PURPOSE: This study examined the association between the antioxidant vitamin intake and obesity in Korean women. METHODS: Adult women aged ≥19 years who completed a health examination and nutrition survey from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey between 2007 ~ 2016 were selected for the study (n = 30,425). A BMI ≥25 kg/m2 and waist circumference ≥85 cm were defined as obesity and abdominal obesity, respectively. The individual antioxidant vitamin intake was estimated by linking the antioxidant vitamin composition database of commonly consumed foods and the subjects' 24-hour recall food consumption data. Carotenoids, retinol, vitamin A (retinol activity equivalent), vitamin C, tocopherols, and vitamin E (α-tocopherol equivalent) were included in the analysis. Each vitamin intake was converted to the nutrient density per 1,000 kcal. Odds ratio (ORs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) for obesity according to each tertile of the nutrient density was obtained from multiple logistic regression adjusted for age, household income, education level, smoking, alcohol consumption, and physical activity. RESULTS: The mean intake of α-carotene, retinol, vitamin E, α-tocopherol, and γ-tocopherol per 1,000 kcal was significantly lower in the obese group than in the normal group. A higher intake of lycopene was inversely associated with obesity (highest vs. lowest; OR = 0.89, 95% CI: 0.83–0.96) and abdominal obesity (highest vs. lowest; OR = 0.88, 95% CI: 0.81–0.95). Higher intakes of α-carotene, total carotenoids, vitamin A, and γ-tocopherol also had a negative relationship with abdominal obesity. The antioxidant vitamin intakes from eggs, milk and dairy products, seasoning, and grains were significantly lower in the obese group than in the normal group. CONCLUSION: This study showed that the dietary intake of antioxidant vitamins was inversely associated with obesity and abdominal obesity among Korean women. Further study will be needed to examine the causal relationship between the antioxidant vitamin and obesity.
Adult ; Alcohol Drinking ; Ascorbic Acid ; Carotenoids ; Education ; Eggs ; Family Characteristics ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Logistic Models ; Milk ; Motor Activity ; Nutrition Surveys* ; Obesity* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Ovum ; Seasons ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Tocopherols ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin E ; Vitamins* ; Waist Circumference

PURPOSE: This study aimed to investigate the association of total dietary antioxidant capacity (TAC) with oxidative stress and metabolic markers among patients with metabolic syndrome according to gender. METHODS: A total of 346 subjects aged 30~59 years with two or more risk factors of metabolic syndrome were recruited from a general hospital near Seoul in South Korea between 2010 and 2012 based on data from the medical checkup. Biochemical indices for oxidative stress and metabolic markers were measured. Food consumption data from 3-day food records were linked with the antioxidant capacity database for commonly consumed Korean foods to estimate individual's TAC. RESULTS: Average dietary TAC of the study subjects was 132.0 mg VCE/d/1,000 kcal in men and 196.4 mg VCE/d/1,000 kcal in women. Levels of γ-glutamyltransferase (GGT), systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, and blood triglycerides were reduced significantly according to increasing TAC in men, but there was no significant trend in women. Intakes of total flavonoids and carotenoids were significantly negatively correlated with GGT (p < 0.05) and d-ROMs (p < 0.01) in men, whereas those of α-tocopherol (p < 0.05) and γ-tocopherol (p < 0.05) were positively correlated with biological antioxidant potential (BAP) in women. The odds ratio of high oxidative stress indices and abnormal metabolic markers according to TAC level were not significant in either men or women. CONCLUSION: The results show that dietary TAC was partially associated with oxidative stress and metabolic markers among patients with metabolic syndrome. Further research is required for elucidating the association between dietary TAC and incidence of metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases within a large population in prospective studies.
Blood Pressure ; Carotenoids ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Flavonoids ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Male ; Odds Ratio ; Oxidative Stress* ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Seoul ; Triglycerides

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The Seoul Metabolic Syndrome Management (SMESY) program is a 1-yr lifestyle modification program targeting metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Seoul residents. This study investigated the associations between adherence to dietary guidelines and MetS among the SMESY program participants. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data of 54,385 participants aged 20–64 yrs who completed the SMESY program in 2015, had information on adherence to dietary guidelines, and were not medicated for diabetes, hypertension, or dyslipidemia were analyzed. Participants underwent MetS screening and completed a lifestyle questionnaire including adherence to 10 dietary guidelines before and after participation. Participants were classified according to the number of MetS risk factors at baseline (MetS group, ≥ 3; risk group, 1–2; healthy group, none). Adherence to dietary guidelines was determined from the number of “yes” responses regarding the fulfillment of each guideline on ≥ 5 days/week. Multiple logistic regression was used to evaluate associations between newly diagnosed MetS and changes in adherence to dietary guidelines. RESULTS: In the MetS group, MetS prevalence decreased after the SMESY program (men, −41.9%p; women, −48.7%p), and all risk factors were significantly improved (P < 0.0001). All groups exhibited improved adherence to all dietary guidelines after participation (P < 0.0001). In the MetS group with positively changed adherence scores, the MetS prevalence decreased by −44.1%p for men and −49.5%p for women, whereas the prevalence in those with negative changes decreased by −38.1%p for men and −48.6%p for women. In the risk group, those with positively changed adherence scores had significantly decreased odds ratios (ORs) for newly diagnosed MetS compared with those with negative changes (OR, 0.70; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.61–0.80 for men; OR, 0.88; 95% CI, 0.79–0.99 for women). CONCLUSIONS The SMESY program may effectively reduce the risk of MetS among adults with risk factors by improving adherence to dietary guidelines.