• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.304-312
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: International students face dissimilar food environments, which could lead to changes in dietary behaviors and anthropometric characteristics between before and after migration. We sought to examine the risk factors, including dietary behaviors, acculturation, and demographic characteristics, related to overweight subjects residing in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted a cross-sectional study, collecting data from 142 Chinese international students (63 males, 79 females) in 2013. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 25.4 years, and almost half of them immigrated to South Korea to earn a master's degree or doctoral degree (n = 70, 49.3%). Chinese international students showed an increase in skipping meals and eating speed, but a decrease in the frequency of fruit and vegetable consumption in South Korea compared to when they lived in China. We found a statistically significant increase in weight (69.4 ${\rightarrow}$ 73.9 kg) and BMI (22.4 ${\rightarrow}$ $23.8kg/m^2$) for male subjects (P < 0.001) but no change for female subjects. We also found that overweight subjects were more likely to be highly acculturated and male compared with normal-weight subjects. CONCLUSION: Among Chinese international students living in South Korea, male and more highly acculturated subjects are more vulnerable to weight gain. This study provides useful information to design tailored nutrition intervention programs for Chinese international students.

• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.121-134
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• 2012

This study was conducted to investigate the acceptance of vegetable menus by high school students and the factors that influence the acceptability. Second-grade high school students (n=389) in Seoul were asked to assess their acceptability of vegetable menus and plate waste, and answered survey questions concerning their demographic characteristics, health-related attitudes, dietary attitudes, dietary habits, and nutritional knowledge. Overall, the menus containing items that were sweet or familiar to the subjects were preferred. Acceptability was significantly associated with the amount of consumption. The acceptability was correlated with dietary habits, dietary attitudes, nutritional knowledge, and several health-related variables. The vegetable-liking groups showed significantly higher scores concerning dietary habits, dietary attitudes, and nutritional knowledge, but did not exhibit a specific pattern of association with the health-related variables. This result implies that intervention strategies focusing on changes in cognitive and/or hedonic factors, such as nutritional education or flavor-flavor learning, would be beneficial for increasing students' acceptance of vegetable menus.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.6
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• pp.647-659
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• 2000

o assess the food intake and the sodium and potassium intakes and urinary excretion of preschool children in Pusan and to evaluate the relationship among variables dietary behaviors food and nutrient intake and 24hr urinary sodium and potassium excretion were measured with 97 subjects. The mean sodium and potassium intakes were 1890. 1mg(82,2meq) and 1479.7mg(37.8meq) respectively. The mean potassium intake(p<0.05) and density(p<0.01) were significantly low at the group who had food intake pattern absen of fruit and daily groups. The mean urinary sodium and potassium excretion were 735.3mg(32.0meq) and 418.7mg(10.7meq) respectively. The mean sodium intake(p<0.01) and urinary excretion were 735.3mg(32.0meq) and 418.7mg(10.7meq) respectively. The mean sodium intake(p<0.01) and urinary excretion (p<0.001, p<0.001) energy intake(p<0.01) sodium intake and density (p<0.001, p<0.05) the food number and intake frequency of vegetable group consumed (p<0.01, p<0.01) dietary frequency score(p<0.05) and negative correlations with the food number and frequency of dairy group consumed (p<0.05 p<0.05) The urinary potassium excretion showed positive correlations with height and weight(p<0.05, p<0.01) urine volume and urinary creatinie excretion(p<0.01 p<0.001) potassium intake(p<0.05) food number and intake frequency of dairy group consumed (p<0.05, p<0.001). Based on the results urinary sodium excretion was related to age sodium intake and food intake of vegetable and dairy group and urinary potassium excretion was related to potassium intake and food intake of dairy group. So nutritional education is needed in order to decrease sodium intake especially from food intake of vegetable group when preschool children have less food intake of diary group,.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.6
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• pp.451-463
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• 2020

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to develop and evaluate booklets and video clips to prevent children from picky eating. Methods: Based on a survey conducted on food preferences of preschool children aged 2 to 5 years, 14 kinds of less preferred vegetables were selected. Accordingly, educational videos, activity books, and teaching-learning guides were produced for preschool children using the 'food bridge' theory, and the educational materials were named "Friendly vegetables". Educational materials were distributed to childcare institutions, and their effectiveness was investigated for preschool children who were instructed on these materials once every 30 days from March to November, 2019. The children were examined for changes in their knowledge of names, colors, taste/texture, methods of cultivation, and preferences for vegetables before and after the instructional course. Results: The awareness of vegetables increased significantly in younger children and the picky eating group. When the assessment was carried out in terms of vegetable knowledge, it was observed that the younger the age or the pickier the in eating food, the more effective the education is compared to the counter part. The preference for vegetables also increased after the instruction compared to the pre-instruction period, but significant changes were seen only in the 2~3 year age group for boys and girls. Also, only the picky group of girls showed changes in preference. The children's average interest in the education materials was 3.85 points out of 5 points. Conclusions: Through this study, we have developed educational materials for standalone use in childcare facilities and confirmed that they have a significant effect on improving awareness and preferences related to vegetables. In summary, the younger the age or the pickier the child in eating food, the more effective the education. It is believed that additional education on mealtime guidance is needed which can alter the eating behavior of preschool children and improve their diet. It is proposed to widen the scope of use of the materials by collecting diverse opinions from child care teachers.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.782-793
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• 2015

The purpose of this study is the examination of stress levels and the eating habits that are affected by stress, and the provision of basic nutritional education data for the improvement of the eating habits of students who have experienced stress-related nutritional problems. Using the BEPSI-K instruments, a questionnaire survey was administered to 327 student subjects (166 male and 161 female) in the areas of Seoul and Gangwon province. The subjects were classified into 3 groups (low-stress, medium-stress and high-stress), and 59 students (18%) belonged the high-stress group. The BMI readings of the Gangwon province students are significantly higher than those of the Seoul students. The survey results show that the lunch frequency and vegetable intake levels are lower in the high-stress group, whereas the intakes of hot spicy food is higher in this group; they also show that Gangwon province students had eating habits that are relatively undesirable compared with the Seoul students. There are significant differences between the Seoul students and Gangwon porvince students regarding residence type, household economic level, types of leisure activities and level of some stresses. The Gangwon province students ate occasionally breakfast, lunch and snacks, but their midnight snack consumption is relatively frequent compared with the Seoul students. The results of the survey indicate that the BEPSI-K score has a negative correlation with the following variables : sleeping time, economic level of household, degrees of satisfaction regarding appearance and academic achievements, lunch frequency and vegetable intakes. Desirable eating habits are essential for the maintenance of a favorable health status and for the stress-management of university students who need to be a healthy members of society in the near future. To facilitate the formation of desirable eating habits among university students, community-based nutritional assistance and appropriate nutritional education programs should be considered necessary.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.6
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• pp.926-933
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to evaluate vegetable intakes according to body mass index (BMI) of adolescents. For this, 400 middle and high school adolescents living in Buyeogun, Chungnam were classified into underweight group, healthy weight group, and overweight group according to BMI, after which eating habits, daily intake levels of vegetables, perception of vegetables, and vegetable-related eating habits were compared and analyzed. As the reason for skipping breakfast, 'Lack of time (44.3%)' was the most frequently cited. In the case of unbalanced food intakes, the underweight group and overweight group showed the highest response for 'grain' while the healthy weight group showed the highest response for 'vegetables' with significant differences (P<0.001). Daily intakes of one serving size of vegetables was 3.3 in the underweight group, 3.8 servings in the healthy weight group, and 3.8 servings in the overweight group, but there was no significant difference. However, frequency of vegetable intake at lunch was once in the underweight group, which was significantly lower than 1.3 servings in the healthy weight group and 1.4 servings in the overweight group (P<0.05). Regarding perception of vegetables, perception of 'Vegetable consumption helps to get beautiful skin' (P<0.01) and 'I eat vegetables or don't eat depending on a cooking method' (P<0.05) were significantly higher in the underweight group. In the evaluation of vegetables-related eating habits, preference for vegetables in the underweight group was lower than that in the healthy weight and overweight groups (P<0.05). Summarizing the above results, vegetable intake by adolescents was generally low, and the frequency of vegetable intake at lunch as well as preference for vegetables were significantly lower in the underweight group. Studies to identify the relationships between adolescent body types and vegetable intakes are required.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.669-677
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry, nutrient intakes, dietary - related behaviors and health - related behaviors of male workers that were divided according to their alcohol consumption. The mean height, weight and BMI of all subjects were 172.0$\pm$5.8 cm, 67.8$\pm$9.3 kg and 22.9$\pm$2.6 kg/$m^2$, respectively. The WHR was higher in the heavy drinking group than in the other groups(p<0.01), while the other anthropometric indices were not significantly different among the three groups. The calorie intake was highest(p<0.001) in the heavy drinking group(3,270.4$\pm$686.5 kcal), followed by moderate(2,602.8$\pm$415.8 kcal) drinking group and light drinking group(2,341.5$\pm$449.4 kcal). As alcohol consumption increased, there was a decrease in the percent of energy derived from carbohydrates and lipids, while there was an increase in the percent of energy derived from proteins and alcohol(p<0.001). The heavy and moderate drinking groups had a highers intake of protein compared to the light drinking group, and the heavy drinking group had a higher intake of lipid compared to the light and moderate drinking groups(p<0.01). The intakes of vitamin $B_2$, niacin and phosphorus were lower in the moderate group than the other groups(p<0.01). The average MAR(Mean adequacy ratio) was 1.44$\pm$0.35 and the intake of all nutrients, except for folic acid, was much higher than the Korean RI(Recommended intake). The fruit intake frequency and sleeping hours were the lowest in the heavy drinking group(p<0.05) and the subjects preferred the following order of food products when they drink: meat(42.5%), fish & shellfish(30.0%), fruit & vegetable(22.5%) and others(5.0%) as a side dish. The average rates of smoking and exercise for all the subjects were 77.5% and 67.5%, respectively. The results of this study showed that heavy alcohol drinkers were more prone to abdominal obesity and related chronic degenerative diseases, indicating the need for extensive nutritional education for heavy alcohol drinkers.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.230-247
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• 2023

This study aimed to investigate the association between awareness of having a chronic disease with food habits and dietary quality among 320 male manufacturing workers in their 40s. Participants were categorized into groups. The first group comprised workers who were aware of having chronic diseases (ACD, n=160) and had been diagnosed with any one or more of the following major chronic diseases: Metabolic syndrome, hyperlipidemia, hypertension, obesity, and cardiovascular disease. The second group comprised those who had experienced none of the above diseases were classified as a group of people who were a ware of not having chronic diseases (ANCD, n=160). The mean age of the subjects was 44.2 years. The mean weight (P<0.001) and body mass index (BMI; P<0.01) were significantly higher in the ACD than in the ANCD group. The frequency of alcohol consumption and the number of current smokers were not significantly different between the two groups. Dietary attitudes were not significantly different between the two groups. The frequency of egg consumption was significantly higher in the ACD group (P<0.05). Picky eating, vegetable intake, checking nutrition labels, and healthy eating behavior were not significantly different between the two groups. The frequency of exercise was significantly lower in the ACD group compared to the ANCD group (P<0.05). The mean nutrition quotient (NQ) score was 51.9, with no significant difference between the two groups. Based on these results, the awareness of suffering from chronic diseases was not significantly related to dietary attitudes, food habits, and overall dietary quality among production workers. Therefore, there is a need to develop and implement nutrition education programs to inculcate an awareness of health status that can lead to dietary changes.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2000

Hypertension is a well-known degenerative disease whose prevalence rate increases with age. Management of high blood pressure is a critical concern in preventive strategies to reduce the morbidity and mortality for cardiovascular disease. The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary characteristics of hypertensive program participants, and to establish strategies based on their nutritional needs. Hypertensive patients were enrolled in the program in a public health center or in a local elderly center, at Suwon, in 1999-2000. Trained dietitians interviewed 62 enrollees(24-hour recall) and related variables. Mean body mass index of the subjects was 25.0kg/m². 30.7% of the subjects had a family history of hypertension. The majority of them ate regularly and partook of all available side dishes. They consumed grains and vegetables regularly, but seldom ate dairy products or food prepared with oil. Male enrollees frequently consumed more processed food and animal fat than did female enrollees(p<0.05). An analysis of the percentage of RDA(Recommended Dietary Allowances of Korea 1995) showed that but for ascorbic acid, enrollees consumed nutrients below the RDA. The food group intake pattern was not diverse, thus only 8.1% of enrollees consumed all food groups in a day. An analysis of eating attitude showed that 64.5% of enrollees always added salt to beef soup. Male enrollees showed low food-related self-efficacy compared to female enrollees, especially with reference to reduction of instant food intake(p<0.01), increase in vegetable intake(p<0.01), reduction of monosodium glutamate(MSG) intake(p<0.01). and not overeating(p<0.05). Their perceived barriers for participating in hypertension nutrition programs included lack of time, program necessity non-recognition, and program comprehension difficulty. These results suggest that nutrition education program necessity non-recognition, and program comprehension difficulty. These results suggest that nutrition education programs for community hypertensive patients should focus on increasing participant consumption of foods, expecially dairy products, and desirable eating attitudes. It also suggests that the program should consider should consider encouraging self-efficacy in changing eating behavior.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the associations of food security with socio-demographic characteristics, nutrient intakes and mental health status among older Korean adults. Methods: This study was conducted using data from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Subjects were 4,451 adults aged 65~98 years. Food security was measured using a self-reported question on food sufficiency of subjects' household. Based on the answers, study subjects were classified into secure, mildly insecure, moderately insecure, and severely insecure groups. Dietary intake was estimated by 24-hour dietary recall. Nutrient intake was assessed by dietary reference intakes (DRI). As for mental health status, the data on mental stress, depression, and suicide ideation were used. Results: Rate of food insecurity in older adults was 14.3%. Old age, being female, low education, low income level, living alone, and discomfort in daily living were more related to food insecurity. Means of nutrient intakes were significantly different according to food security status. Intakes of calcium, potassium, and vitamin $B_2$ were lower than recommended intakes in all groups. Consumption amounts of soy and soybean products, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, vegetable oils, meats, eggs, seafood, and dairy products were lower in food insecure groups. Mental stress, depression, and suicide ideation were higher in food insecure groups independent of the gender and income level. Conclusions: These present findings suggested that food security is related to mental health as well as nutrition status in older Korean adults. A national system that include food and psychosocial support programs for the elderly should be considered in order to improve the overall health of older Korean adults.