This study was intended to investigate whether the computer use hours affect physical development, dietary habits, and nutritional status or not. One hundred and ninety elementary school students from Gyeonggi province and Seoul were selected and surveyed during December, 2006. Participants were divided into 2 groups: long-time computer user (> or = 2 hrs./day) and short-time computer user (< 2hrs./day). The survey included the questionnaires and anthropometric measurement. A dietary survey was conducted by using 24-hour recall method. The most of long-time computer user accessed computer more often than those of short-time computer user weekly bases. The purpose of the computer use was for the computer game (p < 0.05). Most participants accessed computer after the school at night and at their home. The longer the computer use, the more the body weight and %RBW (p < 0.05). Dietary habits score of long-time computer user (34.5 points) was lower than that of short-time computer user (38.0 points) (p < 0.001). The long-time computer user consumed more fatty foods, instant foods, and sugary foods. In case of dietary habit changes incurred by computer use, the long-time computer user had inferior dietary habits: skipping meals, meal size, appetite, eating speed, weight, exercise, and sleeping trouble (p < 0.05). The long-time computer user consumed less calories than the short-time computer user (p < 0.05). Also, the long-time computer user tended to have lower intakes of vitamin C, Ca, and dietary fiber without significance. From the findings, the longer use of computer by the elementary school children negatively affects their physical development, dietary habits and nutritional status.
Appetite ; Ascorbic Acid ; Body Weight ; Child ; Dietary Fiber ; Eating ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Meals ; Nutritional Status ; Surveys and Questionnaires

This study examined the influence of the nutrient intake status, dietary habit, and academic stress of elementary school children on their academic achievement. Two-hundred and twenty-four fifth-graders in Bucheon-si, Gyeonggido were surveyed. The study included the 24 hr-recall, anthropometric measurement, assessment of stress level and academic achievement. The subjects were normal in height, weight and Rohrer index, but higher percentage of underweight was seen in girls and vice versa in boys. The overall nutrient intake and dietary habits were fairly good, but Ca and folate intake was less than 75% KDRIs and dietary habits of boys were inferior. Academic stress level of all the subjects was not high. In terms of academic performance and its relations with nutrient intake, the more the amount of nutrient intake, the higher the academic performance. Especially, it was true for the energy, protein, phosphorus, potassium, zinc, polyunsaturated fatty acids, and n-6 fatty acid intakes (p < 0.05). The overall academic performance was higher for those who eating-out less frequently. Children with higher comprehensive dietary habit scores have shown better academic performance (p < 0.05). Less stress implied to those shown higher academic achievement while those with relatively poor academic performance showed high stress level since their grade did not improve as much as they anticipated. In conclusion, the academic achievement was higher for those who have a better nutritional status, better dietary habits, and lower stress levels. Therefore, it is critical for nutritionists, parents, and teachers to improve the nutritional status and dietary habits as well as to help them manage their stress levels, which will eventually contribute to an enhanced academic performance.
Achievement ; Child ; Fatty Acids, Unsaturated ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Nutritional Status ; Parents ; Phosphorus ; Potassium ; Thinness ; Zinc

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Stress-induced cognitive impairment is related to the suppression of hippocampal neurogenesis that results from an increase of oxidative stress. Therefore, the aim of this study was to investigate the effects of administration of a blueberry drink, having a high antioxidant power, on the cognitive performance of adult rats exposed to chronic mild stress. MATERIALS/METHODS: Twelve-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 48) were randomly divided into four groups: control (CO), stress (ST), control + 5% blueberry drink (CO + B), and stress + 5% blueberry drink (ST + B). After eight weeks, the cognitive performance was assessed using a multiple T-maze water test. Levels of superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GPx), and ascorbic acid were measured in the brain, and catecholamine concentrations were measured in plasma. RESULTS: The brain weights of the rats from the ST and ST + B groups were significantly lower than those of the rats from the CO and CO + B groups. The cognitive performance of the ST group was impaired when compared to that of the CO group. This impairment was significantly improved by the blueberry drink supplementation (P < 0.05). The brain SOD and CAT concentrations were not influenced by the stress or by the blueberry drink. However, the brain levels of GPx and ascorbic acid were significantly lower in the ST group than those in the CO group and were increased by the blueberry drink supplementation. The plasma catecholamine concentrations were affected by chronic mild stress and by the blueberry drink. The plasma norepinephrine and dopamine concentrations were decreased by the chronic stress and improved by the blueberry drink supplementation. The plasma epinephrine level was only influenced by the stress. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that the blueberry drink may protect against the cognitive impairment induced by chronic mild stress.
Adult* ; Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; Blueberry Plant* ; Brain ; Catalase ; Cats ; Cognition Disorders* ; Dopamine ; Epinephrine ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Humans ; Male ; Neurogenesis ; Norepinephrine ; Oxidative Stress ; Plasma ; Rats* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Water ; Weights and Measures

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of routine haecho bibimbab (boiled rice with assorted seaweed mixtures) consumption on the bowel habits in humans. Forty free-living adults (female 38, male 2) participated in this study (mean age 41.2 +/- 7.5). After a baseline survey on general characteristics, life style and dietary habits, the participants were asked to consume haecho bibimbab during two-week period for lunch. Habitual bowel movements were checked out every day by a questionnaire and nutrient intake was estimated by a 24-hour recalls before and after the study. After 2 weeks of clinical trial, the bowel habits had improved. Haecho bibimbab increased the number of bowel movements, changed hard stools into softer ones. It also lessen the sense of incomplete evacuation, and abdominal pain during defecation, increased water intake (p < 0.001) and improved gastrointestinal problem. The participants believed that haecho bibimbab was effective in improving their constipation symptoms and bowel habits (p < 0.01). Routine haecho bibimbab consumption tended to increase especially vitamin A, E and folate intake (p < 0.01). The present findings suggest that routine seaweed-based lunch meal (haecho bibimbab) consumption may improve bowel habits without side effects.
Abdominal Pain ; Adult ; Constipation ; Defecation ; Drinking ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Life Style ; Lunch ; Male ; Meals ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seaweed ; Vitamin A

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to assess the current mean daily intake of 10 food groups, analyze the sociodemographic factors associated with food consumption, and determine the associations between food consumption/dietary intake and the prevalence rates of obesity, type 2 diabetes (T2D), and hypertension (HTN) in Jakarta, Indonesia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 600 participants aged 20–85 yrs were included in this crosssectional study. Food consumption and dietary habits were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. To determine the association between food consumption/dietary habits and the abovementioned diseases, logistic regression analysis was performed. RESULTS: The average vegetable and fruit intake was lower, while sugar and salt consumption were higher than that recommended by Indonesia’s national dietary guidelines. A high intake of ultra-processed foods (UPFs) was associated with young age, men, “single” status, a high education level, and employment with a high monthly income. Obesity and T2D were positively correlated with high intakes of cereals and tubers, UPFs, sugars, fats, and oils. Conversely, an inverse association was found between legume, vegetable, and fruit consumption and obesity risk. An inverse correlation was also observed between vegetable consumption and T2D risk. Moreover, a high salt intake was inversely correlated with fruit consumption in terms of HTN risk. Non-indulgence in habitual late-night snacking and refrainment from consuming more than one dish at each meal were also negatively related to the prevalence of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Inverse correlations were also observed between the prevalence rates of T2D and HTN and abstaining from adding sugar to beverages. CONCLUSION Foods high in fat, sugar, and sodium were strongly associated with the risks of obesity, T2D, and HTN. Additionally, poor eating habits were also associated with disease development.

alpha-Lipoic acid and L-carnosine are powerful antioxidants and are often used as a health supplement and as an ergogenic aid. The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of alpha-lipoic acid and/or L-carnosine supplementation on antioxidant activity in serum, skin, and liver of rats and blood lipid profiles for 6 weeks. Four treatment groups received diets containing regular rat chow diet (control, CON), 0.5% alpha-lipoic acid (ALA), 0.25% alpha-lipoic acid + 0.25% L-carnosine (ALA + LC), or 0.5% L-carnosine (LC). Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and lipid peroxidation products, malondialdehyde (MDA) concentrations, were analyzed in serum, skin, and liver. Blood lipid profiles were measured, including triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C). Skin and liver SOD activities of the ALA and LC groups were higher than those of the CON group (P < 0.05), but serum SOD activity was higher only in the LC group compared to that in the CON group (P < 0.05). Additionally, only liver GSH-Px activity in the LC group was higher than that of the CON and the other groups. Serum and skin MDA levels in the ALA and LC groups were lower than those in the CON group (P < 0.05). Serum TG and TC in the ALA and ALA + LC groups were lower than those in the CON and LC groups (P < 0.05). The HDL-C level in the LC group was higher than that in any other group (P < 0.05). LDL-C level was lower in the ALA + LC and LC groups than that in the CON group (P < 0.05). Thus, alpha-lipoic acid and L-carnosine supplementation increased antioxidant activity, decreased lipid peroxidation in the serum, liver, and skin of rats and positively modified blood lipid profiles.
Animals ; Antioxidants ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diet ; Glutathione Peroxidase ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Lipoproteins ; Liver ; Malondialdehyde ; Rats ; Skin ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Thioctic Acid ; Triglycerides

Pumpkins have considerable variation in nutrient contents depending on the cultivation environment, species, or part. In this study, the general chemical compositions and some bioactive components, such as tocopherols, carotenoids, and beta-sitosterol, were analyzed in three major species of pumpkin (Cucurbitaceae pepo, C. moschata, and C. maxima) grown in Korea and also in three parts (peel, flesh, and seed) of each pumpkin species. C. maxima had significantly more carbohydrate, protein, fat, and fiber than C. pepo or C. moschata (P < 0.05). The moisture content as well as the amino acid and arginine contents in all parts of the pumpkin was highest in C. pepo. The major fatty acids in the seeds were palmitic, stearic, oleic, and linoleic acids. C. pepo and C. moschata seeds had significantly more gamma-tocopherol than C. maxima, whose seeds had the highest beta-carotene content. C. pepo seeds had significantly more beta-sitosterol than the others. Nutrient compositions differed considerably among the pumpkin species and parts. These results will be useful in updating the nutrient compositions of pumpkin in the Korean food composition database. Additional analyses of various pumpkins grown in different years and in different areas of Korea are needed.
Arginine ; beta Carotene ; Carotenoids ; Cucurbita ; Fatty Acids ; gamma-Tocopherol ; Korea ; Linoleic Acid ; Linoleic Acids ; Nutritive Value ; Seeds ; Sitosterols ; Tocopherols

To determine blood heavy metal concentrations by seafood consumption in Korean adults, blood cadmium, mercury, and lead concentrations in a representative sample of 1,709 Koreans participated in the Fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KHANES IV-2) in 2008 were analyzed by age and seafood consumption frequency. The mean blood cadmium, mercury, and lead concentrations were 1.14 +/- 0.73 microg/L, 5.50 +/- 3.83 microg/L, and 2.56 +/- 1.22 microg/dL, respectively. The subjects aged > or = 50 years had significantly higher blood cadmium concentrations than the subjects aged 20~39 years. Blood mercury concentrations of the 50's were significantly higher than those of the 20's and 30's (p < 0.05). Approximately, 43% of males and 22% of females had blood mercury concentrations > 5.8 microg/L which is a blood mercury level equivalent to the current Reference Dose. Only 2 subjects had lead concentrations > 10 microg/dL, the standard lead level by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, USA. The subjects consuming pollack, mackerel, anchovy, corvina, shellfish, and salted seafood at least once a week had significantly higher mercury concentrations than the subjects consuming those seafoods less than once a month. However, there were no clear relationships between blood cadmium and lead concentrations and seafood consumption frequencies.
Adult ; Aged ; Cadmium ; Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (U.S.) ; Female ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Perciformes ; Seafood ; Shellfish

The effects of unripe apple mask pack made from unripe apple extracts on the skin status of middle-aged women for 4 weeks were investigated. The subjects were divided into three groups: placebo mask pack as the control (PM, n = 8), apple mask pack (AM, n = 16), and apple mask pack + apple intake (AAM, n = 12). The study included a survey questionnaire, and evaluations of nutrients intakes and of skin status. Skin status was measured by Aramo-TS. After 4 weeks, facial moisture, elasticity, evenness, and wrinkle level were improved in AM and AAM. The facial moisture level (AM: +3.13 +/- 2.73, AAM: +2.25 +/- 2.93) and elasticity level (AM: +5.81 +/- 8.27, AAM: +5.50 +/- 6.13) of AM (p < 0.001) and AAM (p < 0.05) were increased. The facial evenness level (AM: -5.25 +/- 8.13, AAM: -9.17 +/- 4.26) and wrinkle level (AM: -10.88 +/- 11.74, AAM: -17.83 +/- 12.22) were significantly decreased. AAM was more effective in improving skin elasticity, evenness, and wrinkle. The skin status of PM was not changed. While the macronutrient intakes of all the subjects were not different before and after the study, the daily intakes of some vitamins (vitamins B6, C, and E and folic acid) during the study were significantly increased in AAM. These findings suggested that regular use of apple mask pack was effective in improving overall skin status. Furthermore, the consumption of apples with mask pack application was much better in improving skin status.
Elasticity ; Female ; Humans ; Malus ; Masks ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Skin ; Vitamins

The aim of this study was to examine and compare the eating habits and dietary intake patterns of people with or without allergy by the survey during August-September, 2008. The 131 subjects aged 10'-50' (AG = allergy group, n = 62; NG = non-allergy group, n = 69) participated in this study. The questionnaire included general characteristics, dietary habits, and food frequency. Income level tended to be higher in AG than in NG, and AG had more pets and flower pots than NG (p<0.01). In AG, most affected area of allergy was the skin and the subjects in AG experienced the mixed symptoms and more than 2 types of allergy. Family history of allergy was highly related with allergy of the subjects (AG: 66.1%, NG: 33.9%). Both groups did not exercise regularly, but frequency of alcohol drinking in AG was significantly higher than in NG (p<0.01). AG skipped meals and had snacking more often than NG (p<0.05). Most favorite snacks in AG were instant foods, fast foods, cookies, and ice cream (p<0.05). Therefore, AG tended to consume more allergy-related foods than NG. Highly-consumed allergy-related foods were egg, pork, walnut, onion, tuna, shellfish, and kiwi (p<0.05). Therefore, nutrition education and guidance is needed to establish good eating habits, food intakes, and life style in people having allergy.
Aged ; Alcohol Drinking ; Eating ; Fast Foods ; Flowers ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hypersensitivity ; Ice Cream ; Juglans ; Life Style ; Meals ; Onions ; Ovum ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Shellfish ; Skin ; Snacks ; Tuna