Objectives This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a nutrition education program on metabolic syndrome in middle-aged Korean adults.
Methods A total of 411 Korean adults 30–59 years of age were allocated randomly into three groups: the nutrition education group for promoting Han-sik consumption (HG), the nutrition education group for eating balanced diet (EG), and the control group (CG). The HG and EG received four face-to-face nutrition education sessions over 16 weeks to improve nutritional problems based on the individual’ usual diet. Effectiveness of the program was evaluated with the differences of self-reported dietary behaviors, dietary intakes, anthropometric measurements and biochemical indices between the baseline and the end of the nutrition education program. The changes within groups were analyzed using paired t-test and McNemar test and effectiveness among three groups was analyzed by repeated analysis of variance.
Results After the nutrition education, the percentages of participants who achieved the recommended food group consumption in the Korean Food Guidance Systems significantly increased in HG (P = 0.022). Body weight (P = 0.007), body mass index (P = 0.002), and triglycerides (P = 0.002) significantly decreased in HG. Waist circumference and diastolic blood pressure decreased in all three groups (P < 0.05).
Conclusions This study found that tailored nutrition education program for middle aged Korean adults showed beneficial effects on improving dietary behaviors and metabolic syndrome risk factors. Further studies are needed to assess the long-term effects of the nutrition education programs on metabolic syndrome risks.
Objectives This study aims to compare changes in physical factors, health behaviors, eating habits, and nutritional intake among Korean male and female adults over a period of three years (2019–2021) before and after the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). Methods This study utilized raw data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021). The participants in this study included 6,235 individuals in 2019, 5,865 individuals in 2020, and 5,635 individuals in 2021. Individuals whose daily energy intake was less than 500 kcal or exceeded 5,000 kcal were excluded from the study. Results In comparison to 2019, overweight/obesity rates, weight, waist circumference, weekend sleep hours, and resistance exercise days/week increased in both male and female during the COVID-19 pandemic. Regarding eating habits, the proportions of people skipping breakfast, not eating out, consuming health supplements, and recognizing nutritional labels increased in 2020 and 2021, whereas the rate of skipping dinner decreased. Total energy intake has continued to decrease for the two years since 2019. A comparison of nutrient intake per 1,000 kcal before and after the outbreak of COVID-19 revealed that intake of nutrients, including protein, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, and niacin increased, while folic acid intake decreased. In male, calcium, phosphorus, riboflavin, and niacin intakes increased, whereas iron, vitamin C, and folic acid intakes decreased. In female, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, and riboflavin intake increased significantly, while protein and niacin intake decreased significantly. Conclusions After COVID-19, the obesity rate, breakfast skipping rate, health supplement intake, and nutritional label use increased, while the frequency of eating out, dinner skipping rate, and total energy intake decreased. These environmental changes and social factors highlight the need for nutritional education and management to ensure proper nutritional intake and reduce obesity rates in the post-COVID-19 era.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Intake of energy and macronutrients according to household income among elementary, middle, and high school students before and during the COVID-19 pandemic: a cross-sectional study Chae-Eun Jeong, Heejin Lee, Jung Eun Lee Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2024; 29(3): 234. CrossRef
성인 남녀의 먹방 시청시간에 따른 식행동에 대한 연구 하얀 남, 복미 정, 은례 전 Korean Journal of Food and Cookery Science.2024; 40(4): 275. CrossRef
Objectives This study aimed to evaluate dietary protein intake and its adequacy among Korean adults during recent 10 years. Methods Based on the 2010 ~ 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data, a total of 51,296 adults aged 19 years old or more who participated in a one-day 24-hr dietary recall were included. Dietary protein intake was estimated as percentages of total energy (% of energy) and grams per body weight (g/kg/ day) and compared with the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans to evaluate the adequacy of protein intake. In addition, proportions of people whose protein intakes were less than the estimated average requirement (EAR) and above the upper limit of the acceptable macronutrient distribution range (AMDR) (> 20% of energy) were calculated according to sociodemographic characteristics. Results Protein intake was increased from 14.7% of energy in 2010 to 15.6% of energy in 2019 among Korean adults. However, there was no increase in protein intake relative to the recommended nutrient intake (% RNI) during the recent 10 years. Protein intake relative to the RNI was decreased from 130.2% in 2010 to 121.1% in 2019 (P for trend < 0.0001) among total participants, and a significant decreasing trend was observed in all age groups except for over 65 years old. However, protein intake relative to the RNI was lowest in the elderly (98.6%). Proportions of low protein intake (< EAR) and high protein intake (> AMDR) increased in the past 10 years (P for trend < 0.0001 for all), and these were associated with socioeconomic statuses, such as education and household income levels. Conclusions These findings suggest that protein adequacy in Korean adults has not been improved over the past decade compared with recommended levels. Nutritional education and intervention programs should consider different intake levels according to sociodemographic characteristics.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
High-Protein Products in 2013 and 2023: Shifts in Diverse Aspects Over the Last Ten Years Hye Ran Lee, Ihyeon Cho, Hyejin Yi, Hee Jung Park Food Supplements and Biomaterials for Health.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Regional differences in protein intake and protein sources of Korean older adults and their association with metabolic syndrome using the 2016–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys: a cross-sectional study You-Sin Lee, Yoonna Lee Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2024; 29(3): 173. CrossRef
Development of Protein Enhanced Diet for Socially Vulnerable Elderly Jihye Hong, Hyung-Geun Jeon, Seulgi Kim, Gitae Park Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2024; 34(1): 39. CrossRef
Consumption of protein supplements/protein-fortified foods among young adults in Jeju Hyoju Lee, Youjeong Jang, Sumin Kim, Kyungho Ha Journal of Nutrition and Health.2024; 57(2): 261. CrossRef
Association between Processed Meat Protein Consumption and Incident Osteoporosis in Adults Aged 50 Years and Older: A Prospective Cohort Study Based on Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Data (2005–2020) Dohee Lee, Soo Hyoung Lee, Ki Hyun Park, Kunhee Han, Eunjin Jeong Korean Journal of Family Medicine.2024; 45(5): 268. CrossRef
Relationship between protein intake and grip strength in qualitative and quantitative aspects among the elderly in Korea: results from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Mi‑Hyun Kim, Mi‑Kyeong Choi, Yun‑Jung Bae BMC Geriatrics.2023;[Epub] CrossRef
Current status of nutrient intake in Korea: focused on macronutrients Seung-Won Oh Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 801. CrossRef
Objectives This study investigated the association between the frequency and pattern of eating alone and the mental health status according to region in Korean adults. Methods The data of 10,040 Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2017 and 2019 were used.
Participants were divided into 4 groups based on their frequency of eating alone: none (all meals together), 1, 2, and 3 meals/day alone. The regions were divided into urban and rural areas. Mental health status was assessed by stress recognition, depressive symptoms, and suicidal ideation. Multivariable logistic regressions were conducted to estimate the adjusted odds ratios (AORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) on the association of the frequency and pattern of eating alone with poor mental health after controlling for covariates. Results Among Korean adults, 74.1% ate more than one meal a day alone. Individuals having 3 meals a day alone tended to be less educated, single, single person households, or living in urban areas (all P < 0.05). In rural areas, those having 3 meals/ day alone had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 1.55, 95% CI: 1.02-2.35) than those having all meals together. In urban areas, individuals eating alone 3 times/day had higher odds of stress recognition (AOR: 1.60, 95% CI: 1.31-1.96), depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.61, 95% CI: 1.23-2.12), and suicidal ideation (AOR: 2.14, 95% CI: 1.42-3.22) compared to those having all meals together. Urban residents having dinner alone had higher odds of depressive symptoms (AOR: 1.29, 95% CI: 1.05-1.58) and suicidal ideation (AOR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.19-2.33) than those having dinner with others. Conclusions Our findings showed that the frequency and patterns of eating alone were differentially associated with increased odds of poor mental health according to region of residence. Nutrition education is needed for those frequently eating alone, particularly those living in urban areas, to highlight the advantages of eating together and to ensure that they have balanced and healthy meals even if they eat alone.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Association of ultra-processed food with diabetes and impaired fasting glucose in elderly populations (urban and rural): a cross-sectional study Seung Jae Lee, Mi Sook Cho Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2024; 29(1): 51. CrossRef
How Does the Frequency of Eating-Alone among Older People in Korea Affect Their Health and Dietary Behavior? Yongseok Kwon, Kyung Hee Hong, Yoo-Kyung Park, Sohye Kim Nutrients.2023; 15(9): 2085. CrossRef
Impact assessment of a primary care physician counseling program for youth population Yun-Su Kim, Shin-Ae Kim Medicine.2022; 101(46): e31916. CrossRef
OBJECTIVES This study evaluated dietary intakes of total fat and fatty acids among the Korean adult population. METHODS This cross-sectional study used the 2016–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. A total of 10,772 subjects aged ≥19 y for which dietary data were available were selected. Data pertaining to energy and nutrient intakes were obtained by a 24-h recall method. Total fat and fatty acids intakes were evaluated based on the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) of 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans by sex and age groups. All statistical analyses accounted for the complex sampling design effect and sampling weights. RESULTS The mean intakes of energy and total fat were 1,952 kcal (95% CI: 1928–1977) and 46.1 g (45.2–47.1), respectively, and about 21% of the energy was obtained from fat in this study population (21.7% in men and 20.2% in women). The mean percentages of energy from saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were 6.4%, 6.7%, and 5.2%, respectively. About 18% of adults exceeded the AMDR for fat (30% of energy), whereas 37.6% exceeded the AMDR for saturated fatty acids (7% of energy). The proportions of subjects who consumed more than the AMDR for fat and saturated fatty acids decreased across age groups in both sexes. Among young adults (19–29 y), about 63% of the subjects obtained ≥7% of their energy from saturated fatty acids. About 61% of older adults obtained less than 15% of their energy from total fat. CONCLUSIONS Increased intake of fat energy was prominent in saturated fatty acids. Our findings suggest current information on total fat and fatty acids intakes in Korean adults and can be used to provide dietary guidelines for the improvement of public health.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Dietary patterns derived by reduced rank regression are associated with lipid disorders among Korean adults: a cross-sectional analysis Hyun Ah Kim, Hye Ran Shin, SuJin Song Lipids in Health and Disease.2024;[Epub] CrossRef
Dietary intake and food sources of essential fatty acids among Korean adolescents: a cross-sectional study based on the 2016–2021 KNHANES data Enkhgerel Erdenetsetseg, Hye Ran Shin, SuJin Song Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2024; 29(2): 144. CrossRef
Evaluation of Nutritional Content of Snacks for Smart Snack Choices Chae Young Yoon, Eunju Kim Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2023; 33(4): 264. CrossRef
Trends in dietary intake and food sources of long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acids among Korean adults between 2007 and 2018 Jae Eun Shim, Youngmi Lee, SuJin Song Epidemiology and Health.2023; 45: e2023069. CrossRef
Diabetes and Dietary Fats Jae Won Cho The Journal of Korean Diabetes.2023; 24(3): 154. CrossRef
Association of Saturated Fatty Acid Intake and Its Food Sources With Hypercholesterolemia in Middle-Aged Korean Men and Women In Young Jeong, Jae Eun Shim, SuJin Song CardioMetabolic Syndrome Journal.2022; 2(2): 142. CrossRef
Increasing trends in dietary total fat and fatty acid intake among Korean children: using the 2007–2017 national data SuJin Song, Jae Eun Shim Nutrition Research and Practice.2022; 16(2): 260. CrossRef
Substitution of Carbohydrates for Fats and Risk of Type 2 Diabetes among Korean Middle-Aged Adults: Findings from the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Hye-Ah Lee, Hyesook Park Nutrients.2022; 14(3): 654. CrossRef
Food behaviors accounting for the recent trends in dietary fatty acid profiles among Korean adults SuJin Song, Jae Eun Shim Nutrition Research and Practice.2022; 16(3): 405. CrossRef
Current status of nutrient intake in Korea: focused on macronutrients Seung-Won Oh Journal of the Korean Medical Association.2022; 65(12): 801. CrossRef
Regional Differences in Dietary Total Fat and Saturated Fatty Acid Intake and Their Associations with Metabolic Diseases among Korean Adults: Using the 2016~2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys SuJin Song, Jae Eun Shim Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2021; 26(6): 495. CrossRef
The number of teeth is associated with diet quality in Korean adult population Hye-Sun Shin Archives of Oral Biology.2020; 118: 104882. CrossRef
Trends in Dietary Intake of Total Fat and Fatty Acids Among Korean Adolescents from 2007 to 2017 SuJin Song, Jae Eun Shim Nutrients.2019; 11(12): 3073. CrossRef
OBJECTIVES The purpose of this study is to describe beverage patterns among healthy Korean adults and investigate their association with prevalence and components of metabolic syndrome. METHODS Subjects consisted of 6,927 Korean adults, aged 19-64 years in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2013-2015). Beverages were regrouped into twelve groups based on food codes and beverage intake (g/day) was assessed by 24-hour recall. Factor analysis was used to obtain beverage patterns. Waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) were used as anthropometric data; fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and blood pressure were used as biochemical indicators. The odds ratio (OR) for prevalence of metabolic syndrome and components of metabolic syndrome was assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS Three beverage patterns were identified using factor analysis: 1) carbonated soft drinks 2) coffee (without added sugar or powdered creamer), and 3) alcoholic beverages. Subjects with high scores for the carbonated soft drink and coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer patterns were younger and subjects with high scores for the alcoholic beverage pattern were older. There were significant differences in gender distribution in all three beverage patterns, with men more likely to have high scores for carbonated soft drink and alcoholic beverage patterns. On the other hand, women were more likely to have higher scores for coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer pattern. Within each pattern, there were significant differences in sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics such as education, household income, frequency of eating out, and smoking status according to the quartile of pattern scores. Alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks patterns were associated with an increased levels of metabolic syndrome components, but coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer was not associated with any of metabolic syndrome components in healthy Korean adults after adjusting for age, sex, education, BMI, weight management, household income, smoking status, frequency of eating out, and energy intake. CONCLUSIONS Alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks patterns are associated with increased levels of metabolic syndrome components while coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer pattern is not associated with any of metabolic syndrome components in healthy Korean adults.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Calcium- and Sodium-Rich Food Intake among Koreans with and without Metabolic Syndrome: Cross-Sectional Analysis of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study Byeonggeun Choi, Jiyoon Kim, Yeonjin Kim, Jiae Shin, Sang-Ah Lee Nutrients.2024; 16(15): 2439. CrossRef
Effects of Calamansi Soju and Other Alcoholic Beverages on Resin Restorations Moon-Jin Jeong, Kyungwon Heo, Myoung-Hwa Lee, Myeong-Ju Jeong, Do-Seon Lim Journal of Dental Hygiene Science.2021; 21(4): 251. CrossRef
Association between Sugar-Sweetened Beverage Intake and Dietary Quality using Nutritional Quotient among Adults in Daegu, Korea Kilye Kim, Yeon-Kyung Lee Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2021; 26(5): 350. CrossRef
Association between Dietary Habits, Shift Work, and the Metabolic Syndrome: The Korea Nurses’ Health Study Heeja Jung, Hyunju Dan, Yanghee Pang, Bohye Kim, Hyunseon Jeong, Jung Eun Lee, Oksoo Kim International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(20): 7697. CrossRef
Exploring parenting variables associated with sweetness preferences and sweets intake of children Taejung Woo, Kyung-Hea Lee Nutrition Research and Practice.2019; 13(2): 169. CrossRef
Influence of beverage type and ingestion time on tooth corrosion Jae-Deok Cheon, Eun-Ah Cho, Hyun-Bae Park, Yu-Jin Choi, Han-Ju Kim, Jung-Soo Lee, Eun-Jeong Bae Korean Journal of Dental Materials.2018; 45(3): 169. CrossRef
Hypertension is a well-known risk factor for cardiovascular disease. Previous studies have shown that changes in diet and lifestyle factors can prevent the development of hypertension, but the combined effects of these modifiable factors on hypertension are not well established. The objective of this study is to investigate associations of diet and lifestyle factors, evaluated both individually and in combination, with prevalent hypertension among Korean adults. We analyzed data obtained from the 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey, a nationwide cross-sectional study using a stratified, multistage probability sampling design. The associations of 12 nutrient intakes and lifestyle factors with risk of hypertension were explored using restricted cubic spline regression and logistic regression models among 6,351 adults. Total energy and several nutrients and minerals, including, calcium, vitamin A, vitamin C, and sodium, showed non-linear relationships with the risk of prevalent hypertension. In multivariate logistic regression models, dietary score, obesity and alcohol intake were independently associated with the risk of prevalent hypertension, but smoking and physical activity were not. Overall, participants whose dietary habits and lifestyle factors were all in the low-risk group had 68% lower prevalence of hypertension (OR: 0.32, 95 CI: 0.14-0.74) compared to those who were at least one in the high-risk group of any dietary or lifestyle factors. The result suggests that combined optimal lifestyle habits are strongly associated with lower prevalence of hypertension among Korean adults.
Citations
Citations to this article as recorded by
Genetic Variations in Thiamin Transferase SLC35F3 and the Risk of Hypertension in Koreans Ja-young Seo, Jeong-Hwa Choi Clinical Nutrition Research.2021; 10(2): 140. CrossRef
Association of Soybean Food Intake and Cardiometabolic Syndrome in Korean Women: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007 to 2011) Sook-Hyun Jun, Woo-Kyoung Shin, Yookyung Kim Diabetes & Metabolism Journal.2020; 44(1): 143. CrossRef
How Much Intake of Sodium Is Good for Frailty? : The Korean Frailty and Aging Cohort Study (KFACS) S. Kim, M. Kim, J. Min, J. Yoo, M. Kim, J. Kang, Chang Won Won The Journal of nutrition, health and aging.2019; 23(6): 503. CrossRef
Nutritional Status of Hypertensive Men in Gyeongnam Area Hae-Jin Park, Ye-Ji Choi, Sung-Hee Kim Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life.2016; 26(4): 297. CrossRef
Nutrition knowledge, eating attitudes, nutrition behavior, self-efficacy of childcare center foodservice employees by stages of behavioral change in reducing sodium intake Yun Ahn, Kyung Won Kim, Kyungmin Kim, Jinwon Pyun, Ikhyun Yeo, Kisun Nam Journal of Nutrition and Health.2015; 48(5): 429. CrossRef
Prevalence of Osteoarthritis and Related Risk Factors in the Elderly: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010~2012 Hye-Sang Lee Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association.2014; 20(2): 99. CrossRef
Excessive Sodium Intake and Related Factors According to Energy Intakes Among Korean Elderly: A Nationwide Cross-Sectional Study Young-Jin Tak, Jeong-Gyu Lee, Yun-Jin Kim, Sangyeoup Lee, Dong-Wook Jung, Yu-Hyeon Yi, Young-Hye Cho, Eun-Jung Choi, Seung-Hun Lee, Hye-Lim Hwang, A-Ra Cho Journal of the Korean Geriatrics Society.2014; 18(4): 185. CrossRef
The relationship of dietary sodium, potassium, fruits, and vegetables intake with blood pressure among Korean adults aged 40 and older Mi Kyung Kim, Kirang Kim, Min-Ho Shin, Dong Hoon Shin, Young-Hoon Lee, Byung-Yeol Chun, Bo Youl Choi Nutrition Research and Practice.2014; 8(4): 453. CrossRef
An Analysis of Food Consumption Patterns of the Elderly from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES Ⅴ-1) Eun Mi Kim, Mi-Kyung Choi Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition.2013; 42(5): 818. CrossRef
Prevalence of Hypertension and Related Risk Factors in the Elderly: Data from the 4th Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007~2009 Hye-Sang Lee Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association.2013; 19(1): 14. CrossRef
Association of Bone Mineral Density and Blood Pressure, Calcium Intake among Adult Women in Seoul · Kyunggi Area - Based on 2011 KNHANES - Jae Ok Koo Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2013; 18(3): 269. CrossRef
This study investigated the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping according to gender, age, and lifestyle related factors in Korean adults. The survey was conducted using questionnaires and the subjects included 1148 male and female adults aged 19-64. The rate of breakfast skipping (frequency of eating breakfast under 4 times/week) was 41.20% of the total subjects. The breakfast skipping rate of the male subjects was significantly higher than that of the female subjects (p < 0.001). As age and household income decreased, the breakfast skipping rate increased. Residents in small cities more frequently skipped breakfast than those in larger cities. The main reason for breakfast skipping was "lack of time for the preparation and consumption of food" and this reason was especially higher for office workers and younger adults among the participants. In addition, the proportion of habitual breakfast skippers increased with age. Among the answers regarding the person who prepares breakfast in their households, the highest proportion was for "family members" in the males and "myself" for the females. Of breakfast skippers, 77.63% answered that they consumed breakfast substitutes such as breads, dairy and fruits/vegetables. To summarize the results, the gender, age and lifestyle factors of adults were significantly related to the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping. Therefore, to reduce breakfast skipping in Korean adults, a differentiated nutritional education approach relative to gender, age, and lifestyle is needed along with the development of balanced breakfast substitutes.
There is some evidence that soy isoflavone has beneficial effects on the concentration of blood lipids. In this study, we investigated habitual isoflavone intake levels and the relation among dietary isoflavone intake, blood pressure, and blood lipids of adult men (n = 149) and women (n = 205). Anthropometric measurements including blood pressure, dietary intake assessment using 24-hour recall method, and biochemical assessment using blood were conducted. The average age, height, weight, and BMI were 54.7 years, 168.5 cm, 67.3 kg, and 24.5 kg/m2 for men and 53.9 years, 153.8 cm, 59.2 kg, and 25.0 kg/m2 for women, respectively. The mean daily intakes of total food and energy were 1219.1 g and 1740.9 kcal for men and 1071.3 g and 1432.6 kcal for women, respectively. The mean daily isoflavones (daidzein + genistein) intake of men and women were 20.0 mg and 14.2 mg, respectively. Blood pressure of the subjects was 128.3/75.5 mmHg for men and 124.1/73.7 mmHg for women. Serum lipids of men and women were 180.2 and 184.9 mg/dL for total cholesterol, 160.8 and 137.6 mg/dL for triglyceride, 41.5 and 44.7 mg/dL for HDL-cholesterol, 106.6 and 112.7 mg/dL for LDL-cholesterol, and 3.5 and 3.3 for atherogenic index, respectively. Serum triglyceride and atherogenic index of men were significantly higher than those of women. In men, isoflavone intake and the level of total serum cholesterol were negatively (p < 0.05) correlated, after adjusted age. In women, there were significant correlations between isoflavone intake and blood pressure (systolic and diastolic), after adjusted age (p < 0.05). Based on these results, we concluded that higher isoflavone intake seemed to be related to a better lipid profile in men and lower blood pressure in women. But more epidemiological studies and controlled clinical trials would help to confirm the optimal amount required for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular disease.
Differences in food and nutrient intake among Korean adults based on different stress levels were investigated using information obtained from 7,370 adults who participated in the 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. The twenty-four hour recall method was used for this dietary survey. Data pertaining to indivisual stress levels were collected by means of interviews as part of the National Health Behavior Survey. Following the analysis of variance, Duncan's Multiple Range Test was used to test the differences in food and nutrient intake among groups with different levels of stress. Eighty-three percent of the study subjects were reported to have a certain level of stress. Unlike the observations made in European and American studies, there were no significant differences observed in food and nutrient intake based on the stress levels among Korean adults of either sexes. These results may imply that even though stress was clustered with other health related behavior, the association between food intake and stress among Koreans was very weak.