A survey was carried out to investigate the breastfeeding knowledge, breastfeeding rates and related factors among women in Seoul and the Chungbuk area, in order to obtain baseline data for the development of an education program on breastfeeding. Subjects included 671 lactating mothers who visited public health or pediatric centers, between December, 1999 and February, 2000 and were interviewed using a questionnaire. The results are as follows: In the breastfeeding knowledge, most of the subjects (93.4%) knew correctly that 'breastfeeding is better for a baby's emotional development than formula feeding,' whereas only half of the subjects (51.7%) answered correctly the question on whether 'formula is more nutritious than breastmilk.' The breastfeeding rates were about 57%, 40%, 33% and 12%, respectively for baby's aged 1, 3, 6, and 12 months. These results showed that the breastfeeding rate rapidly decreased with the baby's age. Lower breastfeeding rates were associated with high educational level (college graduate and above), high income, mothers' employment, no experience of attending breastfeeding education programs, and no planning on breastfeeding prior to pregnancy. There was a significant relationship between the level of knowledge and breastfeeding practice; the higher the knowledge score, the higher the breastfeeding rate. In conclusion, an education program should be developed and offered for each low breastfeeding rate group, in order to promote breastfeeding.
Breast Feeding* ; Chungcheongbuk-do ; Education* ; Employment ; Female ; Humans ; Mothers ; Pregnancy ; Public Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul

In this study, nutrient intake status and energy expenditure were examined to investigate the nutritional status of the elderly in a rural community. The results obtained by questionaries, the 24 hour recall method, and time-diary were as follows: The elderly men surveyed were 73.8 years old, on the average. The elderly women surveyed were 73.5 years old, on the average. The proportion of the elderly with diseases was 51.9%. Most of the subjects (86.1%) had a regular meal pattern of consuming three meals a day. The average daily energy intake of the rural elderly was much lower than the Korean RDA. The dietary assessment data showed that each energy intake of the males and the females was 79.5% and 84.3% of the RDA, respectively. The dietary intake of Ca, Fe, niacin, thiamin, and riboflavin was lower than the Korean RDA, and that of P and Vitamin C was adequate. The Fe intake was significantly different with respect to age and sex (p < 0.05). Although, in both elderly men and elderly women it decreased with age, the elderly men's intake was lower than the elderly women's. The heights of the elderly men and the elderly women was 159.7 cm and 147.5 cm, respectively, and the weights were 60.0 kg and 52.2 kg, respectively, and the BMI was in the moderate range. Heights significantly decreased with age (p < 0.05). According to daily living schedules, leisure time (11.0 hour) was the longest, physiological time (9.6 hours) was next, and work time (3.4 hours) was the shortest. Energy expenditure significantly decreased with age (p < 0.01). Energy intake also decreased with aging. Energy balance (energy expenditure/ energy intake) was 93.4% in elderly men and 104.0% in elderly women. Especially, in elderly men in the 65 to 74 age range, the energy balance was the lowest, and the nutrient intake was also much lower than that of elderly women.
Aged* ; Aging ; Appointments and Schedules ; Ascorbic Acid ; Energy Intake ; Energy Metabolism* ; Female ; Humans ; Leisure Activities ; Male ; Meals ; Niacin ; Nutritional Status* ; Riboflavin ; Rural Population* ; Weights and Measures

This study was performed to investigate the relationships among bone mineral densities (BMD), anthropometric data and lifestyle factors in the elderly. Subjects included 138 elderly (male: 38, female: 100) aged over 65 years, who were home-dwelling in a low-income area of Puchon City. The BMDs of the lumbar spines (LS), femoral necks (FN), Ward's triangles (WT) and trochanters (TC) were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The females showed significantly lower BMDs in four sites (p < 0.0001). The elderly aged over 75 revealed significantly more decreased femoral BMDs than the elderly aged 65 to 74. Female with BMIs of 20 to 25, showed significantly higher BMDs in LS, FN and trochanter than those with BMIs of less than 20. However, males displayed significantly higher BMDs in only LS, with increasing BMIs. THe BMDs of LS correlated with weights (r = 0.543, p < 0.001), heights (r = 0.477, p < 0.001), upper arm circumferences (r = 0.368, p < 0.01), waist circumferences (r = 0.367, p < 0.001), subscapular skinfold thicknesses (r = 0.363, p < 0.001) and hip circumferences (r = 0.231, p < 0.01). Non-smokers and non-drinkers showed significantly higher BMDs in trochanters only in the case of the males. Female milk-drinkers showed significantly elevated LS BMDs. Eighteen percent of the males were assessed as having osteoporosis, as compared to fifty percent of the females. Ninety-three percent of the females and 81.6% of the males responded that they often or always had "difficulty in standing for a long time".
Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged* ; Arm ; Bone Density* ; Female ; Femur ; Femur Neck ; Gyeonggi-do ; Hip ; Humans ; Life Style* ; Male ; Osteoporosis ; Skinfold Thickness ; Spine ; Waist Circumference ; Weights and Measures

This study was carried out on 178 bus drivers in the Masan area to investigate their health and nutritional status. THe nutritional status of the subjects was surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and blood analyses were conducted through annual health examinations in June, 1999. The results were as follows: About 51% were classified as normal, 33% as health-concerned, and 17% as disease-suspected. The levels of total serum cholesterol were significantly higher in the over 20 year group (194.64 +/- 41.42 mg/dl) than in the under 10 year group (175.00 +/- 31.33 mg/dl) with respect to the length of their driving careers. Systolic blood pressure (SBP) was significantly higher in the 51 to 60 age group than in the other groups (p < 0.05). The total serum cholesterol increased with increasing age (p < 0.001), and SBP increased with increasing Body Mass Index (BMI)(p < 0.001). Diastolic blood pressure (DBP), total cholesterol (p < 0.01), hemoglobin (p < 0.05)and glutamate-pyruvate-aminotransferase (GPT)(p < 0.05) were significantly higher in the BMI of over 20, than in the BMI under 20. The GPT was significantly higher in the BMI over 25 than in the BMI under 25. In The mean daily energy intake was 1912.7 kcal (76.5% of the RDA) and the protein intake was 74.3 g (106.2% of the RDA). Compared with the recommended allowance, the energy, calcium, thiamin, and riboflavin intakes were below, and the Fe, vitamin A, vitamin C intakes were above the Korean RDA. The average carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of energy intake was 66 : 15 : 19, respectively. The length of their driving careers had a positive correlation with their ages and total serum cholesterol levels, and their ages had a positive correlation with their blood pressures, total serum cholesterol and hemoglobin levels and BMI. Their BMI had a positive correlation with their ages, blood pressures, total serum cholesterol, hemoglobin, GPT and GOT levels. The results of this study indicate that bus drivers needed regular exercise, and control of their body weights to prevent chronic diseases, and that their health status should be monitored as the length of their driving careers and ages increase.
Ascorbic Acid ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease ; Energy Intake ; Humans ; Nutritional Status* ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin A

The purpose of this study was to relate the degree of hypertension to nutritional status, in order to prepare basic data for a nutrition program. The study using the WHO standard divided the residents in Kangbuk-gu into a normal group (NG) of 254 adults with systolic blood pressure (SBP) < 130 or diastolic blood pressure (DBP) < 85; a borderline hypertensive group (BG) of 81 adults with 130 < or = SBP < or = 140 or 85 < or = DBP < or = 90; and a hypertensive group (HG) of 143 adults with SBP > 140 or DBP > 90. The mean age of HG was older than the other groups (p < 0.001). The dietary intake was investigated by the 24-hour recall method. The Ca intake as the percentage of the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for the HG were higher than that of the other groups (p < 0.01). The Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) of Ca and Vit. A were below 0.75 for all three groups. The Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) was above 0.75 (p > 0.05) for all three groups. The Dietary Variety Score (DVS) of the NG was 22.7, and higher than those of the other groups (p > 0.05). The fasting blood sugar (p < 0.001), total cholesterol (p < 0.001), protein (p < 0.001), albumin (p < 0.01), hemoglobin (Hb) (p < 0.001), alkaline phosphatase (ALP) (p < 0.001), and creatinine (p < 0.05) values of the HG were higher than those of the other groups. The Body Mass Index (BMI) and the waist-hip ratio (WHR) of the HG were higher than those of the other groups (p < 0.001). In conclusion, these results showed that there tended to be differences among the three groups. For effective nutritional education and counseling of each group, we should further study the differences and understand their characteristics of each group in order to provide nutritional education for controling and preventing hypertension.
Adult ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Mass Index ; Cholesterol ; Counseling ; Creatinine ; Education ; Fasting ; Humans ; Hypertension* ; Nutritional Status ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Seoul* ; Waist-Hip Ratio

The purpose of this study was to compare dietary attitudes, dietary behaviors and diet qualities of Food and Nutrition major and non-major female students at a university located in Inchon. The subjects included 74 female Food and Nutrition majors and 45 non-Food and Nutrition major female university students. This cross-sectional survey was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire, and the data were analyzed by a SPSS 10.0 program. The nutrient intake data collected from Three-day recalls were analyzed by the Computer Aided Nutritional Analysis Program and then the diet quality was estimated using the Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR), the Nutrient Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and the Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). There was no significant difference in dietary behaviors between Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors. However, most of the female university students had poor eating habits, such as overeating, unbalanced meals, and skipping of meals. In particular, more than 50% of the female university students skipped breakfast. As for weighing themselves once a week, changing dietary lifestyles, calculating food calories and having interest in information on nutrition and health, the ratio of Food and Nutrition majors was significantly higher as compared to that of the non-majors. There was a significant difference in food consumption frequency except for milk and milk products, and iron-rich foods between the Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors. However, there was a significant difference in the frequency scores of iron-rich foods between the Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors. The MAR of Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors were 0.80 +/- 0.13, 0.79 +/-0.13, respectively. However, in the Food and Nutrition majors and non-majors, the NARs of calcium were 0.61 +/- 0.21 and 0.59 +/-0.20, and that of iron were 0.61 +/-0.21 and 0.59 +/-0.16, respectively, which was extremely low when compared to that of the other nutrients. This result was similar to that of the INQ. Therefore, nutritional education is necessary if female university students are to practice optimal nutrition, including well-balanced diets and eating foods of high nutritional quality.
Breakfast ; Calcium ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet* ; Eating ; Education ; Female* ; Humans ; Hyperphagia ; Incheon ; Iron ; Life Style ; Meals ; Milk ; Nutritive Value ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study is to suggest the menu patters of people in Kangbukgu for the basic data of the nutrition education program in its health center. The dietary intake was investigated by the 24-hour recall method for 488 subjects. To analyze patterns, dishes were classified into major staple food, kimchi, soup and side dishes and also classified into 24 categories by cooking method. Patterns by the kind of dishes for the subjects were cooked rice + soup + kimchi cooked rice + kimchi in the order of frequency of use. Patterns for breakfast were, cooked rice + soup + kimchi > coated rice + soup + two dishes of kimchi. For lunch, patterns were, noodle + kimchi > footed rice + kimchi = cooked rice + soup + kimchi. For dinner, patterns were, cooked rice + soup + kimchi = cooked rice + kimchi > noodle + kimchi. Results of analyzing by the number of dishes, were cooked rice + soup + kimchi + one side dish bread in that order. It was significantly different by meal(p<0.01). The results of analyzing patterns, with those considered basic food, cooked rice, soup and stew, were cooked rice + soup > cooked rice > cooked rice + stew. It was significantly different by meal(p<0.01). With these results, the menu patterns of people in Kangbukgu were different by meal. The main dish was mostly cooked rice and the menu has the traditional menu patters, composed of cooked rice, soup and kimchi.
Bread ; Breakfast ; Cooking ; Education ; Foot ; Lunch ; Meals*

Although breastfeeding is recognized to be vital to the health and well-being of children and women, the rate of breastsfeeding among Korean women has continuously decreased. One barrier to breastfeeding has been identified to be associated with health care providers. Health care professionals do not give sufficient advice and encouragement, next do hospitals provide supportive environments for breastfeeding by separating infants from mothers or providing formula. The purpose of this study was to investigate prenatal breastfeeding education and infant feeding practices in public health centers and baby-friendly hospitals. A telephone survey was carried out on 57 public health centers located in the Seoul and Chungcheong areas and 13 baby-freindly hospitals from February to April in 2000. Among the public health centers, 43.8% offered periodic prenatal education for pregnant women who visited the centers. Most of them used leaflets or pamphlets developed by the Ministry of Health and Welfare or UNICEF. Twenty six percent of the public health centers developed their own educational materials. All of the 13 baby-friendly hospitals gave additional fluids to infants, did not allow mothers and infants to stay together 24 hours a day, and did not foster the establishment of breatfeeding support groups among the mothers. Most of the baby-friendly hospitals gave artificial teats, did not help mothers initiate breastfeeding within a half-hour of birth. Findings indicate that current practices even in the baby-friendly hospitals are not consistent with the '10 steps to success breastfeeding'. Therefore, deliberate efforts should be made to incorporate adequate breastfeeding education into prenatal program in both public health centers and hospitals, and create environments to support breastfeeding in hospitals, even in baby-friendly hospitals.
Breast Feeding* ; Child ; Delivery of Health Care ; Education* ; Female ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Infant* ; Mothers ; Pamphlets ; Parturition ; Pregnant Women ; Prenatal Education ; Public Health* ; Self-Help Groups ; Seoul ; Telephone ; United Nations

This study conducted to assess the effectiveness of nutrition education program for elderly females with various diseases. Forty subjects(hypertension ; 20, diabetes ; 12, hyperlipidemia ; 8) out of 56 completed the 7 weeks nutrition education program. The nutrition education program was based for healthy food habits and dietary guidelines for each specific disease. It also included practicing individualized menu planning and exercising program. Energy, calcium, iron, vitamin A and ash intakes significantly increased in the hypertension group. total sodium intake did not decrease, however sodium intake per kcal decreased significantly(p<0.05). Elderly with diabetes did not show any changes in dietary intakes. Dietary protein, plant fat, ash, and sodium intakes were significantly elevated(p<0.05), but cholesterol intakes significantly decreased(p<0.05) in the hyperlipidemic group. Elderly with hypertension agreed strongly with changes of food habits such as increasing milk intake, and decreasing Kimchi, soup, pickles and salty food, and table salt intakes after nutrition education. Diabetic elderly showed significantly improved food habit scores in decreasing white rice intake, sugar intake and increasing sea-weed consumption, vegetable consumption and exercise. Hyperlipidemic elderly did not show much improvement in food habit scores except in biochemical indices. However, mean serum glucose and atherogenic index decreased in the diabetic and hyperlipidemic groups after education, respectively.
Aged* ; Blood Glucose ; Calcium ; Cholesterol ; Chronic Disease* ; Dietary Proteins ; Education* ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Hyperlipidemias ; Hypertension ; Iron ; Menu Planning ; Milk ; Nutrition Policy ; Plants ; Public Health* ; Sodium ; Sodium Chloride, Dietary ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A

This study was designed to develop a website for providing nutrition information and education for college women and young women. The website focuses on two topics ; general nutrition and desirable weight control. This program is located at http : // www.ezydiet.co.kr. This program is composed of 5 major sections. The first two sections were designed to provide information ; one for general nutrition, and the other for providing information regarding weight control. The first section includes information regarding young adult women's diet, nutrition standards, such as the RDA or Korean Food Pyramid, drinking and smoking. The second section coveres information regarding desirable control, foods with high or low calories, eating disorders and popularly used dieting methods. The third section is for simple nutrition assessment, consisting of assessment of ideal body weight and obesity, energy requirements, and eating habits. The fourth section was designed to introduce and help users to apply behavioral modification techniques, such as monitoring, goal setting, stimulus control and reinforcement. The final section was designed for meal planning, by introducing a food exchange list and menu examples for one week. The characteristics of this web-based program are as follows ; 1) provide nutrition information systematically, 2) involve sections for the participation of the user, 3) include food pictures to help understanding of nutrition information, 4) include management modules for some sections to revise or update the information. One-hundred and ten female university students participated in the evaluation of this website. The evaluation results were favorable. About 90% of subjects rated that this program covers major topics 'well ' or 'very well', and that it was 'easy'to 'very easy'to understand the contents on website. Two-thirds of subjects rated quite positively on questions regarding attractiveness, overall quality and technical quality of website. In addition, about three-fourths of subjects answered that this website was helpful in increasing nutrition knowledge and in applying nutrition information into daily life. These results suggested the possibility of using a website as a means of providing nutrition information and education for young adult women.
Diet ; Drinking ; Eating ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; Education* ; Female* ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Internet ; Meals ; Nutrition Assessment ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Young Adult