Association between eating habits, sweet taste assessment, and high-sugar food consumption among elementary school students in Daegu: a descriptive study / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Objectives@# The purpose of this study was to analyze high-sugar food consumption habits frequency among elementary school students, and their correlations with eating habits and sweet taste assessment. @*Methods@# The participants of the study were 164 elementary school students in Daegu, in the fifth or sixth grade, along with their parents. A questionnaire investigated eating habits, high-sugar food consumption habits and frequency, and sweet taste assessment. @*Results@# The average eating habits score for elementary school students was determined to be 71.7 out of 100. Students with higher eating habits scores had lower high-sugar food consumption habits and frequency compared to those with lower eating habits scores. Sweet taste assessment revealed that students who preferred less sweetness chose a 5% sugar concentration, those with a preference for normal sweetness chose a 10% sugar concentration, and those who preferred sweeter tastes chose a 20% sugar concentration. Sweet taste assessment showed that students who tended to prefer less sweetness had the highest eating habits scores and the lowest scores for high-sugar food consumption habits and frequency.In addition, eating habits scores were found to be negatively correlated with high-sugar food consumption habits, high-sugar food consumption frequency, and sweet taste assessment. The sweet taste assessment was positively correlated with high-sugar food consumption habits and frequency. @*Conclusions@# Our results indicate that students with good eating habits had more desirable overall sugar intake habits, and when the preference for sweetness was high, the frequency of high-sugar food consumption was also high. Our study highlights the importance of educating elementary school students and their parents about the harmful effects of excessive sugar consumption, as well as the benefits of adopting healthy eating habits and creating supportive environments.

Sodium Reduction Practice and Importance-Performance Analysis of Sodium Reduction Methods in School Foodservice in Daegu / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Objectives@#The aim of this study was to investigate sodium reduction practices in school foodservice in Daegu. @*Methods@#The survey included 199 nutrition teachers and dietitians working at elementary, middle and high schools in Daegu. The survey topics included the following: the frequency of salinity measurement, workers in charge of the measurement, average salinity of the soup and stew served, frequency and difficulties of offering low-sodium meals, Importance-Performance Analysis (IPA) of sodium reduction methods in school foodservice and the need for political support in encouraging sodium reduction. @*Results@#The mean salinity of the soup and stew was higher in high school foodservice than in elementary and middle school foodservice. Middle and high schools have difficulties in offering low-sodium meals due to concerns of decreasing satisfaction for the meals. The results of the IPA of programs to reduce sodium in school meals showed that most of the items in the cooking and serving stages were in the 2nd quadrant (Keep up the good work), and all purchasing and menu planning stages occupied the 3rd quadrant (Low priority). To reduce sodium in school meals, government support is required in developing low-sodium recipes for school foodservice, encouraging education on sodium reduction for school foodservice officials and developing low-sodium food for institutional foodservice. @*Conclusions@#To encourage sodium reduction in school meals, the priority is to make low-sodium recipes available. Also, it is necessary to develop a program that calculates the sodium content in menus and processed foods through National Education Information System and to establish standards for sodium levels in school foodservice.

Development of standards for reducing the sodium content and salinity of Korean fermented soybean sauces and representative Korean foods high in sodium / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to develop standards for the salinity and sodium content in representative Korean foods high in sodium. METHODS: A total of 600 foods from four seasonings (soy sauce, soybean paste, red pepper paste, and ssamjang) and 16 representative Korean foods high in sodium were collected from 10 households, 10 industry foodservice establishments, and 10 Korean restaurants in 10 cities nationwide and analyzed for their salinity and sodium content. Based on the findings, the standards with a 20% ~ 30% reduced sodium content and salinity from the current level were presented. RESULTS: The suggested standards of salinity (and sodium content per 100 g) were less than 12% (4,500 mg) for soy sauce, 9% (3,500 mg) for soybean paste, 5% (2,000 mg) for red pepper paste, and 6% (2,500 mg) for ssamjang. The reduced standards of salinity for soups were suggested to less than 0.5% for clear soup and 0.7% for soybean paste soup, while for broths, it was 0.6% for clear broth and 0.7% for other broths. The standards of salinity for stews were suggested to less than 0.8% for soybean paste stew, 0.6% for other stews, 0.9% for steamed and stir-fried fish dishes, 1.0% for braised dishes, 4.0% for stir-fried dried fishes, 1.3% for other braised dishes including vegetables, and 1.5% for pickled vegetables and kimchi. CONCLUSION: Standards for the sodium content and salinity were suggested to reduce the sodium level in fermented soybean sauces and representative Korean high sodium dishes by 20% from the current levels. Nevertheless, it will be necessary to adjust the standards properly to reduce the sodium content and salinity further by considering the future status of sodium intake.

Differences in Mobilization Efficiency between Small Children and Adults with Healthy Marrows / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: We compared the yields of mobilized PBSCs from single day of normal volume leukapheresis (NVL) in children and adults, and factors affecting the yields, to understand differences in mobilization efficiency between adults and small children with healthy marrows.METHODS: This study involved 18 adult volunteer donors and 47 small children weighing less than 20 kg who participated in a clinical trial of cell therapy in children with cerebral palsy. Donor factors analyzed to identify predictors of the yield of apheresis included age, gender, weight and complete blood cell count (CBC) with differential counts as well as equipment parameters.RESULTS: The yields of total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34⁺cells in the apheresis products of the children were significantly lower than in those from healthy adults. However, the efficiency of recovery of PBSCs (total CD34⁺ cell counts/TNCs) was significantly higher in small children (0.48±0.30%) than in adults (0.10±0.05%) (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis of adult donor factors showed that the processed volume and flow rate of apheresis were significantly associated with the yield of TNCs (P < 0.05, for both), but not of CD34⁺cells. However, in multivariable analysis of child donor factors, body weight and circulating WBC count on the day of apheresis were significantly associated with the yield of TNCs (P < 0.05, for both) and of CD34⁺cells (P < 0.05, for both).CONCLUSION: The predictors of PBSC yields from a single day of NVL in adults and small children are different. Also mobilization is more effective in small children than in adults.

Platelet Shape Changes and Cytoskeleton Dynamics as Novel Therapeutic Targets for Anti-Thrombotic Drugs

Platelets play an essential role in hemostasis through aggregation and adhesion to vascular injury sites but their unnecessary activation can often lead to thrombotic diseases. Upon exposure to physical or biochemical stimuli, remarkable platelet shape changes precede aggregation or adhesion. Platelets shape changes facilitate the formation and adhesion of platelet aggregates, but are readily reversible in contrast to the irrevocable characteristics of aggregation and adhesion. In this dynamic phenomenon, complex molecular signaling pathways and a host of diverse cytoskeleton proteins are involved. Platelet shape change is easily primed by diverse pro-thrombotic xenobiotics and stimuli, and its inhibition can modulate thrombosis, which can ultimately contribute to the development or prevention of thrombotic diseases. In this review, we discussed the current knowledge on the mechanisms of platelet shape change and also pathological implications and therapeutic opportunities for regulating the related cytoskeleton dynamics.

A Novel c.826G>A Mutation in a Boy with Allan-Herndon-Dudley Syndrome: Clinical Significance of Thyroid Function Tests in Developmental Delay of Unknown Origin

Allan-Herndon-Dudley syndrome (AHDS) is an X-linked intellectual disability caused by monocarboxylate transporter 8 (MCT8) deficiency. AHDS manifests in global developmental delay, axial hypotonia, quadriplegia, movement disorders in male patients, and most of them show the delayed or hypomyelination on brain magnetic resonance images. Typically, Triiodothyronine (T3) levels are markedly elevated, thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) levels are normal or elevated, and free thyroxine (T4) levels are normal or decreased. In AHDS patients, early neurological manifestations are easily mistaken as cerebral palsy with unknown origin. Here, we present a novel c.826G>A mutation in a boy with severe axial hypotonia, limb dystonia and developmental delay. Thyroid function test including TSH, T3, and free T4 levels was the important clue for the diagnosis of AHDS of the patient.

Differences in Mobilization Efficiency between Small Children and Adults with Healthy Marrows / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: We compared the yields of mobilized PBSCs from single day of normal volume leukapheresis (NVL) in children and adults, and factors affecting the yields, to understand differences in mobilization efficiency between adults and small children with healthy marrows. METHODS: This study involved 18 adult volunteer donors and 47 small children weighing less than 20 kg who participated in a clinical trial of cell therapy in children with cerebral palsy. Donor factors analyzed to identify predictors of the yield of apheresis included age, gender, weight and complete blood cell count (CBC) with differential counts as well as equipment parameters. RESULTS: The yields of total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34⁺cells in the apheresis products of the children were significantly lower than in those from healthy adults. However, the efficiency of recovery of PBSCs (total CD34⁺ cell counts/TNCs) was significantly higher in small children (0.48±0.30%) than in adults (0.10±0.05%) (P < 0.05). Multivariable analysis of adult donor factors showed that the processed volume and flow rate of apheresis were significantly associated with the yield of TNCs (P < 0.05, for both), but not of CD34⁺cells. However, in multivariable analysis of child donor factors, body weight and circulating WBC count on the day of apheresis were significantly associated with the yield of TNCs (P < 0.05, for both) and of CD34⁺cells (P < 0.05, for both). CONCLUSION: The predictors of PBSC yields from a single day of NVL in adults and small children are different. Also mobilization is more effective in small children than in adults.

The Sugars Intake through Processed Foods and Its Related Factors in College Students / 農村醫學 地域保健

OBJECTIVES: This study was performed to examine the sugars intake through processed foods and its related factors in college students. METHODS: The findings of this study was based on the data obtained from the self-administered questionnaire survey of the sugars intake through processed foods. The self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted among 245 college students between March and April, 2015. RESULTS: The amount of sugars intake through processed foods was 45.9g in male collegians and 47.1g in female collegians. In the bivariate analysis, the amount of sugars intake was significantly different by department of major, current smoking status, subjective health status in female collegians (p<0.05). In the multivariate analysis, the amount of sugars intake was related significantly with current drinking status, sleeping time, degree of depression in male students and student's department of major, current smoking status, whether or not of snack intake in female (p<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The program for college students to decrease the sugars intake through processed foods would be necessary, especially in student of non-health department.

Clinical Applicability of Newly Developed Image-based Cell Counter for Counting CD34+ Cells: Comparison with Flow Cytometric Analysis / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometric analysis is the standard method for enumerating CD34+ stem cells in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, it has some limitations such as expensive instrumentation, high reagent costs, and discrepancies between technicians and laboratories. We compared counts of total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34+ cells counts obtained from a flow cytometer with a newly-developed image-based microscopic cell counter (ADAM II) to evaluate the possibility of clinical application of the ADAM II.METHODS: We used 18 samples of circulating peripheral blood (PB) and waste tube fractions of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) harvested by apheresis after G-CSF mobilization from adult volunteer donors. We assessed the reproducibility and linearity of the new procedure and compared the numbers of TNCs and viable CD34+ cells determined with the ADAM II and two different flow cytometers (FACSCalibur, FACSCanto II).RESULTS: Numbers of viable CD34+ cells determined with the ADAM II were accurate over the expected range; the intra-assay coefficient of variation was ≤19.8%. Linearity was also satisfactory (R²=0.99). TNC counts obtained with the ADAM II were highly correlated with those obtained with the FACSCalibur (R²>0.9841, P<0.0001) and FACSCanto II (R²>0.9620, P<0.0001), as were the numbers of viable CD34+ cells obtained with the ADAM II and the FACSCalibur and FACSCanto II (R²>0.9911, P<0.0001 and R²>0.9791, P<0.0001), respectively.CONCLUSION: The newly developed image-based microscopic cell counter (ADAM II) appears to be suitable for enumerating TNCs and viable CD34+ cells.

Comparison of salty taste assessment, high-salt dietary attitude and high-salt dietary behavior by stage of behavior change among students in Daegu / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted for comparison of salty taste assessment, salty taste preference, high-salt dietary attitude, and high-salt dietary behavior by stages of behavior change among school-aged children and adolescents. METHODS: A total of 1,595 students (1,126 school- aged children, 469 adolescents) from 43 elementary schools and 17 middle and high schools in Daegu were tested using salty taste kits and surveyed using questionnaires on stages of behavior change, high-salt dietary attitude, and behavior. RESULTS: Adolescents showed a significantly higher result for salty taste assessment than school-aged children (p < 0.01). In salty taste assessment, the students of pre-contemplation stage (n = 498) and contemplation stage (n = 686) showed higher scores than students of action stage (n = 351) and maintenance stage (n = 60). Regarding the salty taste preference, students of maintenance stage preferred the lower two samples (0.08%, 0.16%) and students of pre-contemplation stage preferred the higher two samples (0.63%, 1.25%). High-salt dietary attitude scores and dietary behavior scores were highest for students of pre-contemplation stage and were lowest for students of maintenance stage. CONCLUSION: Salty taste assessment, high-salt dietary attitude, and high-salt dietary behavior were significantly different by stages of behavior change among school-aged children and adolescents. This study suggests the need for examination of the stages of behavior change before nutrition education for effective education.

Clinical Applicability of Newly Developed Image-based Cell Counter for Counting CD34+ Cells: Comparison with Flow Cytometric Analysis / 임상소아혈액종양

BACKGROUND: Flow cytometric analysis is the standard method for enumerating CD34+ stem cells in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. However, it has some limitations such as expensive instrumentation, high reagent costs, and discrepancies between technicians and laboratories. We compared counts of total nucleated cells (TNCs) and CD34+ cells counts obtained from a flow cytometer with a newly-developed image-based microscopic cell counter (ADAM II) to evaluate the possibility of clinical application of the ADAM II. METHODS: We used 18 samples of circulating peripheral blood (PB) and waste tube fractions of peripheral blood stem cells (PBSCs) harvested by apheresis after G-CSF mobilization from adult volunteer donors. We assessed the reproducibility and linearity of the new procedure and compared the numbers of TNCs and viable CD34+ cells determined with the ADAM II and two different flow cytometers (FACSCalibur, FACSCanto II). RESULTS: Numbers of viable CD34+ cells determined with the ADAM II were accurate over the expected range; the intra-assay coefficient of variation was ≤19.8%. Linearity was also satisfactory (R²=0.99). TNC counts obtained with the ADAM II were highly correlated with those obtained with the FACSCalibur (R²>0.9841, P0.9620, P0.9911, P0.9791, P<0.0001), respectively. CONCLUSION: The newly developed image-based microscopic cell counter (ADAM II) appears to be suitable for enumerating TNCs and viable CD34+ cells.

Comparison of sodium content of workplace and homemade meals through chemical analysis and salinity measurements

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Most Koreans consume nearly 70-80% of the total sodium through their dishes. The use of a salinometer to measure salinity is recommended to help individuals control their sodium intake. The purpose of this study was to compare sodium content through chemical analysis and salinity measurement in foods served by industry foodservice operations and homemade meals. MATERIALS/METHODS: Workplace and homemade meals consumed by employees in 15 cafeterias located in 8 districts in Daegu were collected and the sodium content was measured through chemical analysis and salinity measurements and then compared. The foods were categorized into 9 types of menus with 103 workplace meals and 337 homemade meals. RESULTS: Workplace meals did not differ significantly in terms of sodium content per 100 g of food but had higher sodium content via chemical analysis in roasted foods per portion. Homemade meals had higher broth salt content and higher salt content by chemical analysis per 100 g of roasted foods and hard-boiled foods. One-dish workplace meals had higher salinity (P < 0.05), while homemade broths and stews had higher sodium content (P < 0.05 and P < 0.01, respectively). The sodium content per 100 g of foods was higher in one-dish workplace meals (P < 0.05) and in homemade broths and stews (P < 0.01 and P < 0.05, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: The use of a salinometer may be recommended to estimate the sodium content in foods and control one's sodium intake within the daily intake target as a way to promote cooking bland foods at home. However, estimated and actual measured values may differ.

Effects of Passive Upper Arm Exercise on Range of Motion, Muscle Strength, and Muscle Spasticity in Hemiplegic Patients with Cerebral Vascular Disease

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of passive upper arm exercise on range of motion, muscle strength, and muscle spasticity in hemiplegic patients with cerebral vascular disease. METHODS: A quasi-experimental design with nonequivalent control group was utilized. According to inclusion criteria, 25 patients were assigned to the control group with routine care, followed by 25 to the intervention group with passive exercise for 30 minutes per session, twice a day for 2 weeks. Eighteen patients in the intervention group and 17 in the control group completed the posttest measurement, including range of motion for upper arm joints, manual muscle test, and Modified Ashworth Scale for muscle spasticity. RESULTS: The intervention group had a significantly improved range of motion in the shoulder and wrist joints. No interaction effect was found for the elbow joint. No significant differences were found in muscle strength or muscle spasticity between the groups. CONCLUSION: Results of the study indicate that passive exercise safely applied for two weeks improves range of motion in joints of the upper arm in these patients. Further study with long-term follow-up is needed to verify the role of passive exercise in preventing muscle spasticity in this population.

Comparison of four diagnostic methods for detecting rabies viruses circulating in Korea

It is essential to rapidly and precisely diagnose rabies. In this study, we evaluated four diagnostic methods, indirect fluorescent antibody test (FAT), virus isolation (VI), reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR), and rapid immunodiagnostic assay (RIDA), to detect rabies in animal brain homogenates. Out of the 110 animal brain samples tested, 20 (18.2%) were positive for rabies according to the FAT. Compared to the FAT, the sensitivities of VI, RT-PCR, and RIDA were 100, 100, and 95%, respectively. The specificities of VI, RT-PCR and RIDA were found to be 100, 100, and 98.9%, respectively. Rabies viruses circulating in Korea were isolated and propagated in murine neuroblastoma (NG108-15) cells with titers ranging from 101.5 to 104.5 TCID50/mL. Although the RIDA findings did not completely coincide with results obtained from FAT, VI, and RT-PCR, RIDA appears to be a fast and reliable assay that can be used to analyze brain samples. In summary, the results from our study showed that VI, RT-PCR, and RIDA can be used as supplementary diagnostic tools for detecting rabies viruses in both laboratory and field settings.

Estimation of Sodium Intake of Adult Female by 24-Hour Urine Analysis, Dietary Records and Dish Frequency Questionnaire (DFQ 55)

This study assesses the sodium intake of adults by 24-hour urine analysis, dietary records review and a food intake questionnaire. Subjects were 236 adult female in Daegu. The results are summarized as follows: Sodium intake as indicated by the 24-hour urine analysis was 5,805.4 +/- 3836.8 mg. This was significantly higher than intake indicated by dietary records (4415.4 +/- 1935.1 mg) and the dish frequency questionnaire (DFQ 55)(4293.5 +/- 1526.5 mg). The results of the 24-hour urine analysis and DFQ 55 showed that sodium intake was higher for the 65-to-74-year-old age group than for other age groups (p < 0.05, p < 0.05). Review of dietary records to examine typical sodium intake by food groups showed that 53.7% of the sodium consumed by subjects in all age groups came from seasonings and spices (2399.0 +/- 1526.5 mg). The analysis of sodium intake by food groups using DFQ 55 showed 34.2% of their sodium came from consumption of kimchi (p < 0.001) and kimch, soup, stew and fish jorim accounted for 57.8% of total sodium intake. The results indicate positive correlation between age and sodium intake, as shown by the 24-hour urine analysis and food intake questionnaire (p < 0.05). Therefore, these results would be valuable as basic data for planning nutrition education for sodium intake reduction.

Effect of Combination Pretreatment of Polyethylene Glycol Solution and Magnesium Hydroxide for Colonoscopy / 대한소화기학회지

BACKGROUND/AIMS: This study was designed to compare the efficacy and patient tolerance between standard bowel preparation using 4 liters of polyethylene glycol (PEG) solution and 4 liters of PEG preceded by the osmotic laxative, magnesium hydroxide in constipation and non-constipation group. METHODS: 173 outpatient colonoscopy, except for three patients who were not taking magnesium, were divided into constipation and non-constipation group. Then, the patients were randomly assigned to receive 4-liter of PEG solution or 4-liter of PEG plus magnesium hydroxide. The quality of bowel preparation was assessed using Ottawa scale, and satisfaction score was assessed using questionnaires. Solid stool, cecal intubation time, compliance, and side effects were assessed. RESULTS: Non-constipation group showed no significant differences between two groups. In constipation group, 4-liter PEG solution plus magnesium hydroxide induced the more effective colonic preparation (Ottawa scale 2.47+/-0.99 vs. 5.92+/-2.39, p<0.05), and less solid stool (0.67+/-0.72 vs. 1.38+/-0.65, p<0.05) compared with 4-liter PEG solution. CONCLUSIONS: Bowel preparation with magnesium hydroxide and 4 liters of PEG solution might reduce solid stool in constipation group, but could not improve preparation quality.

A left-sided gallbladder accompanying atrophy of the lateral inferior segment of the liver / 대한내과학회지

A left-sided gallbladder occurring in the absence of situs inversus is a rare anomaly. This anomaly was found in a 50-year-old man without any evidence of pancreatobiliary disease. Epigastric transverse ultrasonography showed a normal gallbladder with its fundus extending past the left lateral end of the liver. Abdominal computed tomography (CT) revealed that the gallbladder was located beneath the quadrate lobe (S4) of the liver to the left of the left branch of the portal vein, and S4 was hypertrophied to compensate for atrophy of the lateral inferior segment (S3) of the liver. Magnetic resonance cholangiopancreatography (MRCP) showed that the gallbladder and pancreatobiliary tree were normal, and that the cystic duct joined the common bile duct from the right side making a characteristic U-shaped hairpin bend.

Analysis by Delphi Survey of a Performance Evaluation Index for a Salt Reduction Project

The purpose of this study was to analyze the performance evaluation index for a salt reduction project. Questionnaires were developed in order to investigate salt reduction programs nationwide. The evaluation index and programs were analyzed through the case study of a salt reduction program in public health centers. The validity of the salt reduction program's evaluation index was determined based on study of the Delphi survey and on discussion with nutrition and health care professionals. The Delphi survey showed that daily salt intake was the most valid nutritional evaluation index. Stroke mortality and stomach cancer mortality were good health care evaluation indexes. The method for measuring salt intake that had the greatest validity was a 24-hour urine collection. However, 24-hour urine collection had the lowest score for ease of performance. The combined scores of validity and ease of performance showed that the survey method for dietary attitude and dietary behavior, dietary frequency analysis (DFQ 15), and a salty taste assessment, in that order, were proper methods. The high reliability of the salty taste assessment indicated that the percentage of the population that exhibits proper salt intake (2,000 mg sodium or less daily) and the percentage of the population that consumes low-salt diets as nutritional evaluation indexes also will be helpful to evaluate performance of salt reduction programs.

Evaluation of the Effectiveness of a Salt Reduction Program for Employees

The purpose of this paper was to evaluate the effectiveness of a salt reduction education program. Subjects participating in this study were 251 employees (166 in the "educated" group, 85 in the "non-educated" group) at 8 hospital and industry food service operations in Daegu. After the salt reduction education program was carried out, a salty taste assessment of both groups was conducted. The educated group had statistically significant differences and the noneducated group did not have statistically significant differences. In terms of nutrition knowledge, while the nutrition knowledge of the educated group was increased (p < 0.001), that of the non-educated group rose at a rate of 0.92. In terms of dietary attitude, the educated group exhibited increased preference toward less salty foods when compared to the noneducated group (p < 0.001). Regarding dietary behavior, the score of the educated group was improved (p < 0.001), thereby indicating a preference for less salty taste. This means that nutrition education had influence on dietary behavior. However, after education, sodium excretion for the educated group was not significantly decreased, compared to before education. The results show that there was a positive correlation between salty taste assessment and dietary attitude and behavior for a high-salt diet. There was a positive relationship between attitude for a high-salt diet and sodium intake; when people prefere a more salty taste, they eat more sodium. Therefore, in order to change dietary preference away from salty taste and to decrease sodium intake, a nationwide, systematic and continuous salt reduction education program is needed.

Development and Evaluation of a Nutrition Education Program on Sodium Reduction in Elementary School Students / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was to develop and evaluate a nutrition education program to reduce dietary sodium. The school children (218 boys, 226 girls), from 8 elementary schools in the city of Daegu, Korea, were involved in this study. This research was based on the data from two groups of elementary school children, the "education" group (n = 240), and "no-education" group (n = 204). Educational media and programs were developed to educate the education group for four weeks and were presented on the web (www.saltdown.com). After education, the preference for a non-salty taste in the education group increased 10%, compared with those who preferred a non-salty taste before education. There was a significant change away from a preference for a salty taste and a rise in the mean score for nutrition knowledge and dietary attitude in the education group compared to the no-education group (p < 0.05). This study indicates that school children can reduce their dependency on preference for a salty taste and change their high-salt dietary behavior after the education.