Measurement of antioxidant capacity using the biological antioxidant potential test and its role as a predictive marker of metabolic syndrome

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Oxidative stress increases the risk of cardiovascular complications of metabolic syndrome (MetS). This study was conducted to examine the difference in antioxidant capacity according to the presence of MetS, and to characterize the association between antioxidant capacity and MetS-related factors. METHODS: We used the biological antioxidant potential (BAP) test to estimate antioxidant capacity. The BAP test has recently been used as an indicator of antioxidant capacity. We measured BAP levels in 45 patients with MetS (mean age, 44.6 +/- 1.1 years) and 47 age- and sex-matched controls (mean age, 42.7 +/- 1.1 years). To evaluate the association between antioxidant capacity and MetS, adiponectin, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), linear regression and logistic analyses were performed. RESULTS: The mean BAP of the MetS group (1,937.3 +/- 36.5 micromol/L) was significantly lower than that of the non-MetS group (2,101.7 +/- 29.5 micromol/L). Also, the mean BAP was low in persons having low high density lipoprotein and high triglyceride. Reduced antioxidant capacity was significantly associated with adiponectin, HOMA-IR and hs-CRP after adjusting for age and sex. The odds ratios for MetS with BAP, log adiponectin, log HOMA-IR, and log hs-CRP were 0.63 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.49 to 0.82), 0.22 (0.10 to 0.51), 14.24 (4.35 to 46.58), and 1.93 (1.36 to 2.75), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Persons with MetS showed reduced antioxidant capacity. We identified relationships between antioxidant capacity measured by BAP test and MetS, as well as MetS-related factors, such as insulin resistance, hs-CRP, and adiponectin.

Snacking Behaviors of Middle and High School Students in Seoul / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to investigate snacking behavior in adolescents. We selected one middle school and one high school in 11 school districts in Seoul. The subjects were 1,813 students (904 boys and 909 girls) in 21 schools (11 middle schools and 10 high schools). Subjects reported their snacking behavior: snack frequency, snack type, snack time, with whom to eat snack, place to purchase snack. The subjects were classified into four groups by gender and schooling. The mean snack frequency was 2.8. Girls ate snacks more frequently than boys (p < 0.001). More than half of subjects ate 1 to 3 snacks a day. Only 9.3% of them did not eat any snack. Tangerine was highly ranked in snack type. Each subject groups had different snack time (p < 0.01) and type of snack (p < 0.001). Most snack was consumed alone (46.6%), however they mainly ate fruits and other foods with family. 46.9% of snacks were purchased outside. A typical snack time was 'before dinner' for most snacks except fruits. Unhealthy foods like soft drinks, cookies, chips, candies, chocolates, ice creams had relatively high proportion in snack consumption with friends. In conclusion, adolescents had different snacking behaviors by their age and gender. These results indicate necessities of multi-dimensional efforts at home, school, media and government level considering adolescents' age and gender for their healthy snacking behavior.

Response Experiences with a Semi-Quantitative Food Frequency Questionnaire : A Qualitative Study using Cognitive Interview

The purpose of this research was to understand how individuals reflect on the frequency and quantity of foods that they consume. Participants selected 5 males and 15 females aged 30 years or older were first interviewed on the frequency of their food consumption. Then based on this data, they were given a cognitive interview using the method of verbal proving. The individual cognitive interviews were recorded with consent while being conducted after complete approval by the Seoul National University Institution Review Board. The recorded material was evaluated using a thematic analysis after transcribing them into text. By analyzing stages of reflection, the major barriers to make the device difficult are revealed: 1) More difficulty in remembering events over the course of a full year due to diversification in the types of food that people consume 2) difficulty calculating the average for seasonal foods 3) difficulty estimating the amount of consumption from the photos presented 4) difficulty estimating amount of consumption from the quantity presented 5) difficulty processing foods that people think are healthy and foods are unhealthy simultaneously 6) difficulty having to consider foods where target food goes in as an ingredient; 7) difficulties arising from having to increase frequency when the amount consumed is higher than the quantity that is presented 8) difficulty having to combine the frequency and quantity of each food item when numerous foods are clustered into one category. These findings show that the less participants were involved in cooking, the more diverse their eating habits were, and the more they tried to adhere to rules of filling out the questionnaire, the more it was difficult for them to come up with an answer to the question being asked. It therefore seems necessary to construct a Food Frequency questionnaire that is attentive to these problems that arise from the recall stages.

The Physical Development and Dietary Intake for Korean Children and Adolescents Body Composition and Obesity Prevalence

The aim of this study was to evaluate the body composition difference and obesity prevalence in grade 5 to 8 by gender. A total of 1,333 students, 707 boys and 631 girls, were recruited from one elementary and one middle school in Seoul, Korea. Anthropometric measurements including height, weight, lean body mass, and body fat were assessed. Height and weight were increased by grade, but Body Mass Index (BMI) by grade showed no significant difference among boys. Lean body mass had growth spurt between 7 and 8 grade among boys compared to gradual increase among girls. Overweight and obesity prevalence were higher among elementary schoolers than middle schoolers. Overweight (BMI for age >85 th percentile) prevalence was about 44% among 5 th grade boys compared 29% among same grade girls. These results provided that there were prominent difference regarding body growth and obesity prevalence in gender and grade. Further studies for children and adolescents should be considered their body composition change.

The Physical Development and Dietary Intake for Korean Children and Adolescents: Food and Nutrient Intake

The aim of this study was to evaluate the food and nutrient intakes in 5th to 8th grade school boys and girls. A total of 1,333 students were recruited from 1 elementary and 1 middle school, both located in Seoul. The data on food and nutrients intake were collected by 3-day food record. The food intake was calculated as the percentage of total energy intake according to 21 food subgroups. The consumption of noodles, and meat's products (including ham and sausage) groups were higher in 7th and 8th grade than 5th and 6th grade. On the other hand consumption of vegetables and milk and its products groups were lower in 7th and 8th grade. As results, calcium, riboflavin, and vitamin C intakes were lower in 7th and 8th grade students. Dietary patterns by cluster analysis resulted in 77% of subjects with traditional pattern based rice and kimchi, and 23% with modified pattern. All students regardless of grades showed high fat intake, above 20 percent energy intake from fat, and high cholesterol intakes. In conclusion, there was significant difference between 5th and 6th grade primary school students and 7th and 8th junior school students regarding food and nutrient intakes. It should be necessary to provide proper nutrient education and monitoring in order to establish good dietary profile.

Socioeconomic, Nutrient, and Health Risk Factors Associated with Dietary Patterns in Adult Populations from 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey

The objective of the study was to define dietary patterns in the representative Korean adult population and to explore their associations with other factors. The Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey was conducted on a stratified random sample (n = 9,968) of the Korean population in 2001. This study analyzed data of 5,721 adult population aged 30 and over. Demographic and lifestyle factors were assessed by questionnaires and food consumption by a 24-h recall method. Cluster analysis identified two dietary patterns with 22 food groups: the larger group that included 85% of total subjects was named as the "traditional" pattern due to greater intakes of white rice, kimchi, and vegetables, and the smaller group was named as the "modified" pattern which had greater intakes of noodles, bread, snack, and fast foods. The modified pattern had significantly higher proportion in younger age, higher educational level, residing in metropolitan area, and higher household income. The modified group showed significantly higher intake of all nutrients except carbohydrate. Percent of energy from fat intake, 22% was significantly higher in the modified group than 14% in the traditional group. There were no differences in prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its 5 components among patterns. In conclusion, there were two distinctive patterns that were associated with socio-demographic, nutrient intake, and health risk factors in Korea. It should be considered when designing nutrition policy and intervention program.

The Association between Bone Density at Os Calcis and Body Composition in Healthy Children Aged 9-12 Years / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVE: This cross-sectional study aimed to quantify the relationship between the bone mineral density at the os calcis and the body mass composition in healthy children. METHODS: The areal bone mineral density was measured at the os calcis with peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. The fat free mass, fat mass and percentage fat mass were measured using bioelectric impedance, in 237 Korean children, aged 9 to 12 years. The sexual maturity was determined by self assessment, using standardized series of the 5 Tanner stage drawings, accompanied by explanatory text. RESULTS: From multiple linear regression models, adjusted for age, sexual maturity and height, the fat free mass was found to be the best predictor of the calcaneal bone mineral density in both sexes. About 15 and 20% variabilities were found in the calcaneal bone mineral densities of the boys and girls, respectively, which can be explained by the fat free mass. After weight adjustment, the percentage fat mass was negatively associated with the calcaneal bone mineral density in both sexes. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this study suggest that the fat free mass, among the body compositions, is the major determinant of bone mineral density at the os calcis in Korean children aged 9 to 12 years. Obesity, defined as the percentage fat mass, is assumed to have a negative effect on the calcaneal bone density in children of the same weight.

The Dietary Intake of Pregnant Women in Daegu Area / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was carried out to figure out the dietary intake of pregnant women in Daegu area. A total of 467 pregnant women was recruited at two hospitals in this area to collect the information on dietary intakes, general characteristics, and anthropometric measurements using an interview. Forty-seven women (10.1%) were in the first trimester, 101 women (21.6%) in the second trimester, and 319 women (68.3%) in the third trimester. The mean age, prepregnant weight and height of subjects were not significantly different among the trimester groups. The mean daily nutrient intakes of energy, fat, protein, carbohydrates, phosphate, sodium, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, and vitamin C were significantly different among the trimester groups, but the other nutrients were not different. For the calcium and iron, the percentage of subjects consumed less than 75% of the Korean RDA was over 80%, and for other nutrients such as energy, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 over 50% of subjects consumed less than 75% of the Korean RDA in the first trimester. The correlations between nutrient intakes and weight gain during pregnancy showed different patterns among the trimester groups. The mean adequacy ratio and dietary variety scores were not significantly different among the trimester groups. The amount of food intake from cereals and cereal products were higher during the second and the third trimester compared to the first trimester, but those of the other food groups were not significantly different. In conclusion, nutrient intakes of the pregnant women for iron, calcium and some vitamins were inadequate and nutritional management programs for these nutrients are necessary.

Common Functional Problems during Pregnancy and Association with Nutritional Status and Weight of Newborns / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Morning sickness during pregnancy is a very common functional problem with different kinds of symptom, but little data are available concerning the nutrition intervention program for pregnant women in local area. A total of 152 pregnant women who had experienced morning sickness were surveyed to investigate the relationships between morning sickness, nutrient intakes and pregnancy outcome. The results showed that prevalent symptoms were nausea (68.4%), heartburn (59.2%), morning sickness (48.7%), vomiting (42.1%), and constipation (44.7%). The onset of the symptom occurred during the first 3 months (9.3 +/- 2.3 weeks); 21.1% of the subjects was experienced two symptom at the same time. This significantly correlated with vomiting (p < 0.01), nausea (p < 0.001), morning sickness (p < 0.001), and heartburn (p < 0.01) with pregnancy weight. There were also correlations between the four symptoms and nutrient intakes. Mean birth weight of 21 newborns was 3.06 +/- 0.42 kg, and the one and five minutes of Apgar scores were 7.74 +/- 0.99 and 8.84 +/- 0.69, respectively. There were negative correlations between vomiting and pregnancy outcomes (p < 0.05). Our data support that morning sickness, especially vomiting during pregnancy is associated with Apgar score and body weight of newborn.

The Association between Bone Density at Os calcis and Body Composition according to Years since Menopause in Postmenopausal Women Aged 45-84 Years Living in a Rural Area / 한국역학회지

OBJECTIVES: This cross-sectional study aimed to compare early postmenopausal women with late menopausal women in respect to body composition as a major determinant of calcaneal bone density. METHODS: Areal bone density was measured at os calcis with peripheral dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Soft lean mass and fat mass were measured using bioelectric impedance in 109 postmenopausal women aged 45 to 84 years. RESULTS: When age and height were adjusted, the variance of calcaneal bone density was better explained by fat mass (15%) than by soft lean mass (7%) in early postmenopausal women. In contrast, soft lean mass (17%) explained the variance of calcaneal bone density better than fat mass (11%) in late postmenopausal women. However, interaction terms between years since menopause (YSM) and soft lean mass or fat mass were not statistically significant in multiple linear regression model for total postmenopausal subject. CONCLUSION: The findings of this study suggest that fat mass is the major determinant of calcaneal bone density in early postmenopausal women, whereas fat free mass is more important determinant of calcaneal bone density in late postmenopausal women.

Antioxidant Vitamin Supplementation and Levels of Circulating Cellular Adhesion Molecules / 대한임상병리학회지

BACKGROUND: The oxidative modification of lipids and the endothelial expression of adhesion molecules are key events in the pathogenesis of atherosclerosis. The appropriate antioxidants that protected and slowed the progression of the disease were reported. We measured the antioxidant enzyme activities and the levels of soluble cellular adhesion molecules in order to evaluate whether antioxidant vitamin supplementation affected the oxidative changes and the expression of cellular adhesion molecules. METHODS: Seventy-seven patients participated in a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled trial. The test group (38 patients) was given antioxidant vitamin doses including a daily dose of vitamin C 500 mg, beta-carotene 15 mg, vitamin E 400 IUs, and selenium 50 microgram, The control group (44 patients) received placeboes for three months. We measured the vitamin serum levels, intercellular adhesion molecules-1 (ICAM-1), vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (VCAM-1), E-selectin and activities of erythrocyte enzymes such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase, and glutathione peroxidase (GPX) before and at 3 months after supplementation. RESULTS: After supplementation, the serum vitamin levels increased significantly (P<0.05) and the activity of the erythrocyte SOD significantly increased by 0.85 unit/mg hemoglobin (P<0.05) in the test group. Soluble ICAM-1, VCAM-1 and E-selectin levels did not change significantly in the test group after supplementation. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that the antioxidant vitamin supplementation may affect erythrocyte SOD activity, but not soluble cellular adhesion molecule levels.

A Study on the Development of Programs for the Nutrition Education of Preschool Nursery Facilities / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study was aimed at development of a nutrition education program, which was designed for children, their parents and personnel in preschool nursery facilities and carried out by dieticians. The program was conducted at 6 preschool nursery facilities for 3 months from July to September 1998. Four-hundred thirty-three children aged 2 to 7 years were engaged in the program. Children in each class were given nutrition education practice once a week by dieticians using education materials and a guide book based on a 12-week program. The themes of nutrition education for children consisted of 'knowledge of food sources and foods', 'relations between food and health', 'other roles of food', 'right eating habit', and 'cooking practice'. Each of five leaflets on nutrition education for parents was delivered eery three weeks in a series and leaflets were posted on a bulletin board. Nursery school teachers were educated by their participation in the class with dieticians using education materials. Evaluation of nutrition education by children, parents and personnel was carried out by interviewing and using questionnaires before and after the program. Children responded more positively more positively on their eating behavior and sanitary behaviors after nutrition education. Parents'opinions on the nutrition education program were positive : 72.3 described the nutrition education program as 'very good'and 'good'. In addition, 71.3% answered that the education materials for parents were helpful. A majority(93.8%) of personnel in facilities evaluated the nutrition education program effective. Nursery personnel evaluated the importance of general nutrition knowledge, childhood nutrition, and obesity control for nutrition management and nutrition education more highly after nutrition education. This study indicates that nutrition management and nutrition education programs for preschool nursery facilities are necessary and they would be effective when implemented by dieticians.