Development of healthy Han-sik nutrition education program featuring consumption of Korean foods for prevention of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults

Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of metabolic risk factors associated with increased risk of cardiovascular diseases. Recently, the prevalence of metabolic syndrome has increased in Korea. The aim of this study was to develop a Healthy Han-sik Nutrition Education Program (HHNEP) based on commonly recognized Korean foods in order to decrease metabolic syndrome risks. The target population of the HHNEP is adults with metabolic risk factors. The initial version of the HHNEP was developed based on a review of literature and various dietary guidelines by expert committees as well as the results of a survey on the perception of common Korean dishes and foods as Han-sik. The focus group discussion conducted of nine participants from the target population. After minor modification, the final version was developed. The contents included five sections: 1) aims, 2) introduction of Korean Food Guidance System, 3) cholesterol contents in food, 4) menu planning method using Han-sik, and 5) examples of daily Han-sik menu. The Han-sik list was selected based on the results from a Han-sik perception answered by 35 Korean adults aged 30-60 years using 517 frequently consumed Korean foods from the fourth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The nutrition education program was developed based on scientific evidence for the prevention of metabolic syndrome and focuses on tailoring education to an individual's dietary problems. Educational method was developed by a group of expert committees based in planned behavior theory and related research results. The education method consisted of assessment of current diet, four face-to-face nutrition education sessions over 8 weeks, and evaluation after 8 and 16 weeks. Initial version of nutrition education materials and methods was tested for feasibility by a select group of nine Korean healthy adults. Successful implementation of the program would include application by nutritional professionals at the health promotion center of the hospitals, public health center, and work sites. Intervention studies are needed to evaluate the feasibility and effectiveness of this program before large-scale applications.

Perception of common Korean dishes and foods among professionals in related fields

Han-sik is a term in Korean that may indicate any Korean dish or food. At present, there is no general consensus on the definition of Han-sik among scholars or professionals in related fields. The aim of this study was to investigate perceptions of Han-sik by professionals in the fields of food, nutrition, and culinary arts using 512 dishes and foods commonly consumed by Koreans using the 4th Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. A total of 117 professionals out of 185 initially contacted professionals participated in this online survey. We calculated the rate of respondents with a positive answer, that is "It is Han-sik', on each dish and food from the 512 items in 28 dish groups. Items were categorized into five groups according to their Han-sik perception rate: over 90%, 75-89%, 50-74%, 25-49%, and below 25%. Most items in the three dish groups 'Seasoned vegetables, cooked (Namul.Suk-chae)', 'Kimchis', and 'Salt-fermented foods (Jeotgal)' showed high perception rates of Han-sik, with a higher than 90% positive response. Items in 'Soups', 'Stews', and 'Steamed foods' dish groups also showed high perception rates of Han-sik. However, no item showed a greater than 90% Han-sik perception rate in 'Fried foods (Twigim)', 'Meat, poultry and fishes', 'Legumes, nuts, and seeds', 'Milk and milk products', 'Sugars and confectioneries', and 'Soup'. Most items in the 'Milk and milk products', 'Sugars and confectioneries', and 'Soup' groups belonged to the lowest perception rate of below 25%. There was a significant difference in the proportion of items perceived as Han-sik by the length of living abroad to (p < 0.05). In summary, the perception rate of Han-sik seemed to be affected by the cooking method, ingredients, and length of time living abroad by the professionals. Further studies targeting subjects with different characteristics and socioeconomic status are warranted to define the concept of Han-sik.

Study of Dietary Attitudes and Diet Management of Married Immigrant Women in Korea according to Residence Period

The purpose of this study was to examine the dietary attitudes and meal management of married immigrant women according to residence period in Korea. The study was conducted by administering a questionnaire survey to 220 married immigrant women in Korea. More than one third of the immigrant women who stayed in Korea less than 3 years tended to eat a limited variety of foods. Irregularity of meal time decreased as residence time period increased (P<0.05). As immigrant women stayed longer in Korea, they became more responsible for the diet of their family (P<0.001) and had more time to share breakfast and dinner with all family members (P<0.05). Nearly half of immigrant women in all residence periods indicated their husband's family as the most influential factor in acquiring Korean foods (P<0.05). Immigrant women became more familiar with Korean cooking and recognition of nutritious foods (P<0.001) the longer they lived in Korea and more enjoyable meal times with family (P<0.05). In summary, as the period of residence in Korea increased, the dietary attitudes of immigrant women became more positive towards Korean food and diet culture. Further, immigrant women became more responsible for guiding children's dietary habits and offering healthy foods to their family as residence period increased. Therefore, the government and social programs should conduct constant and organized lessons on Korean culture and cooking according to residence period for immigrant women to build up stable and positive dietary attitudes.

Effects of Cooking Activities on the Taste and Perception of Korean Foods among Upper Grade Elementary School Children

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects cooking activities on the taste and perception of Korean foods in upper grade school children. The cooking class program was designed as 16 lessons for fourth, fifth, and sixth grade school children, and it was implemented as an extracurricular activity. Each lesson included the origin and meaning of Korean foods and cooking. Thirty four children were recruited for participation in cooking class from two elementary schools in Changwon. The control group was recruited from a convenient sampling in each school. The pre- and post-implementation surveys were conducted for comparison of the effects of cooking class between the educated and control group. Children answered the self-administered questionnaire. The questionnaire contained measures of demographic variables, eating culture, interest and preference, taste, perception, and knowledge of Korean foods. There were no significant differences in interest and preference on traditional Korean foods, however, the taste of experimental foods was increased by education (P<0.05). Results for perception (P<0.05) and knowledge (P<0.001) of traditional Korean foods were significantly increased by education. However, no changes in taste, perception, and knowledge were observed in the control group. In conclusion, cooking activity is the most favorite activity of children, and is an effective method for positively affecting the taste and perception of Korean foods.

Perceptions of Traditional Korean Foods and Satisfaction Levels toward School Foodservice among Middle School Students and Parents of Schools Serving Traditional Korean Menus in Gyeonggi Province

The purpose of this study was to investigate perceptions of Korean foods and school foodservice satisfaction levels among middle school students as provided by a Korean menu-focused school foodservice. The study subjects included middle school freshmen attending a school providing Korean menus and their parents. A survey questionnaire was administered to obtain information on general characteristics, perceptions of traditional Korean foods, and degrees of satisfaction toward school foodservice. The student subjects had significantly lower interest and preference for traditional Korean foods and less positive perceptions of traditional Korean foods than the parent subjects. In regard to degrees of satisfaction for school foodservice, the students evaluated the current Korean menu-focused foodservice significantly higher than the previous foodservice provided to them during their elementary school days. The parent subjects' also generally reported very high satisfaction levels of the foodservice. The current study findings suggest there are positive effects of Korean-style school foodservice and support its further expansion to other schools. It is recommended that dietary education on the excellence of traditional Korean foods should accompany the provision of Korean-style foodservices in order to better guide adolescents' recognition of the matter.

A Study of Nickel Content in Korean Foods / 대한피부과학회지

BACKGROUND: Nickel-sensitive patients may suffer from persistent dermatitis even if they avoid cutaneous contact with nickel-plated items. Therefore, an endogenous cause of nickel-induced dermatitis has been suggested. In Western countries, many studies suggested that reduction of dietary intake of nickel might benefit nickel-sensitive patients. OBJECT: We measured the nickel content of Korean foods, since a nickel-restricted diet is essential for nickel-sensitive patients. METHOD: We ground the food, then nitric acid, sulphuric acid, and fluoric acid were added to the ground foods to dissolve organic matter. We then measured nickel content in these samples using Inductive Coupled Plasma-Mass Spectrometry. RESULTS: A green tea bag contained 235.57mg Ni/kg, a black tea bag 62.79mg Ni/kg, chocolate 27.87mg Ni/kg, crisps 12.70mg Ni/kg, wheat flour 12.15mg Ni/kg, Welsh onion 0.026mg Ni/kg, garlic 0.016mg Ni/kg, milk 0.004 mg Ni/kg, egg 0.002mg Ni/kg, and salt 0.0mg Ni/kg. CONCLUSION: High nickel concentrations were found in green tea bag, chocolate, crisps, wheat flour, coffee bean, peanuts, and kimchi etc. On the other hand, rice, barley and spice had low content of nickel. Formulation of nickel-restricted diet using these results is expected to be helpful in the treatment of nickel-sensitive patients.