PURPOSE: This study was performed to examine motivational factors affecting sweetness preference in Korean and Japanese children. We identified meaningful variables that could be targeted to nutrition education interventions designed to overcome innate barriers and reduce sweetness preference and sweet food intake in Korean and Japanese children. METHODS: Questionnaire surveys and sweetness preference test were conducted to examine variables affecting behavioral intention (BI) regarding sweetness preference. Questionnaire variables were based on the theory of planned behavior. Participants were recruited from one urban school from each country. In total, 166 children (mean age: 8.4 years) and their guardians (n = 166) participated in the study. A trained research assistant provided all children with personal guidance regarding completion of the sweetness preference test and survey questionnaire at school. The data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients, t tests, repeated measure ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression analysis (significance level: p < 0.05). RESULTS: Perceived behavioral control (PBC) and parenting practice were significantly associated with BI in both groups. Motivation to comply affected BI only in Japanese children, whereas affective attitude was associated with BI only in Korean children. In predicting sweetness preference, BI was associated only in Japanese children, whereas sweets consumption frequency had a significant effect in Korean children. CONCLUSION: The study shows similarities and differences in motivational factors, which could be considered when developing nutrition education programs in Korea and Japan. PBC and parenting practice were common factors in predicting BI. In predicting sweetness preference, BI had a significant effect on Japanese children, whereas sweets consumption frequency was the greatest contributor in Korean children.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Child* ; Eating ; Education ; Humans ; Intention ; Japan ; Korea ; Motivation ; Parenting ; Parents

This study was conducted to develop a nutrition education workbook to improve picky eating in children and to evaluate the effect of nutrition education using this developed workbook. The developed workbook focused on 2nd and 3rd grade students and consisted of five units. The contents included: multi-grain, vegetables (2 units), fish, and milk. The activities, including observation, and learning the roles and names of the foods, were developed mainly to increase motivation for eating a balanced diet. This workbook was developed from April to December 2008, and was applied at 15 elementary schools containing 1,674 students from April to September 2009 in Changwon City, Korea. We evaluated changes in knowledge before and after education on nutrition, eating behavior, dietary habits, and educational activities using self-administered questionnaires. The children demonstrated significant improvements in nutritional knowledge (P<0.001), eating behavior (P<0.001), and dietary habits (P<0.001). Most of the children answered that the education program was helpful and exciting. Based on these results, we believe that the developed workbook is suitable for children picky eaters, and hope it will be used in the field of child nutrition education.
Child ; Diet ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Korea ; Learning ; Milk ; Motivation ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an anti-angiogenic factor. The purpose of this study is to examine the involvement of PEDF in the angiogenesis and biological behavior of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). METHODS: We examined the expression of PEDF in 99 bladder TCCs and ten non-neoplastic tissues, and evaluated microvessel density (MVD). RESULTS: The positive immunoreactivity for PEDF was seen in normal urothelium in 60% (6/10) and TCC in 13% (13/99). The PEDF expression had a significant correlation with MVD, i.e., a low MVD in 42% (5/12), a middle MVD in 11% (8/76) and a high MVD 0% (0/11) of tumors. The PEDF expression was not significantly correlated with the differentiation and invasion of TCC, but the degree of MVD was significantly higher in both high grade TCC and the pT2 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of PEDF expression is significantly higher in normal bladder urothelium than bladder TCC; it is inversely correlated with the angiogenesis; and it is not related to the differentiation and progression of TCC. It can therefore be concluded that bladder TCC would initially occur if there is a lack of the PEDF expression.

BACKGROUND: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is an anti-angiogenic factor. The purpose of this study is to examine the involvement of PEDF in the angiogenesis and biological behavior of bladder transitional cell carcinoma (TCC). METHODS: We examined the expression of PEDF in 99 bladder TCCs and ten non-neoplastic tissues, and evaluated microvessel density (MVD). RESULTS: The positive immunoreactivity for PEDF was seen in normal urothelium in 60% (6/10) and TCC in 13% (13/99). The PEDF expression had a significant correlation with MVD, i.e., a low MVD in 42% (5/12), a middle MVD in 11% (8/76) and a high MVD 0% (0/11) of tumors. The PEDF expression was not significantly correlated with the differentiation and invasion of TCC, but the degree of MVD was significantly higher in both high grade TCC and the pT2 tumors. CONCLUSIONS: The degree of PEDF expression is significantly higher in normal bladder urothelium than bladder TCC; it is inversely correlated with the angiogenesis; and it is not related to the differentiation and progression of TCC. It can therefore be concluded that bladder TCC would initially occur if there is a lack of the PEDF expression.

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Asian Continental Ancestry Group* ; Authorship* ; Child* ; Humans

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite the importance of consuming sufficient amounts of vegetables, daily vegetable intake among adolescents in Korea is lower than the current dietary recommendation. The objective of this study was to examine determinants affecting vegetable preference in order to suggest a stage-tailored education strategy that can promote vegetable consumption in adolescents. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adolescents (n = 400, aged 16-17 years) from two high schools participated in a cross-sectional study. Survey variables were vegetable preference, the social cognitive theory (SCT) and stages of change (SOC) constructs. Based on vegetable preference, subjects were classified into two groups: a low-preference group (LPG) and a high-preference group (HPG). SOC was subdivided into pre-action and action/maintenance stages. To compare SCT components and SOC related to vegetable preference, chi-squared and t-tests, along with stepwise multiple-regression analysis, were applied. RESULTS: In the LPG, a similar number of subjects were classified into each stage. Significant differences in self-efficacy, affective attitudes, and vegetable accessibility at home and school were detected among the stages. Subjects in the HPG were mainly at the maintenance stage (81%), and there were significant differences among the stages regarding self-efficacy, affective attitudes, and parenting practice. In the predictions of vegetable preference, self-efficacy and parenting practice had a significant effect in the “pre-action” stage. In the action/maintenance stage, outcome expectation, affective attitudes, and vegetable accessibility at school had significant predictive value. In predicting the vegetable preference for all subjects, 42.8% of the predictive variance was accounted for by affective attitudes, self-efficacy, and vegetable accessibility at school. CONCLUSION: The study revealed that different determinants affect adolescent vegetable preference in each stage. Self-efficacy and affective attitudes are important determinants affecting vegetable preference. Additionally, school-based nutrition intervention that focuses on enhancing affective attitudes, self-efficacy, and vegetable exposure may constitute an effective education strategy for promoting vegetable consumption among adolescents.
Adolescent* ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Education ; Humans ; Korea ; Parenting ; Parents ; Penicillin G Benzathine ; Vegetables*

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects cooking activities on the taste and perception of Korean foods in upper grade school children. The cooking class program was designed as 16 lessons for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade school children, and it was implemented as an extracurricular activity. Each lesson included the origin and meaning of Korean foods and cooking. Thirty four children were recruited for participation in cooking class from two elementary schools in Changwon. The control group was recruited from a convenient sampling in each school. The pre- and post-implementation surveys were conducted for comparison of the effects of cooking class between the educated and control group. Children answered the self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained measures of demographic variables, eating culture, interest and preference, taste, perception, and knowledge of Korean foods. There were no significant differences in interest and preference on traditional Korean foods, however, the taste of experimental foods was increased by education (P<0.05). Results for perception (P<0.05) and knowledge (P<0.001) of traditional Korean foods were significantly increased by education. However, no changes in taste, perception, and knowledge were observed in the control group. In conclusion, cooking activity is the most favorite activity of children, and is an effective method for positively affecting the taste and perception of Korean foods.
Child ; Cooking ; Eating ; Humans ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to develop a textbook and teaching guidebook on sensory education for lower grade students at elementary schools. The goal of sensory education was to improve preferences for traditional Korean foods. An advisory committee was organized that was composed of 8 professionals in the education field, in order to discuss the adequacy and validity of the textbook's content. The textbook's units consisted of three parts composed of the following: 'feel by the five senses' (2 lessons), 'enjoying traditional Korean foods' (9 lessons), and 'eating together' (1 lesson). The lesson activities were based on experiential learning. The teacher's guidebook contained an overview of the education process, with specific information and practical guidelines for each lesson. Ninety-seven children in 3rd grade from one school participated in a pilot lesson, which evaluated the educational effects and satisfaction. After the lesson, the children had improved preferences for foods which were taught about in the class, along with better eating attitudes. These results reflect that the developed materials were suitable for improving children's preferences toward traditional Korean foods.
Advisory Committees ; Child ; Eating ; Humans ; Problem-Based Learning

Purpose: The 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) serves as a foundation for daily nutrient and energy recommendations aiming to enhance public health and prevent chronic diseases. They act as guidelines for maintaining proper nutrition and overall health.Using KDRIs is crucial for promoting healthier lifestyles and making informed dietary choices. Thus, this study explores the influence of a nutrition education program, based on the 2020 KDRIs, on the nutrition knowledge and dietary habits of undergraduates in Gyeongsangnam-do and Gyeonggi-do. Methods: The nutrition education program, designed with diverse instructional materials, was executed across a wide range of universities. The education group (n = 75) engaged in the program for a 6-week instructional period, while the control group (n = 53) underwent the survey without participating in the education program. Nutrition Quotient (NQ) and knowledge assessments were administered to both groups immediately before and after the instructional period. Results: Within the education group, the nutrition education program positively impacted responses to NQ practice items, including knowledge of nutrition, daily intake, and portion sizes (p < 0.05). In contrast, there were no significant differences between the before and after responses of the control group for most survey items. Post-program evaluations showed significantly higher self-assessment scores and increased satisfaction levels (p < 0.05), with the satisfaction rate for the education program using the 2020 KDRIs reaching 99.2%. Conclusion This study has demonstrated the positive impact of an effective nutrition education program. However, there is a need for the continuous development and implementation of nutrition education programs to sustain these outcomes and further enhance the nutritional education experience.

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of nutrition education using materials based on social cognitive theory. Education topics focused on improving health-related and dietary self-awareness and behavior capability in adolescents. METHODS: Participants were recruited from a middle school for girls; 67 students (educated group, n=34 and control group, n=33) participated. The education group received 12 lessons in club activity class. Self-administered surveys were conducted for each group before and after the nutrition education program. The questionnaires consisted of variables such as self-efficacy, outcome expectation, outcome expectancy, knowledge, and dietary practices based on the social cognitive theory. Education satisfaction was evaluated using a five-point Likert scale for two sections: a) teaching and learning and b) education results. The data were analyzed using a t-test and Chi Square-test (significance level: p < 0.05). RESULTS: In the education group, post-education, there were significant differences in self-efficacy (p < 0.05), knowledge (p < 0.01), and dietary practices (p < 0.05), whereas outcome expectation and expectancy did not show any significant differences. None of the variables showed any significant differences in the control group. Educational satisfaction scores were 4.38 ± 0.12 (teaching and learning) and 4.14 ± 0.15 (education results). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that improving adolescent's awareness and behavior capability has a positive effect on their dietary practices. Moreover, this study suggested that a theory-based determinant should be considered to improve dietary behavior among adolescents.
Adolescent ; Education* ; Female* ; Humans ; Learning