OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess how nutrient intakes are related to risk factors for metabolic syndrome according to dietary patterns in the middle-aged adults. METHODS: The subjects (n = 187; 47 men, 140 women) consisted of middle-aged adults over 30 years old in Ilsan area. The metabolic syndrome was diagnosed according to the data collected from each subject, including anthropometric measurements and blood analyses. The dietary patterns were derived from the average of two-day dietary intake data. RESULTS: Factor analysis identified three major dietary patterns which were "Meats and alcohol", "Mixed grains, vegetables and fruits", and "Rice, Kimchi and fish & shellfish". The daily intakes of energy, protein, and sodium increased across quartiles of "Meats and alcohol" pattern scores (p < 0.05), whereas the intakes of carbohydrates, potassium, calcium, and fiber increased across quartiles of "Mixed grains, vegetables and fruits" pattern scores (p < 0.001). The "Meats and alcohol" pattern scores were positively correlated with protein and sodium intakes but inversely correlated with carbohydrates, fiber and potassium intakes which were adjusted for age, sex and energy (p < 0.05). The highest quartile pattern score of "Meats and alcohol" pattern had elevated odds ratio of abdominal obesity and metabolic syndrome (p < 0.05). The risk of hypertriglyceridemia decreased in the highest quartile of "Mixed grains, vegetables and fruits" pattern (OR 0.35, 95% CI 0.12-1.00). CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggested that reducing the consumption of meat and alcohol along with increasing fruits, vegetables and mixed grains would be helpful for preventing the metabolic syndrome and chronic diseases.
Adult* ; Calcium ; Carbohydrates ; Edible Grain ; Chronic Disease ; Fruit ; Gyeonggi-do ; Humans ; Hypertriglyceridemia ; Male ; Meat ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Odds Ratio ; Potassium ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND: Some studies have provided evidence for a possible association between vitamin D and testosterone levels; however, the evidence from studies in Koreans is inconsistent. In addition, insufficient evidence is available to support an association between seasonal variations in vitamin D and testosterone levels in Koreans. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the association between vitamin D and testosterone levels, and between seasonal variations in these levels in Korean men. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 1,559 men, aged 25–86 years, who underwent a medical examination. We measured serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25[OH]D) and total testosterone levels, and compared other laboratory test results and patient lifestyle characteristics. On the basis of sample collection time, we categorized patients into four seasons, and analyzed seasonal variability in 25(OH)D and total testosterone levels. RESULTS: The average participant age (±standard deviation) was 53.3±8.8 years, and the average serum 25(OH)D and total testosterone levels were 15.9±7.0 ng/mL and 5.1±1.6 ng/mL, respectively. In the analysis of variance (ANOVA) model, no significant association was found between 25(OH)D and testosterone levels (P=0.51). ANOVA of the average 25(OH)D levels in season-based groups revealed significant seasonal variations in 25(OH)D levels (P-value for trend <0.001). No significant association was found between seasonal variations in total testosterone levels (P=0.06). However, after adjustment for confounding variables, total testosterone and 25(OH)D showed significant seasonal variability (P=0.007 and P<0.001, respectively). CONCLUSION: We found no significant correlation between serum 25(OH)D and total testosterone levels in Korean men. Moreover, serum 25(OH)D and total testosterone levels showed significant seasonal variations.
Confounding Factors (Epidemiology) ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Life Style ; Male ; Seasons* ; Testosterone* ; Vitamin D* ; Vitamins*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Hypertension is the major risk factor for cardiovascular disease, a leading cause of deaths in Korea. The objective of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education in reducing sodium intake and increasing potassium intake in hypertensive adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects who participated in this study were 88 adults (28 males and 60 females) who were pre-hypertension or untreated hypertensive patients aged ≥ 30 yrs in Gyeonggi Province, Korea. These subjects were divided into 2 groups: a lowsodium education (LS) group and a low-sodium high-potassium education (LSHP) group. Nutrition education of 3 sessions for 12 weeks was conducted. Blood pressure, blood and urine components, nutrient intake, and dietary behavior were compared between the two education groups.RESULT: Blood pressure was decreased in both groups after the nutrition education (P < 0.05). In the LSHP group, levels of blood glucose (P< 0.05), total cholesterol (P< 0.01), and lowdensity lipoprotein-cholesterol (P< 0.05) were decreased after the program completion. Sodium intake was decreased in both groups after the nutrition education (P< 0.05). However, Na/K ratio was only decreased in the LS group (P< 0.05). Intake frequency of fish & shellfish was only significantly reduced in the LS group (P< 0.05), while intake frequencies of cooked rice, noodles & dumplings, breads & snacks, stew, kimchi, and fish & shellfish were reduced in the LSHP group (P< 0.05). Total score of dietary behavior appeared to be effectively decreased in both groups after the education program (P< 0.001). CONCLUSIONS This education for reducing sodium intake was effective in reducing blood pressure and sodium intake. The education for enhancing potassium intake resulted in positive changes in blood glucose and serum cholesterol levels.