A Survey on the Breakfast Skipping Rate of Korean Adults Relative to Their Lifestyle and Breakfast Skipping Reasons and Dietary Behavior of Breakfast Skippers / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study investigated the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping according to gender, age, and lifestyle related factors in Korean adults. The survey was conducted using questionnaires and the subjects included 1148 male and female adults aged 19-64. The rate of breakfast skipping (frequency of eating breakfast under 4 times/week) was 41.20% of the total subjects. The breakfast skipping rate of the male subjects was significantly higher than that of the female subjects (p < 0.001). As age and household income decreased, the breakfast skipping rate increased. Residents in small cities more frequently skipped breakfast than those in larger cities. The main reason for breakfast skipping was "lack of time for the preparation and consumption of food" and this reason was especially higher for office workers and younger adults among the participants. In addition, the proportion of habitual breakfast skippers increased with age. Among the answers regarding the person who prepares breakfast in their households, the highest proportion was for "family members" in the males and "myself" for the females. Of breakfast skippers, 77.63% answered that they consumed breakfast substitutes such as breads, dairy and fruits/vegetables. To summarize the results, the gender, age and lifestyle factors of adults were significantly related to the rates and reasons for breakfast skipping. Therefore, to reduce breakfast skipping in Korean adults, a differentiated nutritional education approach relative to gender, age, and lifestyle is needed along with the development of balanced breakfast substitutes.

Evaluation of Food and Nutrient Intake by Food Frequency Questionnaire between Normal and Risk Groups according to the Bone Mineral Density of Female College Students Residing in Gangwon Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between bone density and dietary intake for college women in their twenties. This study was performed on 160 female college students residing in Gangwon-do. It was conducted using ultrasound measurement of calcaneus bone density, anthropometric checkup and food-frequency questionnaires (FFQ) comprising 94 kinds of commonly consumed foods. Subjects were divided into two groups according to the T-score of bone density: a normal group (n = 113 persons, T-score > or = 1) and a risk group (n = 47, T-score < 1.0). The average age of the subjects was 20.17 years and there was no significant difference between the two groups. Body weight and body fat percentage of the normal group were significantly higher than those of the risk group. The mean daily energy intake of the normal group was significantly higher than that of the risk group. Also, protein, fat, vitamin A, niacin, vitamin B6, folate, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, iron and zinc intake for the normal group were significantly higher than for the risk group. For the intake of the commonly consumed foods (or dishes) listed in FFQ, the mean daily intake amount of loaf bread, rice cake, potatoes, spicy beef soup, cucumber, seasoned spinach perilla leaves, crown daisy, stir-fried mushroom, sea mustard, beef rib, ham, chicken, mackerel, common squid, drink type curd yogurt, oriental melon and chocolate in the normal group was significantly higher than in the risk group. While, the mean daily intake of ramyun (instant noodle) and carbonated beverage by the normal group was significantly lower than that of the risk group. In conclusion, 20 something female college students showed a higher rate (26.9%) of the bone mineral density risk group (osteopenia or osteoporosis). For the risk group, the levels of nutrient and food intake were lower than in the normal group. Therefore, the bone density risk group needs to increase their nutrient intake and diet quality by increasing the intake of various foods. In addition, they should decrease the intake of foods, which are negative for skeletal health such as instant noodles and carbonated beverages.