BACKGROUND: Following the improvement of the economic status and increasing medical availability, the interest for the public health and nutrition in elderly is increasing in Korea. It is well known that aging is associated with the deterioration of nutritional status, but in Korea, there were no clear data about that yet. PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the normal distribution of the nutritional indices such as biochemical and anthropometric variables, showing the association between nutritional risk factor and aging. METHODS: Among 151,000 subjects over 40 year olds in Jung-Up County, Korea, 1051 were selected for a random cluster sample. After the blood tests and anthropometric measurements were performed during Dec 1996 to Feb 1997. RESULTS: Of the 1051 subjects(M:F=410:641), 340 were over 65 years(elderly) at the enroll time, while 711 were between 40 to 65 years(middle aged). Triceps skin fold thickness(TSF), body mass index(BMI), hematocrit(Hct) serum protein and albumin showed a weak negative correlation with age, whereas not in the case of the waisthip ratio(WHR), leucocytes, serum cholesterol and creatinine. Compared with middle aged with elderiy, TSF, BMI, albumin showed a significant differences(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: We showed the normal distribution of the variable nutritional indices and their changes associated with aging in the ambulatory elderly Korean living in the rural community. It needs further follow-up study including association with mortality.
Adult ; Aged* ; Aging ; Cholesterol ; Creatinine ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Korea ; Middle Aged ; Mortality ; Nutrition Assessment ; Nutritional Status ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Rural Population ; Skin

The purpose of this study was to describe the pattern of "health functional food (HFF)" intake and related factors in Busan and Gyeongnam area and provide useful information for health promotion through the use of HFF. Among subjects of this study (n = 634), about 64% of the subjects reported that they are currently taking HFFs or other health foods or had HFFs in the last year. The reason of subjects taking HFF was to maintain and promote their health. They choose HFF by their own judgement or knowledge and the main place of purchasing HFF was the HFF store. Main food sources for promoting health in study subjects were nutrient fortified foods (76.8%), fruit or vegetable extracts (64.8%), HFF (64%), herbs or oriental medicines (29.6%), folk remedies or unidentified remedies (24.9%), respectively. The preference type of the products was capsule and liquid. 60.6% of consumers thought that HFF are expensive. 9.7% of consumers experienced the side effect such as stomachache and gastroenteric trouble. Using logistic regression analysis, the use of HFF was 1.9 times higher in female than male subjects indicating strong association between gender and HFF use. Additionally higher prevalence was found in female subjects for right conception of HFF and distinction of HFF. Interestingly subjects who consume less salts exhibited a higher tendency (-1.5 folds) in HFF intake than who prefer to use salt and seasonings in diets. In total study subjects 83.9% of them have known and heard about definition of the HFF. The major route of acquiring the information about HFF was mass media such as TV, internet and newspapers. Also subjects who had taken HFF exhibited high a proper conception toward the knowledge about 'distinction of HFF'. Taken together education programs considering gender, dietary habit and life style is necessary for consumers to select proper HFF.
Adult* ; Busan* ; Diet ; Education ; Female ; Fertilization ; Food Habits ; Food, Fortified ; Fruit ; Functional Food* ; Food, Organic ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Internet ; Life Style ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Mass Media ; Medicine, Traditional ; Periodicals ; Prevalence ; Salts ; Seasons ; Vegetables

Purpose: This study aimed to examine the effects of non-pharmacological sleep intervention programs in improving sleep quality among older adults in long-term care facilities. Methods: A literature search and selection was performed on nine different databases using the guidelines of PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses). Overall, 14 studies met the inclusion criteria and were systematically reviewed. For the metaanalysis, the effect size was estimated using the random-effects model in Review Manager (RevMan) desktop version 5.4 of the Cochrane Library. Results: The meta-analysis of overall non-pharmacological interventions obtained a total effect size of 1.0 (standardized mean difference [SMD]=1.0, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.64~1.35), which was statistically significant (Z=5.55, p<.001). The most frequently studied non-pharmacological intervention was aroma therapy, with an effect size of 0.61 (SMD=0.61, 95% CI: 0.14~1.08), which was statistically significant (Z=2.55, p=.010). In the subgroup analysis, group-based interventions, interventions for >4 weeks, and untreated control studies were more effective. Conclusion This study confirms that non-pharmacological interventions are effective in improving sleep quality among older adults in long-term care facilities. However, the sample size was small and the risk of bias in assessing the interventions of individual studies was unclear or high, thereby limiting the generalizability of the results. Further reviews that evaluate randomized control trials, evidence-based interventions that consider older adult participants' physical activity levels, different intervention methods and durations, and different control group intervention types are needed to obtain more conclusive evidence.

Purpose: This study synthesized the literature on eating difficulties among older adults with dementia in long-term care facilities. Methods: A scoping review, using the framework proposed by Arksey & O'Malley (2005) and supplemented by Levac et al. (2010), was conducted. Literature was searched from RISS, KISS, DBpia, PubMed, and CINAHL. Two reviewers independently selected studies and extracted their characteristics, using pre-tested forms to determine final inclusion. In total, 1283 articles were identified, and 13 articles were used for the final analysis. Results: The Eating Behavior Scale and the Edinburgh Feeding Evaluation in Dementia scale were the most widely utilized measurement tools. The most common factors related to eating behavior in older adults with dementia were cognitive and physical functions in the individual domain, the caregiver's attitude toward eating in the inter-individual domain, and meal type in the environmental domain. Conclusion Measurement tools reflecting the eating behavior of older adults with dementia must be developed to obtain a comprehensive understanding of this issue and create effective interventions for the specific context of long-term care facilities in Korea. The results of this study are intended to serve as a basis to develop meal support programs for older adults with dementia.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the shift from offline to online classes has caused significant changes in high school students' daily habits, including sleep patterns and dietary intake. This study explored the association between sleep schedule fluctuations and dietary quality among high school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association between bedtime, wake-up time, and adolescent dietary quality during the weekly online/offline school period among 517 high school girls in Incheon, South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were divided into 2 groups: normal sleepers (n = 244), who maintained normal sleep schedules defined as a midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time before 5:30 a.m., during in-person and online classes; and late sleepers (n = 273), who maintained a normal sleep schedule during in-person classes but exhibited late sleep patterns defined as a midpoint after 5:30 a.m., during online classes. RESULTS: Shorter sleep duration was characteristic of late sleepers with circadian rhythm disruption, who also displayed poorer dietary quality, including higher consumption of caffeinated beverages and street food and never consuming breakfast. Among the 5 constituent factors, disrupted sleep timing was associated with lower Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents scores in total, moderation, and environment. This association persisted independent of the grade level, even after adjusting for school grade. These findings highlight the significant effect of sleep patterns on dietary habits. CONCLUSION This study highlights the significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and poor dietary quality among high-school girls. These findings reveal the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep patterns as a strategy to improve the dietary quality and overall health of adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the shift from offline to online classes has caused significant changes in high school students' daily habits, including sleep patterns and dietary intake. This study explored the association between sleep schedule fluctuations and dietary quality among high school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association between bedtime, wake-up time, and adolescent dietary quality during the weekly online/offline school period among 517 high school girls in Incheon, South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were divided into 2 groups: normal sleepers (n = 244), who maintained normal sleep schedules defined as a midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time before 5:30 a.m., during in-person and online classes; and late sleepers (n = 273), who maintained a normal sleep schedule during in-person classes but exhibited late sleep patterns defined as a midpoint after 5:30 a.m., during online classes. RESULTS: Shorter sleep duration was characteristic of late sleepers with circadian rhythm disruption, who also displayed poorer dietary quality, including higher consumption of caffeinated beverages and street food and never consuming breakfast. Among the 5 constituent factors, disrupted sleep timing was associated with lower Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents scores in total, moderation, and environment. This association persisted independent of the grade level, even after adjusting for school grade. These findings highlight the significant effect of sleep patterns on dietary habits. CONCLUSION This study highlights the significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and poor dietary quality among high-school girls. These findings reveal the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep patterns as a strategy to improve the dietary quality and overall health of adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the shift from offline to online classes has caused significant changes in high school students' daily habits, including sleep patterns and dietary intake. This study explored the association between sleep schedule fluctuations and dietary quality among high school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association between bedtime, wake-up time, and adolescent dietary quality during the weekly online/offline school period among 517 high school girls in Incheon, South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were divided into 2 groups: normal sleepers (n = 244), who maintained normal sleep schedules defined as a midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time before 5:30 a.m., during in-person and online classes; and late sleepers (n = 273), who maintained a normal sleep schedule during in-person classes but exhibited late sleep patterns defined as a midpoint after 5:30 a.m., during online classes. RESULTS: Shorter sleep duration was characteristic of late sleepers with circadian rhythm disruption, who also displayed poorer dietary quality, including higher consumption of caffeinated beverages and street food and never consuming breakfast. Among the 5 constituent factors, disrupted sleep timing was associated with lower Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents scores in total, moderation, and environment. This association persisted independent of the grade level, even after adjusting for school grade. These findings highlight the significant effect of sleep patterns on dietary habits. CONCLUSION This study highlights the significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and poor dietary quality among high-school girls. These findings reveal the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep patterns as a strategy to improve the dietary quality and overall health of adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the shift from offline to online classes has caused significant changes in high school students' daily habits, including sleep patterns and dietary intake. This study explored the association between sleep schedule fluctuations and dietary quality among high school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association between bedtime, wake-up time, and adolescent dietary quality during the weekly online/offline school period among 517 high school girls in Incheon, South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were divided into 2 groups: normal sleepers (n = 244), who maintained normal sleep schedules defined as a midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time before 5:30 a.m., during in-person and online classes; and late sleepers (n = 273), who maintained a normal sleep schedule during in-person classes but exhibited late sleep patterns defined as a midpoint after 5:30 a.m., during online classes. RESULTS: Shorter sleep duration was characteristic of late sleepers with circadian rhythm disruption, who also displayed poorer dietary quality, including higher consumption of caffeinated beverages and street food and never consuming breakfast. Among the 5 constituent factors, disrupted sleep timing was associated with lower Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents scores in total, moderation, and environment. This association persisted independent of the grade level, even after adjusting for school grade. These findings highlight the significant effect of sleep patterns on dietary habits. CONCLUSION This study highlights the significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and poor dietary quality among high-school girls. These findings reveal the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep patterns as a strategy to improve the dietary quality and overall health of adolescents.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Owing to coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), the shift from offline to online classes has caused significant changes in high school students' daily habits, including sleep patterns and dietary intake. This study explored the association between sleep schedule fluctuations and dietary quality among high school girls during the COVID-19 pandemic. This study examined the association between bedtime, wake-up time, and adolescent dietary quality during the weekly online/offline school period among 517 high school girls in Incheon, South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were divided into 2 groups: normal sleepers (n = 244), who maintained normal sleep schedules defined as a midpoint between bedtime and wake-up time before 5:30 a.m., during in-person and online classes; and late sleepers (n = 273), who maintained a normal sleep schedule during in-person classes but exhibited late sleep patterns defined as a midpoint after 5:30 a.m., during online classes. RESULTS: Shorter sleep duration was characteristic of late sleepers with circadian rhythm disruption, who also displayed poorer dietary quality, including higher consumption of caffeinated beverages and street food and never consuming breakfast. Among the 5 constituent factors, disrupted sleep timing was associated with lower Nutrition Quotient for Adolescents scores in total, moderation, and environment. This association persisted independent of the grade level, even after adjusting for school grade. These findings highlight the significant effect of sleep patterns on dietary habits. CONCLUSION This study highlights the significant relationship between disrupted circadian rhythms and poor dietary quality among high-school girls. These findings reveal the need for interventions to promote healthy sleep patterns as a strategy to improve the dietary quality and overall health of adolescents.

This study synthesized the literature on constipation among Korean older adults in long-term care (LTC) facilities. Methods: This scoping review utilized the Joanna Briggs Institute protocol. We conducted a literature search using Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health, PubMed, PsycINFO, Korean databases Research Information Sharing Service, Korean Studies Information Service System, and ScienceON. Two reviewers independently selected the studies and extracted their characteristics using pretested forms to determine the final inclusion. In total, 473 articles were identified, and eight were used for the final analysis. Results: Quasi-experimental design was the most common research design. Sex, age, state of mobility, admission periods, LTC classification, sleep satisfaction, depressive symptoms, diet type, daily fluid intake, and history of digestion were identified as factors related to constipation. The most widely used constipation measurement method is measuring the frequency of defecation per week. Massage is the most commonly used nursing intervention to relieve constipation. Conclusion: The diversification of research on constipation is necessary to improve the quality of life of older adults living in LTC facilities. Therefore, the use of reliable tools to determine constipation in older adults in LTC facilities should be expanded. There is a need to develop and implement diverse non-pharmacological interventions for older adults in LTC facilities. The results of this study are intended to serve as a basis for the development of constipation programs for Korean older adults in LTC facilities.