Health Functional Food Use and Related Variables Among the Middle-Aged in Korea

Various types of health functional foods (HFF) are popularly used among middle-aged. We surveyed 946 middle-aged in Korea for HFF use and significant variables for their HFF use including demographic characteristics, health related variables and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of HFF was 58.9%, and among all types of HFF, red ginseng products were taken most frequently, followed by nutritional supplements, ginseng products > mushroom products. HFF was taken more frequently in subjects from high monthly family income (p < .001), and in those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .001) in comparison to each corresponding group. Mean age of users was higher than nonusers (p < .001). Self concern about health (p < .001) and usage ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) were higher in users than in nonusers of HFF. Total dietary assessment score was not different in two groups, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of HFF than nonusers (p < .001). Most users of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (52.8%) and experienced a little effect through the HFF use (51.2%). Most users of HFF obtained the information on HFF through family and relatives (30.5%) and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (44.5%). HFF users preferred multivitamin and Ca-supplements most among the vitamind mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread use of HFF and inappropriate usage of HFF among subjects, the proper use of these products for the contribution to their optimal nutrition and overall health is a subject that should be formed through practical nutrition education considering the various variables affecting their HFF use.

Consumption of Health Functional Foods by Elementary Schoolchildren in Korea

We surveyed 837 students attending elementary schoolchildren in Korea for health functional foods (HFF) consumption and significant variables for their HFF consumption including demographic characteristics, parental health concern on offsprings, food eating frequency of subjects and beliefs on potential efficacy of HFF by subjects. The consumption prevalence of HFF was 45.9%, and among all types of HFF, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by apricot extract-fermented products > lactic acid bacteria containing products > EPA/DHA containing products > red ginseng products. HFF consumption was higher in subjects had parents of high education level (p < .05) and those from families with a high socioeconomic status (p < .01) in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents (p < .001) and consumption ratio of HFF by family (p < .001) was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in consumers than in nonconsumers of HFF (p < .01), and consumers had a more positive view concerning the potential efficacy of HFF than did nonconsumers (p < .001). Most consumers of HFF took HFF when they were healthy (42.5%), and they did not feel special effects through HFF consumption (47.7%). Most consumers of HFF got the information on HFF from family and relatives (24.8%), and most of them purchased HFF at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (53.9%). HFF consumers preferred multi-vitamins and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin . mineral supplements belonged to HFF. Given the widespread consumption of HFF by elementary schoolchildren, the reasonable consumption of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being should be emphasized through nutrition education for them and their family.

Use of Functional Foods for Health by 14-18 Year Old Students Attending General Junior or Senior High Schools in Korea

Various types of functional foods for health (FFH) are popularly used among adolescents. We surveyed 858 students, 15.0 +/- 1.6 (14 - 18)years of age, attending general junior or senior high schools in Korea for FFH use and significant variables for their FFH use including demographic characteristics, food consumption frequency and nutritional beliefs. The use prevalence of FFH was 47.8%, and among all types of FFH, nutritional supplements were taken most frequently, followed by red ginseng products > enzyme containing products > plant extract-fermented products. FFH use was higher in older aged-group, subjects lived in small or middle city, and those from families with a high socioeconomic status in comparison to each corresponding group. Health concern on offsprings by parents and usage ratio of FFH by family was higher in users than in nonusers of FFH. Total score of dietary assessment was higher in users than in nonusers of FFH, and users had a more positive view concerning the potential health benefit of FFH than did nonusers. Most users of FFH took FFH when they were healthy (50.7%), and they did not feel special effects through the FFH use (57.1%). Most users of FFH got the information on FFH through family and relatives (61.5%), and most of them purchased FFH at pharmacy or oriental medicine clinics (55.1%). FFH users preferred vitamin C-and Ca-supplements most among the vitamin.mineral supplements belonged to FFH. Given the widespread use of FFH by adolescents, the reasonable use of these products for the contribution to their overall health and well-being is a subject that is emphasized in nutrition education for them.