity and reliability of constructs, factor analysis and Cronbach's $\alpha$ were used in this study. Results of the study demonstrated that the result of the analysis of the data also indicated excellent model fit. The main effects and interaction effects of health concern, food involvement and food neophobia on vegetable consumption were statistically significant. Moreover, the effect of health concern on vegetable consumption was statistically significant at all levels of food involvement and food neophobia, except when food involvement and food neophobia were high. The present findings may be particularly relevant to interventions to promote healthy eating among adults.