Objectives: To assess whether the use of free meal services is associated with diet quality among older adults living alone in Incheon, Korea, by comparing the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E), index of nutritional quality (INQ), and mean adequacy ratio (MAR). Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted from March 5 to April 24, 2025 using one-to-one interviews and partially self-administered questionnaires. After excluding cases with missing responses or energy intake of < 500 kcal/day, 119 participants were analyzed (56 men and 63 women). A single 24-hour recall was used to calculate INQ and MAR. NQ-E was evaluated using total and subdomain scores. Group comparisons and sex-stratified multiple linear regression analyses were performed. Results: Diet-quality indicators were higher among service users than among non-users. INQ for thiamin and riboflavin was significantly higher in men than in women. Meanwhile, INQ for zinc, vitamin A, riboflavin, and folate was higher in women than in men. In both sexes, MAR was higher among users than among non-users (men: 0.8 ± 0.2 vs. 0.6 ± 0.2; women: 0.7 ± 0.2 vs. 0.5 ± 0.2; P < 0.001 for all). Differences in NQ-E total scores were small. Among women, the practice subdomain score was higher in users than in non-users (66.0 ± 16.4 vs. 55.2 ± 15.5; P = 0.016), and the proportion in upper grades was greater (P = 0.030). Regression analysis showed that service use was negatively associated with NQ-E in men (P = 0.007) and positively associated with MAR in women (P = 0.010). Conclusion Use of free meal services was associated with improved diet quality, as reflected by MAR and INQ for specific nutrients, and with higher NQ-E practice scores observed in women than in men. Policies should prioritize food-insecure groups and support sustained participation.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition in which multiple risk factors interact in a complex manner. Considerable attention has been directed towards the potential genetic contributions to its diverse mechanisms. Understanding these contributions is essential for reducing MetS and other chronic diseases and developing effective prevention strategies.Therefore, this study analyzed the research trends in academic papers exploring genetic factors related to MetS and its components in Koreans and attempted to identify areas requiring additional research. Methods: The scoping review method was used to evaluate studies that utilized the secondary data sets comprising the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Articles published over the past 15 years were identified using the Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, DBpia, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. Results: Forty-seven published articles from 2010 to 2024 were included in the review.Research on the genetic factors linked to MetS has expanded since 2019, indicating significant advances in the field. The research included 18 studies on the polygenic risk score (PRS)/genetic risk score (GRS), 17 studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), six studies on two or more genes, four studies on DNA methylation, and two studies on copy number variations (CNVs). In PRS/GRS research, seven studies focused on the genes related to diseases. In SNP research, four studies examined the FTO gene. Studies on two or more genes included two studies, each on the genes associated with diabetes and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. For DNA methylation, three studies focused on the TXNIP gene. Finally, in CNV research, one study was conducted on the LEPR gene and one on genes for hypertension. Conclusion The relatively low proportion of studies on DNA methylation and CNV presents limitations in understanding their associations with MetS. Expanded research utilizing diverse approaches and genetic variables is needed to overcome these limitations.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition in which multiple risk factors interact in a complex manner. Considerable attention has been directed towards the potential genetic contributions to its diverse mechanisms. Understanding these contributions is essential for reducing MetS and other chronic diseases and developing effective prevention strategies.Therefore, this study analyzed the research trends in academic papers exploring genetic factors related to MetS and its components in Koreans and attempted to identify areas requiring additional research. Methods: The scoping review method was used to evaluate studies that utilized the secondary data sets comprising the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Articles published over the past 15 years were identified using the Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, DBpia, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. Results: Forty-seven published articles from 2010 to 2024 were included in the review.Research on the genetic factors linked to MetS has expanded since 2019, indicating significant advances in the field. The research included 18 studies on the polygenic risk score (PRS)/genetic risk score (GRS), 17 studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), six studies on two or more genes, four studies on DNA methylation, and two studies on copy number variations (CNVs). In PRS/GRS research, seven studies focused on the genes related to diseases. In SNP research, four studies examined the FTO gene. Studies on two or more genes included two studies, each on the genes associated with diabetes and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. For DNA methylation, three studies focused on the TXNIP gene. Finally, in CNV research, one study was conducted on the LEPR gene and one on genes for hypertension. Conclusion The relatively low proportion of studies on DNA methylation and CNV presents limitations in understanding their associations with MetS. Expanded research utilizing diverse approaches and genetic variables is needed to overcome these limitations.

Purpose: Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a condition in which multiple risk factors interact in a complex manner. Considerable attention has been directed towards the potential genetic contributions to its diverse mechanisms. Understanding these contributions is essential for reducing MetS and other chronic diseases and developing effective prevention strategies.Therefore, this study analyzed the research trends in academic papers exploring genetic factors related to MetS and its components in Koreans and attempted to identify areas requiring additional research. Methods: The scoping review method was used to evaluate studies that utilized the secondary data sets comprising the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Articles published over the past 15 years were identified using the Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, DBpia, PubMed, and ScienceDirect databases. Results: Forty-seven published articles from 2010 to 2024 were included in the review.Research on the genetic factors linked to MetS has expanded since 2019, indicating significant advances in the field. The research included 18 studies on the polygenic risk score (PRS)/genetic risk score (GRS), 17 studies on single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), six studies on two or more genes, four studies on DNA methylation, and two studies on copy number variations (CNVs). In PRS/GRS research, seven studies focused on the genes related to diseases. In SNP research, four studies examined the FTO gene. Studies on two or more genes included two studies, each on the genes associated with diabetes and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol. For DNA methylation, three studies focused on the TXNIP gene. Finally, in CNV research, one study was conducted on the LEPR gene and one on genes for hypertension. Conclusion The relatively low proportion of studies on DNA methylation and CNV presents limitations in understanding their associations with MetS. Expanded research utilizing diverse approaches and genetic variables is needed to overcome these limitations.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Coffee consumption is associated with metabolic syndrome (MetS), but the findings have been inconsistent because of residual confounding. This study investigated the relationship between coffee consumption and MetS and its components using Mendelian randomization (MR) with genetic instrumental variables (IVs). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Coffee consumption was calculated from a food-frequency questionnaire using the 12-mon frequency and portion size, with cups converted to grams (2.7 g/cup) in the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study-Health Examinees cohort (n = 58,144) for genetic instrument selection. MetS was defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines in the Ansan and Ansung cohort (n = 5,351) for the outcome estimation. Genome-wide association analysis (GWAS) for coffee consumption (g/ day) was conducted using linear regression, and logistic regression was used for MetS and its components. IVs were single-nucleotide polymorphisms associated with coffee consumption at genome-wide significance (P < 5 × 10−6 ) from GWAS after linkage disequilibrium clumping (r2< 0.05 within ± 500 kb). MR analyses of the association between coffee consumption and MetS and its components were conducted using 5 approaches (inverse variance weighted [IVW], MR-Egger, weighted median, weighted mode, and simple mode). Sensitivity analyses were conducted using Cochran’s Q and the horizontal pleiotropy test. RESULTS: IVW indicated a negative association with MetS in males (odds ratio, 0.702; 95% confidence interval, 0.613–0.805). In females, MetS and its components had no association (P < 0.05). Cochran’s Q detected heterogeneity in females for elevated waist circumference, and MR-pleiotropy residual sum and outlier analysis identified outliers, but the results remained unchanged. CONCLUSION This MR study revealed sex-specific causal relationships between coffee consumption and MetS in Korean adults, suggesting protection against MetS and its components in males.

Background: There is limited evidence on the safety of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination during pregnancy and lactation. Thus, we aimed to evaluate the association between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and lactation and reporting risk of adverse pregnancy or lactation outcomes. Methods: Using VigiBase, we performed a disproportionality analysis with caseon case design. Cases were defined based on the Standardized MedDRA Queries (SMQs) of “pregnancy and neonatal topics” and non-cases were defined as all other adverse events. We included all reports with COVID-19 vaccines as the suspected cause. Using the full database as the comparators, reporting odds ratios (RORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated by logistic regression while adjusting for maternal age. Infants’ age and sex were additionally adjusted in analyzing the risk of COVID-19 vaccination during lactation. Results: We identified 10,266 and 6,474 reports with the SMQ of “pregnancy and neonatal topics” associated with COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy and lactation, respectively. No significant RORs of adverse pregnancy outcomes associated with COVID-19 vaccines during pregnancy were observed; however, “functional lactation disorders” showed significant disproportionality during lactation with adjusted ROR of 1.48 (95% CI, 1.21–1.79). Further analysis that analyzed “functional lactation disorders” at a preferred term level, showed higher ROR in mastitis (2.76 [95% CI, 1.45–5.27]). Conclusion Overall, we did not observe a positive association between COVID-19 vaccination during pregnancy and risk of reporting adverse pregnancy outcomes. However, we found a significant disproportionate reporting association between COVID-19 vaccination during lactation and “functional lactation disorders”, specifically mastitis. Continuous surveillance is warranted to confirm the safety of COVID-19 vaccine during pregnancy and lactation.

Methods: Information on seaweed consumption was collected using a food frequency questionnaire, which included laver, kelp, and sea mustard among the items consumed. A total of 31 hs-CRP-related single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) were selected using genomewide association studies and clumping analysis, and the individual PRS were calculated by weighting the effect size of each allele in the selected SNPs of 39,369 middle-aged (≥40 years) Koreans using the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study (KoGES)-Health Examinees (HEXA) cohort data. To investigate the interaction between seaweed intake and the PRS on hs-CRP levels >1 mg/L, hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were assessed using multivariable Cox proportional hazards models. Results: During a mean follow-up period of 4.8 years, we recorded 436 patients with elevated hs-CRP levels. Women in the highest tertile of the PRS with the lowest quartile of seaweed intake had an increased incidence of elevated hs-CRP levels compared with women in the lowest tertile of the PRS with the lowest seaweed intake quartile (HR 2.34, 95% CI 1.23–4.45). No significant association was observed among the men. Conclusion In conclusion, we identified a new interaction between the PRS, seaweed intake, and inflammation in Korean women, and this study suggests that the interaction between the identification of genetic predisposition and dietary seaweed intake may have an impact on determining the risk of developing hyperinflammation in the future.

Purpose: High-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) is primarily synthesized in the liver upon stimulation of infectious disease cytokines, such as interleukin-6 (IL-6), and is used as a biological marker of systemic inflammation. Previous studies reported that hs-CRP is closely related to diet and abdominal obesity. Furthermore, a dietary score favoring the consumption of vegetables, fruits, and whole grains over meat and saturated fat reduced inflammation and decreased the prevalence of obesity and abdominal obesity. Nevertheless, no studies have examined whether hs-CRP mediates the relationship between dietary scores and abdominal obesity, and research on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) is lacking. Therefore, the present study examined the association between the KHEI and abdominal obesity and the mediating effect of hs-CRP. Methods: In total, 17,770 adults aged ≥19 years were included in the study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015–2018. KHEI was developed to assess the overall diet quality of Korean adults. Multivariable linear and logistic regression analyses assessed the relationship between KHEI, hs-CRP, and abdominal obesity. The mediation analysis with the bootstrapping method was performed using SAS MACRO. Results: Among women, the odds ratio (OR) of abdominal obesity prevalence was lower in the highest KHEI compared to the lowest KHEI after adjusting for age, body mass index, educational level, income level, occupational status, marital status, household type, region type, alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, total energy intake, and hsCRP (OR 0.744, 95% confidence interval 0.598–0.926). The association between KHEI and abdominal obesity was partially mediated via hs-CRP, and the mediated proportion was 68.7% in men and 38.1% in women. Conclusion A substantial relationship was observed between the KHEI and abdominal obesity among females. Moreover, according to the KHEI, abdominal obesity may be mediated partially by hs-CRP.

Purpose: Metabolic diseases share common risk factors, requiring the development of therapeutic agents with multi-target effects. Although the ameliorating effects of Porphyra tenera ethanol extract (PTE) have been reported on some individual metabolic disorders, studies addressing various other metabolic diseases are still limited. This study investigated the ameliorating effects of PTE supplementation for 12 weeks on obesity, dyslipidemia, and hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and its molecular mechanisms. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 12/in each group) were divided into six groups for 12 weeks: control, HFD, chow diet + 1% porphyran, chow diet + 4% porphyran, HFD + 1% porphyran (HPYP-L), and HFD + 4% porphyran (HPYP-H). To confirm the attenuation of metabolic disease in vivo, mice in the HFD, HPYP-L and HPYP-H groups were fed 60% HFD to induce obesity. PTE was prepared using ethanol and dissolved in drinking water to concentrations of 1% and 4% porphyran. After 12 weeks of free PTE intake, body weight measurement, serum analysis, histopathological analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis of liver tissues were performed for comparative evaluation. Results: After 12 weeks, the HPYP-L and HPYP-H groups showed a decreased body weight, improved blood lipids, and reduced hepatic lipid droplet accumulation vs. the HFD group.Liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase, was suppressed in the HPYP-L group vs. the HFD group.The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein/Bcl-2 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) level ratio in the liver decreased after PTE intake, indicating inhibition of apoptosis.Interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression in the liver was reduced in the HPYP-L group vs. the HFD group. In the liver, lower protein carbonylation levels in the HPYP-H group indicated reduced oxidative stress, while the increased mitochondrial DNAuclear DNA ratio indicated improved mitochondrial function. Conclusion PTE protects against diet-induced metabolic disorders and could be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.

Purpose: Metabolic diseases share common risk factors, requiring the development of therapeutic agents with multi-target effects. Although the ameliorating effects of Porphyra tenera ethanol extract (PTE) have been reported on some individual metabolic disorders, studies addressing various other metabolic diseases are still limited. This study investigated the ameliorating effects of PTE supplementation for 12 weeks on obesity, dyslipidemia, and hepatic lipid metabolism in high-fat diet (HFD)-induced obese mice and its molecular mechanisms. Methods: Male C57BL/6 mice (n = 12/in each group) were divided into six groups for 12 weeks: control, HFD, chow diet + 1% porphyran, chow diet + 4% porphyran, HFD + 1% porphyran (HPYP-L), and HFD + 4% porphyran (HPYP-H). To confirm the attenuation of metabolic disease in vivo, mice in the HFD, HPYP-L and HPYP-H groups were fed 60% HFD to induce obesity. PTE was prepared using ethanol and dissolved in drinking water to concentrations of 1% and 4% porphyran. After 12 weeks of free PTE intake, body weight measurement, serum analysis, histopathological analysis, real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and Western blot analysis of liver tissues were performed for comparative evaluation. Results: After 12 weeks, the HPYP-L and HPYP-H groups showed a decreased body weight, improved blood lipids, and reduced hepatic lipid droplet accumulation vs. the HFD group.Liver acetyl-CoA carboxylase, was suppressed in the HPYP-L group vs. the HFD group.The B-cell lymphoma 2 (Bcl-2)-associated X protein/Bcl-2 protein and messenger RNA (mRNA) level ratio in the liver decreased after PTE intake, indicating inhibition of apoptosis.Interleukin-1 beta mRNA expression in the liver was reduced in the HPYP-L group vs. the HFD group. In the liver, lower protein carbonylation levels in the HPYP-H group indicated reduced oxidative stress, while the increased mitochondrial DNAuclear DNA ratio indicated improved mitochondrial function. Conclusion PTE protects against diet-induced metabolic disorders and could be a potential agent for the prevention and treatment of metabolic diseases.