Comparison of consumption behaviors and development needs for the home meal replacement among Chinese college students studying abroad in Korea, Chinese college students in China, and Korean college students in Korea

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#The consumption of home meal replacement (HMR) is increasing among college students in Korea and China. In particular, Chinese college students studying abroad in Korea (CSK) show changes in their dietary behavior after migration, and HMR consumption for meal substitution is also increasing. This study was conducted to compare the HMR consumption behaviors and HMR development needs of CSK, Chinese college students in China (CSC), and Korean college students in Korea (KSK). @*SUBJECTS/METHODS@#The subjects were 570 college students (180 CSK, 200 CSC, and 190 KSK) who had experience of HMR consumption. Data were collected by face-to-face survey in 2019 and analyzed using SPSS 25.0. @*RESULTS@#The majority of the subjects purchased HMR to ‘saving time’ and ‘preventing meal skipping’. Average purchase price per HMR was about 5,000 won for the CSK and KSK, and about 3,000 won for the CSC. The most important attributes when selecting HMR for the CSK and CSC were hygiene, freshness, and taste in that order, while for the KSK were taste, price, and hygiene. Rice was preferred by the KSK while grilled and fried dishes were preferred by the CSK and CSC. In terms of development needs, dessert and meat-based side dishes were highest in all three groups. The preferred food materials for more than 50% of the subjects of all groups were beef, chicken, pork, shrimp, and squid, and spinach and Chinese cabbage in the CSK, and onion in the KSK. @*CONCLUSIONS@#This study shows more effort is needed to develop the healthy customized HMR for college students studying in Korea and China, and that focuses are placed by CSK on hygiene and freshness, by CSC on meat side dishes, hygiene, and price, and by KSK on snacks (as meal substitutes), taste, and price.

Comparison of nutrient intakes by nutritional anemia and the association between nutritional anemia and chronic diseases in Korean elderly: Based on the 2013–2015 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The elderly are reported to have a high prevalence of nutritional anemia when they have lower intakes of nutrients or chronic diseases. This study was conducted to compare nutritional status according to nutritional anemia and to determine associations between nutritional anemia and chronic diseases in Korean elderly. MATERIALS/METHODS: This study utilized data on 3,258 elderly aged ≥ 65 years gathered during the 6(th) Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015. Subjects were divided into nutritional anemia (NA) group (n = 415) and non-NA group (n = 2,843) by hemoglobin concentration. Nutrient intakes were assessed using dietary intake data obtained using the 24-hour recall method. The odds ratios (ORs) for nutritional anemia by chronic diseases were determined. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS Ver. 23.0. RESULTS: Of 3,258 subjects, 12.7% had nutritional anemia. Intakes of potatoes, pulses, and mushrooms by males and potatoes, fruits, meats, eggs, and seafood by females were significantly lower in NA group than in non-NA group. The proportion of the subjects whose intakes of protein, vitamin A, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₂, niacin, and iron less than estimated average requirement (EAR) were significantly higher in NA group compared to non-NA group. After adjusting for age, the number of family members, energy intake, and alcohol drinking, ORs for nutritional anemia in the subjects with diabetes and myocardial infarction or angina pectoris were significantly higher by 1.74 times and 1.59 times as compared to the subjects without those diseases, respectively. However, ORs for nutritional anemia in the subjects with obesity, abdominal obesity, and hypertriglyceridemia were significantly lower by 0.64 times, 0.60 times, and 0.59 times as compared to the subjects without those diseases, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study suggested that nutritional management should be done to enable the Korean elderly to consume foods with high hematopoietic nutrients density to prevent nutritional anemia. Korean elderly need to make regular efforts to check for nutritional anemia.

Comparison of body image perception, nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, and dietary habits between Korean and Mongolian college students

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: College students are in transition from adolescence to adulthood, and it has been reported that they show poor dietary habits. This study was conducted to compare body image perception, nutrition knowledge, dietary attitudes, dietary habits, and health-related lifestyles between Korean college students (KCS) and Mongolian college students (MCS). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Subjects were 314 KCS and 280 MCS. The data includes results of self-administered questionnaires; statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 23.0 program. RESULTS: With regards to body image perception, KCS perceived themselves to be fatter on current body image than ideal body image compared to MCS; 64.0% of KCS and 34.6% of MCS desired to be thinner. Total score of nutrition knowledge in KCS (17.0) was significantly higher compared to MCS (8.4) (P < 0.001), but total score of dietary attitudes in KCS (27.0) was significantly lower compared to MCS (31.2) (P < 0.001). Nutrition knowledge had a significantly positive correlation with dietary attitudes in MCS (P < 0.01). Meal consumption among male and female subjects was 2 and 3 times, respectively, in order in KCS, and 3 and 2 times, respectively, in order in MCS (P < 0.001). Rate of skipping breakfast in both genders was significantly higher in KCS than in MCS (male: P < 0.05, female: P < 0.001). In health-related lifestyles, KCS had a significantly higher rate in frequency of alcohol drinking (P < 0.001), exercise (P < 0.01), and mobile phone usage (P < 0.001), compared to MCS. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that development of nutrition education program which is effective and proper is required to improve healthy dietary habits among college students of both countries. Essential contents should include acquirement of nutrition knowledge and a motivation for its application to actual life for KCS, and improvement of healthy dietary habits for MCS.

Intake-related factors and educational needs regarding energy drinks in female high school students in the Incheon area / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate intake-related factors of energy drinks and educational needs regarding energy drinks in female high school students. METHODS: Subjects were 340 female high school students in Incheon, and data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 20.0 program. RESULTS: Subjects who had drunk energy drinks were 74.3% (249 subjects) of all subjects. The first time they drank an energy drink was significantly associated with grade (p < 0.05). In 75.1% of 249 subjects who had drunk energy drinks, the places for buying energy drinks were supermarkets and convenience stores near their homes. For the effects of energy drink intake, sleeplessness (44.6%) and no effect (41.7%) were cited, and 24.5% experienced side effects such as palpitation, tremors, etc. The scores for self-diagnosis of caffeine addiction were significantly higher in the low weight group compared to the overweight group (p < 0.05). The degree of caffeine addiction was significantly associated with effects of energy drink intake (p < 0.001) and type of side effects (p < 0.001). Willingness to stop consuming energy drinks (p < 0.001) and necessity of nutrition education about energy drinks (p < 0.05) were significantly lower in the caffeine addiction group compared to the general group. About 75.0% of subjects wanted to be educated about the side effects of energy drinks and caffeine. CONCLUSION: This study shows that female high school students need proper education about the effects of intake of energy drinks. Therefore, guidelines and a nutrition education program right intake of energy drinks should be provided as well as campaigns concerning the side effects of energy drinks and caffeine in female high school students.

Consumption behaviors of sugar-sweetened beverages and blood lipid profiles according to food-related lifestyles of adults in Incheon / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to investigate the consumption behaviors of sugar-sweetened beverages and blood lipid profiles according to food-related lifestyles of adults in Incheon. METHODS: Subjects were recruited from 19 to 64 year old adults residing in Incheon who visited for the purpose of a health examination at D hospital. A total of 110 subjects consented to participate in this study and to allow their health examination records to be used at D hospital. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires and anthropometric data, and blood lipid profiles were collected from health examination records. Statistical analysis was performed using the SPSS 20.0 program. RESULTS: In the factor analysis, food-related lifestyles were categorized into four factors: planned purchase seeking, taste seeking, well-being seeking, and convenience seeking. Using the K-average clustering method, food-related lifestyles of subjects were categorized into two groups: health and rationality-oriented group (HRG) and convenience purchase-oriented group (CPG). Average total scores of sugar-related nutrition knowledge in the HRG were significantly higher compared to the CPG, and average scores of consumption habits regarding sugar-containing foods in the HRG were significantly lower compared to the HRG. When subjects chose sugar-sweetened beverages, the CPG showed a significantly higher frequency of checking food labeling and considering nutrition compared to the CPG. Drinking frequency of carbonated beverages in the CPG was significantly higher compared to the HRG. CONCLUSION: There were significant differences in sugar-related nutrition knowledge and consumption habits of sugar-sweetened beverages between the two food-related lifestyle groups. These results could be useful for establishing guidelines for reducing consumption of sugar-sweetened beverages. In addition, it is necessary to continue sugar-related nutrition education by considering the food-related lifestyles of adults.

Consumption of health functional food and dietary habits, nutrient intake and dietary quality of college students in Incheon

The purpose of this study was to investigate consumption of health functional food (HFF) and dietary habits, nutrient intake, and dietary quality by HFF consumption in college students. The subjects of this study included 283 college students (179 males and 104 females) in Incheon metropolitan city. The cross-sectional study was conducted using self-reported questionnaires, including kinds of HFF consumed, motivation for purchase, reason for consumption, effect after consumption, reason for no consumption, and dietary habits. A three-day recall method was used for dietary assessment. Dietary qualities were assessed using nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and nutrient density (ND) values. The percentage of HFF consumption was 40.2% in males and 50.0% in females. The main kinds of HFF consumed by males were vitamins and minerals, red ginseng, protein, and omega-3 fatty acid, in that order. HFF consumed by females were vitamins and minerals, red ginseng, omega-3 fatty acid, and individually approved functional ingredients, in that order. The main motivation for purchase of HFF was recommendation of family and relatives (males 76.4% and females 78.8%). The main reason for consumption of HFF was health promotion (males 67.7% and females 63.5%) and the main reason for no consumption of HFF was not having a health problem (males 49.5% and females 46.2%). The dietary habit score for 'eat the milk or dairy product everyday' (p < 0.05) in females was significantly higher in HFF consumers, compared to HFF non-consumers. In males, the ND of vitamin B1 (p < 0.05) in HFF consumers was significantly higher compared to HFF non-consumers. In females, HFF consumers showed a significantly higher ND of vitamin B2 (p < 0.05) and Ca (p < 0.01), compared to HFF non-consumers. Regardless of HFF consumption, the NAR of vitamin C, folic acid, and Ca was less than 0.7. These results suggest the need for nutrition education for college students in order to improve dietary habits and for balanced nutritional status, and to provide correct information on HFF.

Dietary habits score, nutrients intake and dietary quality related to coffee consumption of college students in Incheon / 한국영양학회지

The purpose of this study is to investigate the food habits score, nutrients intake and dietary quality with regard to coffee consumption of college students in Incheon. The data were collected with a self-reports questionnaire with a total of 190 subjects, comprised with 101 male and 89 female college students. We classified these subjects into three groups using percentile of coffee intake to assess the nutrients intake and dietary quality. The correlations among coffee intake, food habits score, nutrients intake and dietary quality were evaluated. The average coffee intake of male and female college students were 156.8 mL and 157.4 mL, respectively. The coffee preferences with respect to specialty coffee were caramel macchiato, cafe latte, americano, cafe mocha, and cappucino in male college students, and caramel macchiato, americano, cafe mocha, cafe latte, and cappucino in female college students, in preference order. The coffee intake motivation score of the high 1/3 percentile group according to coffee intake was higher than that of the low 1/3 percentile group according to coffee intake in emotion motivation and utilitarian motivation. The highest scores were 'flavor and aroma' in emotion motivation, and 'prevention of sleepness' in utilitarian motivation. The average food habits score of "I often eat the natural food" was significantly higher in the low 1/3 percentile group according to coffee intake compared with the other groups (p < 0.05). There was a significantly positive correlation between coffee intake and 'I purchase the processed food after examining nutrition labels' of food habits score (r = 0.280; p < 0.01) in female college students. The energy intake of the high 1/3 percentile group according to coffee intake was significantly higher in that of the moderate 1/3 percentile group according to coffee intake in male college students (p < 0.05). Therefore, it may be necessary for college students to undergo a well-planned nutrition education regarding proper coffee intake, choice of coffee, energy intake related to coffee intake, and dietary habits.

Comparison of Role Conflict, Self-Efficacy, Job Satisfaction, and Job Involvement between Nutrition Teachers and Dietitians at School Food Service in Incheon Metropolitan City: Focusing on the Interactions between Nutrition Teachers and Dietitians

The purpose of this study was to compare differences in role conflict, self efficacy, job satisfaction, and job involvement perceived by school nutrition teachers and dietitians. A total of 335 female school nutrition teachers and dietitians from Incheon area were surveyed by a self-report questionnaire in November 2010. Collected data were processed using SPSS 15.0. The reliability of the questionnaire was tested and differences between the two groups were analyzed using the Student's t-test, the chi-square test, and a two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA). The job satisfaction level of nutrition teachers was higher than that of dietitians. The effect of role conflict and job satisfaction for nutrition teachers and dietitians was different according to age. In addition, self-efficacy, job satisfaction, and job involvement of nutrition teachers and dietitians were influenced by their annual salaries. The frequency of meals served also affected role conflict, job satisfaction, and job involvement of the nutrition teachers and dietitians, and the effect of job involvement by the nutrition teachers and dietitians was different according to meal service type. Therefore, it is necessary to establish strategies for resolving role conflicts among school foodservice specialists and improve their self-efficacy for enhancing consumer's satisfaction with the general quality of school food service. These efforts may contribute to job satisfaction and job involvement of food service specialists and ultimately to the productivity of food service and the establishment of food service specialist roles.

Taurine ameliorates hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia by reducing insulin resistance and leptin level in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats with long-term diabetes

This study aimed to determine whether taurine supplementation improves metabolic disturbances and diabetic complications in an animal model for type 2 diabetes. We investigated whether taurine has therapeutic effects on glucose metabolism, lipid metabolism, and diabetic complications in Otsuka Long-Evans Tokushima fatty (OLETF) rats with long-term duration of diabetes. Fourteen 50-week-old OLETF rats with chronic diabetes were fed a diet supplemented with taurine (2%) or a non-supplemented control diet for 12 weeks. Taurine reduced blood glucose levels over 12 weeks, and improved OGTT outcomes at 6 weeks after taurine supplementation, in OLETF rats. Taurine significantly reduced insulin resistance but did not improve beta-cell function or islet mass. After 12 weeks, taurine significantly decreased serum levels of lipids such as triglyceride, cholesterol, high density lipoprotein cholesterol, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol. Taurine significantly reduced serum leptin, but not adiponectin levels. However, taurine had no therapeutic effect on damaged tissues. Taurine ameliorated hyperglycemia and dyslipidemia, at least in part, by improving insulin sensitivity and leptin modulation in OLETF rats with long-term diabetes. Additional study is needed to investigate whether taurine has the same beneficial effects in human diabetic patients.

Correlation among Dietary Habits Score, Life Stress Score and Health-Related Quality of Life (HRQL) Score for Female College Students with Functional Constipation

The study purpose was to investigate correlations among dietary habits score, life stress score and health-related quality of life (HRQL) score for female college students with functional constipation (FC). The data were collected in 2008 from 265 female college students: 86 with FC and 179 without FC. The diagnosis of FC was based on the Rome II criteria, and life stress and HRQL were assessed using self-administered life stress questionnaire and SF-36, respectively. The correlations among dietary habit score, life stress score, and HRQL score were evaluated. The averages of age, height, weight, body fat percentage and body mass index (BMI) of female college students were 20.8 years, 160.9 cm, 53.7 kg, 27.8%, and 20.7 kg/m2, respectively. The average dietary habit score of "having meals with diverse foods" was significantly lower in the FC group than in the normal group (p < 0.05). The average faculty problem (p < 0.05), grade problem (p < 0.05), economy problem (p < 0.05), value problem (p < 0.05), and total stress (p < 0.01) scores of the FC group were significantly higher than those of the normal group. The average HRQL score was 70.4 in the FC group and 74.3 in the normal group (p < 0.05). There were significantly negative correlations between total stress score and total food habits score (r = -0.221; p < 0.01) and HRQL score (r = -0.539; p < 0.01) in the FC. These results suggest that female students with FC are highly perceptive to stress and have low HRQL. In addition, female students with FC may require nutritional education about eating diversity.

Iron Deficiency Anemia and Vitamin D Deficiency in Breastfed Infants / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional problems, despite a recent improvement of nutritional status of infants and children. We assessed the risk factors for IDA in infants and vitamin D deficiency and IDA by nutrition analysis. METHODS: We analyzed blood tests and evaluated 103 children with IDA and 123 children without IDA, 6-36 months of age, who were cared for in our hospital between March 2006 and July 2010. Nutritional analysis using Canpro was performed among breastfed infants 6~12 months of age who had been diagnosed with IDA and had detailed diet histories. RESULTS: Breastfed infants accounted for 87.4% and 40.7% of the IDA and comparison groups, respectively. The IDA and comparison groups began weaning food at 6.4+/-1.8 and 5.9+/-1.3 months, respectively. In the IDA and comparison groups, 46.4% and 53.5% began to adapt to weaning food within 4 weeks, respectively. The most common reason for hospital care of the IDA group was respiratory symptoms constituting 36.2%. Only 18.6% visited the hospital for palloror anemia. The Canpro analysis, performed on 11 infants with IDA, showed that iron and vitamin D were <40% and 30% of recommended intakes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Weaning food should be started 4~6 months of age in breastfed infants. In infants at high risk for IDA and vitamin D deficiency, screening tests should be recommended. The high-risk infants may require iron, vitamin D fortified formula, or oral supplements.

Iron Deficiency Anemia and Vitamin D Deficiency in Breastfed Infants / 대한소아소화기영양학회지

PURPOSE: Iron deficiency anemia (IDA) is one of the most common nutritional problems, despite a recent improvement of nutritional status of infants and children. We assessed the risk factors for IDA in infants and vitamin D deficiency and IDA by nutrition analysis. METHODS: We analyzed blood tests and evaluated 103 children with IDA and 123 children without IDA, 6-36 months of age, who were cared for in our hospital between March 2006 and July 2010. Nutritional analysis using Canpro was performed among breastfed infants 6~12 months of age who had been diagnosed with IDA and had detailed diet histories. RESULTS: Breastfed infants accounted for 87.4% and 40.7% of the IDA and comparison groups, respectively. The IDA and comparison groups began weaning food at 6.4+/-1.8 and 5.9+/-1.3 months, respectively. In the IDA and comparison groups, 46.4% and 53.5% began to adapt to weaning food within 4 weeks, respectively. The most common reason for hospital care of the IDA group was respiratory symptoms constituting 36.2%. Only 18.6% visited the hospital for palloror anemia. The Canpro analysis, performed on 11 infants with IDA, showed that iron and vitamin D were <40% and 30% of recommended intakes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Weaning food should be started 4~6 months of age in breastfed infants. In infants at high risk for IDA and vitamin D deficiency, screening tests should be recommended. The high-risk infants may require iron, vitamin D fortified formula, or oral supplements.

Nutritional Knowledge and Dietary Behavior of the 6th Grade Elementary School Students in Daejeon Area by Gender and Skipping Breakfast

This study was conducted to investigate nutritional knowledge related to breakfast and dietary behavior of elementary school students by gender and skipping breakfast. The subjects of this study were the 6th grade elementary school students (Total 237; 119 males and 118 females) in Daejeon. The group who ate breakfast six to seven times per week was 58.6%; The group who ate breakfast zero to five times per week was 41.4%. Most of subjects' families (84.4%) were 'nuclear family' and 63.8% of mothers held jobs. There was a significant difference between family income and skipping breakfast. As for the type of breakfast, 79.0% of the male students and 81.4% of female students answered 'cooked rice' and the reasons for skipping breakfast were 'no appetite' followed by 'not enough time', 'over sleeping'. In the eating breakfast group, frequency of having breakfast with family was higher compared to the skipping breakfast group. Total scores of nutritional knowledge related to breakfast in the female students were significantly higher than those of the male students. Also significant differences were found on such questions as 'the relation between eating breakfast and body weight control' and 'importance of breakfast' by skipping breakfast. The dietary behavior scores of the group who ate breakfast were higher than those of the group who skipped breakfast. Therefore, a need exists to develop and distribute a simple breakfast menu that contains Korean-style food and can be more appetizing and appealing to Korean elementary school students. Also it is necessary to develop a systemic awareness program that emphasize the importance of breakfast and the harmfulness of skipping breakfast.

Prevalence of Constipation, Bowel Habits and Nutrient Intakes of College Students in Incheon Area

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of constipation, bowel habits and nutrient intakes of college students. The subjects were 353 college students (166 males and 187 females) aged 19 to 29 years in Incheon area. The subjects were asked about bowel habits and dietary intake using questionnaires during march, 2008 and the prevalence of functional constipation (FC) was based on the Rome II criteria. The prevalence of FC in male and female students was 12.7% and 28.9%, respectively. The prevalence of self-reported constipation in male and female students was 12.0% and 36.9%, respectively. Both were higher in female students compared to male students. Among the subjects that have self-reported constipation, proportions of FC were 35.0% in male students and 55.1% in female students. Of subjects that did not self-reported constipation, the proportions of FC were 9.6% in male students and 13.6% in female students. Over 90% of respondents that self-reported constipation in male students, had neither visited a hospital and nor used laxatives or functional foods for constipation relief. Seventy five point three percent of male students, and 40.1% of female students, had a defecation frequency of over 5 times per week (p < 0.001). Ratios intaken under the estimated average requirement (EAR) of Vit A, Vit C, folic acid and Ca were over the 50% regardless of functional constipation. Mean daily consumption of total dietary fiber was 15.0 g/day in male students and 13.5 g/day in female students. According to these results, both functional constipation and self-reported constipation are more frequent in female college students and further studies are required in case-control study and related to psychological factors as well as nutrients to relieve of constipation.

Evaluation of 8-week body weight control program including sea tangle (Laminaria japonica) supplementation in Korean female college students

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of a body weight control program with supplementation of sea tangle (20 g/day) on 22 female college students. The contents of the program for 8 weeks contained diet therapy, exercise and behavioral modification through nutrition education. Body composition, dietary habit scores, serum lipid profiles, daily nutrient intakes and the quality of life were assessed at the beginning and at the end of the program. Average age of subjects and height were 20.8 years and 161.9 cm, respectively. After 8 weeks, there were significant reductions in body weight, body fat mass, percent body fat, waist-hip ratio and BMI. The dietary habit score such as a balanced diet, regularity of mealtime, overeating, eating while watching TV or using the computer and eating salty food were increased significantly. Serum lipid levels such as total cholesterol level, LDL-cholesterol level and triglyceride level were decreased but not significantly. There were decreases in intake of energy, protein and fat and increases in intakes of dietary fiber, folic acid, calcium and potassium from the beginning to the end of the program. There were significant improvements on subcomponents of quality of life; physical functioning, general-health and vitality. The limitation of this study was the fact that there was no control group, but an overall evaluation suggests the 8-week body weight control program consisting of diet therapy, exercise and behavioral modification with supplementation of sea tangle would be helpful to improve the body composition, dietary habits, daily nutrient intakes and quality of life in Korean female college students.

College Students' Dietary Behavior, Health-Related Lifestyles and Nutrient Intake Status by Physical Activity Levels using International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) in Incheon Area

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary behavior, health-related lifestyles and nutrient intake status of college students according to physical activity levels. The physical activity levels were measured using the Korean version of the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) short form. The subjects of this study were 438 college students (243 males and 195 females) in Incheon area and were divided by gender and by physical activity levels, which included low, moderate and high physical activity groups. The average age of male and female students were 23.7 and 21.0 years old, respectively. The prevalence of the low physical activity group was 11.5% for males and 30.8% for females and that of the high physical activity group was 38.7% for males and 22.6% for females. According to the criteria for obesity in Asia-Pacific region, 39.1% of the males and 64.1% of the female students investigated were in the normal range of BMI and 30.9% of the males and 4.6% of the female students were in the obesity category. However, percent of body fat in the female students was significantly higher than that of the male students. The soft lean mass of the high physical activity group was higher compared to the other groups. In the low physical activity group, frequency of "eating out" was lower compared to the other groups. The average consumption of energy was 74.4% for males and 80.1% for females of the estimated energy requirement (EER). The mean intakes of vitamin C, vitamin B2, folic acid and Ca were 67.3%, 84%, 52.7% and 36.7% for males and 64.8%, 99.9%, 51.1% and 40.1% for females of recommended intake (RI), respectively. Therefore, it was necessary for obesity prevention as well as health promotion to increase physical activity and to eat an adequate, balanced diet in female college students.

The Utilization of Environment-Friendly Agricultural Products of College Students in the Seoul and Incheon Areas / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of study was to investigate the utilization of environment-friendly agricultural products of the college students attending nutrition education. The subjects were 387 college students (male 53.2%, female 46.8%) at universities in the Seoul and Incheon areas. A cross-sectional study was conducted by a self-administered questionnaire. The percentage of subjects who purchased environment-friendly agricultural products was 37.2%. The most purchased environment-friendly agricultural products were vegetables. The main reason for preferring the environment-friendly agricultural products was good for health (53.7%). Also, the main motive of purchasing the environment-friendly agricultural products was for health (87.5%). For the quality of the environment-friendly agricultural products, they answered 'safety' (4.19), 'freshness' (4.03) and 'nutrition' (3.90), respectively. For college students' right choices of environment-friendly agricultural products, information and consumer education on these products are necessary.

Regional Differences in Taste and Food Preferences of College Students Attending Nutritional Education via Internet I. Main and Side Dishes / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate the regional differences in food preference among college students participating in a nutrition education program via internet. The subjects were 1672 college students (male: 762, female: 910) and divided into 4 regional groups. A survey using a self-administered questionnaire was conducted using a self-administered questionnaire on taste and food preferences. Data was collected via internet or by mail. Prevalence of the food preferences among regional groups was examined using SPSS statistical package. Food preferences were significantly associated with sex and region. Female students in Chungcheong and Kyungsang areas showed significantly higher preference of the hot taste compared to Seoul and Kyunggi areas. Female students in Seoul, Kyunggi and Chungcheong areas showed significantly higher preference of the boiled bean rice compared to the Kyungsang area. The preference for Kimchi stew of female students in Seoul and Kyunggi was significantly higher than those in Chungcheong and Kyungsang areas. Male students in the Chungcheong area showed significantly higher preferences of the Young radish kimchi, while female students in this area showed significantly higher preference of the Radish kimchi compared to other areas. The preference for roasted laver of female students in Seoul, Kyunggi and Kyungsang areas was significantly higher compared to the Chungcheong area. The preference for fried chicken of male students in Seoul was significantly higher than that in other areas. The preference for bean sprouts and season bonnet bellflower of male students in Seoul, Chungcheong and Kyungsang areas were significantly higher compared to the Kyunggi area. Therefore, these results provide nation-wide information on food preferences among Korean college students.

The Prevalence of Obesity, Serum Lipid Levels and Age at Menarche in Adolescent Female Athletes / 소아과

PURPOSE: The aim of this study is to find the prevalence of obesity, the serum lipid levels and the age at menarche in adolescent female athletes and to examine the effects of exercise in adolescent stage. METHODS: With a questionnaire regarding their age at menarche, physical measurement, body fat, and blood samples of the serum lipid levels to evaluate the hyperlipidemia were obtained from adolescent female athletes(n=107) and general adolescent students(n=650) who didn't exercise at regular intervals, aged 12 to 18 years. RESULTS: The mean weight in the athletes' group was 53.3+/-7.3 kg, which was similar with 54.3+/-8.0 kg in the control group. The mean height in the athletes' group was 161.4+/-5.4 cm, which was taller than 158.9+/-5.3 cm in the control group. The prevalence of obesity by obesity index, body fat, and BMI in the athletes' group were significantly lower than in control group. There was no significant difference in age at menarche between two groups(12.6+/-1.3, 12.9+/-1.2). The levels of cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and HDL cholesterol in the athletes' group were higher than in the control group. The levels of triglyceride in the athletes' group was lower than in control group. CONCLUSION: These data suggest the importance of exercise in adolescents for the prevention of obesity since it may reduce body fat and increase the height. There was no negative effect of exercise on the age at menarche. We think that more controlled assessment of nutrition, diet habit, hormonal effect and height are warranted to find the correlation with hyperlipidemia and exercise at the adolescent stage.

A Study on Elementary School Teacher's Status and Recognition of Nutrition Education in Incheon

The purpose of this study was to investigate the elementary school teacher's status and recognition of nutrition education (NE) in Incheon. A cross-sectional study was carried out using a self-administered questionnaire and subjects were 147 elementary school teachers. The results are as follows. Only 9.5% of the teachers had training in NE and 71.4% of the teachers with training increased concern about NE after training. As for experience of NE, 61.6% of the teachers experienced NE and more than half of them gave NE less than twice per month. There was a significant difference in reason for not giving NE between subgroups by teaching career; 57.7% of the teachers with career more than 10 years did not give NE due to too much other work. As for existence of nutrition educator in school, 48.9% of the teachers recognized its existence and 91.3% of them answered that dietitians have done NE. For correction of unbalanced diet, good table manner, and nutrition and growth, 97.9% of the teachers answered that NE is necessary in elementary school. As for proper time to start NE, 57.5% of the teachers answered kindergarten and 39,7% answered lower grade of elementary school. As for effective type for NE, 47.3% of the teachers answered NE as a part of other subject and 28.1% answered NE as a separate subject. Also 69.8% of the teachers answered dietitian as suitable person for NE. As for newly establishing a NE subject, 37.9% of the teachers disagreed and as for most effective method for NE, 73.3% answered NE linked with school lunch program. Most of teachers recognized elementary school students'eating habit problem severe and change of their eating habit such as various food choice, no plate waste and good table manner after school lunch program. Therefore, it should be nationally supported that a standardized NE program is developed and coordinated among teachers, school lunch dietitian as NE specialist, family and community for elementary students' health and well-being.