Practicability of Six Weeks of Korean-Style Mediterranean Diet for Elderly Koreans with High Risk for Dementia

The purpose of this study was to verify whether Mediterranean diet, which proved to have a significant effect on preventing dementia for people aged 65 or older, could be well modified to be a Korean-style Mediterranean diet. This study was performed as a randomized-controlled trial for 6 weeks. Functional physical changes, cognitive scores, depression scores and dietary changes were all assessed. The walking speed (P<0.001) and the cognitive scores were statistically improved in only the experimental group (P<0.001), and the depression scores were also significantly improved in only the experimental group (P<0.01). The dietary intake showed a 30% improvement for consuming more than 7 cups per day of vegetables and fruits. When the participants were contacted four months after the end of the study, 90% of them said that the Korean-style Mediterranean diet was feasible and 100% said the nutrition interventions helped them maintain the diet during their daily lives. The results suggest that although the Mediterranean diet can be difficult to apply, any limitations of this healthy diet can be overcome.

Comparison Study on Perception of Job Importance, Job Performance, and Job Difficulty in Clinical Dietitians at Small and Medium Hospitals in Busan

This study aimed to compare perception of job importance, job performance, and job difficulty between clinical dietitians working at small and medium hospitals in Busan. The survey was conducted from July 15 to August 31, 2014, and data were analyzed using the SPSS program. The mean scores for perception of job importance, job performance, and job difficulty of clinical dietitian's task elements were 3.88, 2.87, and 3.18 out of 5.0, respectively. Perception of job importance had a positive relationship with job performance. However, job performance showed a negative relationship with job difficulty. There were strong positive relationships among nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, nutrition monitoring & evaluation, nutrition research in perception of job importance (P<0.05, P<0.01). Nutrition assessment, nutrition diagnosis, nutrition intervention, and nutrition research showed positive relationships with job performance (P<0.05, P<0.01). There was also a positive relationship among clinical dietitian's task with job difficulty (P<0.05, P<0.01). These results suggest that it would be effective to adopt training programs for appropriate nutrition service and to provide continuous education programs for professional development.

Musculo-skeletal Symptoms of Municipal Sanitation Workers and Ergonomic Evaluation on Upperlimb / 대한산업의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to estimate musculo-skeletal symtoms of municipal sanitation workers and to evaluate working conditions of municipal sanitation workers to search for the factors related to musculo-skeletal symptoms. METHODS: We conducted a descriptive cross-sectional survey. The study subjects were comprised of 543 municipal sanitation workers in some divisions of Seoul and the Gyeonggi province. Musculo-skeletal analysis was done by using the modified criteria of NIOSH musuclo-skeletal symptoms, RULA and, REBA. Statistical analysis was done by using the chi-square test, multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: 72.2% of the subjects complained musculo-skeletal symptoms (39.6% on the upperlimbs, 30.0% on the lumbar region, 27.4% on the legs). For the musculo-skeletal symptoms criteria (1~3), street cleaners complained of more musculo-skeletal symptoms than the solid waste collectors, after classifying the jobs of sanitation workers. On logistic regression analysis of the musculo-skeletal "symptoms criteria1" positive groups, age was related to the criteria positive (prevalence odds ratio=1.018, 95% CI: 0.993-1.046). The worktime was significantly related to 'criteria positive 1 and, 2' (prevalence odds ratio=2.165 (95% CI: 1.156-4.131), 2.187 times (95% CI: 1.071-4.651)). The RULA score, the subtotal A score of RULA, the REBA score and , the total A REBA score of the upperlimbs of solid waste collectors were higher than those of the street cleaners. CONCLUSIONS: In spite of the lower ergonomic evaluation score of the street cleaner, the street cleaners complained of more musculo-skeletal symptoms than did the solid waste collectors due to more frequent repetitive motions, a longer work time (over 10 hours) etc. It is suggested that the sanitation workers need to use the proper methods to avoid musculo-skeletal disease.

The sensitization rates to egg, milk, soy bean in children with atopic dermatitis and acute urticaria / 천식및알레르기

BACKGROUND: Atopic dermatitis(AD) and urticaria(UR) are common allergic diseases associated with various food allergens. We evaluated possible differences of sensitization rates to egg, milk, and soy bean according to the age in children with AD and UR. MATERIALS AND METHOD: One hundred and thirty-six patients(n=100 in AD, n=36 in UR) who had visited Samsung Medical Center from January 1998 to February 2000 were enrolled and divided into 3 groups by age: gruop I, children under 1year of age (45 in AD, 17 in UR); group II, between 1 and 3 years of age (32 in AD, 12 in UR); and group III, children over 3 years of age (23 in AD, 7 in UR). Total and specific IgE to cow milk, a-lactalbumin(a-LA), beta-lactoglobulin(beta-LG), casein, soy, egg white(EW) and egg yolk(EY) were measured by RAST or CAP system. RESULTS: Total IgE was highest in group III of AD patients(p0.05). The most common allergen among AD patients was EW(54%) for all age groups (51.1% in group I, 56.3% in group II, 56.5% in group III), while among UR patients, beta-LG(22.2%) was the most common food allergen, especially beta-LG(35.3%) in Group I, CM/casein(27.3%) in Group II, and CM/alpha-LA/casein/EW(12.5%) in Group III. Sensitization rate to EW, EY and soy bean were higher in AD than in UR(p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Sensitization rate to egg was higher in patients with AD than in those with UR. Restriction of eggs maybe helpful in management of infants with a family history of AD.