Endocrine-disrupting chemicals (EDCs) are chemicals present in the environment that interfere with the normalhormone functions of various organisms and cause genetopathy, deformities, or cancer. This study surveyedthe awareness of EDCs with 242 cooking staff at 242 meal service facilities for children located in apart of Gyeonggi Province. To minimize infants’ exposure to EDCs, the subjects were provided with informationon EDCs for two months. The behavior of reducing exposure to EDCs was analyzed according tothe awareness of EDCs and work ethics. In addition, the effects before and after being provided with the informationwere evaluated. According to the results, the levels of awareness of EDCs and work ethics’ scoresof the cooking staff were high with 3.95 and 4.39 points, respectively, out of five points. In addition, a higherawareness of EDCs and a higher work ethics’ score were associated with an improved behavior of reducingexposure to EDCs (P＜0.05). The overall cooking and cleaning behavior for reducing exposure toEDCs showed improvement after providing information (P＜0.01). Therefore, these results suggest that it isimportant to provide continuous education to enhance the awareness of EDCs, work ethics, and behavior toreduce exposure to EDCs.

A survey was conducted to determine the perception of youku meat among college students majoring in food and/or nutrition. The survey participants were located nationwide, and the responses from the 2,454 students were analyzed. More male and higher grade students answered that they had heard about youku while only 20.0% had learned about Youku from class. Approximately 37.8% of the subjects recognized youku as 'dairy cattle which are too old to produce milk', 54.0% as 'all cattle grown for the purpose of meat', and 23.1% as 'all cattle except for Hanwoo'. Only 37.4% recognized youku correctly. Compared with the same quality grade, 25.3% recognized youku meat as being cheaper than imported beef, and only 25.6% of them recognized that youku meat has less fat than imported beef. As much as 83.3% of subjects did not know whether or not they were served youku meat, and 23.7% of subjects wanted increased availability of youku meat. As much as 22.9% of subjects opposed the increased use of youku meat, and the reasons were "it does not taste good" (18.1%), "it is not Hanwoo" (15.1%), "it is not sanitary" (13.1%), and "it is imported" (6.0%). The findings provide basic information on barriers regarding youku meat promotion among subjects who will be dieticians in food service or managers in purchase departments of catering companies in the future.
Animals ; Cattle ; Food Services ; Humans ; Male ; Meat* ; Nutritionists

Rapid shift to western dietary patterns and social drive of thinness would lead to increase the likelihood of developing eating disorders. This study was performed to analyze the associated factors between dietary pattern and self visualization in terms of body shape, which may increase the risk of disturbed eating attitudes among high school students in Korea. A cross-sectional study was conducted from 2009 to 2010 for high school students including both male and female students, from 6 schools in Gyunggi Province, Korea. A total of 766 students self-reported a questionnaire, including weight control practice, perceptions of self body image and ideal body image, dietary habit, and EAT-26 (Eating Attitude Test-26). Logistic regression analysis was used to fine the factors potentially associated with disturbed eating attitudes. Statistical analysis was conducted using SAS program (version 9.1). Results showed that disturbed eating attitudes were found in 8.7% of male high school students, and in 20.8% of female high school students. Experience of body weight control was reported by 56.2% of male students and by 87.3% of female students. According to multiple logistic regression analysis, obesity was independently associated with high risk of disturbed eating attitudes in male students [Odds Ratios (OR) 2.96, 95% Confidence Interval (CI) 0.90-9.71]. Body image dissatisfaction (OR 2.77, 95%CI 1.37-5.62) and extended family type (OR 2.70, 95%CI 1.05-6.90) were independently associated with high risk of disturbed eating attitudes, especially in female students. In conclusion, proper efforts in education for obesity and developing self-esteem to reduce the risks of disturbed eating attitudes should be implemented in high school nutrition program.
Body Image ; Body Weight ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Eating ; Feeding and Eating Disorders ; Female ; Food Habits ; Humans ; Korea ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Obesity ; Phenothiazines ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinness

BACKGROUND: The increasing rate of drug-resistant tuberculosis (TB) is a threat to the public health and TB control. In Korea, about 75~80% of TB patients are treated in private hospitals and the rate has been continuously increasing since 2000. METHODS: On a retrospective basis, we enrolled 170 newly diagnosed with or retreated for multidrug-resistant TB (MDR-TB) in 2004 from 21 private hospitals. We extracted the following demographics and treatment history from patient medical records: initial treatment outcomes, cumulative survival rates, treatment outcomes, and prognostic factors. RESULTS: Of the 170 patients, the majority were male (64.1%), the mean age was 44.5 years old, and mean body-mass-index was 20.2 kg/m2. None of the patients tested positive for HIV. Eleven (6.5%) were confirmed to have extensively drug-resistant TB (XDR-TB) at treatment initiation. Treatment success rates were not different between XDR-TB (36.4%, 4/11) and non-XDR MDR-TB (51.6%, 82/159). Default rate was high, 21.8% (37/170). Far advanced disease on X-ray was a significant negative predictor of treatment success; advanced disease and low BMI were risk factors for all-cause mortality. CONCLUSION: In private hospitals in Korea, the proportion of XDR-TB in MDR-TB was comparable to previous data. The treatment success rate of MDR-/XDR-TB remains poor and the failure rate was quite high. Adequate TB control policies should be strengthened to prevent the further development and spread of MDR-/XDR-TB in Korea.
Demography ; Extensively Drug-Resistant Tuberculosis ; HIV ; Hospitals, Private ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Public Health ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Survival Rate ; Tuberculosis, Multidrug-Resistant

Hypertension is among the most common and important risk factors for stroke, heart attack, and heart failure which is considered to be the leading cause of death in Korea. The prevalence rate of hypertension in Korea is 27.9%, according to the 2006 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. Since non-pharmacologic nutrition education is recommended as the first step in the management of hypertension, evaluation of nutrition program is needed to form strategies for improving patients' dietary adherence. This study was designed to evaluate the overall effectiveness of a hypertension nutrition education program (HNEP) for reducing the salt intake, at a public health center located in Gyunggi-province. The HNEP was offered for 16 weeks from May to September in 2007. Nutrition education activities included cooking classes, food preparation demonstrations, physical fitness programs, salty taste preference test sessions, games, case-study presentations, planning and evaluation of menus, etc. Forty patients participated fully in the program which had 47 female enrollees. Data about nutrient intake (24-hour recall), nutrition knowledge, food behavior were collected before (baseline) and after the program. Changes after program completion indicated the following: 1) diastolic blood pressure was decreased (p < 0.05), 2) sodium (salt) intake was also decreased (p < 0.01), especially baseline high salt intake group, 3) nutrition knowledge was improved (p<0.001), 4) dietary behaviors for maintaining a low salt diet was improved (p < 0.001), 5) participants preferred cooking class from nutrition education methods. As a conclusion, it appears that a nutrition education program for hypertensive female elderly for reducing the salt intake might effectively decrease blood pressure and salt intake. It also improves nutrition knowledge, dietary behavior, and finally adherence to a recommendable low-sodium diet.
Aged ; Blood Pressure ; Cause of Death ; Cooking ; Diet ; Diet, Sodium-Restricted ; Female ; Heart ; Heart Failure ; Humans ; Hypertension ; Korea ; Nutrition Surveys ; Physical Fitness ; Prevalence ; Public Health ; Resin Cements ; Risk Factors ; Sodium ; Stroke

Undernutrition could be a significant deterrent to healthy aging and could negatively affect health outcomes in elderly. This study aimed to assess health-related factors which are associated with nutritional risks in middle-aged and elderly individuals by a cross-sectional study. Interviews were conducted with 2660 subjects (847 males, 1813 females), aged 50 years and over, in 15 cities in Korea. Data on food intake were obtained through a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaires. Nutritional status were analyzed according to health-related factors including cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, exercise, stress and depression level. Less regular exercise was associated with a higher likelihood of a poor nutrition [odds ratio (OR) 1.94; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 1.43-2.65] of middle-aged and elderly male subjects. Cigarette smoking (OR 1.84; 95% CI 1.24-2.71), less exercise (OR 2.58; 95% CI 2.07-3.21), stress (OR 1.73; 95% CI 1.36-2.22), and depression (OR 1.34; 95% CI 1.08-1.67) of middle-aged and elderly female subjects was associated with a higher likelihood of a poor nutrition. The results of the multiple regression analysis showed that less exercise proved to be the strongest predictors for the poor nutrition, followed by stress, smoking, and depression (model R2= 9.0%). It suggests that guidance to promote regular exercise, to quit smoking, to minimize stress and depression level might help to improve nutritional status of middle-aged and elderly in Korea. These findings also suggest that having recommendable health behaviors are beneficial to the good nutrition of subjects aged 50 years and over.
Aged ; Aging ; Alcohol Drinking ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Drinking ; Eating ; Female ; Health Behavior ; Humans ; Korea ; Male ; Malnutrition ; Nutritional Status ; Smoke ; Smoking

The Korea School Lunch Program mandates that school meals should safeguard the health and well-being of our children. School meals provide a nutritious diet that contains at least 1/3 of the daily Recommended Dietary Allowances of necessary nutrients at reasonable prices. This study was performed to assess the nutritional management of primary school meals, and to provide basic data for improvement of school meal nutritional guidelines. Three hundred and thirty six dietitians who worked at primary schools were recruited using a stratified sampling method. A survey was done by e-mail with a set of questionnaires about nutritional meal management. During school lunch planning, dietitians referred nutrition standards with priority, followed by students' food preferences and food hygiene. They considered energy as a most important nutrient during primary school lunch planning, followed by protein and calcium. Protein is usually over-served, whereas iron, vitamin A and calcium are usually under-served during primary school meal planning. For first and second grade primary students, grains, meat and vegetable side dishes seemed to be large compared to their eating capacity. Over 92% of school dietitians agreed the needs of food group standards for primary school lunch program. For making a checklist of the school lunch program, energy, protein and calcium were highly recommended, and meat.fish.egg group, vegetable.fruit group and dairy group were also highly recommended by school dietitians. Cooking method was also highly recommended. School dietitians proposed that remodeling of school kitchens and new cooking machine were the most important factors for improving school lunch system. These results suggest that food standards should be established for health-oriented nutritional management of primary school lunch programs. Nutritional checklists could include nutrient-rich foods and food groups, and items about cooking methods.
Calcium ; Edible Grain ; Checklist ; Child ; Cooking ; Diet ; Eating ; Electronic Mail ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Iron ; Korea ; Lunch* ; Meals ; Meat ; Nutritionists ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A

The Korea School Lunch Program mandates that school meals should safeguard the health and well-being of our children. School meals provide a nutritious diet that contains at least 1/3 of the daily Recommended Dietary Allowances of necessary nutrients at reasonable prices. This study was performed to assess the nutritional management of primary school meals, and to provide basic data for improvement of school meal nutritional guidelines. Three hundred and thirty six dietitians who worked at primary schools were recruited using a stratified sampling method. A survey was done by e-mail with a set of questionnaires about nutritional meal management. During school lunch planning, dietitians referred nutrition standards with priority, followed by students' food preferences and food hygiene. They considered energy as a most important nutrient during primary school lunch planning, followed by protein and calcium. Protein is usually over-served, whereas iron, vitamin A and calcium are usually under-served during primary school meal planning. For first and second grade primary students, grains, meat and vegetable side dishes seemed to be large compared to their eating capacity. Over 92% of school dietitians agreed the needs of food group standards for primary school lunch program. For making a checklist of the school lunch program, energy, protein and calcium were highly recommended, and meat.fish.egg group, vegetable.fruit group and dairy group were also highly recommended by school dietitians. Cooking method was also highly recommended. School dietitians proposed that remodeling of school kitchens and new cooking machine were the most important factors for improving school lunch system. These results suggest that food standards should be established for health-oriented nutritional management of primary school lunch programs. Nutritional checklists could include nutrient-rich foods and food groups, and items about cooking methods.
Calcium ; Edible Grain ; Checklist ; Child ; Cooking ; Diet ; Eating ; Electronic Mail ; Food Preferences ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Iron ; Korea ; Lunch* ; Meals ; Meat ; Nutritionists ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Recommended Dietary Allowances ; Vegetables ; Vitamin A

In recent years, the number and proportion of Korean elderly have grown rapidly, and elderly individuals show a disproportionate risk for poor nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship of sociodemographic background to nutrient intake of persons 65 years of age or older, living in 15 cities in Korea. Data on 1973 subjects (603 males, 1370 females), who participated in the Korean Elderly Nutrition Survey (2000), were analyzed. Their mean age was 72.3 years and their mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.2 kg/m2. Basic sociodemographic data were obtained through personal interviews. The 98-item semi-food frequency questionnaire, developed and previously validated for Korean middle-aged and elderly subjects, was administered. "Percentage of subjects who consumed under 75% Korean RDA", "number of nutrients consumed below 75% Korean RDA," "mean nutrient adequacy ratio," and "nutrient density" were used to determine nutritional status. Male elderly had better nutritional quality than female elderly. Nutritional quality decreased with age, especially in older elderly (over 75). Elderly who were underweight (BMI < 20 kg/m2) showed poorer nutritional quality than those who were normal weight (BMI 20~ 25 kg/m2) and overweight (BMI > or = 25 kg/m2). Elderly who lived alone had significantly poorer nutritional quality than those who lived with a spouse, and/or with children. Lower education level and economic dependence also showed lower nutritional quality. A stepwise multiple regression analysis was performed to examine the effects of specific sociodemographic factors on nutritional quality. For number of nutrients under 75% RDA as a dependent variable, education level explained 4.8% of the variance, followed by living status, age, body mass index, gender, and living expense support (Model R(2) = 0.091). For mean nutrient adequacy ratio as a dependent variable, model R(2) was 0.098. Therefore, sociodemographic variables such as gender, age, body mass index, living status, educational level, and economic status influenced elderly nutrition status. These results indicate that an elderly nutrition intervention should focus on subjects who are poorly educated, living alone, age 75 or older, and/or underweight.
Aged* ; Body Mass Index ; Child ; Education ; Educational Status ; Female ; Humans ; Korea* ; Male ; Nutrition Surveys ; Nutritional Status ; Nutritive Value ; Overweight ; Spouses ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Thinness

BACKGROUND: Adolescent obesity has rapidly increased in recent years in South Korea due to westernized life style. Family is one of the most important factors to affect body weight in children through the interaction between genetic and environmental factors, whichs poorly understood in Korea. The aim of this study was to investigate the parent-offspring relationship and familial aggregation of obesity-related phenotypes and nutrient intake in Korean adolescent families. METHODS: A cross-sectional observation study was conducted in 134 biologic families including adolescents aged 11~19 years, parents, and siblings. Anthropometric measurements, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist & hip circumference, waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and % body fat by BIA were measured. The nutrient intake was assessed by food frequency questionnaire (FFQ). Intraclass correlations for each variable between family members were calculated after adjustments to correct for the effect of age and sex. RESULTS: The risks for obesity in offsprings increased according to parental obesity. Mothers rather than fathers, and daughters rather than sons had higher significant intrafamilial correlations for almost all of anthropometric variables, and nutrient intake. For height, fathers had higher significant correlations with offspring. However, for total fatness and fat distribution, mothers had higher significant correlations with offspring. The significant correlations for anthropometric variables and nutrition intake existed between the spouses and all offsprings. CONCLUSION: Korean adolescents exhibited significant parent-offspring relationship and familial aggregation for obesity-related phenotypes and nutrient intake. Understanding the relative contributions of shared genes and environmental factors to the familial relationship and aggregation could give insights into the origins of adolescence obesity in the high risk group of family.
Adipose Tissue ; Adolescent* ; Body Weight ; Child ; Fathers ; Hip ; Humans ; Korea ; Life Style ; Mothers ; Nuclear Family ; Obesity ; Parents ; Pediatric Obesity ; Phenotype* ; Siblings ; Spouses ; Waist-Hip Ratio ; Surveys and Questionnaires