The purpose of the study was to develop an eating habit checklist for screening elementary school children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Eating habits, food intake, and anthropometric data were collected from 142 children (80 boys and 62 girls) in the 4th to 6th grades of elementary schools. Percentage of Recommended Intakes (RI) and Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of six micronutrients; vitamin A, riboflavin, vitamin C, calcium, iron, zinc, and the number of nutrients the children consumed below EAR among the six nutrients were used as indices to detect the risk of inadequate micronutrient intake. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between eating habit scores andinadequate micronutrient intake indices in order to select questions included in the checklist. Meal frequency, enough time for breakfast, regularity of dinner, appetite, eating frequencies of Kimchi, milk, fruits and beans showed significant correlations with indices of inadequate micronutrient intake. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to give each item a different weight by prediction strength. To determine the cut-off point of the test score, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The 8-item checklist with test results from 0 to 12 points was developed, and those with equal or higher than 6 points were diagnosed as high-risk group of inadequate micronutrient intake, and those with 4 or 5 points were diagnosed as moderate-risk group. Among our subjects 14.1% was diagnosed as high-risk group, and 30.3% as moderate-risk group. The proportions of the subjects who consumed below EAR of all micronutrients but vitamin C were highest in the high-risk group, and there were significant differences in the proportions of the subjects with intake below EAR of all micronutrients except vitamin B6 among the three groups. This checklist will provide a useful screening tool to identify children at risk of inadequate micronutrient intake.
Appetite ; Ascorbic Acid ; Breakfast ; Calcium ; Checklist ; Child ; Ear ; Eating ; Fabaceae ; Food Habits ; Fruit ; Humans ; Iron ; Mass Screening ; Meals ; Micronutrients ; Milk ; Riboflavin ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Vitamin A ; Vitamin B 6 ; Zinc

A reliable nutrient database is a prerequisite for accurate calculation of dietary intakes. The folate database currently available in Korea, however, is not reliable because the values were obtained from published data in other countries using ineffective methods to extract folates from the food matrix. The purpose of this study was to complement the folate database by analyzing folate content in foods using a more effective method to extract food folates (trienzyme treatment). Folate content per unit weight was highest in laver, fermented soybeans, soybean, spinach, black soybeans, crown daisy, mung beans, and quail's egg in descending order. Legumes, leafy greens, eggs, and seaweeds were rich in folate, and meats, chicken, fish, and some fruits contained less folate. Some of the analyzed values were 10 times higher than those in the currently available database. Folate values of 423 foodcodes out of 2,932 foodcodes (14.4%) in the database in the 7th revision in the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans can be replaced by those analyzed in this study. Since folate values of rice and Kimchi, which are core dishes of Koreans, in the newly established database are higher than those in the current database, folate intake assessed using our data will be higher than that using the current available database. Folate content in more foods commonly consumed in Korea are needed to update the folate database. Meanwhile, folate values presented here can be used to assess dietary folate intake of the Korean population.
Chickens ; Complement System Proteins ; Crowns ; Eggs ; Fabaceae ; Folic Acid* ; Fruit ; Korea* ; Meat ; Ovum ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Soybeans ; Spinacia oleracea

The purpose of the study was to develop an eating habit checklist for screening elementary school children at high risk of energy overintake. Dietary habits, food intake, anthropometric data were collected from 142 children (80 boys and 62 girls) in the 4th to 6th grades of elementary schools. Energy intake, fat intake, and percentage of Estimated Energy Requirement (%EER) were used as indices to detect the risk of energy overintake of the children. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated between dietary habit scores and energy overintake indices in order to select questions included in the checklist. TV watching during the meal, meal speed, meal amount, overintake frequency, eatingout frequency, snack frequency, frequency of eating Ramyun or fast foods showed significant correlations with energy overintake indices. Stepwise regression analysis was performed to give each item a different weight by prediction strength. To determine the cut-off point of the test score, sensitivity, specificity, and positive predictive values were calculated. The 7-item checklist with test results from 0 to 13 points was developed, and those with equal or higher than 5 points were diagnosed as a risk group of energy overintake. Among our subjects 13.4% was diagnosed as the risk group. Mean energy intake of the subjects in the risk group and the normal group were 2,650 kcal and 1,640 kcal, respectively. However, there were no significant differences of Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ) of the other nutrients except eating fiber between the risk group and the normal group. This checklist will provide a useful screening tool to identify children at high risk of energy overintake.
Checklist ; Child ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Meals ; Nutritive Value ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Snacks

Objectives: The budget gap in the health sector of local governments affects the supply of health services, which can cause the health gap. This study classified local governments according to their financial characteristics, such as local financial independence and health budget level. It analyzed the health behaviors and disease prevalence of local residents to examine the effect of local government financial investment on the health of local residents. Methods: To classify types according to the financial characteristics of local governments, financial independence and the health budget data for 17 local governments were collected from the local fiscal yearbook of the Ministry of Public Administration and Security. The prevalence of chronic diseases and healthy behavior was compared using the 16,333 data of adults between the ages of 30 and 65 years among the original data of the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2020). Results: Cluster analysis was used to classify local governments into five clusters according to the health financial capacity type. A comparison of the prevalence of local residents by cluster revealed a similar prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia. On the other hand, the obesity rate (P < 0.01), high-risk drinking rate (P < 0.01), aerobic physical activity rate (P < 0.001), and healthy eating practice rate (P < 0.001) were significantly different. In addition, an analysis of the odds ratio based on the Seoul area revealed a higher risk of health behavior of non-Seoul residents. Conclusions It is necessary to review the universal health promotion project budget considering the degree of regional financial vulnerability from the viewpoint of health equity to narrow the health gap among regions.

Childhood obesity has rapidly increased worldwide and is one of the most serious health problems in this age group. In order to prevent and manage childhood obesity, we developed a nutrition education website. The website consisted of three parts. The first part was made for self-assessment with regard to obesity index, dietary habits, food frequency, dietary attitude, nutrition knowledge, nutrient intake, energy expenditure, and the stage of behavioral change, and tailored messages and advice according to the assessment results. A total of 612 real-size food photos as well as a nutrient database of 3,346 foods and 541 dishes were created to help children estimate nutrient intakes accurately. In addition, an energy expenditure database of 156 activities for children was established to calculate calorie consumption. The second part was made for setting long-term and short-term goals and keeping track of the changes in energy intake and expenditure in one's own page. The third part was made for education. Various types of nutrition information were provided; texts, pictures, calculators and games. The readability and design of the website were evaluated by 46 obese children. Usefulness, design and readability of the website were found to be desirable for children. This website is expected to be used by an obese child alone or with parents or nutrition teachers in order to control body weight through healthy dietary habits and physical activities. In addition, a non-obese child can also use this website for maintaining healthy dietary habits and preventing obesity.
Body Weight ; Child ; Comprehension ; Energy Intake ; Energy Metabolism ; Food Habits ; Health Expenditures ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Parents ; Self-Assessment ; Track and Field

Subclinical vitamin B12 deficiency is common in the elderly worldwide. We investigated the change of serum vitamin B12 concentration with aging and compared anthropometric data and clinical health indicators between normal (> or = 340 pg/mL) and low (< 340 pg/mL) serum vitamin B12 groups in 470 Korean women aged 65 years and over living in a rural area. Serum vitamin B12 concentration showed inverse correlation with age (r = -0.0992, p < 0.05). The normal B12 group showed significantly (p < 0.05) higher red blood cell count, hemoglobin, and hematocrit compared to the low B12 group, however, no difference in mean corpuscular volume was observed between the two groups. The normal B12 group showed significantly lower serum homocysteine concentration (p < 0.01) and prevalence of vitamin D (p < 0.01) or folate deficiency (p < 0.001). Bone mineral density (T-score) was significantly higher (p < 0.05) in the normal B12 group, compared with that in the low B12 group, and showed positive correlation (r = 0.1490, p < 0.01) with serum vitamin B12 concentration after adjusting for age, body weight, and body mass index. No differences in anthropometric data, physical activity, and smoking and drinking habits were observed between the two groups. In conclusion, it could be suggested that older female adults with normal serum vitamin B12 level would be less anemic and osteoporotic and more resistant to hyperhomocysteinemia associated chronic diseases than those with low serum vitamin B12 level.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Bone Density ; Chronic Disease ; Drinking ; Erythrocyte Count ; Erythrocyte Indices ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Hematocrit ; Hemoglobins ; Homocysteine ; Humans ; Hyperhomocysteinemia ; Korea ; Motor Activity ; Prevalence ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamin B 12 Deficiency ; Vitamin D ; Vitamins

The population aged 95 years and older in Seoul approximately increased to five-fold over the past 10 years, while nationwide rates increased to three-fold. In order to examine the dietary habit and nutritional status of oldest-old population living in Seoul, we recruited 87 subjects (25 males and 62 females) aged 95 years and older. The prevalence of underweight (BMI < 18.5 kg/m2) and obesity (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2) were 18.2% and 18.2% in males, and 20.8% and 9.4% in females, respectively. In self-assessment of health, only 25.3% answered to be unhealthy. More males exercised regularly and reported a wide range of activities than females. The average of %Kcal from carbohydrate, protein and fat (C : P : F) was 64.9 : 13.8 : 21.2 in males and 68.1 : 14.2 : 17.7 in females. The average daily energy intake was 1,307 kcal in males and 1,304 kcal in females. More than 75% of subjects were taking under estimated average requirements (EAR) for vitamin B1, B2 & C and Ca. The average of mean adequacy ratio (MAR) was 0.66 in males and 0.70 in females, and 28.8% of males and 12.9% of females were in MAR < 0.50. Based on MAR, 32.0% of males and 14.5% females were classified as normal and 16.0% of males and 25.8% of females were classified as malnourished. Our subjects were taking more animal food, especially milk and its products, compared to those living, in rural areas. However, a significant proportion did not meet the EAR for vitamin B1, B2 & C and Ca.
Aged ; Animals ; Ear ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Male ; Milk ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; Prevalence ; Self-Assessment ; Thiamine ; Thinness

Food intake patterns and iron nutritional status of male and female college students were studied based on dietary iron density. Dietary data were collected using the method of 24-hour recalls for 3 consecutive days from 106 students, and fasting blood were drawn to measure iron nutritional status indicators such as total iron binding capacity, serum iron, hematocrit, hemoglobin, and red blood cell count. Mean daily iron intakes of male and female students were 13.3mg and 10.0mg, which were 107% and 63% of the RDA, respectively. However, dietary iron density were similar between male and female students as 5.9mg/1,000kcal and 5.7mg/1,000kcal, respectively. The diets were divided into two groups according to iron density; high iron density group (6mg/1,000kcal or more) and low iron density group (less than 6mg/1,000kcal). The students in high density group had lower intakes of energy, especially fat, than those in low density group. Female students in high density group showed significantly higher intakes of iron, and non-heme iron and folate than those of low density group. The students in high density group consumed more rice, hamburger, and eggs, while those in low density group consumed more Ra-myon and alcoholic beverages. The students in high density group consumed greater proportions of iron from plant-origin foods. Vegetables, legumes and seasonings were the food groups that female students in high density group consumed significantly more than those in low density group. Also the percentages of female students with iron deficiency were higher in low density group. These results suggest that diet with high iron density is important to improve iron nutritional status of women, and further research about the effective way to increase iron density in our diet is needed.
Alcoholic Beverages ; Diet ; Eating* ; Eggs ; Erythrocyte Count ; Fabaceae ; Fasting ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Hematocrit ; Humans ; Iron* ; Iron, Dietary* ; Male ; Nutritional Status* ; Ovum ; Seasons ; Vegetables

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea. METHODS: We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups. RESULTS: Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (> or = 18.5 kg/m2), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin B1, B6, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake. CONCLUSIONS: These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.
Appetite ; Body Mass Index ; Bone Density ; Cognition ; Dehydroepiandrosterone ; Depression ; Drinking ; Eating ; Education ; Erythrocytes ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Fruit ; Hand ; Hand Strength ; Hearing ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Korea ; Leukocytes ; Life Style ; Longevity* ; Male ; Meals ; Memory ; Mental Health ; Niacin ; Prescriptions ; Residence Characteristics ; Snacks ; Thiamine ; Tooth ; Vegetables ; Walking

The purpose of this study was to investigate food intake, dietary diversity and dietary pattern during the summer in middle aged and older adults living in Gugoksundam (Gurye, Goksung, Sunchang and Damyang counties), Jeonla Province located in southern part of Korea and known as one of the representative Korean longevity areas. Food intake and dietary diversity were assessed by using the data from 2 day-24 hour recall of 1,051 subjects (394 males and 711 females) aged 45 years and older (45-93 years in male, 45-105 years in female). The average ages of males and females were 70.7 years and 71.1 years, respectively. Average total daily food intake was significantly decreased with aging in both genders, and the average animal food intake ratio to total food intake was ranged 10~14% in 3 different age groups, 45~64 years, 65~74 years and 75 years and older. The contribution of each food group, in weight, to total food intake showed the descending order of grains, fruits, vegetables and alcohols in males, and grains, fruits, potatoes and meats in females. On daily intake amount of each food item, rice, watermelon, soju, kimchi, and potato were ranked on top 5 in descending order in males, and rice, watermelon, potato, kimchi and ylmukimchi in females. On intake frequency, rice, kimchi, onion, green pepper and potato were ranked on top 5 in descending order in both genders. Dietary variety score (DVS) and dietary diversity score (DDS) for the assessment of dietary diversity and balance were significantly decreased with aging in both genders. In food group intake pattern (DMGFV), 01101 type without consumption of dairy and fruits was the most prevalent, and only 3.6% of male and 3.9% of female subjects showed 11111 type, consumed all the 5 food groups a day. Dietary pattern of subjects was analyzed by cluster analysis with 18 food groups intake. Overall dietary pattern was classified into two clusters, one was more desirable and the other was less desirable. The percentage of subjects with more desirable dietary pattern was about 15% in male and 32% in female. In conclusion, most of our subjects living in Gugoksundam area were taking very simple diet with low amount of dairy products and fruits. These results indicate that nutrition intervention and education for older people living in rural areas should be focused on various food intake including dairy products and fruits.
Adult ; Aged ; Aging ; Alcohols ; Animals ; Capsicum ; Edible Grain ; Citrullus ; Cluster Analysis ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Eating ; Female ; Fruit ; Humans ; Korea ; Longevity ; Male ; Meat ; Middle Aged ; Onions ; Solanum tuberosum ; Vegetables