Isolating the effects of a single nutrient or food in relation to health outcomes including increased skeletal muscle mass is a challenging task because dietary constituents are highly correlated and synergistic. Hence, diet pattern analysis may be used to investigate the role of certain diets in health outcomes. The present study investigated the dietary patterns and their relationship to skeletal muscle mass in Korean adults. Data were extracted from the 2008–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. To explore the dietary patterns of the study subjects, factor analysis was performed using data obtained from a 24-hour recall. The skeletal muscle index according to dietary pattern scores was then investigated to estimate the changes in skeletal muscle mass. Three patterns were initially identified from the factor analysis. Of these vegetables and fish (VF) pattern was the primary factor with high reliability and was a common factor in sex-separated analyses. The VF pattern scores were positively associated with increased skeletal muscle mass in both men and women. Further analysis according to quartile levels of VF pattern scores showed a positive association between skeletal muscle mass and VF pattern in men but not in women. These results suggest that dietary patterns focused on vegetables and seafoods may contribute to increased skeletal muscle mass in Korean men but that sex difference should be considered in nutrition care for skeletal muscle health.
Adult ; Diet ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Female ; Fishes ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal* ; Seafood ; Sex Characteristics ; Vegetables*

Maternal nutritional status during pregnancy will affect the outcomes for the mother and the newborn. Maternal diet was assessed in 150 pregnant women during the first trimester of pregnancy by a 168-item food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were explored by Factor analysis, and association of patterns with maternal and neonatal outcomes such as gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM), anemia and anthropometric indices were determined by analysis of variance and linear regression analysis. Three major dietary patterns were identified: 1) High Carbohydrate-Lower Fat (mean age, 27.67 ± 6.1; n = 34), 2) High Carbohydrate-Higher Fat (27.70 ± 4.1; n = 55), and 3) High Fiber (29.27 ± 5.8; n = 61). A significant difference was observed between maternal dietary patterns (p < 0.01) for GDM, while it was not significant for anemia. Also, the number of preterm and low birth weight (LBM) infants as well as mean weight, height and head circumference of the infants did not differ significantly between patterns, but there was a significant difference between the maternal dietary patterns about the number of macrosomic babies, which was higher in the second (n = 9) and third (n = 9) dietary patterns (p < 0.01). After adjusting for mothers' age, disease history, disease status, and energy intake, High Carbohydrate-Lower Fat dietary pattern was more associated with GDM than crude model (p = 0.01 vs. p = 0.02). The present study indicated a significant relationship between maternal dietary patterns before pregnancy and GDM and fetal macrosomia.
Anemia ; Birth Weight ; Diabetes, Gestational ; Diet ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Fetal Macrosomia ; Food Habits ; Head ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Linear Models ; Mothers ; Nutritional Status ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Outcome* ; Pregnancy Trimester, First ; Pregnancy* ; Pregnant Women

PURPOSE: This study examined the relationship of the nutrition of rice and the positive evaluation of the rice-based meal with the food consumption habits, physical and emotional health status, and learning efficacy of 601 middle and high school students in Jeonju area. METHODS: The participants were divided into two groups using cluster analysis in that the participants belonging to the upper groups had a center score of 46.86 (n = 348), while the people belonging to the lower group had a center score of 36.89 (n = 253). Statistical differences were tested for all the relationships between the physical and emotional healths symptoms and learning efficacy between the groups at the α = 0.05 level. RESULTS: Significant differences in the physical self-evaluated symptoms were observed in all five items in each cluster (p < 0.05). In the case of the emotional health status, nine out of 10 items showed significant differences between the groups. Similarly, significant differences in all five items in learning efficacy questionnaire were noted (p < 0.05). Positive attitudes of the parents toward having breakfast also showed significant differences among the groups. CONCLUSION: The nutrition of rice and a positive evaluation of the rice-based meals significantly affect the physical and emotional health status and learning efficacy of juveniles. These findings can be used as baseline information for promoting nutrition education, particularly rice-based breakfast.
Adolescent ; Breakfast ; Education ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Jeollabuk-do ; Learning ; Meals ; Parents

PURPOSE: This study examined the nutrient intake and dietary habits based on breakfast consumption in Korean adolescents. METHODS: The data of the 2013 ~ 2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were used in this study. The analysis included 1,281 adolescents aged 12 to 18 years. The subjects were divided into two groups (EBF: eating breakfast, n = 911; SBF: skipping breakfast, n = 370). RESULTS: The EBF group was significantly younger than the SBF group. In addition, the EBF group had a significantly lower frequency of skipping dinner than the SBF group. The EBF group consumed significantly higher levels of most nutrients except for vitamin A than the SBF group. The percent of nutrient intake under the EAR (estimated average requirements) in the EBF group were also significantly lower than that in the SBF group. Moreover, the NAR (nutrient adequacy ratio) and MAR (mean adequacy ratio) of the EBF group were significantly higher than those of the SBP group. The intake of cereal, sugars and sweeteners, vegetables, and eggs in the EBF group was significantly higher than that in the SBF group. CONCLUSION: The habit of skipping breakfast in adolescents leads to a decrease in the total nutrient intake and imbalanced dietary habits. Breakfast consumption in adolescence is very important. Therefore, more studies will be needed to develop nutrition education systematically in Korean adolescents.
Adolescent ; Breakfast ; Carbohydrates ; Ear ; Eating ; Edible Grain ; Education ; Eggs ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Korea ; Meals ; Nutrition Surveys ; Ovum ; Sweetening Agents ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the dietary behaviors of preschoolers in Daejeon using the Nutrition Quotient for Preschoolers (NQ-P). METHODS: The study subjects were recruited from child-care centers and kindergartens located in Daedeok-gu, Daejeon between August and September 2018. A total of 411 preschoolers aged 3 ~ 6 years were included in the data analyses. A questionnaire of NQ-P, which consisted of 14 checklist items on dietary behaviors, was completed by the parents or guardians of the study subjects. The NQ-P scores and its three factors, including “balance”, “moderation”, and “environment” factors, were calculated according to sex, age, and weight status. Differences in the NQ-P scores and their factors according to sex, age, and weight status were tested using a student's t-test. RESULTS: The mean NQ-P score of the total subjects was 58.5 ± 9.2, which was within the medium-low grade. The NQ-P score was 58.5 ± 9.4 in boys and 58.6 ± 9.0 in girls (p = 0.955). The NQ-P score was similar regardless of the age groups (57.8 ± 9.4 in 3 ~ 4 years vs. 59.2 ± 9.0 in 5 ~ 6 years, p = 0.124), whereas subjects aged 5 ~ 6 years showed a significantly higher scores of environment factors than those aged 3 ~ 4 years (67.9 ± 16.8 vs. 61.7 ± 17.3). The mean score of the moderation factor was lower in the overweight/obese children compared to the non-overweight/obese children (46.6 ± 13.3 vs. 51.0 ± 16.2, p = 0.012). Compared to children aged 3 ~ 4 years, children aged 5 ~ 6 years had higher intakes of vegetable dishes and processed meat. The overweight/obese group showed a higher consumption of processed beverages than the non-overweight/obese group. CONCLUSION: The current study indicates that the dietary behaviors of preschoolers residing in Daejeon need to be improved. These findings suggest that nutrition education or health interventions targeting young children is necessary for improving their nutritional health status.
Beverages ; Checklist ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Education ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Meat ; Parents ; Statistics as Topic ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/AIMS: The abdominal pain-related functional gastrointestinal disorders (AP-FGIDs) affect a significant proportion of the pediatric population and consist 1 of the most frequent causes for seeking medical advice. In this study, we aimed to assess the relation of dietary habits with the likelihood of AP-FGIDs. METHODS: This was a school-based, cross-sectional study approved by the Greek Government authorities, after obtaining informed consent by the legal representatives of the children. Diagnoses of AP-FGIDs were based on the Greek official translation of the Rome III questionnaire. Demographic, socioeconomic and dietary data were collected through self-reporting or parent-reporting questionnaires. Associations between the probability of AP-FGIDs and dietary practices were assessed after adjusting for known confounders through a multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A total of 1365 children (147 AP-FGIDs and 1218 controls, 52.4% females, mean age: 12.8 ± 2.8 years) were included. Multiple regression analysis identified the following statistically significant confounders: victimization, the presence of a person with a severe health problem at home, female sex, engaging in limited physical exercise, and living in a single adult family. Subsequently, logistic regression, adjusted for the abovementioned confounders, showed that reduced fish and increased junk food consumption were related to a higher likelihood of AP-FGIDs. CONCLUSIONS: Children with AP-FGIDs report excessive junk-food and reduced fish intake compared to controls. Further studies are needed in order to clarify the nature of this observation.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Crime Victims ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Diagnosis ; Exercise ; Feeding Behavior ; Female ; Food Habits ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; Humans ; Informed Consent ; Logistic Models

OBJECTIVES: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. METHODS: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.
Adolescent ; Education ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Hand ; Humans ; Incheon ; Life Style ; Nutritive Value

OBJECTIVES: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. METHODS: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. RESULTS: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. CONCLUSIONS: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.
Adolescent ; Education ; Fast Foods ; Food Habits ; Hand ; Humans ; Incheon ; Life Style ; Nutritive Value

PURPOSE: To evaluate clinical characteristics of pediatric nontraumaitc chylothorax and to suggest appropriate therapeutic managements. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed medical records of 22 patients with nontraumatic chylothorax from January 2005 to December 2018 in the Children's Hospital of Seoul National University. We analyze their etiology, treatment, complications and outcome. RESULTS: Of the 22 patients, 16 were diagnosed before 1 year old and 6 after 1 year old. The causes of chylothorax under 1-year-old children were related to congenital factors (n=9), unknown causes (n=5), and high central venous pressure (n=2). The causes of chylothorax over 1-year-old children were related to congenital factors (n=3), unknown causes (n=1), high venous pressure (n=1), and lymphoma (n=1). All patients had dietary modification. Eight of them were cured by dietary modification, but there was no improvement in over 1-year-old children. Medication was added to patients refractory to dietary modification. Four patients with medication were improved and 5 were improved by surgical management. Nutritional, immunological and other complications occurred in many patients. Five death cases were reported. Four patients were under 1 year old and 1 was over 1 year old. The causes of nontraumatic chylothorax in dead patients were high central venous pressure (n=3), congenital (n=1), and unknown (n=1). CONCLUSION: Nontraumatic chylothorax more frequently occurs in under 1-year-old children. The most common cause is congenital factors. Stepwise management is effective in many patients, but specific treatment is needed in some cases. The prognosis is related to the onset of age and underlying diseases.
Central Venous Pressure ; Child ; Chylothorax ; Diet ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; Medical Records ; Pediatrics ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Seoul ; Venous Pressure

We investigated weight loss effect of personalized diet education in overweight/obese Korean adults. Overweight/obese Korean adults (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 23 kg/m2 or waist circumference [WC] ≥ 90 cm for men, ≥ 85 cm for women) were recruited, and 40 participants who completed the 10-week intervention were finally included in the analyses. At first visit, study participants (small group with individual counseling) were educated for optimal diet by clinical dietitian, and checked for their compliance through telephone/text message every 1–2 week during the intervention. Anthropometric and biochemical parameters and dietary intake were investigated. Body weight, BMI, WC, and body fat mass were significantly reduced in whole participants. Hemoglobin A1c, insulin, and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol were also significantly decreased after the intervention. Total energy intake (EI) during the intervention was not significantly decreased compared to the baseline value, but the proportions of energy derived from macronutrients were within the ranges recommended by 2015 Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans. Based on actual EI, participants were classified into high-adherence (HA) (prescribed EI ± 25%, n = 29), low-adherence I (LA-I) (< 75% of prescribed EI, n = 7), and low-adherence II (LA-II) group (> 125% of prescribed EI, n = 4). Only HA group showed significant improvements in anthropometric parameters, glycemic control and lipid profile. Interestingly, LA-I group showed significant increases in glucose, insulin, C-peptide and insulin resistance. In conclusion, a shift from overweight/obesity to healthy weight can be accomplished by high adherence to personalized diet modification, not by EI reduction.
Adipose Tissue ; Adult ; Body Weight ; C-Peptide ; Cholesterol ; Compliance ; Diet ; Education ; Energy Intake ; Food Habits ; Glucose ; Humans ; Insulin ; Insulin Resistance ; Lipoproteins ; Male ; Nutritionists ; Obesity ; Overweight ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Waist Circumference ; Weight Loss