Study on Toothbrushing Habits, Snack Intake Frequency, and Dental Caries in Primary School Students in Changwon City

This study was conducted to provide basic information on toothbrushing habits, snack intake frequency, and current dental caries in elementary school students. A total of 188 students (105 boys and 83 girls) in Changwon city participated in this study. Dental examination was conducted by two dental hygienists in July, 2010. The results were as follows. Exactly 86.2% of students were shown to have dental caries, which includes a sealant and removed teeth due to decay. The average number of teeth with dental caries per student was 3.8. Exactly 60.6% of students were shown to maintain correct toothbrushing habits to prevent dental caries, but only 12.8% brushed their teeth immediately after a meal or snack. Exactly 82.4% percent of participants received toothbrushing education, 47.1% of them received it from an expert, 43.9% received from their parents, and 28.2% used tooth paste with fluorine. Regarding snack intake frequency, ice cream was the most consumed cariogenic food and white milk was the most consumed protective food. The >=7 teeth with dental caries group consumed higher frequency of carbonated beverages intake than the 'no dental caries' group (P<0.05), and the '5~6 teeth with dental caries' group consumed higher frequency of chocolate intake than 'no dental caries' group (P<0.05).

A Study on Dietary Behaviors, Snack Habits and Dental Caries of High School Students in Gimhae, Kyungnam Province

This study was conducted to provide basic information snack intake frequency, eating patterns and current dental caries in high school students. A total of 626 students (333 males, 293 females) in Gimhae city participated in this study. The survey conducted by using a self-administered questionnaire in January, 2008. Dental caries-related information was obtained during the students' physical examination at the designated clinical hospital in 2007. The results were as follows. Sixty three point nine percent of the students were shown to have dental caries, which includes a sealant. The average number of dental caries was 3.1, which was greater in female than in male students (p < 0.001). Eighty six percent of the students were shown to maintain correct toothbrushing habits to prevent dental caries. Twenty percent of the participants brushed there teeth 'instantly' a meal or snack, and 27.3% of the participants brushed there teeth, gum and tongue, and 58.9% of the participants received toothbrushing education. In snack intake frequency, participants with no dental caries had preference to white milk whereas those with dental caries had preference to snacks such as chewing gums and carbonated beverages. Female students were shown to have more dental caries maybe because of their higher snack intake frequency in chocolate, cookies and chips, yoghurt and ice-cream. Dental caries did not affect eating behaviors. This study suggests that more education for correct toothbrushing and cariogenic and detergent foods are needed for better dental hygiene.

Fitness of Diet-Related Factors Explaining the Self-Rated Health (SRH) in Rural Older Adults with Discriminant Analysis / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to identify the influence of diet related factors, such as diet behaviors, food intake, and nutrient intakes, on self-rated health (SRH). Also, in order to determine fitness of classification for SRH reflecting diet related factors, this study surveyed older adults in Gyeongnam province. A total of 101 responses were collected using the interview survey method. The self- rated health of rural older adults was poor as reported by 49.5%. The level of self-rated health was found to be related to the frequencies of coffee and snack, use of sugar and vegetable in diet, the amount of total food intake, and cholesterol intake. The result of discriminant analysis, which was conducted to assess the adequacy of SRH classification and to determine the class of observation, showed frequency of coffee and use of vegetable in diet among 47 variables as predictive variables for explaining SRH. The fitness of self-rated health function was high to 47.7%. Therefore, diet-related factors were ascertained to be important variables to predict SRH.

Evaluation of Nutrition Knowledge, Dietary Attitudes and Nutrient Intakes of Nurses Working in Kyungnam Area

This study was performed to investigate the dietary attitudes and nutrient intakes of nurses. A total of 291 nurses working at hospitals in the Kyungnam area participated in the study. The general characteristics and dietary attitudes of the subjects were surveyed using a self-administered questionnaire, and nutrient intakes was examined using one-day 24-hour recall method. The results were as follows : 67.7 percent of the subjects were nurses, 32.3% were nursing assistants. Average age of the subjects was 26.9 years old, average nursing experience was 5.7 years, and 70.7% of the subjects graduated from junior college. The rates of shift work (45.4%) and non-shift work (54.6%) were similar, and 91.5% of subjects worked on a three-shift a day schedule. The average nutrition knowledge score was 14.3+/-2.5 out of a possible 20 points. Most of the nurses had experienced dietary problems such as skipping meals and overeating. Sixty-eight point three percent of the nurses had breakfast less than 3 times a week, and the main reason for skipping meals was a lack of time. Most of the nurses (74.1%) didn't exercise regularly. The average score on dietary habits was 55.6 out of 100, and most of the subjects belonged to the 'fair' group in terms of dietary habits. Married nurses, and those over 31 years of age, scored significantly higher on dietary habits than unmarried nurses, and those under 25 years of age (p<0.001), and the scores significantly increased with increasing age. Mean daily carbohydrate and fat intake was 231.5+/-66.1 g, 41.1+/-18.8 g, and cholesterol and crude fiber intake was 238.2+/-184.6 mg, 5.2+/-2.0 g. respectively. Compared with the recommended allowances, the energy (1560.0+/-448.5 kcal), calcium (453.8+/-222.3 mg) iron (10.6+/-7.6 mg), vitamin A (658.5+/-538.1 R.E) and vitamin B2 (0.96+/-0.5 mg) figures were below the Korean RDA, and the protein (65.9+/-31.0 g), vitamin B1, (1.14+/-0.5 mg), vitamin C (143.2+/-119.6 mg), niacin (14.4+/-6.3 mg) and phosphorus (958.1+/-352.1 mg) figures were above the Korean RDA. The average carbohydrate, protein, fat ratio of energy intake was 60:17:23. The intake ratio of Ca and P showed an unbalance of 1:2. The dietary habits had a positive correlation (p<0.001) with nutrition intake except vitamin A and vitamin C. Therefore, In order to improve overall dietary behavior and nutritional status, systematic nutrition education programs should be developed.

Nutrition Status of the Rural Elderly Living in Kyungnam-Focusing on Health-Related Habits, Dietary Behaviors of Nutrient Intakes / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was conducted to provide basic information on the nutritional status and health status of the rural elderly. The food intake, food habits and others health related factors were surveryed by interview method. The subjects was 200 people(71 male, 129 female) aged over 65 year in the Han-an area. The obtained results as follows; Their average age is 73.5+/-5.6. Mean height and weight of elderly men were 163 cm and 58.1 kg. respectively and 148.7 cm and 50.0 kg for women. The regularity appetite and frequency of eating snacks and eating out were higher in men than in women. The favorite snacks for men were alcohol fruit coffee and for women was fruit, candy, cookies and coffee. The daily alcohol drinking and smoking ration were 50.0%, 60.6% for men, respectively and 14.0%, 24.8 % for women. The nutritional intake ratio to RDA of men was significantly higher than women. Especially, the intakes of energy, Ca, Vit.A, Vit B1, Vit B2 niacin were extremely low in women. The frequency of alcohol intake was related to nutrient intake of women . There was a negative correlation between age. smoking rate and the nutritional intake. The pocket money, weight height appetite, and frequency of snacks showed a positive relation to nutritional intake. In conclusion the study shows that gender did influence food intake in the elderly, Food intake of women was extremely in deficit, because the most elderly rural women live alone. For successful aging. a program for rural elderly is needed on the govermment level, i.e actions to provide minimum economic life, food delivery and psychological/ physical health care through regional pubilc health centers.