Randomized Controlled Trial
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Effect of Vitamin C Supplementation on Iron Status of Adolescent Girls with Low Hemoglobin Levels
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Joung Won Lee, Chun Keun Park
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Korean J Community Nutr 1997;2(5):687-694. Published online December 31, 1997
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Abstract
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- This study investigated the effects of vitamin C supplementation on the nutritional iron status of 31 adolescent girls, aged 12-15 years, with low hemoglobin levels. They were randomly divided into four groups, and for two groups daily150 mg or 900 mg of L-ascorbic acid(AsA) was given in three equal doses at three meals during 9 weeks. To another group daily 60 mg iron as ferrous sulfate was given in the same way as AsA. The control group was given sugar placebo. Body iron status was monitored through the determination of Hb, Hct, MCHC, and serum ferritin concentrations. Dietary AsA and iron intakes were measured from food consumption surveys performed by 3-day 24-hour recalls. The amount of absorbed iron was estimated from the model of Monsen et al. The average amounts of food iron for four groups were 12.3- 15.0 mg and 11.1 - 18.9 mg at initial and at final period of the supplementation trial, respectively. The tentatively estimated amount of absorbed iron was significantly increased in the 900 mg AsA and iron supplementing groups, but not in the 150 mg AsA and placebo groups. Both Hb and MCHC were improved to above normal levels in all groups except the placebo group. Hct was elevated only in the AsA 900 mg group whose Hct was relatively lower than the other groups. Serum ferritin concentrations of the four groups, which were as low as 8.50 - 14.39ng/mL on average at the intial periods, augmented significantly to 20.18ng/mL and 26.63ng/mL in the 900 mg AsA and iron groups, respectively. Serum ferritin was not elevated in either the AsA 300 mg group or the placebo group. The above data indicated that the daily supplementaion of 150 mg AsA to the meals containing 12-15 mg iron per day promoted Hb levels of adolescent girls with low Hb, and the 900 mg AsA supplementing improved not only Hb level but also body iron store. A supplementation of 60 mg iron per day appeared to be slightly more effective in improving the iron status in comparison to the 900 mg AsA supplement.
Original Article
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A Study of the Obesity Index and Psychosocial Factors Influencing Obesity among Adolescent Girls
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Kyung Won Kim, Young Ah Kim, Jung Hee Kim
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Korean J Community Nutr 1997;2(4):496-504. Published online October 31, 1997
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Abstract
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- The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary intake, obesity index and psychosocial factors influencing obesity among 200 high school girls in Seoul. The Social Cognitive Theory provided the Conceptual basis for this study. A cross-sectional survey was conducted to examine factors related to obesity, including self-efficacy for controlling overeating, social support for eating behavior, perception of body image and weight control, nutrition knowledge, and attitudes toward obesity. The data were analyzed using t-test and multiple logistic regression. The results of this study are as follows : 1) The mean age of the girls was 16.4 years, and the rate of overweight and obesity(measured by obesity index) was 27.0%. 2) The mean energy intake of subjects was 1832.3+/-384.0kcal. The energy derived from carbohydrates, proteins and fats was 62.7%, 13.8%, and 23.5%, respectively. There was no significant difference between the obese and the comparison group in energy intake. 3) The result of multivariate analysis indicated that obesity had a significant relation to the perception of ideal body image, social support for eating behavior, and self-efficacy for controlling overeating(p<0.01). As subjects preferred thinner body images(OR=0.39) and received less social support(OR=0.93), the odds of being classified as obese increased. The odds of being obese were also associated with self-efficacy, however, the relation was not strong(OR=1.04). 4) Specific social support was related to obesity among adolescent girls. As subjects received more support from family member, the odds of being obese decreased. The emotional support as well as family member's positive nutrition behavior plays a significant role. In addition, instrumental support from friends was associated with obesity. With repect to self-efficacy, the odds of being obese were increased as subjects felt less confident in controlling overeating when tempting food was placed in front of them or after an argument. In contrast, the obese group felt more confident in controlling overeating for the rest of the specific situations examined. These findings suggest that educational interventions for weight control should incorporate strategies to help participants realize their degree of obesity, to reduce the discrepancy between current and ideal body image, to elicit and maintain social support from friends and family, and to increase the self-efficacy for changing eating behaviors.