Major Foods and Nutrient Intake Quality According to Body Image Perception among Korean Women: Based on the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

The prevalence of obesity is continuing to increase. Self-perceived body image among women has drawn a lot of attention in Korea due to unhealthy weight control trials. This study was conducted to determine the relationship between self-perceived body image and dietary intakes among Korean women. For the analysis, 1,747 subjects were selected after eliminating those who were likely to have recently altered their diet based on the 2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. The subjects were divided into three groups: underweight, normal, and obese groups according to their perception of body image. Daily nutrient intakes, NAR (Nutrient Adequacy Ratio), and food intake frequency were assessed according to age group and body image perception. Only energy intake showed differences among the three body image perception groups across all age groups, but not statistical differences. Analysis of NAR and the order of most frequently consumed food items confirmed these findings. The ratio of underweight women that perceived their body size as normal or overweight was higher with younger age. Incorrect body image perception and unhealthy weight control behaviors can cause nutritional problems. This study confirmed that nutritional knowledge is important for healthy weight control trials. Nutritional education for healthy dieting should be emphasized among Korean women.

The effect of providing nutritional information about fast-food restaurant menus on parents' meal choices for their children

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To encourage healthier food choices for children in fast-food restaurants, many initiatives have been proposed. This study aimed to examine the effect of disclosing nutritional information on parents' meal choices for their children at fast-food restaurants in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: An online experimental survey using a menu board was conducted with 242 parents of children aged 2-12 years who dined with them at fast-food restaurants at least once a month. Participants were classified into two groups: the low-calorie group (n = 41) who chose at least one of the lowest calorie meals in each menu category, and the high-calorie group (n = 201) who did not. The attributes including perceived empowerment, use of provided nutritional information, and perceived difficulties were compared between the two groups. RESULTS: The low-calorie group perceived significantly higher empowerment with the nutritional information provided than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.020). Additionally, the low-calorie group was more interested in nutrition labeling (P < 0.001) and considered the nutritional value of menus when selecting restaurants for their children more than did the high-calorie group (P = 0.017). The low-calorie group used the nutritional information provided when choosing meals for their children significantly more than did the high-calorie group (P < 0.001), but the high-calorie group had greater difficulty using the nutritional information provided (P = 0.012). CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that improving the empowerment of parents using nutritional information could be a strategy for promoting healthier parental food choices for their children at fast-food restaurants.

Six Cases of Congenital Absence of the Vagina Managed by McIndoe Operation / 대한산부인과학회잡지

Mullerian agenesis or dysgenesis, rare developmental anomaly presenting as primary amenorrhea, is characterized by absence of vagina and absence or rudimentary development of the uterus. Anatomic anomalies of the axial skeleton and kindney often accompany this psychologically devatating condition. There are various methods of surgical treatment for congenital absence of the vagina. The six cases reviewed in this paper were all treated with McIndoe technique. All of 6 women experienced satisfactory sexual activity and were satisfied with vaginal depth following vaginal creation using a split thickness skin graft technique. Despite the existence of several alternative methods, the McIndoe technique is a relatively simple and highly successful procedure and hence is still prefered by many surgeons.