Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

[English]
A Study of Dietary Behavior and Serum Leptin Levels in Obese Children: The Relationship between the Obesity Index and the Serum Leptin Levels Based on Eating Habits and Eating Behaviors: Su Jin Son, Hee Ja Lee, In Kyu Lee, Bong Soon Choi, Myeung Hee Park, Eun Ju Lee, Ju Young Seo; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):475-483. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among eating habits, eating behaviors, obesity indices and serum leptin levels of 97 school children in the Daegu and Kyungpuk areas. The subjects consisted of 42 boys and 55 girls from the 4th and 5th grades. The prevalence rate of obesity was 63.6% in the males and 36.4% in the females. The nutritional status of the subjects was assessed using 24-hour dietary recalls and blood analyses. The mean serum leptin levels of the obese group (12.84 +/- 6.97 ng/ml) were significantly higher than those of the non-obese group (2.43 +/- 1.53 ng/ml)(p < 0.001). The mean eating behavior scores and MAR were significantly different in the two groups. Nutrient intakes were low and fell short of the RDA. Serum leptin levels showed a significant negative correlation with eating habit (r = -0.24) and eating behavior scores (r = -0.40)(p < 0.05, p < 0.001). It was speculated that nutritional intervention and education about the appropriate nutrient intake requirements of developing children might be necessary.

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[English]
A Study on Validity of a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire for Korean Adults: Jee Seon Shim, Kyung Won Oh, Il Suh, Mi Yang Kim, Chun Young Sohn, Eun Joo Lee, Chung Mo Nam; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):484-494. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: This study was conducted to validate the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire that was developed to assess the intakes of fatty acids, as well as energy, carbohydrates, fat, protein, minerals and vitamins in Korean adults. The validity of the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire was tested on 78 subjects (31 men, 47 women) aged 34 to 66 years. The semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire included 93 food items and was validated on two 3-day dietary records. The mean intakes and the Spearman Correlation Coefficients between the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the two 3-day dietary records were analyzed for each nutrient and food group level. The mean nutrient intakes obtained from the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire were estimated to be greater than those of the two 3-day dietary records. The Spearman Correlation Coefficients between the energy-adjusted nutrient intakes from the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire and the two 3-day dietary records ranged from 0.24 for polyunsaturated fatty acids to 0.55 for fat in men and from 0.29 for polyunsaturated fatty acids to 0.55 for saturated fatty acids in women, respectively. The Spearman Correlation Coefficients for food intake ranged from 0.11 for teas and beverages to 0.58 for grains and their products in men, -0.04 for potatoes and starches to 0.73 for milk and dairy products in women. Foods consumed regularly had lower intra-person variation and tended to have higher observed correlation coefficients. These results indicate that the semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire is a useful tool for estimating nutrient intakes, particularly of total fat and saturated fatty acid intakes.

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[English]
The Development of a Simple Evaluation Questionnaire for Screening the Overweight-type Dietary Pattern in 30 to 49 Year Old Adults: Young Sook Park, Jae La Han, Joung Won Lee, Han Suk Cho, Jaeok Koo, Joung Hee Kim, Jin Sook Yoon; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):495-505. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: A study was performed to develop as a screening tool the Simple Evaluation Questionnaire for Screening the Overweight-type Dietary Pattern in 30 to 49 Year Old Adults. We used the data from the 30 to 49 year old subjects who participated in the three surveys - the health behavior survey, the dietary habit survey and the food intake survey - as the National Health and Nutrition Survey 1998. The 3,598 adults were classified into to two body fatness groups of normal (including underweight) and overweight (including obese) on the basis of their relative body weight (RBW). When comparing variables between the two groups, significant differences were found in gender, education, job, employment status, perceived health status, sadness / depression state, stress level, age, number of diseases, age when overweigh-tedness started, maximum body weight, sleep length, drinking pattern (yes / no), amount of alcoholic drinks, frequency of intoxication or drunkeness, amount of alcoholic drinks when drunk, intensity of exercise, frequency of exercise, exercise duration, skipped meals, small meals and drug supplements. In terms of food intake, there were significant differences in the daily food intake in terms of breakfast, dinner, daily kimchi and dairy products. In terms of mealtimes, we found differences in the amount of cooked rice at breakfast, kimchi at lunch, soup / kuk at dinner, fresh vegetables for snacks, fried foods for snacks between breakfast and lunch, and fruits / juices for snacks between lunch and dinner. After developing questions with indicators and analyzing the indicators by logistic regression analysis three times, we chose 10 questions for a simple evaluation of dietary patterns for the overweight-type category in order to give one point each. Among them we selected two questions to add one additional point and one question to add two additional points. The average scores of the overweight and normal groups, as shown by the developed questionnaire, were 5.97 +/-2.36 and 7.36 +/-2.21, respectively. A score of seven points was selected as the cut-off point. We examined the sensitivity, specificity and positive predictive value of the questionnaire to the results of 67%, 59% and 62%, respectively.

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[English]
A Study on Body Mass Index and Associated Factors of the Middle Aged Women in Small City: Yeon Hee Kim, Youngnam Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):506-515. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: This study examined the state of health and weight maintenance according to the body mass index (BMI), and explored demographic variables, diet variables, the degree of stress etc. The results presented were based on data collected from 428 women who are mothers of the middle school children in Jeongeup city. Using SPSS WIN (Ver 9.0), the frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, chi-square, ANOVA, and correlation analysis were provided. The mean of BMI for the subjects was 22.6, the ratio of obese women (BMI > or = 25) was 22.9%. The frequency of the reported circulation or respiratory related diseases was greater in the obese group compared to the normal weight (20 < or = BMI < 25) or the lean (BMI < 20) groups. The obese group had less awareness of obesity. Those who regard themselves obese had lower rates of satisfaction with their body shape and higher rates of interest in weight control. Approximately 65% of the subjects attempted weight reduction more than once. Subjects who were obese had the most undesirable dietary behavior. In particular, this group had the higher rates of rushed meals, overeating, meals while watching TV or newspapers, and snacking, and eating out. In analyzing the correlation of variables influencing obesity, there were positive correlations between obesity and overeating, obesity and the degree of stress. Correlations between obesity and satisfaction for life found to be negative. Moreover, stress had a positive correlation with obesity and overeating, and showed negative correlation with eating behavior. Consequently, stress seemed to induce undesirable eating behaviors and increase obesity. Of the demographic background variables, subjects who were obese tended to be older, had lower levels of education, higher rates of employment, longer period of marriage, the higher number of children, preschool children or children preparing for highschool or college, lower satisfaction with children and household life.

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[English]
A Study on the Food Habits, Nutrient Intake and the Disease Distribution in the Elderly (Aged over 65 Years)(I): Youn Kyoung Kim, Hye Ok Lee, Rin Chang, Ryowon Choue; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):516-526. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to investigate the food habits, nutrient intake, and disease distribution in the elderly (aged over 65 years). The correlation of diseases with anthropometric measurements and nutrients was investigated. The correlation of blood parameters with anthropometric measurements and nutrient intake was also studied. The results are as follow: 1) Most elderly men (68.6%) and women (81.6%) had more than three diseases. The food habits of the elderly women were worse than those of the men. Their intake of protein, calcium, iron, vitamin A, and vitamin B2 were lower than the RDA for those particular nutrients. 2) The incidence of gastritis (51.2%), fatty liver (46.4%), and hypertension (45.2%) were the highest among elderly men and women. 3) Anemia was negatively correlated with body weight. Hypercholesterolemia was positively correlated with body fat and negatively correlated with intake of calcium, vitamin A, and vitamin B2. Hypertension was negatively correlated with alcohol consumption. 4) Blood total cholesterol concentration was positively correlated with percent ideal body weight (% IBW). Blood hemoglobin level was positively correlated with Body Mass Index (BMI). Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were positively correlated with % IBW and BMI. Blood cholesterol concentration was negatively correlated with the intake of iron, vitamin A, vitamin B2, and cholesterol, and positively correlated with the consumption of alcohol. Blood hemoglobin level was positively correlated with the intake of total calories, carbohydrates, fat, protein, iron, vitamin B2, phosphorus, cholesterol, salt, and alcohol.

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[English]
The Effects of Smoking, Drinking and Exercise on Antioxidant Vitamin Intakes and Plasma Antioxidant Status n Elderly People Living in Ulsan: Mi Joung Kim, Ok Hyun Kim, Jung Hee Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):527-538. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: Body antioxidant status is an important factor in the prevention of many chronic diseases caused by oxidative stress, especially in the elderly and is affected by health-related habits, such as smoking, drinking and regular physical activity. The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between these health-related habits and plasma antioxidant status in the elderly. Plasma antioxidant status was examined by determining plasma levels of antioxidant vitamins (vitamin C, A, E, beta-carotene), total antioxidant status (TAS) and thiobarbituric acid-reactive substance (TBARS). The subjects included 225 elderly persons aged over 60 years (63 males, 162 females) living in the Ulsan area. They were interviewed to collect data on their general characteristics and health behaviors such as smoking, exercise and alcohol consumption by means of questionnaires. Their dietary intakes were obtained by means of semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires (FFQ). The study population was divided into two or three groups according to their smoking, drinking, and exercise status. The ratio of smoker, drinker and exerciser was 16.7%, 31.0% and 44.2% respectively. The dietary antioxidant vitamin intakes were not significantly different among groups of smoking and drinking status, but tended to be higher in non-smokers and non-drinkers than in smokers and drinkers. Plasma vitamin C and beta-carotene levels were significantly higher in non-smokers, but plasma vitamin A and TBARS levels were significantly lower in non-smokers than in smokers. Plasma TAS was not significantly different among the smoking groups, but showed a tendency to decrease with an increase in the number of packyear. Plasma vitamin C and beta-carotene levels of the non-drinkers were higher than those of drinkers and past-drinkers, but plasma vitamin A, E, TBARS and TAS showed no difference among the groups of drinker. All vitamin intakes of the exercisers were slightly higher than those of the non-exercisers, but vitamin C intake was significantly higher in female exercisers than in non-exercisers. Plasma beta-carotene levels were significantly higher in male exercisers and plasma vitamin A, C, E, TAS and TBARS levels tended to be higher in exercisers than in non-exercisers. These results suggested that change to non-smoker, modulation of alcohol consumption and regular exercise could enhance antioxidant defences against reactive oxygen species and might increase the likelihood of a healthier life span.

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[English]
Nutrients Intake, Zinc Status and Health Risk Factors in Elderly Korean Women as Evaluated by the Nutrition Screening Inistiative (NSI) Checklist: Jin Sook Yoon, Junghyun Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):539-547. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the health status as determined by a self-assessment checklist was related to the nutritional status of elderly Korean women. We interviewed 59 female subjects living in the Daegu area aged over 55 years. Information on their dietary intake on two consecutive days was collected by the 24-hour Recall Method. Their body compositions were measured using a Bio-electrical Impedence Fatness Analyzer. Their zinc status was evaluated according to their dietary zinc intake and urinary zinc excretion in urine samples collected for 24 hours. Their heath status was determined by a NSI Checklist. While 50.9% of the total subjects belonged to a moderate nutritional risk group, 23.7% of the subjects were at a high nutritional risk. It appeared that only 25.4% of the subjects were evaluated as being healthy. Therefore, the overall nutritional health status of the elderly females belonged to the moderate nutritional risk group. Except for vitamin C, the average daily nutrient intake of the subjects was below the level of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Koreans. The lower the nutritional health score, the better was their dietary intake of energy (p < .05), protein (p < .001), and zinc (p < .01). A positive relationship between their nutritional health score and body fat ratio was also observed (p < .05). Therefore, we suggest that the NSI Checklist could be used as a practical screening tool at the beginning of nutritional surveillance of the elderly in the community.

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[English]
Software for Nutritional Assessment Using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire and the 24-hour Recall Method: Sang Ah Lee, Kyoungsin Lee, Hyung Sook Kim, Hae Jeung Lee, Haymie Choi; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):548-558. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to develop a computer software program for nutritional assessment using a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire (SQFFQs) and the 24-hour Recall Method. The software for the SQFFQ was divided into input, output, and database. For dietary analyses, recipe and food databases were used. The recipe database included 25 items and the food database was divided into 18 food groups. The food database was composed of 19 general nutrient items, 33 fatty acids, and 18 amino acids. The software developed in this study can be summarized as follows: 1) input items related to the individual's ages information, lifestyle, biological values, and dietary habits; 2) individualized data in percent of the Korean RDA, the energy ratios of carbohydrates, proteins and fats, the ratio of animal to plant source intakes, and the distribution of food group intakes; 3) Statistical data on the individual's information, lifestyle, biological values, and dietary intakes including the frequency of intake of cooked foods, the amounts of food, and the number of food groups, and nutrients. In the 24-hour Recall Method, the input and output consisted of the individual's information and cooked dish intakes. The individual's report included the amounts of nutrient intake according to number of meal and days, in comparison to the Korean RDA, the energy ratio for carbohydrates, proteins and fats, the ratio of animal to plant source intakes, and the distribution of food group intakes. The statistical report presented the number of food groups and foods, and the nutrient intakes. To evaluate the validity of the SQFFQ, the Spearman Rank Order Correlation and kappa values were used. As a result, correlation coefficients comparing the 24-hour Recall Method appeared to be more than 0.5, except for vitamin B1, B2, niacin, and vitamin E. The kappa values for energy and carbohydrate intakes were both 0.7, and protein, fat, vitamin C, folate, Ca, and iron intakes ranged from 0.3 to 0.7.

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[English]
A Study of the Operation of Contract Food Service Management and Menu Preferences of Middle School Students in Seoul: Kyung Soo Han, Sook Hyun Hong; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):559-570. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: This research was to investigate the operation of contracted food service management and menu preferences of middle school students in Seoul. Questionnaires were distributed between Dec. 1 and 20, 2000 in 10 middle schools. Statistical data analyses were completed using the SAS package, including the mean, standard deviation and frequency analysis. The results can be summarized as follows: The average number of meals per middle school was 1,000 and only lunch was served in each school. In terms of facilities and equipment, low rates of the possession of cooking equipment and food carts were the major hindrance to work and production efficiency. The students' main demands were taste, sanitation, variety of food, the introduction of brand foods, the price of foods, and the speed of reaction to their dissatisfaction. Most of the schools provided rice for lunch, while the students preferred noodles, mandu and bread. beef-rib soup was preferred to broth. For side dishes, fish, roasted meat and fried foods were highly favored, along with processed foods, with low preferences for vegetables. The middle school students favored fruits. Lastly, they requested that the quality of school meals be improved through the development and supply of various desserts.

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[English]
An Analysis of Food Donators' Attitudes to the Foodbank Program in Korea: Ilsun Yang, Hye seung Kang, Seung hee Kye; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):571-577. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: The foodbank program is one of the social welfare programs that collects donated food and grocery products from the nation's food and grocery industry and distributes them to people who are in need. The purposes of this study were to: (a) investigate the food donators' perceptions of the foodbank program, (b) analyze the attitude toward the program by businesses, (c) compare the opinions on whether to donate or not, and (d) examine the frequency and category of the donated food. This research was conducted on three donator groups, such as contract foodservice management companies, franchising restaurant companies, and food manufacturing and grocery companies. A total of 63 donators participated in this survey. The main results of the investigation on the operating conditions were as follows; (a) From the donators' perspective, 73.0% and 71.0% of the respondents recognized the definition and purpose of this program, respectively. (b) Only 33.3% of respondents recognized the tax benefits of donating. (c) Contract foodservice management companies, and food manufacturing and grocery companies recognized the program more than franchising restaurant companies, and food manufacturing and grocery companies donated more than any of the others. (d) Most of the donated foods were bakery and confectionery, rice, and milk and dairy products.

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[English]
The Relationship between the Period of Engraftment and the Nutritional Status in Patients Undergoing Allogenic Bone Marrow Transplantation for Acute Myelogenous Leukemia: Jeong Im Hong, Un Jae Chang; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):578-584. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: This study was designed to investigate the association between the period of engraftment and the nutritional status of patient's undergoing bone marrow transplantation for acute myelogenous leukemia (AML). Nutritional status was evaluated by body mass index (BMI), percentage of ideal body weight (PIBW), percentage of weight loss, and serum albumin, total protein (T protein), hemoglobin (HGB) and hematocrit (HCT) levels on the day prior to transplantation and on the day of bone marrow transplantation. The periods of engraftment were determined by absolute neutrophil counts (ANC) above 500 /mm3 from the day of bone marrow transplantation. The study subjects were 80 patients (55 males, 25 females) with acute myelogenous leukemia admitted to the University Hospital in Seoul. The result of this study is as follows : The nutritional status values of the majority of patients on the day prior to transplantation were in the normal range except for HGB and HCT; however, during hospitalization, all of the levels of the nutritional status values were significantly decreased. The periods of engraftment of the abnormal group according to their BMI, PIBW, HGB and HCT levels on the day of bone marrow transplantation showed no difference when compared to the normal group. However, the periods of engraftment of the abnormal group, according to the percentage of weight loss, albumin, and T protein levels were significantly decreased when compared to the normal group. Therefore, the nutritional status of patients at the time of transplant had a noticeable influence on the periods of engraftment. Our results suggested that nutritional status is a critical factor of engraftment in BMT during pre-transplant and post-transplant. Futhermore, we recommend that the process of nutritional preparation for the transplant should initiate immediately after the transplant decision has been made.

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A Study on the Current Nutrition Labelling Practices for Processed Foods: Hyun Jung Lee, Hae Rang Chung, Young Ai Jang; Korean J Community Nutr 2002;7(4):585-594. Published online August 31, 2002

Abstract PDF: This study examined the status of current nutrition labelling and claims for the processed foods that were purchased in the supermarket. They were assessed in the aspects of frequency and content of nutrition labelling and claims. The results are summarized as follows; The percentage of products contain the nutrition labelling or claims of processed foods of investigation were 18.7% and 18.8% respectively. In the nutrition labelling method, the format separated by expression contents with 'only liability indication nutrient' or 'liability indication nutrients plus discretion indication nutrients' were 44.7% and 43.4% respectively. In the case of type and title, 'table' and 'nutrition composition' were used most frequently, 83.9% and 83.2% respectively. And in the case of expression unit, 'per 100 g or 100 ml' was higher (56.8%) than others. Nutrition claims were divided into 'nutrition content claim' and 'comparative claim', in the former the most claim was 'containing' and in the other 'more or plus' used most frequently. 'Nutrient function claim' was 13.4% and 'Implied nutrient claim' was 7.3% of all the claims. Results of the evaluation of current nutrition labeling system, nutrition labelling was less advanced and variable in content and format and also the information was not easy for consumers to understand and use them. To support achievement of the nutrition label, there must be program and initiatives for better understanding and communication and guidances on food labelling and nutrition for food manufactures.

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