This study was undertaken to assess levels of job stress, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and job involvement as perceived by school dietitiansutrition teachers during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic and to determine the effects of these three factors. An online survey was sent from May 18 to May 26, 2021, to school dietitiansutrition teachers in Seoul with experience of foodservice operations during 2020; 250 responses were used for this analysis. Job demands contributed most to job stress, whereas human relations contributed most to job satisfaction. Job stress caused by COVID-19 had a negative impact on self-efficacy (P＜0.01) and job satisfaction (P＜0.01), but a positive impact on job involvement (P＜0.05). Self-efficacy positively impacted job involvement (P＜0.01) but did not significantly influence job satisfaction. However, job satisfaction during early COVID-19 positively impacted job involvement (P＜0.05). In conclusion, job stress associated with job requirements was greater during the early stage of the COVID-19 pandemic than before the pandemic guidelines are needed that enable school dietitiansutrition teachers to better cope with the job pressures generated by infectious diseases.

Purpose: To determine the metabolic influence of the traditional Korean diet (K-diet), which has been regarded as a healthy diet, we investigated the profile of urine organic acids that are intermediates of various types of metabolism including energy metabolism. Methods: Ten women aged 50–60 years were recruited and randomly divided into 2 diet groups, K-diet and control diet, the latter of which is a Westernized Korean diet that is commonly consumed by Koreans nowadays. Before and after the 2-week intervention, 46 urine organic acids were determined using LC/MS/MS, along with clinical parameters. Results: The average concentrations of succinate (4.14 ± 0.84 μg/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0346) and hydroxymethylglutarate (3.67 ± 0.36 μg/mg creatinine vs. 2.97 ± 0.29, p = 0.0466), both of which are intermediates of energy metabolism, decreased in the K-diet group after the 2-week intervention, but these were not observed in the control diet group. In particular, the average concentration of succinate in the K-diet group was lower than that in the control group (3.33 ± 0.56 μg/mg creatinine vs. 1.49 ± 0.11, p = 0.0284) after 2 weeks. The concentrations of two tryptophan metabolites, 5-hydroxyindolacetate (3.72 ± 0.22 μg/mg creatinine vs. 3.14 ± 0.21, p = 0.0183) and indican (76.99 ± 8.35 μg/mg creatinine vs. 37.89 ± 10.06, p = 0.0205) also decreased only in the K-diet group. After the 2-week intervention, the concentration of kynurenate, another tryptophan metabolite, was lower in the K-diet group than that in the control diet group (3.96 ± 0.51 μg/mg creatinine vs. 2.90 ± 0.22, p = 0.0356). Interestingly, the urine level of kynurenate was positively correlated with BMI (r = 0.61424, p = 0.0003) and total cholesterol (r = 0.46979, p = 0.0088), which decreased only in the K-diet group (239.40 ± 15.14 mg/dL vs. 198.20 ± 13.25, p = 0.0163). Conclusion The K-diet alters the urinary excretion of organic acids involved in energy metabolism and tryptophan metabolism, suggesting the influence of the K-diet on these types of metabolism. Urine organic acids changed by the K-diet may serve as biomarkers in future studies.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The association between dietary patterns and depression has been reported but the results have been inconsistent. This study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression in middle-aged Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were selected from a community-based cohort, a subset of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and those with a BDI score ≥ 16 were defined as having depression. The subjects' food intakes over the year preceding the survey were estimated by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by using factor analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association of dietary pattern with depression. RESULTS: Among 3,388 participants, 448 (13.2%) were identified as having depression. We identified two major dietary patterns: ‘Healthy’ dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish and fruits and a low intake of white rice. ‘Unhealthy’ dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread and coffee and a low intake of rice with other grains. Compared with subjects in the lowest quartiles, those in the highest quartiles of the healthy dietary pattern had a significantly lower odds ratio (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42–0.82, P for trend = 0.0037) after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, the unhealthy dietary pattern was negatively associated with depression (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.19–2.28, P for trend = 0.0021). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that a healthy dietary pattern (rich in vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish, and fruits) is associated with low risk of depression. Whereas an unhealthy dietary pattern (rich in white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread, and coffee) is associated with a high risk of depression in middle-aged Korean adults.
Adult ; Agaricales ; Bread ; Coffee ; Cohort Studies ; Depression ; Epidemiology ; Factor Analysis, Statistical ; Fruit ; Genome ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Meat ; Odds Ratio ; Shellfish ; Soybeans ; Vegetables

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to identify the effect of dairy products, milk and yogurt on osteoporosis incidence among Korean postmenopausal women using prospective cohort data. MATERIALS/METHODS: Between 2001 and 2003, 10,038 participants were recruited in rural and urban areas for a baseline examination of a community-based cohort study. Of those, 1,573 postmenopausal women (aged 40–69 years at baseline) were eligible for the present study. Intakes of dairy products, milk, and yogurt were assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. The speed of sound at the radius and tibia were measured using a quantitative ultrasound device and osteoporosis was defined based on the WHO criteria (T-score ≤−2.5). RESULTS: During the 4-years follow-up study, the cumulative incidence of osteoporosis was 18.4% (273 cases) in the radius and 33.6% (407 cases) in the tibia. The subjects with higher frequency of dairy product consumption showed a decreased risk of radius osteoporosis after adjusting for potential confounders [hazard ratio (HR) = 0.51, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.33–0.80 for >1 time/day vs. non consumer; P for trend = 0.0027]. Similarly, high frequency of milk and yogurt consumption had a protective effect on radius osteoporosis risk [milk: HR = 0.60, 95% CI: 0.42–0.87 for >5–6 times/week vs. non consumer (P for trend = 0.0130), yogurt: HR = 0.51, 95% CI: 0.30–0.85 for > 5–6 times/week vs. non consumer (P for trend = 0.0167)]. However, high dairy products consumption was not related with tibia osteoporosis. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that daily intake of dairy products could potentially reduce radius osteoporosis incidence among Korean postmenopausal women.
Cohort Studies ; Dairy Products* ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies* ; Humans ; Incidence ; Korea ; Milk ; Osteoporosis* ; Postmenopause ; Prospective Studies ; Radius ; Tibia ; Ultrasonography ; Yogurt

The purpose of this study was to examine nutrition teachers' workload, job tension, and job satisfaction. Specifically, this study investigated the influence of nutrition teachers' workload and job tension on job satisfaction. A self-administered survey was distributed via online to 240 school nutrition teachers, in Korea, from July 16 to September 5, 2016. A total of 132 respondents completed the survey. The survey asked respondents for the time required for each task, job tension, job satisfaction, and demographic information. The findings of the study indicated that nutrition teachers spent most of their time on foodservice operation/ management. Among factors affecting job satisfaction, amount of work showed the lowest score. Job tension (P<0.001) of school nutrition teachers and amount of work (P<0.01) negatively affected their job satisfaction. Moreover 'kind of work' (P<0.001), 'future of career' (0.01), and 'amount of work' (0.05) were the factors significantly affecting job satisfaction. The study offers implications for governmental policies which can improve school nutrition teachers' satisfaction with their job duties.
Humans ; Job Satisfaction* ; Korea ; Surveys and Questionnaires

The purpose of this study was to examine restaurant customers' use of menu labeling and their perception of menu labeling attributes. Further, the study investigated relations of menu labeling use behavior, and perception of menu labeling attributes with behavioral intentions toward menu labeling. Using a self-administered survey conducted for 2 weeks from the 2nd week of October, 2015, data were collected from restaurant customers who were exposed to menu labeling over 3 months at the time of the survey. A total of 426 respondents completed the survey. Respondents were asked about use of menu labeling, usefulness, ease of understanding, accuracy, and demographic information. There was a difference in menu labeling use behavior according to age, whereas respondents aged 50 years or over showed significantly higher use of menu labeling than those in 20s (P<0.001). Perceptions of menu labeling attributes positively affected behavioral intentions towards menu labeling. While all three menu labeling attributes, ‘usefulness’, ‘ease of understanding’, and ‘accuracy’, were positive factors for behavioral intentions towards menu labeling, usefulness was the biggest attribute explaining behavioral intentions (P<0.001). The study findings offer implications that can be applied to academics, the foodservice industry, and government in an attempt to nurture a healthy eating environment through provision of nutritional information at restaurants.
Eating ; Intention ; Restaurants* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

A menu labeling initiative is a lawful regulation with an aim to promote public health by providing customers the right to make informed menu choices. As college years are a critical period in which students form dietary habits, which are sustained throughout their lives, provision of nutritional information at the university dining services is important to students' health and life. Due to the lack of research on menu labeling at university dining services, the purpose of this study was to examine college students' attitudes and motivations toward menu labeling at university dining services, as well as their use intentions toward nutrition information at university dining services. Data were collected from a self-administered survey distributed to 484 college students who had experienced university dining services. Motivations of university students toward menu labeling were categorized into ‘knowledge pursuit’ and ‘health pursuit’. Students' attitudes toward menu labeling had a positive effect on their intention to use menu labeling at university dining services. The findings of the study indicated that female students, or those who frequently used nutrition information, tended to have higher attitudes, motivations, and use intentions toward nutrition information. The study results suggest that facilitation of healthy eating environments at university dining services by offering nutrition information, and nutrition and health education is necessary.
Critical Period (Psychology) ; Eating ; Female ; Food Habits ; Health Education ; Humans ; Intention* ; Jurisprudence ; Public Health

The aim of this study was to examine the effects of CYP2C19*2 and *3 genetic polymorphisms on omeprazole pharmacokinetic (PK) and pharmacodynamic (PD) responses. Twenty-four healthy Korean volunteers were enrolled and given 20 mg omeprazole orally once daily for 8 days. The genotypes of CYP2C19 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) (*2, *3, and *17) were screened. The plasma concentrations of omeprazole, omeprazole sulfone, and 5-hydroxy (5-OH) omeprazole were determined by liquid chromatography with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). The noncompartmental method was used for the determination of PK parameters. Change of mean pH and proportion (%) of time of gastric pH above 4.0 were estimated. The poor metabolizer (PM) group had the lowest metabolic ratio and exhibited the highest area under the curve (AUC) for omeprazole among the CYP2C19 phenotype groups. The PM group showed the greatest change of mean pH and the highest % time of gastric pH above 4.0. The relationship between AUC of omeprazole and % time of gastric pH above 4.0 was confirmed. The study demonstrates that CYP2C19*2 and *3 influence the PKs and PDs of omeprazole in Korean healthy volunteers. Clinical trial registry at the U.S. National Institutes of Health (https://clinicaltrials.gov), number NCT02299687.
Area Under Curve ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C19* ; Genotype ; Healthy Volunteers* ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Methods ; National Institutes of Health (U.S.) ; Omeprazole* ; Phenotype ; Plasma ; Polymorphism, Genetic* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Volunteers

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This is the first study to identify common genetic factors associated with the basal metabolic rate (BMR) and body mass index (BMI) in obese Korean women including overweight. This will be a basic study for future research of obese gene-BMR interaction. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The experimental design was 2 by 2 with variables of BMR and BMI. A genome-wide association study (GWAS) of single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) was conducted in the overweight and obesity (BMI > 23 kg/m2) compared to the normality, and in women with low BMR (< 1426.3 kcal/day) compared to high BMR. A total of 140 SNPs reached formal genome-wide statistical significance in this study (P < 1 x 10(-4)). Surveys to estimate energy intake using 24-h recall method for three days and questionnaires for family history, a medical examination, and physical activities were conducted. RESULTS: We found that two NRG3 gene SNPs in the 10q23.1 chromosomal region were highly associated with BMR (rs10786764; P = 8.0 x 10(-7), rs1040675; 2.3 x 10(-6)) and BMI (rs10786764; P = 2.5 x 10(-5), rs10786764; 6.57 x 10(-5)). The other genes related to BMI (HSD52, TMA16, MARCH1, NRG1, NRXN3, and STK4) yielded P <10 x 10-4. Five new loci associated with BMR and BMI, including NRG3, OR8U8, BCL2L2-PABPN1, PABPN1, and SLC22A17 were identified in obese Korean women (P < 1 x 10(-4)). In the questionnaire investigation, significant differences were found in the number of starvation periods per week, family history of stomach cancer, coffee intake, and trial of weight control in each group. CONCLUSION: We discovered several common BMR- and BMI-related genes using GWAS. Although most of these newly established loci were not previously associated with obesity, they may provide new insights into body weight regulation. Our findings of five common genes associated with BMR and BMI in Koreans will serve as a reference for replication and validation of future studies on the metabolic rate.
Basal Metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Body Weight ; Coffee ; Energy Intake ; Female ; Genome-Wide Association Study* ; Humans ; Motor Activity ; Obesity ; Overweight* ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Research Design ; Starvation ; Stomach Neoplasms

Intestine is responsible for the biotransformation of many orally-exposed chemicals. The constitutive androstane receptor (CAR/Nr1i3) is known to up-regulate many genes encoding drug-metabolizing enzymes and transporters (drug-processing genes/DPGs) in liver, but less is known regarding its effect in intestine. Sixty-day-old wild-type andmice were administered the CAR-ligand TCPOBOP or vehicle once daily for 4 days. In wild-type mice,mRNA was down-regulated by TCPOBOP in liver and duodenum.mice had altered basal intestinal expression of many DPGs in a section-specific manner. Consistent with the liver data (Aleksunes and Klaassen, 2012), TCPOBOP up-regulated many DPGs (, and) in specific sections of small intestine in a CAR-dependent manner. However, the mRNAs ofandwere previously known to be up-regulated by TCPOBOP in liver but were not altered in intestine. Interestingly, many known CAR-target genes were highest expressed in colon where CAR is minimally expressed, suggesting that additional regulators are involved in regulating their expression. In conclusion, CAR regulates the basal expression of many DPGs in intestine, and although many hepatic CAR-targeted DPGs wereCAR-targets in intestine, pharmacological activation of CAR in liver and intestine are not identical.