BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite the rapid growth of the online food delivery service market since the outbreak of coronavirus disease 2019, little research has focused on how consumers are using food delivery service and what they are concerned about when using food delivery service. Moreover, previous studies have not paid adequate attention to how these concerns are related to consumers’ intention to use food delivery service. Therefore, our study examines behaviors and concerns regarding food delivery service and identifies the key factors in consumers’ intention to use food delivery service. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Using data collected from 549 Korean consumers, we conducted descriptive analysis, exploratory factor analysis, and multiple regressions. RESULTS: We found that using food delivery service is not only for main meals at home or the office but also to meet a variety of dietary needs and occasions. The findings indicated that Korean consumers are most concerned about the sustainability of food delivery service, followed by health, hygiene, hedonic, and usability aspects of the service. Hygiene concerns and a hedonic aspect of the service were negatively associated with consumers’ intention to use food delivery service among users, while health concerns decreased the intention of non-users. CONCLUSION The findings have implications for practitioners and policy makers in food delivery service. To further propel market growth, they should help reduce health concerns of non-users, as well as hygiene and hedonic concerns of existing users.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak has dramatically changed nearly every aspect of our lives. Although Dietary lifestyle includes attitudes and behaviors to meet their most basic needs, but few studies have examined the pattern of changes in dietary lifestyle driven by COVID-19. This study explores changes in dietary attitudes and behaviors among Korean consumers after COVID-19. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online survey was conducted with 549 Korean adults aged 20 and older to identify general demographics and changes in dietary attitudes and behaviors. Data were collected from Oct 12 to Oct 18, 2020. Frequency, percentage, and mean values were calculated and a K-means cluster analysis was performed to categorize consumers based on the 5S of dietary attitudes (i.e., savor-oriented, safety-oriented, sustainability-oriented, saving-oriented, and socializing-oriented). RESULTS: Findings indicate consumers considered safety, health, and freshness to be most important when choosing groceries and prepared meal such as home meal replacement and delivery food. Among the types of services, a large proportion of consumers increased their delivery and take-out services. Regarding retail channels, the increase in the use of online retailers was remarkable compared to offline retailers. Finally, consumers were classified into four segments based on changes in dietary attitudes: “most influenced,” “seeking safety and sustainability,” “abstaining from savor and socializing,” and “least influenced.” Each type of consumer exhibited statistically significant differences by sex, age, household composition, presence of disease, and perceived risk of COVID-19. CONCLUSIONS This exploratory study provides initial insights for future research by identifying various aspects of dietary attitudes and behaviors among Korean consumers after COVID-19.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Meal kits and home meal replacements (HMRs) are rapidly growing segments in the convenience food industry. Consequently, numerous studies have examined consumer perceptions of HMR and meal kits, respectively. HMR is an established segment, while meal kits are a recent category. Both segments offer convenience compared to home-cooked meals. However, meal kits offer a wider variety of recipes with fresh ingredients, requiring simple cooking steps to prepare the meal rather than merely heating the food. Despite the commonalities and differences, previous studies have only examined the purchasing behavior and influencing factors of either the meal kits or HMR.However, changes in the purchasing patterns of both segments may be correlated. This study investigates the relationship between consumer purchasing trends of meal kits and HMR and presents practical recommendations regarding the need of consumers for convenience foods.MATERIALS/METHODS: We conducted a panel regression analysis of consumer purchase data obtained from shopping receipts, spanning the 2019, 2020, and 2021 waves of the Korean Rural Development Administration. RESULTS: The results show that the purchases of meal kits and HMR increased during the period, suggesting a complementary relationship between the 2. We also found significant increases in purchases within 2 sub-categories of HMR, namely, ready-to-prepare and readyto-cook, alongside meal kits. These findings were further supported by the results of the sub-regression analysis. CONCLUSION The simultaneous growth of meal kits and HMR indicates that convenience foods continue to play a crucial role in meeting consumer needs in the food industry.In addition, considering the significant growth of the HMR sub-categories with fresh ingredients and cooking, we suggest that companies should aim to satisfy the desire of consumers for both convenience as well as freshness and culinary aspects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplements are popular among Korean consumers in the cross-border market. This study examined the cross-border shopping trends of dietary supplements in Korea, focusing on the major health functional foods.MATERIALS/METHODS: This study analyzed the customs clearance data provided by the Korea Customs Service, spanning 2019–2021. The term ‘health functional foods,’ which are manufactured with functional ingredients specified by law, was distinguished from the broader concept of ‘dietary supplements.’ The trends in dietary supplements and the major types of health functional foods in cross-border shopping were analyzed. The top 10 most purchased health functional foods were identified and analyzed by consumer gender and age group. RESULTS: Dietary supplements constituted 19.1% of all cross-border items, with the primary consumers being women aged 30 and 40 yrs. The most popular type of health functional foods was the ‘multi-nutrient product,’ comprising 14.5% of all health functional food items.‘Protein’ was popular among men and younger age groups, while ‘probiotics’ was favored by women. In particular, 32.3% of health functional food items were related to blood health. CONCLUSION The cross-border market for dietary supplements in Korea is experiencing growth, with consumer preferences varying by gender and age. These findings can assist in the development of regulatory policies that align with market trends and consumer needs in cross-border shopping for dietary supplements.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplements are popular among Korean consumers in the cross-border market. This study examined the cross-border shopping trends of dietary supplements in Korea, focusing on the major health functional foods.MATERIALS/METHODS: This study analyzed the customs clearance data provided by the Korea Customs Service, spanning 2019–2021. The term ‘health functional foods,’ which are manufactured with functional ingredients specified by law, was distinguished from the broader concept of ‘dietary supplements.’ The trends in dietary supplements and the major types of health functional foods in cross-border shopping were analyzed. The top 10 most purchased health functional foods were identified and analyzed by consumer gender and age group. RESULTS: Dietary supplements constituted 19.1% of all cross-border items, with the primary consumers being women aged 30 and 40 yrs. The most popular type of health functional foods was the ‘multi-nutrient product,’ comprising 14.5% of all health functional food items.‘Protein’ was popular among men and younger age groups, while ‘probiotics’ was favored by women. In particular, 32.3% of health functional food items were related to blood health. CONCLUSION The cross-border market for dietary supplements in Korea is experiencing growth, with consumer preferences varying by gender and age. These findings can assist in the development of regulatory policies that align with market trends and consumer needs in cross-border shopping for dietary supplements.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplements are popular among Korean consumers in the cross-border market. This study examined the cross-border shopping trends of dietary supplements in Korea, focusing on the major health functional foods.MATERIALS/METHODS: This study analyzed the customs clearance data provided by the Korea Customs Service, spanning 2019–2021. The term ‘health functional foods,’ which are manufactured with functional ingredients specified by law, was distinguished from the broader concept of ‘dietary supplements.’ The trends in dietary supplements and the major types of health functional foods in cross-border shopping were analyzed. The top 10 most purchased health functional foods were identified and analyzed by consumer gender and age group. RESULTS: Dietary supplements constituted 19.1% of all cross-border items, with the primary consumers being women aged 30 and 40 yrs. The most popular type of health functional foods was the ‘multi-nutrient product,’ comprising 14.5% of all health functional food items.‘Protein’ was popular among men and younger age groups, while ‘probiotics’ was favored by women. In particular, 32.3% of health functional food items were related to blood health. CONCLUSION The cross-border market for dietary supplements in Korea is experiencing growth, with consumer preferences varying by gender and age. These findings can assist in the development of regulatory policies that align with market trends and consumer needs in cross-border shopping for dietary supplements.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplements are popular among Korean consumers in the cross-border market. This study examined the cross-border shopping trends of dietary supplements in Korea, focusing on the major health functional foods.MATERIALS/METHODS: This study analyzed the customs clearance data provided by the Korea Customs Service, spanning 2019–2021. The term ‘health functional foods,’ which are manufactured with functional ingredients specified by law, was distinguished from the broader concept of ‘dietary supplements.’ The trends in dietary supplements and the major types of health functional foods in cross-border shopping were analyzed. The top 10 most purchased health functional foods were identified and analyzed by consumer gender and age group. RESULTS: Dietary supplements constituted 19.1% of all cross-border items, with the primary consumers being women aged 30 and 40 yrs. The most popular type of health functional foods was the ‘multi-nutrient product,’ comprising 14.5% of all health functional food items.‘Protein’ was popular among men and younger age groups, while ‘probiotics’ was favored by women. In particular, 32.3% of health functional food items were related to blood health. CONCLUSION The cross-border market for dietary supplements in Korea is experiencing growth, with consumer preferences varying by gender and age. These findings can assist in the development of regulatory policies that align with market trends and consumer needs in cross-border shopping for dietary supplements.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Dietary supplements are popular among Korean consumers in the cross-border market. This study examined the cross-border shopping trends of dietary supplements in Korea, focusing on the major health functional foods.MATERIALS/METHODS: This study analyzed the customs clearance data provided by the Korea Customs Service, spanning 2019–2021. The term ‘health functional foods,’ which are manufactured with functional ingredients specified by law, was distinguished from the broader concept of ‘dietary supplements.’ The trends in dietary supplements and the major types of health functional foods in cross-border shopping were analyzed. The top 10 most purchased health functional foods were identified and analyzed by consumer gender and age group. RESULTS: Dietary supplements constituted 19.1% of all cross-border items, with the primary consumers being women aged 30 and 40 yrs. The most popular type of health functional foods was the ‘multi-nutrient product,’ comprising 14.5% of all health functional food items.‘Protein’ was popular among men and younger age groups, while ‘probiotics’ was favored by women. In particular, 32.3% of health functional food items were related to blood health. CONCLUSION The cross-border market for dietary supplements in Korea is experiencing growth, with consumer preferences varying by gender and age. These findings can assist in the development of regulatory policies that align with market trends and consumer needs in cross-border shopping for dietary supplements.

OBJECTIVE: Pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia remains a rare occurrence. The aim of this study was to examine the maternal and fetal outcomes of pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia treated with supportive care. METHODS: From January 1995 to December 2004, a total of 14 women newly diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia were recruited for the study. RESULTS: Eleven (78%) of the 14 women were diagnosed with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia during the second or third trimester. There were eight severe cases; three of which were diagnosed at the initial presentation. All 14 women had conservative management with transfusions but not specific immunological or hormonal therapies during pregnancy. Blood transfusions were performed prenatally in seven mothers and perinatally in 13. Of the 12 patients eligible for follow-up, one achieved complete remission and another eight showed partial remission after delivery. During the follow up period, there was no case of maternal-fetal death in our series. The pregnancies were continued uneventfully in most cases. CONCLUSIONS: This study demonstrated favorable maternal and neonatal outcomes with transfusion support alone for pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia. Therefore, pregnancy continuation with meticulous blood support should be considered, rather than therapeutic termination, for women with pregnancy-associated aplastic anemia.
Anemia, Aplastic* ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Prognosis

OBJECTIVE: The incidence of idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura (ITP) is greatest in female during their childbearing years, so the concurrence of pregnancy and ITP is not unusual. Numerous studies have examined the outcomes of newborns, whereas fewer studies have been conducted with regard to the morbidity of obstetric patients with ITP. This study was aimed to find the outcome of pregnancy combined with ITP and the influence of the pregnancy on the severity of this disease. METHODS: From January 1996 to December 2005, a total of 62 pregnant women with ITP and their 73 deliveries were recruited for the study. Among them, 38 were diagnosed with ITP during pregnancy and the other 24 had pre-existing ITP before pregnancy. RESULTS: The severity of thrombocytopenia was exacerbated during pregnancy, but recovered to a level of non-pregnant period after delivery in most cases. The outcome of pregnancy of all the patients was uneventful except each one case of fetal demise at 35 gestational weeks and preterm delivery at 30 gestational weeks. One patient suffered from multiple subdural hemorrhage during pregnancy, which was spontaneouly recovered. Twenty newborns (27.8%) had transient congenital thrombocytopenia and 18 of them required treatment for hemostatic impairment. CONCLUSION: For women with ITP, Pregnancy can affect the severity of ITP, but life-threatening complication was almost lacking. Although, in not a few cases, there may need to treat both mothers and infants to raise their platelet counts, most mothers with ITP can proceed with their pregnancies and delivery healthy infant without complication.
Female ; Hematoma, Subdural ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Mothers ; Platelet Count ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women ; Purpura* ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; Thrombocytopenia* ; Thrombocytopenia, Neonatal Alloimmune