BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cultural and environmental factors may affect dietary habits and intake, regardless of age. As recent assessments of dietary habits of adults 95 yrs and older are absent, we aimed to determine dietary habits, diet quality, and intake of adults 95 yrs and older and test if they vary by region. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults 95 yrs and older residing in rural areas (Gurye-gun, Goksung-gun, and Sunchang-gun [GuGokSun]; n = 46), a near-city area (Hwasun-gun, and Damyang-gun [HwaDam]; n = 77), and a metropolitan city (Gwangju Metropolitan City [Gwangju]; n = 32) were surveyed. Dietary habits and quality were surveyed using the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E). Participants (n = 20) recorded videos of their meals, which were subsequently analyzed for food and nutrient intake and compared with intakes of participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) aged ≥ 80 yrs (n = 1,769), which were assessed via 24-h recall. RESULTS: Most participants (85.2%) consumed similar amounts of food at meals; however, only 65.1% ingested meals at regular times. The mean NQ-E score was 48.0 ± 11.9 and did not differ among regions. In Gwangju participants, subjective income was positively associated with diet quality. The mean energy and grain intakes per meal were lower, whereas the percent energy intake from protein and intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron were higher in GuGokSun and HwaDam participants with meal recordings than in KNHANES participants. CONCLUSION Among Korean adults aged ≥ 95 yrs, few regional variations exist in dietary quality and habits, although associations with diet quality vary within regions. Adults 95 yrs and older exhibit lower energy intake but higher intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron than adults aged ≥ 80 yrs. Notwithstanding, further longitudinal studies on centenarians are warranted.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cultural and environmental factors may affect dietary habits and intake, regardless of age. As recent assessments of dietary habits of adults 95 yrs and older are absent, we aimed to determine dietary habits, diet quality, and intake of adults 95 yrs and older and test if they vary by region. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults 95 yrs and older residing in rural areas (Gurye-gun, Goksung-gun, and Sunchang-gun [GuGokSun]; n = 46), a near-city area (Hwasun-gun, and Damyang-gun [HwaDam]; n = 77), and a metropolitan city (Gwangju Metropolitan City [Gwangju]; n = 32) were surveyed. Dietary habits and quality were surveyed using the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E). Participants (n = 20) recorded videos of their meals, which were subsequently analyzed for food and nutrient intake and compared with intakes of participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) aged ≥ 80 yrs (n = 1,769), which were assessed via 24-h recall. RESULTS: Most participants (85.2%) consumed similar amounts of food at meals; however, only 65.1% ingested meals at regular times. The mean NQ-E score was 48.0 ± 11.9 and did not differ among regions. In Gwangju participants, subjective income was positively associated with diet quality. The mean energy and grain intakes per meal were lower, whereas the percent energy intake from protein and intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron were higher in GuGokSun and HwaDam participants with meal recordings than in KNHANES participants. CONCLUSION Among Korean adults aged ≥ 95 yrs, few regional variations exist in dietary quality and habits, although associations with diet quality vary within regions. Adults 95 yrs and older exhibit lower energy intake but higher intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron than adults aged ≥ 80 yrs. Notwithstanding, further longitudinal studies on centenarians are warranted.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cultural and environmental factors may affect dietary habits and intake, regardless of age. As recent assessments of dietary habits of adults 95 yrs and older are absent, we aimed to determine dietary habits, diet quality, and intake of adults 95 yrs and older and test if they vary by region. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults 95 yrs and older residing in rural areas (Gurye-gun, Goksung-gun, and Sunchang-gun [GuGokSun]; n = 46), a near-city area (Hwasun-gun, and Damyang-gun [HwaDam]; n = 77), and a metropolitan city (Gwangju Metropolitan City [Gwangju]; n = 32) were surveyed. Dietary habits and quality were surveyed using the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E). Participants (n = 20) recorded videos of their meals, which were subsequently analyzed for food and nutrient intake and compared with intakes of participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) aged ≥ 80 yrs (n = 1,769), which were assessed via 24-h recall. RESULTS: Most participants (85.2%) consumed similar amounts of food at meals; however, only 65.1% ingested meals at regular times. The mean NQ-E score was 48.0 ± 11.9 and did not differ among regions. In Gwangju participants, subjective income was positively associated with diet quality. The mean energy and grain intakes per meal were lower, whereas the percent energy intake from protein and intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron were higher in GuGokSun and HwaDam participants with meal recordings than in KNHANES participants. CONCLUSION Among Korean adults aged ≥ 95 yrs, few regional variations exist in dietary quality and habits, although associations with diet quality vary within regions. Adults 95 yrs and older exhibit lower energy intake but higher intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron than adults aged ≥ 80 yrs. Notwithstanding, further longitudinal studies on centenarians are warranted.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cultural and environmental factors may affect dietary habits and intake, regardless of age. As recent assessments of dietary habits of adults 95 yrs and older are absent, we aimed to determine dietary habits, diet quality, and intake of adults 95 yrs and older and test if they vary by region. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults 95 yrs and older residing in rural areas (Gurye-gun, Goksung-gun, and Sunchang-gun [GuGokSun]; n = 46), a near-city area (Hwasun-gun, and Damyang-gun [HwaDam]; n = 77), and a metropolitan city (Gwangju Metropolitan City [Gwangju]; n = 32) were surveyed. Dietary habits and quality were surveyed using the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E). Participants (n = 20) recorded videos of their meals, which were subsequently analyzed for food and nutrient intake and compared with intakes of participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) aged ≥ 80 yrs (n = 1,769), which were assessed via 24-h recall. RESULTS: Most participants (85.2%) consumed similar amounts of food at meals; however, only 65.1% ingested meals at regular times. The mean NQ-E score was 48.0 ± 11.9 and did not differ among regions. In Gwangju participants, subjective income was positively associated with diet quality. The mean energy and grain intakes per meal were lower, whereas the percent energy intake from protein and intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron were higher in GuGokSun and HwaDam participants with meal recordings than in KNHANES participants. CONCLUSION Among Korean adults aged ≥ 95 yrs, few regional variations exist in dietary quality and habits, although associations with diet quality vary within regions. Adults 95 yrs and older exhibit lower energy intake but higher intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron than adults aged ≥ 80 yrs. Notwithstanding, further longitudinal studies on centenarians are warranted.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Cultural and environmental factors may affect dietary habits and intake, regardless of age. As recent assessments of dietary habits of adults 95 yrs and older are absent, we aimed to determine dietary habits, diet quality, and intake of adults 95 yrs and older and test if they vary by region. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Adults 95 yrs and older residing in rural areas (Gurye-gun, Goksung-gun, and Sunchang-gun [GuGokSun]; n = 46), a near-city area (Hwasun-gun, and Damyang-gun [HwaDam]; n = 77), and a metropolitan city (Gwangju Metropolitan City [Gwangju]; n = 32) were surveyed. Dietary habits and quality were surveyed using the Nutrition Quotient for the Elderly (NQ-E). Participants (n = 20) recorded videos of their meals, which were subsequently analyzed for food and nutrient intake and compared with intakes of participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) aged ≥ 80 yrs (n = 1,769), which were assessed via 24-h recall. RESULTS: Most participants (85.2%) consumed similar amounts of food at meals; however, only 65.1% ingested meals at regular times. The mean NQ-E score was 48.0 ± 11.9 and did not differ among regions. In Gwangju participants, subjective income was positively associated with diet quality. The mean energy and grain intakes per meal were lower, whereas the percent energy intake from protein and intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron were higher in GuGokSun and HwaDam participants with meal recordings than in KNHANES participants. CONCLUSION Among Korean adults aged ≥ 95 yrs, few regional variations exist in dietary quality and habits, although associations with diet quality vary within regions. Adults 95 yrs and older exhibit lower energy intake but higher intakes of seaweed, meat and poultry, and iron than adults aged ≥ 80 yrs. Notwithstanding, further longitudinal studies on centenarians are warranted.

Skin aging results from complex interactions of intrinsic and extrinsic factors, leading to structural and biochemical changes such as wrinkles and dryness. Ultraviolet (UV) irradiation leads to the degradation of hyaluronic acid (HA) in the skin, and the fragmented HA contributes to inflammation. This study revealed that the synergistic combination of carnosine and retinol (ROL) increases HA production in normal human epidermal keratinocytes (NHEKs) by upregulating hyaluronan synthase 2 (HAS2) gene transcription. Simultaneously, the combined treatment of carnosine and ROL significantly attenuates UVB-induced prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) synthesis in NHEKs. A significant correlation exists between the increase of HA synthesis and the inhibition of PGE2 production. This study suggests that combined treatment of carnosine and ROL can improve skin aging phenotypes associated with UVB irradiation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Urban−rural inequities in health and mortality exist in Korea, a highly centralized developed country. The potential impact of multiple health-related lifestyle behaviors on mortality and difference between urban and rural areas is not fully understood.This study aimed to investigate the effect of high-risk health behaviors on all-cause mortality among residents living in urban and rural in Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Cross-sectional analyses were conducted on 8,298 adults aged 40 yrs and older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015.High-risk behaviors were defined as having poor diet quality, current smoking, high-risk drinking, or insufficient physical activity. Mortality status was linked to the Cause of Death data followed up to December 31, 2019. The associations between all-cause mortality and high-risk behaviors were evaluated using Cox proportional hazard regression models adjusted for age, sex, education, income, and survey year. Population attributable fractions (PAFs) were calculated, and effect modification analysis was conducted. Participants were stratified by residential area (urban or rural). RESULTS: During the follow-up (median: 5.4 yrs), 313 deaths occurred. A higher proportion of rural residents than urban residents engaged in multiple high-risk behaviors (28.9% vs.22.6%; P < 0.0001). As individual factors, a greater risk of mortality was associated with poor diet quality, current smoking, and inadequate physical activity, and these tendencies persisted in rural residents, especially for diet quality. Multiple high-risk behaviors were positively associated with a higher risk of mortality in Koreans living in urban and rural areas. PAF (95% confidence interval) was 18.5% (7.35–27.9%) and 29.8% (16.1–40.2%) in urban and rural residents, respectively. No additive or multiplicative effect of the region was observed. CONCLUSION The higher prevalence of multiple high-risk lifestyle behaviors in rural residents may explain the higher mortality in rural areas compared to urban areas.Comprehensive public health policies to improve health-related behaviors in rural populations may be needed.

An accurate assessment of the recommended calcium (Ca) intake may contribute to reducing the risk of fractures and chronic diseases, ultimately improving quality of life.This review was performed to summarize key findings of Ca studies, investigate the effect of Ca intake on health outcomes, and determine the adequacy of evidence to revise the 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs) for Ca in 2020. Databases were searched for intervention studies that assessed health outcomes by providing Ca in diets or as supplements. The framework of the systematic review comprised conducting literature searches, data extraction, quality assessment of the literature, and summarizing key findings relevant to set the Estimated Average Requirement (EAR) and Tolerable Upper Intake Level (UL) for Ca for the 2020 KDRI. The final search was performed in June 2019. A total of 13,309 studies were identified through databases and manual search. Sixtyfive studies were included in the final quality assessment and were summarized according to health indicators. As bone health was used as an indicator of the EAR for Ca, literature reports on bone health were further categorized by the life-cycle stage of the participants. This systematic review did not find new evidence that could be applied to the general Korean adult population, including postmenopausal women, for defining a new EAR for Ca in the 2020 KDRIs. Evidence in most of the reviewed literature was considered weak; however, some evidence was found that could improve the criteria on how the EAR for Ca was determined in children and adolescents. A review of the literature for the 2020 KDRIs for Ca did not find strong evidence in order to change the recommended values of the 2015 KDRIs. More clinical interventions are required among Koreans to strengthen the body of evidence to warrant the revision of the KDRIs.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite the widespread use of dietary assessment tools, the validity of food records has not been evaluated in Koreans. We assessed the accuracy of estimated food records and the effect of a short education session in young Korean women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty women (aged 18–23 yrs) each completed 3 food records during a controlled-feeding study. One educational session was provided on day 2 of the study. Food records were analyzed for the accuracy of food items and portion size estimation according to food group (grains; meat, fish, eggs, and beans; vegetables; fruit; dairy; and oils and sugars) and type of dish (rice, kimchi, soup, side dishes, spreads, beverages, and snacks). Reported food items were categorized as exact, close, or far matches, exclusions, or intrusions. Portion sizes were evaluated as accurate, similar, or inaccurate estimates, or missing. The means of days 2 and 3 were used to assess post-education results. Paired t-tests were performed to assess the effects of the education session. RESULTS: The mean percentages of exact matches, close matches, far matches, and exclusions on day 1 were 80.9%, 10.9%, 2.0%, and 6.2%, respectively, and mean intrusions observed were 0.1. The education session slightly increased the accuracy of recorded food items. The percentages of accurate, similar, and inaccurate estimates, and missing portion sizes were 11.7%, 19.8%, 12.2%, and 56.3%, respectively, at baseline. The percentage of missing portion size estimates decreased to 14.0% after the education session, resulting in an increase in the percentages of all other estimates. An increase was observed in the accuracy of reported portion sizes of vegetables, rice, and kimchi. CONCLUSIONS In young Korean women, estimated food records are highly accurate for food items but not for portion size estimates without prior education. A short education session can improve the accuracy of portion size estimation.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Despite the widespread use of dietary assessment tools, the validity of food records has not been evaluated in Koreans. We assessed the accuracy of estimated food records and the effect of a short education session in young Korean women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Thirty women (aged 18–23 yrs) each completed 3 food records during a controlled-feeding study. One educational session was provided on day 2 of the study. Food records were analyzed for the accuracy of food items and portion size estimation according to food group (grains; meat, fish, eggs, and beans; vegetables; fruit; dairy; and oils and sugars) and type of dish (rice, kimchi, soup, side dishes, spreads, beverages, and snacks). Reported food items were categorized as exact, close, or far matches, exclusions, or intrusions. Portion sizes were evaluated as accurate, similar, or inaccurate estimates, or missing. The means of days 2 and 3 were used to assess post-education results. Paired t-tests were performed to assess the effects of the education session. RESULTS: The mean percentages of exact matches, close matches, far matches, and exclusions on day 1 were 80.9%, 10.9%, 2.0%, and 6.2%, respectively, and mean intrusions observed were 0.1. The education session slightly increased the accuracy of recorded food items. The percentages of accurate, similar, and inaccurate estimates, and missing portion sizes were 11.7%, 19.8%, 12.2%, and 56.3%, respectively, at baseline. The percentage of missing portion size estimates decreased to 14.0% after the education session, resulting in an increase in the percentages of all other estimates. An increase was observed in the accuracy of reported portion sizes of vegetables, rice, and kimchi. CONCLUSIONS In young Korean women, estimated food records are highly accurate for food items but not for portion size estimates without prior education. A short education session can improve the accuracy of portion size estimation.