Analysis of the association between health-related and work-related factors among workers and metabolic syndrome using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016)

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: This study analyzed health-related factors for metabolic syndrome (Mets) among workers in South Korea. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This analysis included 4,666 adults aged 19–64 years to analyzed health-related risk factors for Mets from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016). The sociodemographic, working, health-related, and biochemical characteristics were presented as percentages (%) by chi-square tests. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to analyze the 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and associations between health-related factors characteristic of workers and the odds ratios of Mets. RESULTS: An increased prevalence of Mets was associated with male day workers compared to male shift workers (1.726-fold increase, 95% CI: 1.077–2.765), and with ≥ 8 hrs/day sleep duration compared to < 6 hrs/day sleep duration in female workers (2.133-fold, 95% CI: 1.041–4.368). In addition, reduced odds of high Mets were associated with male workers consumed of breakfast 5–7 times/wk compared to those consumed < 1 time/wk (0.593-fold decrease, 95% CI: 0.372–0.944). CONCLUSIONS: Health-related factors (sleep duration, frequency of breakfast) and working type in Korean workers may affect the prevalence of Mets.

Association between diets and mild cognitive impairment in adults aged 50 years or older

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: As aging progresses, the number of patients with cognitive impairment also increases. Cognitive function is not generally correlated with diet, and there is debate over that association. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the association between dietary intake and cognitive function among adults aged 50 years or older. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Between July 2017 and March 2018, 324 adults aged over 50 years from Gwangju Sun-Han hospital participated in a dietary survey. The frequency of food intake and related information were collected using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire (SQ-FFQ) and determining the mini-mental state examination (MMSE) level for 276 participants. The association between dietary intake and cognitive function was assessed by performing logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Depending on the MMSE score, the participants' age, education level, inhabitation status, medications, alcohol consumption, sleep duration, physical activity, and short geriatric depression scale score were significantly different (P < 0.05). Moreover, those participant characteristics were associated with either decreased or increased odds ratios (OR) for the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI). Based on analysis of the participants' intake of 112 detailed food items, which were categorized into 20 food types, intakes of cooked white rice (< 2 times/day compared with ≥3 times/day) (P < 0.05), properly cooked rice with other grains and legumes (P < 0.001), fruits (P < 0.05), milk (low fat and normal) (P = 0.044), liquid-type yogurt (P = 0.019), and curd-type yogurt (P = 0.015) were found to significantly decrease the OR for the risk of MCI. CONCLUSIONS: Associations were significant between the risk of MCI and the intake of certain food types. Specifically, a moderate intake of cooked white rice and an adequate intake of whole grains, fruits, milk, and dairy products were associated with reduced risks of MCI among adults aged over 50 years.

Impact of fish consumption by subjects with prediabetes on the metabolic risk factors: using data in the 2015 (6th) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The effects of fish consumption by subjects with prediabetes on the metabolic risk factors were examined based on the data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys in 2015. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A total of 1,520 subjects who agreed to participate in a blood test and dietary intake survey were divided into a prediabetes group and normal blood glucose group, and the level of the subjects' fish consumption was divided into ≤ 17.0 g/day, 18.0–93.0 g/day, and ≥ 94 g/day. The correlation between the level of fish intake and the metabolic risk factors was evaluated by multinomial logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: A significant difference in the gender distribution was observed in the prediabetes group, which is a group with a high risk of non-communicable diseases, according to the fish intake, and there were significant differences in the total energy intake, protein intake, n-3 fatty acids intake, and the intakes of sodium and micro-nutrients according to the intake group (P < 0.05). In addition, the blood total cholesterol (TC) decreased 0.422 fold in model 1 (unadjusted) [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.211–0.845] and 0.422 fold in model 2 (adjusted for sex) (95% CI: 0.210–0.846) in those with a fish intake of 18.0–93.0 g/day (P < 0.05) compared to those with a fish intake of ≤ 17.0 g/day. The blood TC decreased 0.555 fold (95% CI: 0.311–0.989) in model 1 and 0.549 fold (95% CI: 0.302–0.997) in model 2 in those with a fish intake of ≥ 94 g/day compared to those with a fish intake of ≤ 17.0 g/day (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Subjects with prediabetes or the metabolic risk factors can maintain their blood low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) and blood TC concentrations at the optimal level by consuming fish (18.0–93.0 g/day).

Relationship between dairy products, fish and shellfish intake and metabolic syndrome risk factors in prediabetes: based on the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3) 2015 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Metabolic Syndrome (MetS) is defined as a cluster of inter-connected metabolic disorders involving the glucose metabolism, dyslipidaemia, high blood pressure, and abdominal obesity. The worldwide prevalence has been rapidly increasing to approximately 20~25%, and the prevalence in Korea as of 2012 was reported to be 31.3%. The association of MetS with various diseases needs to be analyzed by conducting an investigation of frequently consumed foods, such as dairy products, fish, and shellfish in prediabetic subjects. METHODS: The dietary intake of subjects who met the criteria of the study from January to December 2015 was assessed using the 24-hour recall method. After adjusting the age, sex, BMI, and total energy intake, which are confounding factors that may affect the dietary intake of the subjects, the associations of dairy products, fish, and shellfish intake with the MetS risk factors was analyzed. RESULTS: In prediabetes, the intake of subjects who consumed more than the dairy products median (187.0 g) and the elevation risk of TC [OR, 2.369; 95% CI, 1.057 to 5.312] showed a significant positive association. In prediabetes, the intake of subjects who consumed more than the fish and shellfish median (44.0 g) and the elevation risk of BP showed a significantly weak negative association [OR, 0.073; 95% CI, 0.010 to 0.520]. The probability that the blood LDL cholesterol was ≥ 100 mg/dL decreased 0.397 times [95% CI, 0.189 to 0.832]. CONCLUSION: To control the metabolic risk factors of pre-diabetic and vascular disease subjects, proper dairy, fish and shellfish intake will be important.