Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

[English]
The Effects of Taste Preferences on Nutrients Intake and the Degree of Dental Caries in Preschool Children: Jeong Hwa Eun, Sung Mee Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):631-641. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of preschool children's taste preferences on their intake of nutrients and the degree of dental caries. The subjects were 126 preschool children (boys 62 and girls 64) in Daegu area. Their taste preferences and food intake were investigated and their teeth were also examined. The energy intake of boys (1550 kcal) were significantly higher than that of girls (1441 kcal). Daily dietary intakes of nutrients-except niacin and vitamin C-were higher than those of RDA. Vitamin B1 intake of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly lower than that of the other group (p < 0.05). Vitamin B2 intake of the group preferring a salty taste was significantly higher than that of the other group (p < 0.05). Vitamin C intake of the group preferring a hot taste was significantly higher than that of the other group (p < 0.05). The group with a preference for sweet had more experiences of dental caries and more decayed teeth than the other group, but which is not significant. The experiences of dental caries were negatively correlated with protein intake (p < 0.01). The decayed teeth were negatively correlated with energy and protein intakes (p < 0.01). Our data suggested that taste preferences are associated with vitamins intake and the degree of dental caries in preschool children. It means the sweet preference increased the experiences of the dental caries.

14 View
0 Download

[English]
Comparison of The Food and Nutrition Ecology of Elementary School Children by Regions: Chung Ja Sung, Mi Kyung Sung, Mi Kyeong Choi, Mi Hyun Kim, Yu Lee Seo, Eun Sook Park, Jeong Ja Baik, Jung Sook Seo, Su Mi Mo; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):642-651. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: This study was performed using mealtime atmosphere to characterize the food ecology of Korean children residing in different regions of Korea. A total of 705 elementary school students, 347 girls and 358 boys, were divided into three groups according to the areas where they lived, which included Seoul (n = 230), provincial cities (n = 273) and rural areas (n = 202). The subjects were asked to fill out questionnaires which were categorized to determine various factors related to food ecology, life styles, and health related symptoms. The average age of the study subjects was 11.5 years. The results showed that the average height (p < 0.01), weight (p < 0.01) and body mass index (BMIs)(p < 0.01) of the rural group were significantly lower than those of the Seoul and provincial city groups. A significantly higher proportion (10.4%) of the rural group was from disfunctional families, including single parent families, than those of the Seoul (1.7%) or provincial city (4.4%) groups. However, a larger number of children from Seoul ate alone, did not enjoy their meals, and hardly talked to each other during breakfast time, compared to those from the provincial city or rural areas. Also, the proportion (33.0%) of 'good' in balance of meal was the lowest (33.0%) in Seoul of the three areas (p < 0.01). Most of the children answered that they liked having breakfast and dinner with the whole family. In conclusion, the food ecology of elementary children differed according to the regions in which they resided. Although children from Seoul had higher BMIs, their nutritional intake was not satisfactory, and their undesirable food ecology could be a contributing factor.

16 View
0 Download

[English]
The Effects of Gender, Obesity Rate, Nutrition Knowledge and Dietary Attitude on the Dietary Self-Efficacy of Adolescents: Jeong Sook Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):652-657. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: This study was carried out to investigate the effects of the gender, obesity rate, nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude on the dietary self-efficacy of adolescents. The subjects were 1,022 (518 male, 504 female), aged 13 - 17 years living in Busan, Masan, Jinju and Jinhae city. This survey was conducted from April 8 to April 22, 2002 by questionnaires and data were analyzed by SPSS program. The results are summarized as follows. Nutrition knowledge scores and dietary selfefficacy scores of the females were higher than those of the males. The higher the nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude scores, the higher dietary self-efficacy. Dietary attitude has direct effects on dietary self-efficacy and obesity rate has indirect effects which was mediated by nutrition knowledge. Gender and nutrition knowledge have direct effects and indirect effects which were mediated by dietary attitude. Dietary attitude showed the greatest total causal effect in relation to dietary self-efficacy.

15 View
0 Download

[English]
The Factors Associated with Weight Control Experiences among Adolescents: Based on Self-esteem, Body-cathexis, Attitudes toward the Body, Anthropometric Characteristics and Perceptions of Body Shape: Eun Sil Her, Hyun Jin Kang, Kyung Hea Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):658-666. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: This study was carried out to investigate among adolescents (total = 729) the relationship between their self-esteem, body-cathexis, their attitudes toward the importance of their bodies, their anthropometric characteristics, their perceptions of their body shapes and their experiences with weight control. The results are summarized as follows: The mean values for self-esteem and body-cathexis were generally low, but these values were significantly higher among boys than girls (p < 0.01 - 0.001). However the mean values for their attitudes toward the importance of their bodies were relatively high and were significantly higher among girls than boys (p < 0.01). The mean values for Percent Ideal Body Weight (PIBW) and Body Mass Index (BMI) were normal and no significant differences between the genders were observed. The distribution of the PIBW and the BMI values showed a higher rate for normal weights among the girlsand a higher rate for underweightedness and obesity among the boys (p < 0.01). With regard to their perception of their body image, among the boys, their current figures were almost identical with their idea of an ideal figure, but among the girls, their idea of an ideal figure was thinner than their current figure. The girls were more dissatisfied with their own body image than the boys (p < 0.001). Fifty-four percent of the subjects had previous weight control experience, and the girls had significantly more experience than the boys (p < 0.001). Their main reason for practising weight control was to lose weight (65.3%). Those who had more weight control experience had lower satisfaction with their body shapes, higher PIBW, higher BMIs or currently had fatter figures. Their standard image of their figures was influenced by TV (40.3%) and friends (36.9%). There was a weakly positive correlation between their self-esteem and their satisfaction with their body shapes, and a weakly negative correlation between their satisfaction with their body shapes and their attitudes toward the importance of their bodies. These results suggest the necessity for an educational program for adolescents as to foster a positive body image. Such a program should consider psychological factors such as selfesteem, satisfaction with body shape and attitudes toward the importance of the body

11 View
0 Download

[English]
A Comparative Study on the Serum Lipid Levels and the Dietary Intake of Physical Education Major and Non-Major Male Students: Kyoung A Choi, Myung Hee Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):667-674. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The paper examines the effect of physical exercise on blood lipid with young male students. Our analysis is based on the body measurement, food intake and blood lipid component for 70 male students of Kongju National University who either major in physical exercise (group A) or do not major in physical exercise (group B). The average weight of group A is 71.97 +/- 10.79 kg while that of group B is 67.57 +/- 8.66 kg. The former is significantly higher (p < 0.05) than the latter. The SBP of group A (128.20 +/- 11.40 mmHg) is significantly (p < 0.001) higher than that of group B (136.27 +/- 13.18 mmHg). In terms of the intake of total kcal, group A marks significantly higher than group B; group A goes with 2190.26 +/- 581.96 kcal and group B goes with 2392.94 +/- 769.03 kcal. The comparative analysis of the three nutrient intake shows that the intake proportions for group A are carbohydrate 55.08 +/- 6.03%, protein 15.58 +/- 2.75%, and lipid 29.34 +/- 5.16% while the intake proportions for group B are carbohydrate 57.29 +/- 8.09%, protein 15.62 +/- 3.26%, and lipid 27.10 +/- 6.90%. For group A, the vitamin B1 intake amounts to 1.50 +/- 0.5 mg which fulfills 100% of RDA, and the niacin intake amounts to 16.57 +/- 5.54 mgN.E which is less than RDA. In contrast, both intakes for group B are more than the RDA. In the case with minerals except calcium, both group A and B mark more intake than RDA. Group A's calcium intake is 517.12 +/- 200.63 mg and group B's is 409.56 mg. The total cholesterol intake for group A is 447.00 +/- 245.08 mg which is significantly (p < 0.05) higher than for group B with 352.35 +/- 200.25 mg. The total cholesterol in the lipid of serum is 151.30 +/- 12.92 mg/dl for group A and 182.30 mg/dl for group B, where the dominance of group B over group A is true at the level of significance 0.01. In the case with triglyceride, group A is 107.57 +/- 31.60 mg/dl and group B is 108.07 +/- 33.93 mg/dl so that the group difference is non-significant. The HDLcholesterol for group A is 54.67 +/- 6.49 mg/dl which is significantly higher (p < 0.001) than for group B with 36.13 +/- 4.64 mg/dl. We conclude that regular exercise may have an effect on blood lipid metabolism among young males.

13 View
0 Download

[English]
Dietary Habits and Factors Related to Lifestyles in Constipated Female Students: Jeong Ran Shin, Sun Yung Ly; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):675-688. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The aim of this study was to investigate the dietary habits and the factors related to lifestyles in female college students with constipation. A survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaires. Two hundred ninety one subjects participated in this study. All respondents were divided into three groups based on their frequency of stool evacuation: 129 subjects (44.3%) comprised the normal group, 109 (37.5%) the mild constipated group and 53 (18.2%) the severely constipated group. Abdominal pain and ailment during evacuation were higher and the feeling of relief after evacuation was lower in the normal group than in the two constipated groups. The greater the symptoms of constipation, the more laxatives were taken. The prevalence of constipation was lower in students who lived at home than in those who lived in other types of residences. The more pocket money the subject had, the more complaints they had about constipation symptoms. Forty three percent of the subjects ate meals regularly. The less frequently they ate meals and the greater the rate of skipping breakfasts and dining-out, the greater were their constipation symptoms. Rice and most of the food items in the vegetable food group were consumed less frequently in the two constipated groups than in the normal group. The severely constipated group ate food items in the fat group less frequently than the normal and mildly costipated groups. The beverage intake of the normal group tended to be lower than those of the two constipated groups; the constipated groups consumed fruits and vegetable juices less frequently and coffee and tea more frequently. The severely constipated group ate the least number of food items in the vegetable & fruit and fat food groups. Therefore, dietary habits and factors related to lifestyles should be changed through nutrition education programs aimed at improving the symptoms of constipation in young women.

18 View
0 Download

[English]
The Relationship between the Diversity of Food Intake and Nutrient Intake among Korean College Students Participating in a Nutrition Education Class via the Internet: Jeong Hee Lee, Kyung Ja Chang; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):689-698. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the relationship between the diversity of food intake and nutrient intake among Korean college students participating in a nutrition education class via the internet. The subjects were 796 college students throughout South Korea (278 males, 518 females). A 3 days dietary recall survey was conducted and results were analyzed using the Computer-aided Nutritional Analysis Program. Dietary variety was assessed by DDS (dietary diversity score), MBS (meal balance score), and DVS (dietary variety score). Dietary quality was assessed by NAR (nutrient adequacy ratio), and MAR (mean adequacy ratio). As the DDS, MBS and DVS increased, the NAR and MAR improved. The subjects with a DDS of above 4 or a MBS of above 10 or a DVS of above 11 met two-thirds of the Korean recommended dietary allowance for most nutrients. The DDS, MBS and DVS correlated positively and significantly with the NAR and MAR. Associations between the NAR and high levels of DVS were more positive than those between the NAR and the DDS. Based on these results, the food intake of these subjects was not adequate. Specially, the dietary intake of calcium and iron were not adequate. Therefore, dietary guidelines should be made considering nutritional characteristics so as to improve the intake from all of the major food groups and provide a variety of foods in their diets.

16 View
0 Download

[English]
The Influence of Health-Related Habits on Nutrient Intake and Food Frequency of Middle-Aged Subjects in Seoul: Mee Sook Lee, Sung Ae Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):699-707. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: This study examined the effectiveness of two commonly used dietary assessment methods (the 24-hour recall and the food frequency questionnaire) in the epidemiological investigations of health-related habits and degenerative diseases. This cross sectional project in the Seoul area was conducted for the purpose of establishing cohort subjects and collecting reliable nutrient intake data for a further large-scale cross sectional study. The subjects were 91 volunteers from the Seoul area with a mean age of 53.5 +/- 9.6 for the males and 52.2 +/- 8.9 for the females. The subjects had a rela-tively high educational background, were from high socioeconomic levels, and were greatly concerned about healthrelated life styles. There was a significantly negative correlation between their smoking and their nutrient intake. Their drinking habits, their self-estimated health status and their concern or stress about being healthy did not have any influence on their nutrient intakes. Skipping meals was the most undesirable dietary habit influencing their nutrient intakes, and the next was their irregularity of eating meals. The subjects who liked legumes and fish had higher intakes of iron and niacin and those who liked milk and dairy products had higher intakes of calcium, vitamin B2 and fat. The subjects who considered themselves not to be healthy consumed higher amounts of fish and shell-fish, and those who considered themselves to be healthy consumed higher amounts of vegetables. The smokers consumed less fruits than non-smokers, but there was no correlation between their drinking and consumption of the food groups. There was no correlation between their food consumption frequency and their skipping meals or meal irregularity. There were positive correlations between their food likes and food consumption frequency for foods such as meat, milk and dairy products, seaweeds and fruits. Therefore, their smoking, skipping meals and meal irregularity appeared to greatly influence their nutrient intakes. Significant correlations were found between their health-related habits and their food group preferences and food frequencies. This implies that simple surveying methods using criteria such as smoking, skipping meals and meal irregularity, food group preferences and eating frequencies can be used as useful tools in the assessment of nutritional statuses.

15 View
0 Download

[English]
A Study on the Status of Recognition and Intake of Saeng Shik among Urban Housewives: Mi Hyun Park, Ji Yeon Lee, Hwa Young Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):708-715. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to investigate the status of recognition and intake of Saeng shik among housewives in Seoul, Busan, Daegu, Kwangju and Daejeon during February, 2002. Saeng shik is an uncooked freeze dried powdered food made from grains and vegetables. We interviewed 800 housewives, aged 30 to 49 years, living in urban areas. The survey was conducted using individual interviews on demographic characteristcs, status of recognition of Saeng shik, and the intake of Saeng shik. The data was analyzed using a SPSS program. The results were summarized as follows: Forty percentage of the subjects were well acquainted with Saeng shik. More than 60% of the subjects understood that Saeng shik is 'the thing of grains and vegetables in the form of freeze-dried powder without heating process'. Saeng shik was taken by 16.9% of subjects. There was a significant regional and economic level difference in Saeng shik intake (p < 0.05). Among the reasons given for Saeng shik intake, meal substitution ranked the highest. Other reasons were prevention of adult diseases, or it being a low calorie food. The survey questioned which the subjects considered before buying Saeng shik, taste, effect, constitution, sanitation and safety, satiety. 'Taste' ranked the highest. Among the subject who had experienced taking Saeng shik, 35.6% answered that they would continue taking Saeng shik. The reasons given for stopping taking Saeng shik included its high cost and taste. The subjects recognized it not only as a meal substitute, but also as a nutrient supplement. Based on these results on urban housewives' status of recognition of Saeng shik and their intake of it, more research is needed to improve Saeng shik.

10 View
0 Download

[English]
The Dietary Behaviors, Depression Rates and Nutrient Intakes of the Elderly Females Living Alone: Jin Kyung Park, Sook Mee Son; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):716-725. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: In this study, the dietary behaviors, depression rates and nutrient intakes were assessed for elderly females living alone (ELA) and elderly females not living alone (ENLA). The subjects were 140 elderly females (living alone 70; not living alone 70) residing in Bucheon city. Dietary data were obtained using the 24-hr recall method. There were more subjects with low monthly incomes (less than 500,000 won) in the ELA group. The proportion of the ELA group which skipped at least one meal per day was 38.5% and the main reasons given were low appetite and depression. Fewer of the ELA group were observed to have smoking and drinking habits. However, the majority of the ELA smokers smoked more than 6 cigarettes per smoking. The drinking score of the ELA group was also higher than that of the ENLA group. The total score of depression for the ELA group was higher than that of the ENLA group. The total score of nutrition risk index (NRI) of the ELA group (8.09) was also higher than that of the ENLA group (2.31). The dietary assessment using the 24 hr-recall method showed that the ELA group had lower nutrients intakes, and significant differences were shown in the intakes of energy (1137 kcal vs 1275 kcal), animal protein, animal fat, carbohydrates, animal Ca, and animal Fe. There was a positive correlation between the NRI and the depression scores. However a higher NRI was associated with lower intakes for most of the nutrients in the ELA group.

15 View
0 Download

[English]
Anthropometric and Biochemical Indicators and Related Factors for the Community Dwelling Elderly Living Alone: Jin Kyung Park, Sook Mee Son; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):726-735. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: In this study, anthropometric and biochemical indicators and related factors for community dwelling elderly living alone (ELA). as well as for elderly not living alone (ENLA) were explored. The subjects were 140 elderly females (70 living alone, 70 not living alone) residing in Bucheon. Anthropometric measurements revealed significant differences between the two groups (ELA/ENLA) for height, weight, BMI, triceps skinfold thickness, suprailiac skinfold thickness, subscapular skinfold thickness, and body fat percentage. The ELA showed significantly lower data for most of the anthropometric indices, except PIBW. Biochemical indicators of iron status (hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation) were significantly lower for the ELA, whereas the total serum cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, for the ELA were significantly higher. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (240 mg%) was 30%. The latter three are not in accordance with general malnutrition among the ELA. The hemoglobin of the ELA was positively correlated with energy, fat, iron and cholesterol intake, but negatively correlated with height. The serum cholesterol of the ELA was positively associated with most of their nutrient intake.

15 View
0 Download

[English]
Analyzing the Current Practice of the Home-Delivered Meal(HDM) Service Program for Homebound Elderly: Il Sun Yang, Hyun Young Jung, Hae Young Lee, In Sook Chae; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):736-743. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to research the current home delivered meal (HDM) service programs for seniors living in the community. Fifty seven centers which operated a HDM service program were surveyed with respect to their administrative structure, menu management, food purchasing and production management, hygiene and equipment and facility. -Statistical data analyses were completed using the SAS 8.1 program for descriptive analysis and t-test. The results showed that 55 percent of the study group were from 70 to 79 years old. All of the participants received free HDM. As a result of the meal cost analysis, the meal cost at 56.1% of the HDM service centers was from won2,000 to won2,499 per meal. A total of 68.4% of the HDM service centers were operated without the services of a dietitian. According to the menu analysis, all nutrients except Vitamin B2 were at levels of more than 33% of the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans. Although 96.6% of the HDM service centers required a therapeutic diet menu for the health of the elderly recipients, 68% of the directors responded that they could not afford to serve therapeutic meal. Food purchasing, menu planning and other foodservice management processes were handled by non-professionals, such as volunteers, cooks or social workers. Forty two percent of the HDM service centers never used standard recipes. For determining portion sizes, 75.4% of the HDM service centers depended on personal experience. Finally, the current HDM service programs for the homebound elderly were not operated systematically. It is suggested that professionally trained personnel should be included among the staff members to provide a more effective HDM service. The HDM service programs should be supported financially and systematically by the government.

11 View
0 Download

[English]
Strategic Planning for the Contract-Managed Hospital Foodservice Through QFD Methodology: Il Sun Yang, Su Yen Park, Hyun Ah Kim, Moon Kyung Park, Seo Young Shin, Hae Young Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):744-754. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: At present, health care industries throughout the world are struggling with the challenges to set up financial structures as cost-effective ways and means of satisfying customer needs for health care services. Many hospitals consign foodservice management to foodservice companies for the purpose of efficiency. The companies taking charge of hospital foodservice are also striving to gain an advantage over keen competitions. This study applied Quality Function Deployment (QFD) to one hospital (which will be shown as [A hospital] below) managed by a contract foodservice company for the purpose of strategy planning to provide sustainable competitive advantage. First of all, this study scanned internal and external environment of [A hospital] by means of a Quality Measurement Tool and a fieldwork study. With the result of environment scanning, this study elicited 20 strategies through SWOT analysis, which were categorized by 4 perspectives such as financial, customer, internal process, learning and growth perspectives. Finally, the priorities of 20 strategies were extracted from QFD methodology. According to the results obtained by applying QFD to [A hospital] 's foodservice, the strategies which [A hospital] foodservice was obliged to introduce and implement were : the specialization of Children's hospital foodservice, scientific foodservice management through the standardization of foodservice operations, the maintenance of sanitary quality through sanitary system, the remodeling of facilities, the introduction of new equipment, the prompt and accurate response to customer needs, the development of appropriate patient menus, the provision of competitively priced meals for patient selection, the development of a demand forecast model by considering the characteristics of a children's hospital, improvement of productivity and the reduction of labor costs through the employment of experienced employees based on their seniority.

13 View
0 Download

[English]
A Case Study on Quality Improvement of the Food Services for Patients: Focused on back-up orders: Seung Lim Lee, Yu Kyung Chang; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):755-762. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this research which, surveyed target hospitals, was to evaluate job operations by surveying the influences of Quality Improvement (QI) activities in various divisions related to a decrease in their back-up orders. Statistical data analyses were completed using the SPSS 11.0 program. The results can be summarized as follows : Before QI there were 147 cases of back-up orders ; after QI there were 83 cases, decrease of 64 cases. This was 44%, less than the projected goal of 50%. For each item, there was a decrease of 40 nurse cases, 9 patients and patron cases, 9 test.surgery. deliverly cases and 5 doctor cases after QI. The registering of midnight meals was not shown after QI, due to the Order Communication System (OCS) settlement. After performing QI, the average manual operation per month was reduced from 840 minutes to 498 minutes, of which the difference was 342 minutes, and the average of 342 minutes per month could be used for the peculiar operation of each division. This QI activity provided a good opportunity for establishing cooperation among divisions in providing meals to patients through interactions among divisions. It was recognized that these interactions were effective only when medical services were achieved through organized cooperation among divisions. Among the 7 items included on the patient satisfaction questionnaire, "satisfaction with offered menus" (p < 0.01) showed significantly higher scores before QI. However "satisfaction with meal times" (p < 0.01) showed significantly lower scores before QI.

18 View
1 Download

[English]
The Effect of the Food Service Industry up on the National Economy of Korea: Hee Sook Cheon, Kyung Soo Han; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):763-769. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The food-service industry in Korea has experienced remarkable growth during the past few decades. The objectives of this study were to analyze the influence of the food-service industry upon the national economy by using an inputoutput analysis and to find the industrial position of the food service industry. This paper analysed the economic effect of the food-service industry using 168 items arranged in a transaction table based on producer's prices in the 1995 input-output tables. The results of this study showed that the food-service industry had a major influence on the national economy of Korea. Based on the calculation of the following five coefficients; Korea's production inducement coefficient ranked as 50, its import inducement coefficient ranked as 28, its value added inducement coefficient ranked as 32, its worker inducement coefficient ranked as 2 and its employee inducement coefficient per final demand ranked as 5 in a total of 168 industries.

15 View
0 Download

[English]
Comparison of Anthropometry, Serum Lipid Levels and Nutrient Intakes of Two Groups Based on their Drinking, Smoking, Exercise, Menopause and Obesity Status: In Residents of Youngdong Area: Hae Won Nam, Eun Kyung Kim, Un Hyung Cho; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):770-780. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: The purpose of this study was to compare the anthropometry, the serum lipid levels and the nutrient intakes of two groups according to their alcohol intake, smoking habits, regular exercise patterns, menopause status and obesity levels. The subjects consisted of 180 clinically normal adults (males 89, females 91) in the Youngdong area. There were significant differences in the triglyceride (TG) concentrations between the alcohol consumers (169.3 +/- 130.0 mg/dl) and the non-alcohol consumers (111.4 +/- 64.5 mg/dl), and the smokers (165.0 +/- 103.6 mg/dl) and the non-smokers (110.8 +/- 39.0 mg/dl). Although regular exercise did not affect the serum lipid levels, the dietary intakes of cholesterol, niacin and phosphate were significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the male exercising group than in the male non-exercising group ; and female exercising group consumed more polyunsaturated fatty acids (p < 0.05) than the female non-exercising group. The waist/hip ratio, serum total cholesterol (198.4 +/- 36.3 mg/dl) and serum LDL-cholesterol (119.5 +/- 34.9 mg/dl) levels of the postmenopausal females were significantly higher than those of the premenopausal females (p < 0.01). The obese males showed higher serum cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, LDL/HDL, and relative cholesterol levels than those of the normal-weight males ; and the obese females showed higher serum TG levels than that of the normal-weight females (p < 0.01). These results suggested that drinking, smoking, menopause and obesity are risk factors for hyperlipidemia. Thus, moderation in alcohol consumption, non-smoking, regular exercise and the maintenance of normal weight are necessary to prevent hyperlipidemia in middle-aged people.

15 View
0 Download

[English]
Stress Level and Health-Related Behavior of Nurses Working in the Kyungnam Area: Hyun Sook Yoon, Yun Young Choi; Korean J Community Nutr 2003;8(5):781-793. Published online October 31, 2003

Abstract PDF: This study was performed to investigate the stress level and health-related behaviors of nurses and to provide basic information for developing educational programs in the health care field. The subjects of this study were 197 nurses and 94 nursing assistants working at hospitals in the Kyung-nam area. A survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire in November, 2002. The results were as follows : The average age and work experience of the subjects were 26.9 and 5.6 years, respectively. The number of respondents in the shift and non-shift operations was equally distributed. The mean height and weight were 161.2 cm and 52.7 kg, respectively. Even though the average body mass index (BMI) and obesity index were normal in the subjects, 9.2% of the subjects were overweight/obese, while 28.9% of the subjects were under weight, according to the obesity index. The mean score of stress was 27.5 +/- 4.6 out of 50 points. Most of the subjects were highly stressed about the amount of their work, problems regarding their future, and relationships with their superiors. With regard to changes in food intake due to stress, 44.1% showed an increased intake, while 32.3% showed a reduced intake. The degree of health consciousness of the married nurses, those over 36 years of age, and those with over 10 years of nursing experience was significantly higher than that of the unmarried nurses, those under 35 years of age, and those with under 10 years of nursing experience (p < 0.01). Fifty-one point three percent of the subjects thought their health status was unhealthy. Fifty-seven percent of the subjects had tried weight control. Their main reason for trying weight control was to have a slender figure (62.3%), and their methods of weight control were moderation in intake (45.6%), exercise and dieting (36.9%). TV/radio (49.5%) and newspaper/magazines (47.1%) were the primary sources of nutritional and health information for the subjects, and professional (25.1%) and the internet (13.4%) were ranked relatively highly. The food components of most concern to the subjects during meal time were (in order of importance) fats (51.9%), calories (40.2%) and salt (35.1%). The subjects considered 'taking a rest' (73.5%) as the most important factor in maintaining an optimal health status, followed by self-relaxation (56.4%), moderation in diet (39.5), bathing or using a sauna (25.7%) and exercising (22.7%).

13 View
0 Download

Previous issues