Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

Research Articles

[English]
Self-reported weight change and diet quality in relation to metabolic syndrome among Korean cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019–2021: Hye Won Kim, Ji-Myung Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2025;30(5):341-351. Published online October 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2025.00241

Abstract PDF: Objectives
Using data from the 2019‒2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the association between dietary quality and metabolic syndrome by self-reported weight change among adult Korean cancer survivors.
Methods
We analyzed 340 cancer survivors (≥ 5 years post-diagnosis) by one-year weight change (stable, loss, and gain). Dietary quality was assessed using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), and metabolic syndrome was defined according to standard criteria. Relative risks (RR) were estimated using a modified Poisson regression.
Results
The weight loss group was older than the weight gain group (P < 0.001). Females were more prevalent in the loss and gain than in the maintenance group (P = 0.008). Hypertension prevalence was highest in the loss and lowest in the gain group (P = 0.028); other risk factors were similar. The gain group had the highest body mass index (P = 0.011). KHEI scores were highest in the maintenance (66.59 ± 0.76) and lowest in the gain group (60.42 ± 1.77; P = 0.006), with significantly lower whole grain (P = 0.036) and fruit intake (P = 0.014). Compared with the maintenance group, the gain group demonstrated higher risks of metabolic syndrome (RR: 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40–3.06; P < 0.001), abdominal obesity (RR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.36–2.74; P < 0.001), and impaired fasting glucose (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.23–2.34; P < 0.01). Within the gain group, participants in the lowest KHEI quartile had increased risks of metabolic syndrome (RR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.06–7.43; P < 0.05) and hypertriglyceridemia (RR: 7.29, 95% CI: 1.54–34.61; P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Accordingly, weight change and dietary quality may critically affect the metabolic health of cancer survivors. Lifestyle management, including weight control and tailored diets, may help prevent metabolic disorders and support long-term health.

39 View
1 Download

[English]
A Comparisons of Nutritional Intake and Diet Quality Index-International in Gynecological Cancer Survivors and Normal Women - Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013~2016 -: Bo-Young Seo, Eun-Sil Her; Korean J Community Nutr 2020;25(5):406-415. Published online October 31, 2020; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2020.25.5.406

Objectives
The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional intake and Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) of gynecological cancer survivors and normal women. Methods This study compared the anthropometric indices, dietary behavior, nutritional intake, and DQI-I in women with previous history of breast or uterine cancer [Gynecological cancer survivors group (GCSG, n=126)] and normal women [Normal control group (NCG, n=7,011)] using the 2013~2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Results Body mass index and waist circumference were lower in the GCSG compared the NCG. The frequency of skipping breakfast and eating out was higher in the NCG compared to GCSG. Energy and fat intake were significantly higher in the NCG than in the GCSG, whereas intake of all minerals and vitamins (excluding thiamine), and dietary fiber intake were higher in GCSG. It was observed that the fatty acid intake of the GCSG was significantly lower than that of the NCG. The diet quality evaluation using DQI-I results showed that GCSG was higher in the “within-group” diet variety and adequacy of vegetable group than the NCG, whereas the intake level of the fruit group was higher in NCG. Besides, protein, calcium, and vitamin C intake were higher in the GCSG than in the NCG. The GCSG showed higher levels of total fat and saturated fat moderation than the NCG, whereas cholesterol moderation showed the opposite results. The results of DQI-I comparison according to the cancer survival years showed that the overall score and scores related to diet adequacy and balance were higher in the below 5-year group, whereas the over 5-year group scored higher in terms of moderation of diet. Conclusions The results of this study suggest that a chronic disease based management approach is needed in cancer survivors. The study provides important data which can help in the preparation of guidelines for long-term lifestyle and diet management, in these patients.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Mediating Effect of Vitamin Intake on the Relationship Between Depression and Health-related Quality of Life in Cancer Survivors (Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2020)
Min Ho Yun, Jong Eun Oh
Information.2024; 27(2): 131. CrossRef
Comparison of blood biochemical characteristics and dietary intake by sex in gastric cancer patients over 40 years in Korea based on 7th (2016-2018) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: a cross-sectional study
Hyeon-Ju Lee, Sung-Won Oh, Sook-Bae Kim
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2023; 28(1): 48. CrossRef

687 View
3 Download
2 Crossref

Original Articles

[English]
Dietary Changes After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Associations with Physical Activity, Anthropometry, and Health-related Quality of life Among Korean Breast Cancer Survivors: Sihan Song, Hyun Jo Youn, So Youn Jung, Eunsook Lee, Zisun Kim, Jihyoung Cho, Young Bum Yoo, Hyeong Gon Moon, Dong Young Noh, Jung Eun Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2016;21(6):533-544. Published online December 31, 2016; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2016.21.6.533

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We aimed to examine levels of physical activity, anthropometric features, and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean breast cancer survivors who reported changes in their diet after diagnosis.
METHODS
A total of 380 women who had been diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancer and had breast cancer surgery at least six months before the interview were included. Participants provided information on dietary change after diagnosis, post-diagnostic diet, physical activity, anthropometric measures, and HRQoL through face-to-face interview. We assessed HRQoL levels of breast cancer survivors using a validated Korean version of European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Breast Cancer Module (BR23). We used the logistic regression and generalized linear models to identify the associations of dietary changes in relation with physical activity, anthropometry, and HRQoL.
RESULTS
The majority of participants (72.6%) reported that they have changed their diet to a healthier diet after diagnosis. Breast cancer survivors who reported to have change to a healthy diet had higher intakes of vegetables and fruits and lower intakes of red and processed meats, and refined grains than those who did not. Also, survivors with a healthy change in their diet were more likely to engage in physical activity (top vs. bottom tertile: odds ratio [OR], 1.85; 95% confidence interval [95% CI], 1.02-3.36) and have lower body mass index (BMI) (OR, 0.90; 95% CI, 0.82-0.98 for one kg/mÂ² increment in BMI) compared to those who did not. We found that a healthy change in diet was associated with higher scores of physical functioning (p=0.02) and lower scores of constipation (p=0.04) and diarrhea (p=0.006) compared to those who did not.
CONCLUSIONS
Healthy changes in diet after breast cancer diagnosis may be associated with lower levels of BMI, and higher levels of physical activity and HRQoL.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Development and Effects of a Smartphone Application to Improve Self-Management in Workers Who Underwent Thyroid Cancer Surgery
Myoyoun Kim, Seon Young Hwang
Cancer Nursing.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
Health-Related Behaviors of Middle-Aged Cancer Survivors: A Comparative Study with Matched Non-Cancer Controls Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI–VII (2013–2018) Data
Mi Lee KIM, Ju Ri JEONG, Yu Ri CHOE
Korean Journal of Health Promotion.2025; 25(1): 20. CrossRef
Cancer survivor's dietary safety management awareness and competency type
Yun Hwa Kim
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2020; 53(5): 532. CrossRef
Health-related Quality of Life and Its Related Factors among Cancer Survivors and General Adults: Focusing on Lifestyle Behaviors and Mental Health
Eun A Song, Youngran Kweon, Yoon Young Hwang, Minjeong An
Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2020; 32(4): 385. CrossRef

1,037 View
1 Download
4 Crossref

[English]
The Association between the Adherence to Dietary Guidelines for Breast Cancer Survivors and Health-related Quality of Life among Korean Breast Cancer Survivors: Sihan Song, Jiyoung Youn, Myungsook Park, Eunkyung Hwang, Hyeong Gon Moon, Dong Young Noh, Jung Eun Lee; Korean J Community Nutr 2015;20(2):129-140. Published online April 30, 2015; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2015.20.2.129

Abstract PDF

OBJECTIVES
We examined the association between the adherence to dietary guidelines for breast cancer survivors and health-related quality of life in a cross-sectional study of Korean breast cancer survivors.
METHODS
A total of 157 women aged 21 to 79 years who had been diagnosed with stage I to III breast cancers according to the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and had breast cancer surgery at least 6 months before the baseline were included. We used a Korean version of the Core 30 (C30) and Breast cancer 23 (BR23) module of the European Organization for Research and Treatment Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC-QLQ), both of which have been validated for Koreans. Participants were asked about their adherence to dietary guidelines for breast cancer survivors, suggested by the Korean breast cancer society, using a 5-point Likert scale. We summed dietary guideline adherence scores for each participant and calculated the least squares means of health-related quality of life according to dietary guideline adherence scores using the generalized linear model.
RESULTS
Breast cancer survivors who had higher adherence to dietary guidelines for breast cancer survivors had lower constipation scores than those with lower adherence (p for trend=0.01). When we stratified by the stage at diagnosis, this association was limited to those who had been diagnosed with stage II or III breast cancers. Also, sexual functioning scores increased significantly with increasing adherence scores of dietary guidelines among those with stage II or III breast cancers (p for trend < 0.001). However, among those who had been diagnosed with stage I, higher scores of dietary guidelines were associated with higher scores of pain (p for trend=0.03) and breast symptoms (p for trend=0.05).
CONCLUSIONS
Our study suggested that the health-related quality of life levels of breast cancer survivors are associated with the adherence to dietary guidelines and may differ by the stage of the breast cancer.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Application and evaluation of mobile nutrition management service for breast cancer patients
Ji Hee Choi, Seon-Joo Park, Hee Kwon, Hae-Jeung Lee
Journal of Nutrition and Health.2020; 53(1): 83. CrossRef
A Comparisons of Nutritional Intake and Diet Quality Index-International in Gynecological Cancer Survivors and Normal Women: Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013~2016
Bo-Young Seo, Eun-Sil Her
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2020; 25(5): 406. CrossRef
Aspects of Health-Related Factors and Nutritional Care Needs by Survival Stage among Female Cancer Patients in South Korea
Yoonsun Lee, Hyunsoo Shin, Eunjoo Bae, Hyunjung Lim, Pei-Yi Chu
PLOS ONE.2016; 11(10): e0163281. CrossRef
Dietary Changes After Breast Cancer Diagnosis: Associations with Physical Activity, Anthropometry, and Health-related Quality of life Among Korean Breast Cancer Survivors
Sihan Song, Hyun Jo Youn, So-Youn Jung, Eunsook Lee, Zisun Kim, Jihyoung Cho, Young Bum Yoo, Hyeong-Gon Moon, Dong-Young Noh, Jung Eun Lee
Korean Journal of Community Nutrition.2016; 21(6): 533. CrossRef

1,075 View
6 Download
4 Crossref

First
Prev
Page of 1
Next
Last

Search