This study aimed to assess the dietary quality and food habits in children with pervasive developmental disorder (PDD) and to evaluate the relationship between diet quality of children with PDDs and their caregivers' feeding practice and nutritional perceptions. Twenty-one pairs of caregivers and their children with PDD were surveyed. The caregivers completed surveys regarding their children's weight status, food habits, and dietary quality and their food habits, nutritional perceptions, knowledge, and feeding practices. Dietary quality was assessed as mean adequacy ratio, dietary diversity score (DDS), dietary variety score (DVS), and Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). The children were in the normal ranges of body mass index (BMI) and Röhrer index. Having three times a meal, regular meal time, salty taste of the caregiver were related to those of the children with PDD (β = 0.533, 0.447, and 0.886, respectively; p < 0.05). Child control, food as reward, involvement, pressure, and restriction for the health of the caregiver were positively related to DDS, DVS, and INQ of the children with PDD (p < 0.05). High feeding stress and nutritional knowledge of the caregiver were related to the high BMI of the children with PDD (β = 0.445 and 0.602, respectively; p < 0.05), whereas emotion regulation, encourage balance and variety, and involvement of caregiver were negatively related to BMI (β = −0.426, −0.430, and −0.388, respectively; p < 0.05). In conclusion, food habits of children with PDD were closely related to those of caregiver. To improve nutritional status, more insightful understand will be required by considering their developmental differences in this population.
Body Mass Index ; Caregivers ; Child ; Developmental Disabilities ; Diet ; Feeding Behavior ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Meals ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Reference Values ; Reward

The dietary behavior of immigrants starts changing upon their arrival in a new country. We evaluated changes in dietary quality of Vietnamese women immigrants in Korea and compared dietary quality with that of Korean women. Fifty-six Vietnamese women immigrants and 56 age-matched Korean women were recruited. Dietary quality were assessed using index of nutritional quality (INQ) and diet quality index-international (DQI-I). Dietary habits were assessed according to 4 dietary behaviors: a prudent, calorie control, dietary fat control, and sodium or salt control diet. DQI-I scores of Vietnamese immigrants decreased after immigration, especially the moderation score, although the variety score increased. Scores were significantly lower than those of Korean subjects (45.1 vs. 64.5; p < 0.001). Vietnamese women immigrants had significantly poorer nutrient balance and calorie intake control, although their fat and sodium control was better than that of Korean woman (p < 0.001). INQs of protein, niacin, phosphorus, iron, zinc were lower in immigrants who had lived longer in Korea than more recent immigrants (p < 0.05). Lower INQs of protein, fiber, vitamin A, B1, B6, C, folate, and phosphorus were related to higher body fat in Vietnamese immigrants (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary quality of Vietnamese immigrants decreased after migration, and dietary intake was inadequate compared with that of Korean women. In addition, diet quality of Vietnamese immigrants decreased with length of residence in Korea. There was a negative correlation between diet quality and body fat percent in Vietnamese women immigrants. Findings from this study may help improve diet quality and prevent obesity in Vietnam women immigrants.
Adipose Tissue ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Diet ; Dietary Fats ; Emigrants and Immigrants* ; Emigration and Immigration ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Iron ; Korea* ; Niacin ; Nutritive Value ; Obesity ; Phosphorus ; Republic of Korea ; Sodium ; Vietnam ; Vitamin A ; Zinc

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Soy isoflavones are expected to improve menopausal symptoms and osteoporosis in women. However, their efficacy is still inconclusive, and there was limited data for postmenopausal women in South Korea. We examined the effects of soy isoflavones on climacteric symptoms, bone biomarkers, and quality of life in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A randomized, double-blind study design was used. Eighty-seven participants who had undergone natural menopause were randomly administered either 70 mg/day isoflavones (n = 43) or placebo (n = 41) for 12 weeks. We assessed the Kupperman index for climacteric symptoms and the menopause-specific quality of life (MENQOL) questionnaire for quality of the life. Biomarkers of bone metabolism were also measured in serum bone-specific alkaline phosphatase (BALP), osteocalcin (OC), N- and C-terminal cross-linking telopeptides of type I collagen (NTx, CTx), and urine-deoxypyridinolin (u-DPD). RESULTS: Scores of the Kupperman index were decreased in both the isoflavones group (−7.0 ± 15.8, P = 0.0074) and placebo group (−6.3 ± 14.6, P = 0.0064) during the intervention, but no significant difference was noted between the groups. Regarding the bone formation markers, the level of serum BALP increased by 6.3 ± 4.1% (P = 0.004) and OC increased by 9.3 ± 6.2% (P < 0.001), meanwhile those of the placebo were not changed. For the bone resorption markers, NTx, CTx, and u-DPD were not significantly different in either group. MENQOL was significant decreased in the isoflavone group (−0.6 ± 0.5) and placebo group (−0.6 ± 0.4), with a significant difference between groups (P = 0.0228). CONCLUSIONS: Our study suggests that 70 mg isoflavones supplement has beneficial effects on bone formation markers; however, it showed no benefit compared to the placebo on climacteric symptoms or quality of life.
Alkaline Phosphatase ; Biomarkers* ; Bone Resorption ; Climacteric* ; Collagen Type I ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Humans ; Isoflavones* ; Korea ; Menopause ; Metabolism ; Osteocalcin ; Osteogenesis ; Osteoporosis ; Postmenopause ; Quality of Life*

Although vitamin C supplements were consumed for health maintenance and fatigue recovery, the effects of high doses of vitamin C supplement remains controversial. Our study performed the effects of 100 mg and 2,000 mg vitamin C supplements on plasma and urinary vitamin C concentration in Korean women. Twenty-four women completed the 4 weeks intervention. Anthropometric data, plasma and urinary vitamin C concentrations, superoxide dismutase activity, thiobarbituric acid reactive substance (TBARS) level, and fatigue severity scale (FSS) were collected, and the statistical analyses compared between- and within-group findings at pre- and post-intervention. Concentrations of vitamin C in plasma and urinary excretion were significantly increased with 100 mg and 2,000 mg of vitamin C supplementation (p < 0.050). TBARS level was decreased significantly with 2,000 mg of vitamin C supplementation (p < 0.050). In addition, FSS was declined significantly in 100 mg of vitamin C supplementation group (p < 0.050). Our result showed that vitamin C supplementation of either 100 mg or 2,000 mg led to an increase in vitamin C concentrations in plasma and vitamin urinary excretion but not statistically significant among groups. TBARS level was decreased in 2,000 mg and FSS was decreased in 100 mg of vitamin C supplementation in Korean women. We suppose that additional clinical trial is needed to examine the effects of vitamin C supplements for a wide range of doses on plasma and urinary vitamin C concentrations in Korean.
Ascorbic Acid* ; Fatigue ; Female ; Humans ; Plasma* ; Superoxide Dismutase ; Thiobarbituric Acid Reactive Substances ; Vitamins*

We aimed at assessing psychological variables and eating behaviors on quality of diet and life in South Korean women according to their weight status. Socio-psychology, eating behavior, quality of diet and quality of life data were assessed in 114 women (mean age: 34.5 ± 8.09 years). NEO Personality Inventory (NEO-PI-RS) and coping styles questionnaire were used to assess socio-psychology variables, and eating behavior was assessed using the Eating Attitudes Test-26 (EAT-26), Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire (DEBQ), and General Food Craving Questionnaire Test (G-FCQ-T). Quality of diet was analyzed by Diet Quality Index-international (DQI-I), and obesity-related quality of life was evaluated using the Korean Obesity-related Quality of life Scale (KOQOL). Significant differences were in the psychological variables and eating behaviors in the obese group than the normal and overweight groups (p < 0.05). The overall score of DQI-I was significantly lower in the obese group than that of their counterparts (p < 0.05). BMI was positively correlated with neuroticism, emotional eating, and obesity-related quality of life, and negatively correlated with diet quality. Neuroticism was positively correlated with emotional eating and food craving. Emotional eating was positively correlated with obesity-related quality of life. In conclusion, women with a higher BMI had significantly more problematic eating behaviors, poor diet quality and quality of life.
Craving ; Diet* ; Eating* ; Feeding Behavior* ; Female ; Humans ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Personality Inventory ; Quality of Life*

Appetite controlling has been an main strategy for regulating food intake and energy balance in obesity treatment. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of drinking tea of the medicinal herbs, fennel and fenugreek, on the subjective appetite in overweight Korean women. The study was conducted using a placebo-controlled, single-blinded, randomized, and 3-way crossover design. Nine healthy women were given fennel tea (FT), fenugreek tea (FGT), or placebo tea (PT). After drinking a given tea, a lunch buffet was provided and then food consumption of subjects was analyzed. Subjective appetite, hunger, fullness, desire to eat, and prospective food consumption were measured at seven independent time point using a visual analog scale (VAS). Mean age of 9 subjects were 49.7 +/- 4.5 years and their mean body mass index were 24.6 +/- 0.6 kg/m2. There was no significant difference in food consumption in the lunch buffet after drinking each tea; however, with respect to the subjective appetite scale, FGT decreased hunger, led to less prospective food consumption, and increased feelings of fullness compared with the PT (p < 0.05). Similarly, the consumption of FT resulted in decreased hunger, less prospective food consumption, and increased feelings of fullness compared with the PT (p < 0.05). The area under the curve of VAS graph indicated that FGT resulted in a higher feeling of fullness than the PT (p < 0.05). In conclusion, drinking the FT and FGT were significantly effective aid to suppress subjective appetite among overweight women in South Korea.
Appetite* ; Body Mass Index ; Cross-Over Studies ; Drinking* ; Eating ; Female ; Foeniculum* ; Humans ; Hunger ; Korea ; Lunch ; Obesity ; Overweight* ; Plants, Medicinal ; Tea* ; Trigonella* ; Visual Analog Scale

Poor diet quality is one of strong predictors of subsequent increased mortality in hemodialysis patients. To determine diet quality and to define major problems contributing to poor diet quality in hemodialysis patients, a cross-sectional study was conducted between June 2009 and October 2010. Sixty-three hemodialysis patients (31 men, 32 women; aged 55.3 +/- 11.9 years) in stable condition were recruited from the Artificial Kidney Center in Kyung Hee University, Seoul, Korea. Three-day diet records were obtained for dietary assessment. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR) is the average of the ratio of intakes to Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) for 12 nutrients. Index of nutritional quality (INQ) was determined as the nutritional density per 1,000 kcal of calories. Overall diet quality was evaluated using the Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I). Statistics were used to determine diet quality, comparing dietary intake to DRI. Dietary calories (21.9 +/- 6.7 kcal/kg/day) and protein (0.9 +/- 0.3 g/kg/day) were found insufficient in the participants. The overall intake of 12 nutrients appeared to be also inadequate (0.66 +/- 0.15), but INQs of overall nutrients, except for folate (0.6) and calcium (0.8), were found relatively adequate (INQ > or = 1). As a result of diet quality assessment using DQI-I, dietary imbalance and inadequacy were found to be the most problematic in hemodialysis patients. This study suggests that the main reason for insufficient intake of essential nutrients is insufficient calorie intake. Hemodialysis patients should be encouraged to use various food sources to meet their energy requirements as well as satisfy overall balance and nutrient adequacy.
Calcium ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diet Records ; Diet* ; Energy Intake* ; Female ; Folic Acid ; Humans ; Kidneys, Artificial ; Korea ; Male ; Mortality ; Nutritive Value ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Renal Dialysis* ; Seoul

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: The goal of the present study was to investigate the effects of moderate caloric restriction on beta-cell function and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese Korean women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Fifty-seven obese pre-menopausal Korean women participated in a 12-week calorie restriction program. Data on total cholesterol (TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), triglycerides (TG), and fasting serum levels of glucose, insulin, C-peptide, blood pressure, leptin and anthropometrics were collected. A dietary intake assessment was based on three days of food recording. Additionally, beta-cell function [homeostasis model assessment of beta-cell (HOMA-beta), insulinogenic index (ISI), C-peptide:glucose ratio, and area under curve insulin/glucose (AUCins/glu)] and insulin sensitivity [homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), Quantitative insulin-sensitivity check index (QUICKI) and Matsuda index (MI)] were recorded. RESULTS: When calories were reduced by an average of 422 kcal/day for 12 weeks, BMI (-2.7%), body fat mass (-10.2%), and waist circumference (-5%) all decreased significantly (P < 0.05). After calorie restriction, weight, body fat percentage, hip circumference, BP, TC, HDL-C, LDL-C, plasma glucose at fasting, insulin at fasting and 120 min, AUCglu and the insulin area under the curve all decreased significantly (all P < 0.05), while insulin sensitivity (HOMA-IR, QUICKI and Matsuda index) measured by OGTT improved significantly (P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: Moderate weight loss due to caloric restriction with reduction in insulin resistance improves glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity in middle-aged obese women and thereby may help prevent the development of type 2 diabetes mellitus.
Adipose Tissue ; Area Under Curve ; Blood Glucose ; Blood Pressure ; Body Weight ; C-Peptide ; Caloric Restriction ; Cholesterol ; Cholesterol, HDL ; Cholesterol, LDL ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Hip ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance* ; Leptin ; Triglycerides ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Loss*

Nutritional status of children with chronic kidney disease (CKD) is important since it affects growth and development. This study was to investigate overall diet quality measured by nutrient intake adequacy, nutrient density, and several dietary habits in children with CKD and its relationship with clinical parameters according to glomerular filtration rate (GFR). Assessment of nutritional status and diet quality was conducted in nineteen children with CKD. Average Z-scores of height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in the participants were less than standard growth rate. Nutritional status, such as Z-scores of height (p < 0.05) and serum total protein (p < 0.05), were significantly lower in the children with GFR < 75 mL/min/1.73 m2 compared to those with GFR > or = 75 mL/min/1.73 m2. Nutrition adequacy ratio of energy, thiamin, riboflavin, vitamin B6, folate, iron, and zinc and overall diet quality were significantly poorer in the children with GFR < 75 mL/min/1.73 m2. Poorer appetite and avoidance of food were observed in the children with higher blood urea nitrogen (BUN). Intakes of iron, zinc, thiamin, niacin, and vitamin B6 were positively correlated with GFR. Intakes of calcium, potassium and folate were positively correlated with BUN, while protein intakes were negatively correlated. Overall nutrient intakes were inadequate and diet quality was decreased as kidney function was decreased. Dietary habit and appetite were also related with kidney function in this study subjects. Systemic efforts of nutritional intervention are imperative to prevent deteriorating growth and development and improve the nutritional status in children with CKD.
Appetite ; Blood Urea Nitrogen ; Body Mass Index ; Calcium ; Child* ; Diet* ; Folic Acid ; Food Habits ; Glomerular Filtration Rate ; Growth and Development ; Humans ; Iron ; Kidney ; Niacin ; Nutritional Status ; Potassium ; Renal Insufficiency, Chronic* ; Riboflavin ; Vitamin B 6 ; Zinc

This study examined the potential immunomodulatory effects of Kimchi, a traditional fermented Korean vegetable, in healthy Chinese college students. The four-week clinical-trial (randomized, open-label, prospective, controlled) was followed by a one week wash-out period. Healthy Chinese college students (over 20 years of age with a body mass index of 18.5-23.0 kg/m2) volunteered for this study. Forty-three students were randomly classified into two groups, Kimchi (n = 21, supplemented with 100 g of Kimchi per day) or non-Kimchi (n = 22, supplemented with 100 g of radish per day, control) groups. During the four-week intervention period, students were asked to maintain their usual diet and activity, and instructed not to take any medications, functional food products, or dietary supplements. Anthropometrics, nutritional intake, and blood immune parameters (lymphocyte subsets, cytokines, and immunoglobulins) were measured before and after the four weeks of intervention. Thirty-nine students (19 in the Kimchi group, 20 in the non-Kimchi group) finished the study. After the intervention, no significant changes were observed in lymphocyte subsets (T-cell, B-cell, NK cell), pro-inflammatory cytokines (IL-6, TNF-alpha), anti-inflammatory cytokines (IL-4 and IL-10), and immunoglobulins (Ig A, G, and M) between groups in either the Kimchi or non-Kimchi. These results suggest that the short-term consumption of Kimchi has no immunomodulatory effects in healthy Chinese college students.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; B-Lymphocytes ; Body Mass Index ; Cytokines ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Fermentation ; Functional Food ; Humans ; Immunoglobulins ; Immunomodulation ; Lymphocyte Subsets ; Prospective Studies ; Raphanus ; Vegetables