The association between urinary bisphenol A levels and nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in Korean adults: Korean National Environmental Health Survey (KoNEHS) 2015-2017

BACKGROUND@#Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming a global health problem. Bisphenol A (BPA), one of most widely used environmental chemicals, is suspected to be a contributor to the development NAFLD. This study was performed to examine the relationship between human BPA levels and risk of NAFLD.@*METHODS@#The data (n = 3476 adults: 1474 men and 2002 women) used in this study were obtained from the Korean National Environmental Health Survey III (2015-2017). BPA levels were measured in urine samples. NAFLD was defined using hepatic steatosis index after exclusion of other causes of hepatic diseases.@*RESULTS@#There was a significant linear relationship between the elevated urinary BPA concentrations and risk of NAFLD. In a univariate analysis, odds ratio (OR) of the highest quartile of urinary BPA level was 1.47 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.94] compared to the lowest quartile. After adjusted with covariates, the ORs for NAFLD in the third and fourth quartiles were 1.31 [95% CI 1.03-1.67] and 1.32 [95% CI 1.03-1.70], respectively.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Urinary BPA levels are positively associated with the risk of NAFLD in adults. Further experimental studies are needed to understand the molecular mechanisms of BPA on NAFLD prevalence.

High fiber and high carbohydrate intake and its association with the metabolic disease using the data of KNHANES 2013 ~ 2017 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Dietary fiber is a component of carbohydrate that is linked closely with the carbohydrate quality, but few studies have investigated the association of high fiber intake with the cardiometabolic risk factors in Koreans. This study examined the association of high fiber and high carbohydrate intake with the cardiometabolic risk factors among Korean adults.METHODS: This study included 15,095 adults aged ≥20 years, who participated in the 2013 ~ 2017 KNHANES. The dietary intake was obtained using a 24-h dietary recall method. The associations of high fiber and high carbohydrate intake with metabolic syndrome and dyslipidemia were examined by sex using multiple logistic regression analysis.RESULTS: The median of dietary fiber was 23.6 g/day in men and 20.0 g/day in women. Dietary fiber intake increased gradually as dietary carbohydrate groups increased except for ≥80% of energy from the carbohydrate group. Women in the highest quintile of fiber intake showed a 33% lower risk of metabolic syndrome compared with those in the third quintile. When stratified into low fiber (LF) and high fiber (HF) groups using Adequate Intake of fiber for Koreans, men in the third quartile of carbohydrate intake showed a 44% and 51% higher risk of metabolic syndrome and atherogenic dyslipidemia than in the first quartile, respectively, but only in the LF group. Women in the second quartile of carbohydrate intake showed an 83% higher risk of hypercholesterolemia than in the first quartile in the LF group. On the other hand, as no significant association was observed between the carbohydrate intake and metabolic diseases among the HF groups in both sexes.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that a high fiber intake might be associated with a reduced risk of metabolic syndrome and high carbohydrate intake with a low dietary fiber intake might be associated with an increased risk of several metabolic abnormalities among Korean adults. Further prospective studies will be needed to confirm the effects of high fiber and high carbohydrate intake on the cardiometabolic risk factors among Koreans.

The association between dietary pattern and depression in middle-aged Korean adults

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The association between dietary patterns and depression has been reported but the results have been inconsistent. This study was conducted to investigate the association between dietary patterns and depression in middle-aged Korean adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The participants were selected from a community-based cohort, a subset of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Depression was assessed using the Korean version of the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) and those with a BDI score ≥ 16 were defined as having depression. The subjects' food intakes over the year preceding the survey were estimated by using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Dietary patterns were identified by using factor analysis. Multiple logistic regression was used to assess the association of dietary pattern with depression. RESULTS: Among 3,388 participants, 448 (13.2%) were identified as having depression. We identified two major dietary patterns: ‘Healthy’ dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish and fruits and a low intake of white rice. ‘Unhealthy’ dietary pattern was characterized by high intakes of white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread and coffee and a low intake of rice with other grains. Compared with subjects in the lowest quartiles, those in the highest quartiles of the healthy dietary pattern had a significantly lower odds ratio (OR = 0.59, 95% CI: 0.42–0.82, P for trend = 0.0037) after adjusting for potential confounders. In contrast, the unhealthy dietary pattern was negatively associated with depression (OR = 1.65, 95% CI: 1.19–2.28, P for trend = 0.0021). CONCLUSION: This results suggest that a healthy dietary pattern (rich in vegetables, soybeans, mushroom, seaweeds, white fish, shellfish, and fruits) is associated with low risk of depression. Whereas an unhealthy dietary pattern (rich in white rice, meats, ramen, noodles, bread, and coffee) is associated with a high risk of depression in middle-aged Korean adults.

Association between Sleep Duration and Prevalence of Dyslipidemia in Korean Adults: The Sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: This study was performed to evaluate the correlation between sleep duration and the prevalence of dyslipidemia in Korean adults.METHODS: Among the 18,034 adults who participated in the 6th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 3,020 adults with missing values were excluded, and 15,014 adults were enrolled in our study. The association between sleep duration and the prevalence of dyslipidemia was analyzed by multiple logistic regression. We controlled for factors including sex, age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, walking exercise, muscular exercise, and stress.RESULTS: After adjusting for sex, age, body mass index, smoking, drinking, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, walking, muscular exercise, and stress in a multiple logistic regression analysis, sleep duration was associated with the prevalence of dyslipidemia. The group who slept for less than 7 hours per night had a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia than the group who slept for between 7 and 9 hours per night.CONCLUSION: In this study, a shorter sleep duration was associated with a higher prevalence of dyslipidemia.

Association between Away-from-Home Meals and Hypertension in Korean adults: Analyzing Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016–2017

BACKGROUND: Recently, the consumption of away-from-home meals has increased in Korea. This study aimed to evaluate the association of away-from-home-meals and hypertension in Korean adults.METHODS: This cross-sectional survey included 5,533 adults aged 20 to 65 from the 2016 and 2017 results of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Away-from-home meals are defined as meals other than home-cooked food (including delivery food, packaged food, school meals, and religious group food). The frequency of away-from-home meals was classified into three categories: 1) ≥14/week, 2) 5–13/week, and 3) ≤4/week. Moreover, age was classified into three categories: 1) aged 20 to 39, 40 to 59, and 3) age≥60. The association between away-from-home meals and hypertension for each age group was analyzed using logistic regression methods.RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension in adults who consumed away-from-home meals ≥14/week was higher than in those who consumed away-from-home meals ≤13/week. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratio for hypertension was 1.327 (95% confidence interval: 0.934–1.885) for those who consumed away-from-home meals ≥14/week and 1.109 (95% confidence interval: 0.860–1.429) for those consumed away-from-home meals 5–13/week.CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that there is no association between increased consumption of away-from-home meals and hypertension in Korean adults.

Association between Waist Circumference and High-Density Lipoprotein Cholesterol in Korean Adults: Based on the Data of Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was searching for the orientation and degree of association, and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves between waist circumference (WC) and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) of Korean adults for the new recommended WC values.METHODS: This study analyzed 5,069 Korean adults of the 2015 Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey, using Pearson's correlation analysis, partial correlation analysis between WC and HDL-C with other significant variables to HDL-C controlled, and ROC curves.RESULTS: WC had the highest Pearson's correlation coefficient to HDL-C at −0.289 (P < 0.01) in men, and −0.318 (P < 0.01) in women. With other significant variables controlled, the partial correlation coefficient between WC and HDL-C became −0.250 (P < 0.001) in men and −0.191 (P < 0.001) in women. WC had the biggest area under the curve (AUC). For HDL-C≤40 mg/dL, the AUC values of WC were 0.633 (99% confidence interval [CI]: 0.600–0.666; P < 0.001) in men and 0.684 (99% CI: 0.648−0.719; P < 0.001) in women. For HDL-C≤60 mg/dL, the AUC values of WC were 0.654 (99% CI: 0.612–0.696; P < 0.001) in men and 0.661 (99% CI: 0.632–0.690; P < 0.001) in women.CONCLUSION: There was an inverse correlation between WC and HDL-C in Korean adults. While WC showed the strongest relation with HDL-C in both sexes, the scale of their interrelationship in men was larger if other significant variables were controlled. The new recommended WC values obtained by ROC curves of this study were ≤87.5 cm (better if ≤84.5 cm) in men, and ≤81.5 cm (better if ≤78.5 cm) in women.

Evaluation of Total Fat and Fatty Acids Intakes in the Korean Adult Population using Data from the 2016–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated dietary intakes of total fat and fatty acids among the Korean adult population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used the 2016–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. A total of 10,772 subjects aged ≥19 y for which dietary data were available were selected. Data pertaining to energy and nutrient intakes were obtained by a 24-h recall method. Total fat and fatty acids intakes were evaluated based on the Acceptable Macronutrient Distribution Ranges (AMDR) of 2015 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans by sex and age groups. All statistical analyses accounted for the complex sampling design effect and sampling weights. RESULTS: The mean intakes of energy and total fat were 1,952 kcal (95% CI: 1928–1977) and 46.1 g (45.2–47.1), respectively, and about 21% of the energy was obtained from fat in this study population (21.7% in men and 20.2% in women). The mean percentages of energy from saturated, monounsaturated, and polyunsaturated fatty acids were 6.4%, 6.7%, and 5.2%, respectively. About 18% of adults exceeded the AMDR for fat (30% of energy), whereas 37.6% exceeded the AMDR for saturated fatty acids (7% of energy). The proportions of subjects who consumed more than the AMDR for fat and saturated fatty acids decreased across age groups in both sexes. Among young adults (19–29 y), about 63% of the subjects obtained ≥7% of their energy from saturated fatty acids. About 61% of older adults obtained less than 15% of their energy from total fat. CONCLUSIONS: Increased intake of fat energy was prominent in saturated fatty acids. Our findings suggest current information on total fat and fatty acids intakes in Korean adults and can be used to provide dietary guidelines for the improvement of public health.

Association between exposure to ambient air pollution and renal function in Korean adults

BACKGROUND: Ambient air pollution has a negative effect on many diseases, such as cardiovascular and respiratory diseases. Recent studies have reported a relationship between air pollution and renal function, but the results were limited to exposure to particulate matter (PM). This study was to identify associations between various air pollutants and renal function among Korean adults. METHODS: Nationwide survey data for a total of 24,407 adults were analyzed. We calculated the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) for each individual to assess their renal function and used this to categorize those with chronic kidney disease (CKD). To evaluate exposure to ambient air pollution, we used the annual mean concentrations of four ambient air pollutants: PM with an aerodynamic diameter ≤ 10 μm (PM10), nitrogen dioxide (NO2), sulfur dioxide (SO2), and carbon monoxide (CO). RESULTS: We identified significant inverse relationships between the air pollutants PM10 and NO2 and eGFR in all statistical adjustment models (all p  0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Exposures to PM10 and NO2 were significantly associated with decreases in eGFR levels, but not CKD, in Korean adults.

An iodine database establishment and iodine intake in Korean adults: Based on the 1998~2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study analyzed iodine intake by establishing an iodine database of general Korean foods eaten by Korean adults based on the data from the 1998 ~ 2014 KNHANES (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey). METHODS: Data on 56,818 subjects aged 19 years and older were obtained from health behavior interviews and a 24-hour dietary recall survey. Iodine intake of subjects was analyzed according to general characteristics, dietary lifestyle, food groups, and cooking method. RESULTS: An iodine database was established for 312 food items. The mean iodine intake of Korean adults decreased from 641.6 μg in 1998 to 236.2 μg in 2014 per day. Iodine intake of women was higher than that of men. For age distribution, those aged 30 ~ 49 years constituted more than 39 ~ 46% of subjects by survey year. Regarding iodine intake according to dietary lifestyle, the highest iodine intake was 29.4 ~ 34.4% for lunch while that of breakfast decreased. The highest iodine contribution by food group was seaweed such as kelp, sea mustard, and laver. CONCLUSION: The results of this study indicate that iodine intake of Korean adults has been decreasing, and iodine intake is associated with the prevalence of thyroid disease. This study provides basic data for the estimation of iodine intake in Korean adults.

The Effects of the Metabolic Syndrome on the Total Medical Charge / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: This study purposed to analyze the effects of metabolic syndrome on the total medical charge of patients. METHODS: 2013 National Health Insurance Service sample research database (eligibility database, medical database, and health examination database) was used for this study. Gamma regression was applied to analyze the effects of metabolic syndrome on the total medical charge and logistic regression was used to determine the probability of medical charge which was higher than the third quartile. Sociodemographic characteristics (age and household income), health behavior factors (smoking, drinking, exercise, and body mass index), and disease related factors (family history and metabolic syndrome) were included as the independent variables. RESULTS: people who had metabolic syndrome spent more medical expenses than those without metabolic syndrome both in man and woman group. The standard regression coefficient was 0.09 (p<0.001) in man with metabolic syndrome and 0.16 (p<0.001) in woman. In addition, woman with metabolic syndrome spent more than the third quartile of medical charge. The odds ratios was 1.04 (p=0.16) for man with metabolic syndrome and 1.18 (p=0.013) for woman. CONCLUSION: people with metabolic syndrome spent more medical charge, so it will need to consider policy interventions for preventing the incidence and management of metabolic syndrome in Korean people.

Relation between Beverage Consumption Pattern and Metabolic Syndrome among Healthy Korean Adults / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study is to describe beverage patterns among healthy Korean adults and investigate their association with prevalence and components of metabolic syndrome. METHODS: Subjects consisted of 6,927 Korean adults, aged 19-64 years in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2013-2015). Beverages were regrouped into twelve groups based on food codes and beverage intake (g/day) was assessed by 24-hour recall. Factor analysis was used to obtain beverage patterns. Waist circumference and body mass index (BMI) were used as anthropometric data; fasting blood glucose, triglyceride, high density lipoprotein (HDL), and blood pressure were used as biochemical indicators. The odds ratio (OR) for prevalence of metabolic syndrome and components of metabolic syndrome was assessed using logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Three beverage patterns were identified using factor analysis: 1) carbonated soft drinks 2) coffee (without added sugar or powdered creamer), and 3) alcoholic beverages. Subjects with high scores for the carbonated soft drink and coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer patterns were younger and subjects with high scores for the alcoholic beverage pattern were older. There were significant differences in gender distribution in all three beverage patterns, with men more likely to have high scores for carbonated soft drink and alcoholic beverage patterns. On the other hand, women were more likely to have higher scores for coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer pattern. Within each pattern, there were significant differences in sociodemographic and lifestyle characteristics such as education, household income, frequency of eating out, and smoking status according to the quartile of pattern scores. Alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks patterns were associated with an increased levels of metabolic syndrome components, but coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer was not associated with any of metabolic syndrome components in healthy Korean adults after adjusting for age, sex, education, BMI, weight management, household income, smoking status, frequency of eating out, and energy intake. CONCLUSIONS: Alcoholic beverages and carbonated soft drinks patterns are associated with increased levels of metabolic syndrome components while coffee without added sugar or powdered creamer pattern is not associated with any of metabolic syndrome components in healthy Korean adults.

Carbohydrate Composition Associated with the 2-Year Incidence of Metabolic Syndrome in Korean Adults

The aim of this study was to investigate the association between macronutrient composition and metabolic syndrome (MetS) incidence in Korean adults. Data were obtained from a cohort of 10,030 members aged 40 to 69 years who were enrolled from the 2 cities (Ansung and Ansan) between 2001 and 2002 to participate in the Korean Genome Epidemiology Study. Of these members, 5,565 participants, who were free of MetS and reported no diagnosis of cardiovascular disease at baseline, were included in this study. MetS was defined using the criteria of the National Cholesterol Education Program-Adult Treatment Panel III and Asia-Pacific criteria for waist circumference. MetS incidence rate were identified during a 2-year follow-up period. Baseline dietary information was obtained using a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association between the quartiles of percentages of total calorie from macronutrients consumed and MetS incidence. In analyses, baseline information, including age, sex, body mass index, income status, educational status, smoking status, alcohol drinking status, and physical activity level was considered as confounding variables. Participants with the second quartile of the percentages of carbohydrate calorie (67%–70%) had a 23% reduced odds ratio (95% confidence interval, 0.61–0.97) for MetS incidence compared with those with the fourth quartile after adjusting for confounding variables. The findings suggest that middle aged or elderly Korean adults who consume approximately 67%–70% of calorie from carbohydrate have a reduced risk of MetS.

Potassium intake of Korean adults: Based on 2007~2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the dietary potassium intake, Na/K intake molar ratio, consumption of 18 food groups, and foods contributing to potassium intake of Korean adults as well as the relationships among quartile of potassium intake level and blood pressure, blood biochemical index. METHODS: This study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2007~2010. The total number of subjects was 20,291. All analyses were conducted using a survey weighting to account for the complex survey design. RESULTS: Overall average intakes of potassium were 2,934.7, 3,070.6, 3,078.1, and 3,232.0 mg/day, and they significantly increased by year in Korean adults. The average dietary potassium intake was close to adequate intake (AI), whereas that of women was considerably lower than the AI. The Na/K intake molar ratio in males (2.89~3.23) was higher than in females (2.62~2.95). The major food groups contributing to potassium intake were vegetables, cereals, and fruits/meats. The two major foods contributing to potassium intake were polished rice and cabbage kimchi. The rankings of food source were as follows; polished rice > cabbage kimchi > potato > oriental melon > sweet potato > seaweed > radish > apple > black soybean. In 50~64 year old females, systolic blood pressure (SBP) significantly decreased (p < 0.01) and HDL-cholesterol significantly increased (p < 0.05) as potassium intake increased. Triglyceride (TG) was significantly higher in the other quartile of potassium intake level than in the first quartile (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: In conclusion, our study suggests the need for an appropriate set of dietary reference intakes according to caloric intake by sex and age groups and for development of eating patterns to increase potassium intake and decrease sodium intake.

Vitamin D intake, serum 25OHD, and bone mineral density of Korean adults: Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2011) / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to estimate dietary intake of vitamin D and the relationship between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25OHD) concentration and bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adults using the 2011 data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: Daily intake of vitamin D and ratio of subjects that consumed less vitamin D than adequate intake (AI) were estimated in 4,879 Korean adults. The relationship between daily intake of vitamin D and serum 25OHD and BMD were analyzed. RESULTS: Average daily intakes of vitamin D were 3.84 ± 0.23 µg/day for men and 2.22 ± 0.11 µg/day for women. Approximately 72~97% of men and 80~99% of women consumed less than the AI of vitamin D for Koreans. Serum 25OHD concentration increased with age, and the ratios of serum vitamin D deficiency (< 20 ng/mL) were 47.8~81.1% for men and 59.4~92.8% for women. Average intake of vitamin D was higher in subjects aged < 50 yr than in those ≥ 50 yr, but lower in serum 25OHD concentration. In subjects aged < 50 yr, serum 25OHD was higher in subjects that consumed 10 µg/day of vitamin D than in those that consumed less than 5 µg/day. In female subjects aged ≥ 50 yr, average intake of vitamin D was associated with higher bone mineral density. CONCLUSION: It was found that dietary intake of vitamin D could increase serum 25OHD concentration in young adults and bone mineral density in old women. Therefore, nutrition policies for enriched foods with vitamin D and nutrition education to consume more vitamin D-rich foods are needed to ameliorate vitamin D status of the Korean population. Adequate intake for Korean population aged < 50 yr might be adjusted upwardly up to 10 µg/day.

Validity and Reliability of a Self-administered Food Frequency Questionnaire to Assess Vitamin K Intake in Korean Adults

This study was conducted to validate a food frequency questionnaire (FFQ) to assess vitamin K intake in clinical and research settings based on data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V). We collected a subset of data on informative food items using the 24-hour recall method from adults aged 19 to 64 years from KNHANES V. The cumulative percent contribution and cumulative multiple regression coefficients for vitamin K intake from each food were computed. Twenty-five foods items were selected for the FFQ to assess vitamin K intake. The FFQ was validated against intakes derived from a 5-day food record (5DR) (n = 48). To assess the reliability of the FFQ, participants completed the self-administered FFQ (FFQ1) and a second FFQ (FFQ2) after a 6-month period (n = 54). Data were analyzed using Pearson's correlation coefficients, the cross-classification method, and Bland-Altman plots. Mean intakes were similar for vitamin K between the FFQ and dietary records, with significant correlations observed (r = 0.652), and cross-classification analyses demonstrated no major misclassification of participants into intake quartiles. Bland-Altman plots showed no serious systematic bias between the administrations of the two dietary assessment methods over the range of mean intakes. FFQ reliability was high, with a Pearson's correlation coefficient of 0.560. This pilot study shows promising validation and reliability evidence for the use of this FFQ, which is focused on vitamin K intake in adults, as an efficient screening tool in clinical and research settings.

Does the maxillary anterior ratio in Korean adults follow the Golden Proportion?

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of changes in the horizontal plane angle on the mesiodistal width ratios of the maxillary anterior teeth during the acquisition of frontal view photographs, derive these ratios for Korean adults on the basis of the data obtained, and analyze them using the Golden Proportion as a reference. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In experiment I, 30 plaster casts were mounted on an articulator and positioned on the angle-measuring device with a center setting of 0°. The device was rotated to 10° in 1° increments in a counterclockwise direction. At each angle, photographs were obtained and analyzed. Experiment II was based on 60 patients who visited the Department of Prosthodontics at Kyungpook National University Dental Hospital from February 2012 to February 2015. The patients were divided into three groups [Male (M), Female (F), Total (M + F)]. Frontal views were obtained for all groups and analyzed. RESULTS: From 1° to 10°, the relative mesiodistal width ratios for the maxillary anterior teeth showed no significant differences from those at 0°. In all three groups, the relative width ratio of the maxillary central incisor was smaller than that specified in the Golden Proportion; the opposite was true for the canine. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that the mesiodistal width ratios of the maxillary anterior teeth do not follow the Golden Proportion in Korean adults, and that a change in the horizontal plane angle from 1° to 10° during frontal photography does not affect these ratios.

Dietary assessment according to intake of Korean soup and stew in Korean adults: Based on the 2011~2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to conduct dietary assessment of Korean adults according to intake of Korean soup and stew. METHODS: To accomplish this study, 20,926 adults aged 19 yr or higher who participated in the dietary intake survey (24 h recall method) were analyzed from the data of the 2011~2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The items included in the soup and stew were guk, tang, jjigae, jijimi, and jeongol. RESULTS: Intakes of soup and stew of subjects were divided into quartiles; intake range by quartile was Q1: < 22.96 g, Q2: 22.96~98.75 g, Q3: 98.75~212.23 g, and Q4: ≥ 212.24 g. In the case of the Q4 group, male, married, employed, higher educated, and high income subjects showed increased intakes of soup and stew. In addition, sodium intake among nutrient intakes increased from 3,849.04 mg in Q1 group to 5,363.57 mg in Q4 group. Intakes of cereals/grains, potatoes/starches, legumes, seeds/nuts, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, meat, fishes/shell fishes, milks/dairy products, oils/fats, and seasonings among all foods significantly increased from Q1 group to Q4 group. Lastly, in the multivariable regression analysis, male, higher age, married, eating breakfast, consumption of snacks, prepared meals from home/institution, average eating-out frequency per week, energy consumption, and sodium intake related parameters increased intake of Korean soup and stew. CONCLUSION: Excessive intake of sodium was related to high blood pressure and metabolic syndrome. Thus, there are needs to improve dietary guidelines and nutrition education for balanced intake of soup and stew.

Relationships between Walking, Body Mass Index, and Risk Factors of Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adults: Data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012)

BACKGROUND: It is well known that obesity increases the risk of metabolic syndrome (MS); however, the associations between walking and MS risk factors among Korean adults still need to be elucidated. The purpose of this study was to examine the relationships of body mass index (BMI) and walking with MS risk factors among Korean adults from the fifth Korea national health and nutrition examination survey. METHODS: A total of 17,019 (7,334 males, 9,685 females) Korean adults participated in the cross-sectional study. We measured walking, BMI, and MS risk factors including waist-circumference (WC), glucose, triglyceride (TG), high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP). RESULTS: Results showed that 1) subjects with high BMI (23 kg/m2< or =BMI) had significantly increased MS risk factors compared to subjects with low BMI (BMI<23 kg/m2), 2) subjects who participated in walking had significantly decreased WC, TG and increased HDL-C compared to subjects who didn't participate in walking, and 3) when subjects were divided into four groups according to walking and BMI levels, subjects with nonparticipation in walking and high BMI showed the worst profile of metabolic syndrome risk factors. Moreover, subjects with nonparticipation in walking and high BMI had 7.42 times higher the prevalence of MS compared to subjects with participation in walking and low BMI after adjusted for age, sex, BMI, and smoking. CONCLUSION: Our study showed that improvement in walking and reduction in BMI are important factors for the prevention of metabolic syndrome in Korean adults.

Association between the number of existing permanent teeth and health-related quality of life (EuroQol-5 Dimension) among adults: findings from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, 2012 / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to evaluate whether the number of existing permanent teeth is associated with health-related quality of life by using EuroQol-5 Dimension (EuroQol-5D) in a representative sample of Korean adults. METHODS: A total of 5349 subjects who participated in the 2012 fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were examined. The dependent variable was EQ-5D index and independent variable was the number of existing permanent teeth. The health-related quality of life was assessed by using EQ-5D index. The number of existing permanent teeth was evaluated by dentists using World Health Organization Index. Demographic factors (age and gender), socioeconomic status (education, income), oral health behaviors (frequency of daily toothbrushing, and regular dental visit), health behaviors (cigarette smoking, drinking, regular physical activity), general health status (depression, stress, body mass index, hypertension, diabetes mellitus) were included as confounder in analysis. Multivariable linear regression model, stratified analysis and analysis of covariance were applied. RESULTS: After adjustment for various confounders, the number of existing permanent teeth was positively associated with EQ-5D index (P<0.001). This association was highlighted among 40-59 year-old males and over 60 year-old females. CONCLUSIONS: Our data indicate that the number of existing permanent teeth was independently associated with EQ-5D index. Our results provided the substantially important evidence on the health and oral health promotion for Korean adults.

Prevalence and Correlates of DSM-IV Mental Disorders in South Korean Adults: The Korean Epidemiologic Catchment Area Study 2011

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to estimate the prevalence and correlates of mental disorders in Korean adults. METHODS: Door to door household surveys were conducted with community residents aged 18-74 years from July 19, 2011, to November 16, 2011 (n=6,022, response rate 78.7%). The sample was drawn from 12 catchment areas using a multistage cluster method. Each subject was assessed using the Korean version of the World Health Organization Composite International Diagnostic Interview (CIDI) based on the Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders, Fourth Edition (DSM-IV). RESULTS: Lifetime and 12-month prevalence estimates were as follows: alcohol use disorders, 13.4% and 4.4%, respectively; nicotine use disorders, 7.2% and 4.0%, respectively; anxiety disorders, 8.7% and 6.8%, respectively; and mood disorders, 7.5% and 3.6%, respectively. The prevalence rates of all types of DSM-IV mental disorders were 27.6% and 16.0%, respectively. Being female; young; divorced, separated, or widowed; and in a low-income group were associated with mood and anxiety disorders after adjustment for various demographic variables, whereas being male and young were associated with alcohol use disorders. Higher income was not correlated with alcohol use disorder as it had been in the 2001 survey. CONCLUSION: The rate of depressive disorders has increased since 2001 (the first national survey), whereas that of anxiety disorders has been relatively stable. The prevalence of nicotine and alcohol use disorders has decreased, and the male-to-female ratio of those with this diagnosis has also decreased.