There is a limitation to estimate vitamin B12 intake due to lack of data on vitamin B12 content in many Korean foods. In this study, vitamin B12 content was determined in some soybean or vegetable-fermented foods, edible seaweeds and other frequently consumed foods in Korea by microbioassay using Lactobacillus delbruecki ATCC 7830. The traditional type of Doenjang and Chungkookjang contained 1.85 microgram/100 g and 0.69 microgram/100 g of vitamin B12, respectively, while the factory-type of Doenjang and Chungkookjang contained 0.04-0.86 microgram/100 g and 0.06-0.15 microgram/100 g. Vitamin B12 was not detected in steamed soybeans and Tofu which is a not-fermented soybean product, indicating that vitamin B12 in Doenjang and Chungkookjang might be produced during the fermentation process. The Korean-style soy sauce contained 0.04 microgram vitamin B12/100 mL, but vitamin B12 was not detected in Japanese-style soy sauce and white miso. Commercial Kimchi, a representative Korean vegetable- fermented food, made of Korean cabbage, Yeolmu, or Mustard leaves contained 0.013-0.03 microgram vitamin B12/100 g, while Kimchi without red pepper and fermented fish sauce (White Kimchi) did not. Vitamin B12 content was very high in some edible seaweeds such as laver (66.76 microgram/ 100 g dry weight) and sea lettuce (84.74 microgram/100 g dry weight), and it was 17.12 microgram/100 g of dried small anchovy, 1.07 microgram/100 g of whole egg, and 0.02 microgram/100 g of coffee mix. From these results, it is assumed that Koreans take substantial amount of vitamin B12 from plant-origin foods. And, with these data, we will be able to calculate dietary vitamin B12 content more correctly than before. In conclusion, soybean-fermented foods, Kimchi, laver and sea lettuce are recommendable as good sources of vitamin B12 for vegetarians or Korean elderly on grain and vegetable based diet.
Aged ; Brassica ; Capsicum ; Edible Grain ; Coffee ; Diet ; Fermentation ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Korea ; Lactobacillus ; Mustard Plant ; Ovum ; Soy Foods ; Soybean Proteins ; Soybeans ; Steam ; Ulva ; Vegetables ; Vitamin B 12 ; Vitamins

The childhood and adolescence is an important period for establishing lifelong health. If parents want their children to live a healthy life, they should fix their children a nutritionally balanced diet and they should encourage their children to have a healthy eating habits and active physical activity. The beginning of lifelong health should be breastfeeding which reinforces immunity. What parents need to do is preparing nutritionally balanced meals at certain place at regular times. Children themselves control the amount of food they need to take. The parents should be a role model of their children to improve their childrens' healthy lifestyle. After 2 years of age, fat intake must be gradually decreased to 30~35% of total energy intake. The parents should limit their children eating saturated or trans fatty acids. Sweet or salty taste should be given as late as possible, and the parents should make efforts to give their children fruits and vegetables at each meal. Also they have to serve milk, dairy products, beans, tofu which are abundant of calcium. Traditionally, physicians has been treating sick children but nowadays physicians have to ask about childrens' health before anything else and inform the parents what to do to keep their children healthy.
Adolescent ; Breast Feeding ; Calcium ; Child ; Dairy Products ; Diet ; Eating ; Energy Intake ; Fabaceae ; Fruit ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Life Style ; Meals ; Milk ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Motor Activity ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Parents ; Soy Foods ; Trans Fatty Acids ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: We recruited 118 women in their early 20's to examine the relationship between sodium intake and salty taste thresholds and preference. We also examined the association of salty taste preference with sodium-related dietary behaviors and major dishes contributing to sodium intake. METHODS: Daily sodium intake was estimated using a 127-item dish-frequency questionnaire. Salty taste thresholds and preference were measured using rating scales using water solution of NaCl and a self-administered questionnaire based on a Likert scale, respectively. RESULTS: Salty taste preference showed positive correlation with daily sodium intake and sodium intake-increasing behaviors, and inverse association with sodium intake-decreasing behaviors, including salt and soy sauce use at the table, the frequency of eating out and home delivery of foods, broth consumption of soup, stew or noodle soup, the use of ready-to-serve or processed foods, fresh vegetable intake, and the accommodating attitude toward bland food. Intake of sodium-contributing dishes, including ramen, spicy soft-tofu stew, radish kimchi, and dishes containing kimchi, also showed positive association with salty taste preference. Unexpectedly, detection and recognition thresholds of salty taste showed no association with salty taste preference, sodium intake, and sodium-related dietary behaviors. CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that salty taste preference could reflect sodium intake of individuals rather than thresholds of saltiness, and may be used as a simple and effective proxy for usual sodium intake.
Eating ; Female ; Humans ; Proxy ; Raphanus ; Sodium* ; Soy Foods ; Taste Threshold ; Vegetables ; Water ; Weights and Measures

Gastric cancer has been the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Korea although the age-standardized mortality and incidence has decreased gradually during last two decades. Helicobacter pylori infection and cigarette smoking are well-established risk factors, and the role of dietary factors, such as salted foods, fresh vegetables and fruits, soy foods, and processed or grilled meats on gastric carcinogenesis has been suggested. In this review, we review national and international gastric cancer statistics, studies on environmental risk factors conducted in the Korean population, and gastric cancer screening activities.
Fruit ; Helicobacter pylori ; Incidence ; Korea ; Mass Screening ; Meat ; Risk Factors ; Smoking ; Soy Foods ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Vegetables

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop standards for the salinity and sodium content in representative Korean foods high in sodium. METHODS: A total of 600 foods from four seasonings (soy sauce, soybean paste, red pepper paste, and ssamjang) and 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in 10 cities nationwide and analyzed for their salinity and sodium content. Based on the findings, the standards with a 20% ~ 30% reduced sodium content and salinity from the current level were presented. RESULTS: The suggested standards of salinity (and sodium content per 100 g) were less than 12% (4,500 mg) for soy sauce, 9% (3,500 mg) for soybean paste, 5% (2,000 mg) for red pepper paste, and 6% (2,500 mg) for ssamjang. The reduced standards of salinity for soups were suggested to less than 0.5% for clear soup and 0.7% for soybean paste soup, while for broths, it was 0.6% for clear broth and 0.7% for other broths. The standards of salinity for stews were suggested to less than 0.8% for soybean paste stew, 0.6% for other stews, 0.9% for steamed and stir-fried fish dishes, 1.0% for braised dishes, 4.0% for stir-fried dried fishes, 1.3% for other braised dishes including vegetables, and 1.5% for pickled vegetables and kimchi. CONCLUSION: Standards for the sodium content and salinity were suggested to reduce the sodium level in fermented soybean sauces and representative Korean high sodium dishes by 20% from the current levels. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to adjust the standards properly to reduce the sodium content and salinity further by considering the future status of sodium intake.
Capsicum ; Family Characteristics ; Fishes ; Restaurants ; Salinity ; Seasons ; Sodium ; Soy Foods ; Soybeans ; Steam ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated whether a mobile health (mHealth) application can instigate healthy behavioral changes and improvements in metabolic disorders in individuals with metabolic abnormalities. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Participants were divided into an mHealth intervention group (IG), which used a mobile app for 24 weeks, and a conventional IG. All mobile apps featured activity monitors, with blood pressure and glucose monitors, and body-composition measuring devices. The two groups were compared after 24 weeks in terms of health-behavior practice rate and changes in the proportion of people with health risks, and health behaviors performed by the IG that contributed to reductions in more than one health risk factor were analyzed using multiple logistic regression. RESULTS: Preference for low-sodium diet, reading nutritional facts, having breakfast, and performing moderate physical activity significantly increased in the mHealth IG. Furthermore, the mHealth IG showed a significant increase of eight items in the mini-dietary assessment; particularly, the items “I eat at least two types of vegetables of various colors at every meal” and “I consume dairies, such as milk, yogurt, and cheese, every day.” The proportion of people with health risks, with the exception of fasting glucose, significantly decreased in the mHealth IG, while only the proportion of people with at-risk triglycerides and waist circumference of females significantly decreased in the control group. Finally, compared to those who did not show improvements of health risks, those who showed improvements of health risks in the mHealth IG had an odds ratio of 1.61 for moderate to vigorous physical activity, 1.65 for “I do not add more salt or soy sauce in my food,” and 1.77 for “I remove fat in my meat before eating.” CONCLUSIONS: The findings suggest that the additional use of a community-based mHealth service through a mobile application is effective for improving health behaviors and lowering metabolic risks in Koreans.
Blood Pressure ; Breakfast ; Cheese ; Delivery of Health Care ; Diet ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Disease Management ; Fasting ; Female ; Glucose ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Meat ; Milk ; Mobile Applications ; Motor Activity ; Odds Ratio ; Public Health ; Risk Factors ; Smartphone ; Soy Foods ; Telemedicine ; Triglycerides ; Vegetables ; Waist Circumference ; Yogurt

In this study, the soy food intake behaviors including perception and intake frequency of soybean foods by sociodemographic variables were analyzed in housewives. The perception of housewives for soy foods showed that soybean paste, soybean curd, and Dambuk were high in the descending order for nutritional quality and health promotion effect, and soybean paste received the highest score in taste and flavor. Soybean sprouts received the highest evaluation score in the economic aspect. In the aspect of safe food, soybean paste received the highest evaluation score, as mush as a traditional food. The analysis of perception by sociodemographic variables showed that soybean curd, Dambuk, and soybean sprouts had higher perceptions as education level increased, and soy milk had higher perceptions in subjects with younger age and with employment. In the intake frequency, more than 50% of the subjects had soybean curd, soybean sprouts, and soybean paste more than once a week. The analysis for correlation between the intake frequency of soy foods and the degree of perception showed that taste and flavor had high correlation with the intake frequency of soy foods except soybean sprouts. The intake frequency of soybean paste, Dambuk, and soy milk had positive correlations to familiarity and that of soy milk had positive correlations to nutrition and health perception, and those of soybeam paste, soybean sprouts, and soy milk had positive correlations to safe food perception. From the above results, housewives in Korea had very high perceptions to nutritional quality and health promotion effect of soy foods and the degree of perception and accompanied intake frequency had significant differences by age, education level, and economic level among sociodemographic variables.
Employment ; Health Promotion ; Korea ; Nutritive Value ; Recognition (Psychology) ; Soy Foods ; Soy Milk ; Soybeans

This study estimated the isoflavone intake level in Koreans using Food Frequency Questionnaire and analyzed related variables. The results showed that the average daily intake of isoflavone in adults was shown as 23.1 mg. The isoflavone intake level at 50 percentile was 16.9 mg (0~190 mg), and 10% of adults took almost 50 mg of isoflavone a day and 10% took about 5 mg a day. The major food sources for isoflavone in Koreans were in the order of soybean, soybean paste, soy milk, soybean curd (tofu), and bean sprouts; the intake was different depending on age, educational background, occupation, economic standard, and family type. The result showed higher isoflavone intake levels in the group over 30 years old and the highest isoflavone intake in subjects working in farming/fishery, followed by housemakers. According to the differences by families the families with elderly members showed 50% higher isoflavone intake than young families with friends or siblings. Depending on related ecological variables, therefore, various nutrition education programs should be developed for a variety of intakes of soybean foods, along with easy and simple cooking methods as parts of continuous research.
Adult* ; Aged ; Cooking ; Education ; Friends ; Genistein ; Humans ; Occupations ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Siblings ; Soy Foods ; Soy Milk ; Soybeans

This study was conducted to investigate the attitude to various soy foods and to estimate dietary isoflavone intake among Korean adolescents. The survey was carried out by self-administered questionnaire with 800 middle and high school students residing in urban and rural areas and 714 questionnaires were collected: resulting in 89% response rate. The dietary isoflavone intake was estimated by food frequency questionnaire developed for rapid assessment of isoflavone intake. Soybean paste, soybean curd, soy milk, bean sprouts and dambuk were recognized as nutritious and healthy food in order. Dambuk got the lowest score in taste and flavor. Bean sprouts, soybean curd and soybean paste were recognized as familiar food in order. Stuffed rice in fried soybean curd got the highest score and Miso soup got the lowest in preference. More than 50% of the subjects consumed soybean paste stew/soup and soybean curd over twice per week and 12.3% of the subjects consumed soybean over once a day. The estimated daily intake of isoflavones ranged from 0 to 227 mg, and the mean daily isoflavone intake of the subjects was 28.1 mg (16.3 mg genistein and 12.0 mg daidzein) whereas the median value of isoflavone intake was 19.7 mg. There was statistically significant relationship among Kyung Gi Do, Chung cheung Do and Seoul residents in their intake of isoflavone. The highest monthly income group consumed isoflavone more than the other groups. These results suggest that Korean adolescent perceived the soybean dishes as high quality foods but they didn't take much because of difficulty to cook or less chance to eat. Nutrition education program is needed to enhance consuming soy foods for prevention of chronic diseases related to dietary isoflavone intake. More detailed information on easy cook method of soy food is also needed.
Adolescent* ; Chronic Disease ; Education ; Genistein ; Humans ; Isoflavones ; Seoul ; Soy Foods* ; Soy Milk ; Soybeans

This study was conducted to provide basic data for development of a dietary education textbook and guidebook by investigating and analyzing eating behavior, nutrition knowledge and educational needs in elementary school students. Most of the subjects were eating three meals a day (71.5%) and breakfast (75.3%). The percentage of students who consumed proper amount of meals (49.2%) was low. The percentage of students consuming salty food and fatty foods was 28.6% and 42.1%, respectively. The consumption of meat, fish, egg, bean and tofu was high, while the consumption of vegetables, fruits and seaweed was low. The percentage of students consuming processed food was high, but the percentage reading nutrition labels (34.9%) and hazard analysis critical control point (HACCP) mark (26.9%) when buying processed foods was very low. Total scores of eating behavior and nutrition knowledge were significantly higher in female students than in male students (p < 0.05-p < 0.001). The desirable frequency of the education was once a week (60.5%). The most preferred educational method was 'experiment and cooking practice' (40.1%). The students wanted dietary information as 'cooking' (39.0%). As a result of this study, many problems were found in the eating behavior of students and nutritional knowledge was observed to be low as well. On the other hand, the demand for dietary education was very high. The findings of this study suggested the need for developing dietary education programs in order to encourage proper eating habits of students.
Breakfast ; Cooking ; Eating ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Fruit ; Hand ; Humans ; Male ; Meals ; Meat ; Ovum ; Seaweed ; Soy Foods ; Vegetables