Risk of Metabolic Syndrome according to Intakes of Vegetables and Kimchi in Korean Adults: Using the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2010–2011 / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The objective of this study was to examine the relations between total vegetable and Kimchi intakes and the risk of metabolic syndrome (Mets) in Korean adults. METHODS: This study used dietary intake and health data of 6668 subjects aged 20 years and over from the 2010–2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Daily intakes of total vegetables and Kimchi were assessed by 24-hour recall data. The odds ratio of Mets risk according to daily intake of vegetables and Kimchi was analyzed, respectively. RESULTS: The highest consumption of total vegetables was associated with a lower risk of abdominal obesity (multivariable adjusted OR=0.56, 95% CI: 0.33, 0.93) in men and lower risk of Mets (multivariable adjusted OR=0.67, 95% CI: 0.47, 0.94) in women. Kimchi consumption was not related to the risk of Mets in both men and in women. However, a higher intake of Kimchi was associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure (Q1 vs Q5, multivariable adjusted OR=1.34, 95% CI: 0.95, 1.90, P for trend= 0.0261) in women. CONCLUSIONS: A higher intake of vegetables was associated with decreased risk of abdominal obesity and Mets in both men and women, respectively. A higher consumption of Kimchi was not related to the risk of Mets in both in men and in women. However, a higher intake of Kimchi was associated with an increased risk of elevated blood pressure in women.

Analysis of Kimchi, vegetable and fruit consumption trends among Korean adults: data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (1998-2012)

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to analyze daily kimchi, vegetable and fruit consumption by general characteristics and vegetable and fruit consumption from 1998 to 2012 by the Korean population based on the data of the KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study is based on the 1998-2012 KNHNES. Analysis data on 54,700 subjects aged 19 years and older were obtained from health behavior interviews and the 24-hour dietary recall method. RESULTS: Daily kimchi consumption and portion size of kimchi decreased significantly from 1998 to 2012 (adjusted P for trend < 0.0001). Meanwhile, daily consumption of both non-salted vegetable and fruit with and without kimchi did not significantly change between 1998 and 2012. Reduced consumption of kimchi, non-salted vegetable, and fruit was observed for both genders as well as daily meal episodes and cooking locations. Male and female subjects with insufficient non-salted vegetable and fruit intake were increased 1.4 times and 1.3 times, respectively, in 2012 than 1998. All subjects consumed at least 400 g/day of non-salted vegetable, fruit, and kimchi in each survey year, although they consumed insufficient amounts (< 400 g/day) of non-salted vegetable and fruit without kimchi. CONCLUSIONS: Since Koreans generally consume high amounts of fermented vegetables, including kimchi, total vegetables and fruit. Consumption of these foods by the Korean adult population reached 400 g, which is the recommended intake of the WCRF/AICR. Based on this result, it is necessary to promote consumption of kimchi in the Korean population and research the development of low sodium kimchi in the future.

Intake Patterns and Preference for Kimchi Among Middle School Students in Masan

The aim of this study was to examine intake patterns and preferences for Kimchi in middle school students. The subjects included 361 male and 325 female students in Masan City. For the frequency of Kimchi intake, the largest group consisted of students who ate Kimchi at every meal, with 51.6%, and the majority of them had seven or more pieces of Kimchi per meal. In addition, 50.4% viewed Kimchi as an indispensable dish; and of those who consumed Kimchi at every meal, two kinds of Kimchi would be served. Ggodeulppaegi- Kimchi and Yangbachu-Kimchi were the least preferred types, while Baechu-Kimchi was most preferred, followed by Kakduki and Dongchimi. Furthermore, ripe Kimchi was considered more preferred by 44.9% of the students, and the males had greater preferences for fresh Kimchi (36.0%) as compared to the females (26.8%). Regarding their favorite portion of the Kimchi, students who ate Kimchi at every meal were fond of every part; while 36.6% of the males preferred the top portion and 42.5% of the females preferred the whole portion of Kimchi. The degree of ripeness (39.9%) was selected as the most crucial factor in determining taste, and 49.1% of the subjects preferred a spicy taste. The students who ate Kimchi at every meal liked properly seasoned Kimchi (56.6%), of which 79.4% preferred spicy Kimchi; although they did not like excessively hot Kimchi products. Finally, 37.5% of the subjects identified salted shrimp as their favorite fish sauce.