Nutrients Intake and Health Status by Fruits and Vegetables Intake in Adolescents Based on the 2013∼2015 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

This study was conducted to compare the nutrient intake, physical characteristics, and health status according to daily fruits and vegetables intake of adolescents using the Korean national health and nutrition examination survey for the sixth period (2013∼2015). Subjects were 1,096 adolescents aged 13∼18 years. The average daily intake of fruits and vegetables was 518.49±4.94 g. The two groups (insufficient, sufficient) were divided by fruits and vegetables intake (<500 g/day, ≥500 g/day) and the ratio of the insufficient group was 75.9% while that of the adequate group was 24.1%. The mean of intake of energy, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron, thiamin, niacin, vitamin C and dietary fiber differed significantly between the insufficient and sufficient groups (P<0.01, P<0.001). However, there was no significant difference in physical characteristics between groups. The self-perceived health status was better in the sufficient group (P<0.05), while the insufficient group was aware of more stress in their daily life (P<0.05). The serum triglyceride was significantly higher in the sufficient group (P<0.05), while the total cholesterol was lower (P<0.05). As the characteristics of fruits and vegetables are different, it will be necessary to determine standards for consumption of each type. It is also necessary to consider whether a fruits and vegetables intake of 500 g would be a reasonable standard for adolescents. Nevertheless, the results of this study indicate efforts to increase fruits and vegetables intake by young people are necessary.

Association between Self-Perceived Health Status and Health Related Behavior in Routine Health Examinees / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Self-perceived health is a good indicator of health status. It is generally accepted that self-perceived health status has important role on one's health behavior and public health education. Smoking, drinking, and obesity are well known risk factors for one's health. But its effects on self-perceived health status are not known so well in Korea. This study was planned to evaluate the effect of health behavior such as smoking, drinking, and obesity on self-perceived health status. METHODS: We enrolled a total of 6,040 Koreans, visited to one general hospital health promotion center from June, 2004 through June, 2007. Data was collected by questionnaire, including basic demographic variables, family history of cancers or cerobrovascular accidents, psycho-emotional factors such as stress, depression, anxiety, insomnia, and health behaviors including smoking, drinking, and exercise. Risk factors for metabolic syndrome were also obtained including waist circumference, blood pressure, triglyceride, high-density lipoprotein (HDL), fasting blood sugar, and body mass index (BMI). RESULTS: Older age, higher alcohol consumption, higher BMI, and regular exercise were associated with higher selfperceived health status. Higher education status, higher score of stress, symptoms such as depression, anxiety, and insomnia, drug medication, operation history, and abnormal HDL status were associated with lower self-perceived health status. Smoking and metabolic syndrome had no relation with self-perceived health status. CONCLUSION: Drinking and higher BMI were associated with higher self-perceived health status, indicating discrepancies between self-perceived health status and medical advice. More strict education might be required for those risk factors.

Serum Osmolality and Its Association with Health-Related Factors and Biochemical Parameters in the Elderly / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was designed to determine serum osmolality and to investigate the association among serum osmolality, health-related factors and biochemical indices. Two hundred thirty seven elderly(86 male, 151 female : mean age 73.8) residing in the chungbuk area participated. Sociodemographic data and self-perceived health status were obtained by interview, and biochemical parameters were measured. The mean serum osmolaity was 301.2+/-10.1 mOsm/ kg(range 240.8~328.9 mOsm/ kg) and serum osmolality of the females(302.4 mOsm/ kg) was significantly(p<0.05) higher than that of the males(299.0 mOsm/ kg). Only 11.0% of the elderly were within the accepted normal range(280~295 mOsm/ kg) and the majority of the subjects were in a hyperosmolar state(60.8% : 296~307 mOsm/ kg). It was observed that serum osmolality was reduced with increasing age but not statistically significant. There was no significant difference in serum osmolality according to marital status. Serum osmolality was significantly lower(p<0.05) in the elderly with higher self-perceived health scores than the elderly with lower self-perceived health scores, however no significant difference was observed between the presence or absence of disease. Serum osmolality tended to be higher(p=0.06) in the elderly with difficulty in mobility than the elderly who have no problem in mobility. Serum osmolality tended to be higher(p=0.06) among drug users compared to that of non-users. There was a significant association between serum osmolality and serum albumin in females but not in males. Significant associations were shown between serum osmolality and serum transferrin in both sexes. However, there was no significant correlation between serum osmolality and hemoglobin or hematocrit except with hematocrit in females only. The results of this study indicated that the elderly were dehydrated and hydration state seems to influence health status and, the elderly should be encouraged to drink an adequate amount of fluids. Also, the hydration state is required to be assessed and considered for the interpretation of biochemical parameters.