ABSTRACT
This study was performed using mealtime atmosphere to characterize the food ecology of Korean children residing in different regions of Korea. A total of 705 elementary school students, 347 girls and 358 boys, were divided into three groups according to the areas where they lived, which included Seoul (n = 230), provincial cities (n = 273) and rural areas (n = 202). The subjects were asked to fill out questionnaires which were categorized to determine various factors related to food ecology, life styles, and health related symptoms. The average age of the study subjects was 11.5 years. The results showed that the average height (p < 0.01), weight (p < 0.01) and body mass index (BMIs)(p < 0.01) of the rural group were significantly lower than those of the Seoul and provincial city groups. A significantly higher proportion (10.4%) of the rural group was from disfunctional families, including single parent families, than those of the Seoul (1.7%) or provincial city (4.4%) groups. However, a larger number of children from Seoul ate alone, did not enjoy their meals, and hardly talked to each other during breakfast time, compared to those from the provincial city or rural areas. Also, the proportion (33.0%) of 'good' in balance of meal was the lowest (33.0%) in Seoul of the three areas (p < 0.01). Most of the children answered that they liked having breakfast and dinner with the whole family. In conclusion, the food ecology of elementary children differed according to the regions in which they resided. Although children from Seoul had higher BMIs, their nutritional intake was not satisfactory, and their undesirable food ecology could be a contributing factor.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Atmosphere , Body Mass Index , Breakfast , Ecology , Korea , Life Style , Meals , Seoul , Single-Parent Family , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
The current socioeconomic climate has meant more children spend more time alone at home even for dining. This study was performed to characterize modem Korean childrens' food ecology based on mealtime atmosphere. A total of 705 elementary school students, 347 girls and 358 boys took part in the study. They were chosen evenly from the Seoul metropolitan areas, provincial cities, or rural areas, and were asked to fill out a questionnaire. The questionnaire was categorized to determine various factors related to food ecology, life styles, and health related symptoms. The average age of the study subjects was 11.5 years. The average height, weight, body mass index, and Rohrer index were 143.2 cm, 37.6 kg, 18.2 and 127.2 respectively. A significant number of children(39.2%) answered their bed time was between 11 and 12 pm. Only 28.3% answered that the whole family has breakfast together, and 47.7% have dinner together. A considerable number of children, 17.8% for breakfast and 6.9% for dinner, answered they eat alone. Most of the children answered they like to have dinner with the whole family. Half of the children answered they do not feel hungry before having breakfast. Proportions of children for their favorite meal time were 66.8%, and 25.4% and 7.8% for dinner, school lunch, and breakfast respectively. The largest proportions of children, 53.3% and 68.7%, have breakfast and dinner at home. Most of the children(75.2%) never purchase their dinner. Forty two% of the children answered they like school lunch, however, 60% of children answered they leave portions of lunch uneaten occasionally or always. Only 38.0% and 46.2% of the children have nutritionally adequate diet for breakfast and dinner. Children having more meals with the whole family possessed a more positive attitude towards breakfast compared to the children who eat with the whole family less frequently. In conclusion, Korea children are exposed to different health threatening food ecology problems related to changing environments, and consistent concern and support from community nutritionists are required.
Subject(s)
Child , Female , Humans , Atmosphere , Body Weight , Breakfast , Climate , Diet , Ecology , Korea , Life Style , Lunch , Meals , Modems , Nutritionists , Seoul , Surveys and QuestionnairesABSTRACT
Intake of soy protein the fisk factors associated with cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. This study was designed to effects of isoflavone supplementation on serum lipids in 16 hyperlipidemic postmenopausal women . For this purpose, an intervention study was conducted for 12 weeks. Subjects were healthy, free-living women consuming habitual diets with 0.3g/d of isoflavone. Food and nutrient intake was obtained by 24-hr recall method and anthropometric measurement were made. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure, total serum cholesterol. HDL-cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were determined before and after the isoflavone supplementation. The results were summarized as follows. The average age, hight, weight and BMI of the subject were 65.3 years, 151.4 cm, 62.2 kg and 27.1, respectively. The systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were not reduced significantly with isoflavone supplementation. Total cholesterol (p<0.001), HDL-C(p<0.05), and LDL-C(p<0.01) were significantly increased after isoflavone concentration. In conclusion, isoflavone supplementation was not effective to modify risk factors for cardiovascular disease.