PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate dietary habits, food intakes, nutrient intakes, and diet quality of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in a health screening and promotion center. METHODS: The total number of study subjects was 10,111 adults, where 3087 subjects (30.5%) were diagnosed as NAFLD. The dietary intakes were obtained using a food frequency questionnaire. They were then compared with the dietary reference intakes could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines s (KDRIs). RESULTS: Mean age of subjects in the normal group was 52.9+/-10.3 yrs and body mass index (BMI) was 22.4 +/- 2.6 kg/m2, and those of the NAFLD group were 55.1 +/- 9.2 yrs and 25.4 +/- 2.9 kg/m2. BMI, blood pressure of the NAFLD group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. The rates of skipping breakfast, overeating, and eating out were significantly could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines er in the NAFLD group (p < 0.05, p < 0.000, p < 0.000 respectively). The speed of eating was fast in the NAFLD group (p < 0.000). The NAFLD group consumed significantly higher amounts of grains, meats, fish, seaweeds, kimchies, sugars, sweets, coffee, teas, and oils compared to the normal group (p < 0.05). Meanwhile, intakes of starch products, fruits, milk, and milk products were significantly lower in the NAFLD group compared with those of the normal group (p < 0.05). Riboflavin, calcium, and dietary fiber nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of the NAFLD group were significantly lower than those of the normal group. The Korean's dietary diversity score (KDDS) of the NAFLD group was lower than that of the normal group. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, we suggest that diet guidelines, such as increasing the intake of calcium and dietary fiber, reducing the intake of energy, fat, and simple carbohydrates, are necessary to improvement of NAFLD. The results could be used in the future for development of diet and nutrition guidelines for NAFLD.
Adult* ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Carbohydrates ; Edible Grain ; Coffee ; Diet ; Dietary Fiber ; Eating ; Fatty Liver* ; Food Habits* ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Mass Screening* ; Meat ; Milk ; Nutrition Policy ; Oils ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Riboflavin ; Starch ; Tea

This study aimed to define a one portion size of food items frequently consumed for convenient use by Koreans in food selection, diet planning, and nutritional evaluation. We analyzed using the original data on 5,436 persons (60.87%) aged 20 ~ 64 years among 8,930 persons to whom NHANES 2005 and selected food items consumed by the intake frequency of 30 or higher among the 500 most frequently consumed food items. A total of 374 varieties of food items of regular use were selected. And the portion size of food items was set on the basis of the median (50th percentile) of the portion size for a single intake by a single person was analyzed. In cereals, the portion size of well polished rice was 80 g. In meats, the portion size of Korean beef cattle was 25 g. Among vegetable items, the portion size of Baechukimchi was 40 g. The portion size of the food items of regular use set in this study will be conveniently and effectively used by general consumers in selecting food items for a nutritionally balanced diet. In addition, these will be used as the basic data in setting the serving size in meal planning.
Adult ; Aged ; Animals ; Cattle ; Edible Grain ; Diet ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Meals ; Meat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Single Person ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food shortage situation in North Korea has gained much interest, however food insecurity caused by the food shortage in North Korean households has not been much investigated. This study examined food security experiences and food consumption pattern of displaced North Korean households currently living in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Food security experience among 51 North Korean households living in South Korea was examined using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale (HFIAS) in three time points: immediately before childbirth, immediately before leaving North Korea, and immediately before entering South Korea. Meal/snack consumption frequencies and food diversity were also examined. RESULTS: Food security situation was the worst at the time of immediately before leaving North Korea with the average HFIAS score of 10.05. The households that were food insecure, they tended to be "severely" insecure. Although majority of the subjects reported having three or more meals a day, food diversity in their diet was very low with the average food diversity score of 2.17 immediately before childbirth and 1.74 immediately before leaving North Korea. Their diet appeared to heavily rely on grain and vegetable. CONCLUSIONS: This study is one of few that specifically examined food security of North Korean households with a pre-developed scale, and that demonstrated food security situation at different time points in quantified terms. Replicating this study with different groups of North Korean households for different time points would allow more complete understanding of impacts of food shortage. Food diversity score could provide a good way to examine changes of food consumption occurring to North Koreans in the process of adaptation. More attention to the changes occurring during adaption to South Korea should be given to understand the process and impact and to prepare public nutrition policy for the re-unified Korea.
Edible Grain ; Democratic People's Republic of Korea ; Diet ; Family Characteristics* ; Food Supply* ; Korea ; Meals ; Nutrition Policy ; Parturition ; Vegetables

The purpose of this study was to define a one portion size of food frequently consumed by Korean children aged 6-11 for convenient use in food selection, diet planning, nutritional evaluation, and nutrition education. We analyzed using the original data on 889 persons (9.96%) aged 6-11 years among 8,930 persons to whom NHANES 2005 and selected food items consumed by the intake frequency of 10 or higher among the 500 most frequently consumed food items. A total of 172 varieties of food items of regular use were selected. Also the portion size of food items was set on the basis of the median (50 percentile) of the portion size for a single intake by a single person was analyzed. The portion size of cereals was 5 g for prosomillet to 120 g for hamburger. As for vegetables, it posted 1 g for red pepper to 50 g for nabakkimchi. The portion size of meats and products was 15 g for luncheon meat to 120 g for beef feet soup. In comparison of children's portion size with adults', the children's portion sizes of every food groups, with the exception of meats and eggs, were lower than those of adults. The portion size of the regular food items of children in this study will be conveniently and effectively used by children, children's diet planners and researchers in selecting food items for a nutritionally balanced diet and in assessing the children's diet intake.
Adult ; Aged ; Capsicum ; Edible Grain ; Child ; Diet ; Eggs ; Food Preferences ; Foot ; Humans ; Korea ; Meat ; Nutrition Surveys ; Ovum ; Single Person ; Vegetables

Until now, South Korea does not have either fortification or enrichment program as intervention tools, although the addition of micronutrients to foods is for the most part not regulated. The aim of this study was to determine which scenario would most effectively reduce the proportion of the population with low iron intake while not putting other population groups at risk of excessive intakes. In order to investigate potential dietary consequences of iron fortification, we analyzed 2 day dietary record data (n=3,955) from the 2001 National Nutrition Surveys. The Proportion of the population consuming dietary iron less than the estimated average requirement (EAR) ranged from 12.4~87.5% depending upon gender and age group. Iron fortification at the level of 100% of Recommended Intake (RI) per 100g to breads and instant or dried noodles was estimated to result in a 15% decrease of proportion of those with iron less than EAR, while putting 1.4 % of the population greater than the Upper Limit (UL). Iron fortification appeared to be the most effective for the 15~19 year old age group, showing 39% reduction of iron intake insufficiency. The results suggest that carefully designed fortification or enrichment to staple foods may contribute to increase dietary iron intakes of Koreans, especially for the young population with a high prevalence of iron inadequacy. As the estimation in this study was based solely upon dietary intake data, iron intake from supplements should be considered in further studies.
Bread ; Edible Grain* ; Diet Records ; Ear ; Food Supply* ; Humans ; Iron* ; Iron, Dietary ; Korea* ; Micronutrients ; Nutrition Surveys ; Population Groups ; Prevalence

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Food composition databases are necessary for assessing dietary intakes. Developing and maintaining a high quality database is difficult because of the high cost of analyzing nutrient profiles and the recent fast-changing food marketplace. Thus, priorities have to be set for developing and updating the database. We aimed to identify key foods in the Korean diet to set priorities for future analysis of foods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: modified the US Department of Agriculture's key food approach. First, major foods were analyzed, contributing to 75%, 80%, 85%, or 90% of each nutrient intake. Second, the cumulative contributions to nutrient intakes were compared before and after excluding the foods least commonly consumed by individuals. Third, total nutrient score for each food was calculated by summing all percent contributions times 100 for nutrients. To set priorities among the foods in the list, we sorted the score in descending order and then compared total percent contributions of foods, within the 100, 90, 85, 80, and 75 percentiles of the list. Finally, we selected the minimum list of foods contributing to at least 90% of the key nutrient intake as key items for analysis. RESULTS: Among the 1,575 foods consumed by individuals, 456 were selected as key foods. Those foods were chosen as items above the 80 percentile of the total nutrient score, among the foods contributing at least 85% of any nutrient intake. On an average, the selected key foods contributed to more than 90% of key nutrient intake. CONCLUSIONS: In total, 456 foods, contributing at least 90% of the key nutrient intake, were selected as key foods. This approach to select a minimum list of key foods will be helpful for systematically updating and revising food composition databases.
Diet ; Food Analysis ; Nutrition Surveys

PURPOSE: This study evaluated the glycemic response of diets using estimated glycemic load (eGL), which had been developed for mixed meals for Korean adults, and examined its associations with cardiometabolic risk factors among Korean adults. METHODS: A total of 4,655 men and 6,760 women aged 19 years and above were included from the 2013 ~ 2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. eGL was calculated by each meal (breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snack) and then summed to give daily total eGL. A multiple logistic regression analysis was used to examine the association. RESULTS: Mean daily total eGL was 112.6 in men and 99.3 in women. Daily total eGL was positively associated with carbohydrate and fiber intakes, but negatively associated with protein and fat intakes in both men and women (p < 0.05 for all). Daily total eGL showed an inverse association with HDL-cholesterol level in both men and women (p = 0.0036 for men and p = 0.0008 for women). Men in the highest quintile of daily total eGL showed a 66% increased risk of hypercholesterolemia (OR, 1.66; 95% CI, 1.10 ~ 2.50; p for trend = 0.0447) compared with those in the lowest quintile. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that eGL based on carbohydrate, protein, fat and fiber intakes can reflect glycemic response and therefore can be used as an index for dietary planning, nutrition education and in the food industry.
Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Diet ; Dyslipidemias ; Education ; Female ; Food Industry ; Glycemic Load ; Humans ; Hypercholesterolemia ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Lunch ; Male ; Meals ; Nutrition Surveys ; Risk Factors

An educational application (App) called 'Children's Food Avatar' was developed in this study by using a food DB of nutrition and functionality from Rural Development Administration (RDA) as a smart-learning mobile device for elementary school students. This App was designed for the development of children's desirable dietary habits through an on-line activity of food choices for a meal from food DB of RDA provided as Green Water Mill guide. A customized avatar system was introduced as an element of fun and interactive animation for children which provides nutritional evaluation of selected foods by changing its appearance, facial look, and speech balloon, and consequently providing chances of correcting their food choices for balanced diet. In addition, nutrition information menu was included in the App to help children understand various nutrients, their function and healthy dietary life. When the App was applied to 54 elementary school students for a week in November, 2012, significant increases in the levels of knowledge, attitude and behavior in their diet were observed compared with those of the control group (p < 0.05, 0.01). Both elementary students and teachers showed high levels of satisfaction ranging from 4.30 to 4.89 for the App, therefore, it could be widely used for the dietary education for elementary school students as a smart-learning device.
Child ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Meals ; Nutrition Policy ; Social Planning

It is suggested that evaluation of diet quality may be a great indicator of nutritional assessment. The aim of this study was to evaluate the diet quality of children and adolescents based on nutrient and food group intake and Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). This survey was conducted through questionnaires and diet record survey to 477 students (elementary school students; n = 131, middle school students; n = 136, and high school students; n = 210). The results showed that high school students were significantly more often to skip breakfast compared with the other groups. The middle and high school students consumed significantly higher intakes of food and energy compared to the elementary school students. Also the number of nutrients in Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) < 1.0 of high school students were significantly higher than that of elementary and middle school students. The Korean's dietary diversity score (KDDS) of elementary school, middle school and high school students were 4.1, 4.4 and 4.3 respectively. The average DQI-I of elementary school, middle school and high school students were 66.7, 65.5, and 63.7, respectively and there was significant difference. Also, middle school students showed to have higher score in variety and adequacy category compared with the other groups, and elementary school students appeared to have higher score in moderation category. In conclusion, high school students appeared to have unhealthy dietary habits in terms of high frequency of skipping breakfast and lower INQ and DQI-I score compared to the elementary school and middle school students. Therefore, the proper dietary management should be needed for high school students.
Adolescent ; Breakfast ; Child ; Diet ; Diet Records ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritive Value ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The objective of this study is to select a simple and easy measurable food behavior checklist for the development of Nutrition Quotient (NQ) for children, which reflects children's diet quality, as well as to evaluate the validity of the items in the food behavior checklist. The first 36 items in the checklist were established by an expert review, modifying the preliminary 50 items in the checklist, which had been selected by a literature review and the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. 341 children in 5th and 6th grades at an elementary school participated in a one-day dietary record survey, and later responded to 36 food behavior questions of the checklist. Pearson's correlation coefficients between the responses to the food behavior checklist items along with the mean nutrient intakes of the children were calculated. From the result, in which responses of food frequency and food behavior items showed certain association with the dietary record data, a second checklist with 22 items was selected. A survey was conducted by using the second checklist. 1,393 children in the 5th and 6th grades at 12 elementary schools in metropolitan cities, such as Seoul, Busan, Gwangju, Daegu, Daejeon, and Incheon, participated in the survey. Further, an exploratory factor analysis was performed. After the analysis, 19 items (10 items from food frequency and 9 items from food behavior) were finalized as the food behavior checklist items for the NQ. The final 19 food behavior checklist items were composed of 5 factors: 'Balance', 'Diversity', 'Moderation', 'Regularity', and 'Practice'. This study is a significant first trial to establish a comprehensive system for evaluating children's food habit and diet quality. This checklist might need continuous modification and revision reflecting the change of children's dietary life and the social environment.
Checklist ; Child ; Diet ; Diet Records ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Nutrition Surveys ; Social Environment