Association of Whole Grain Consumption with Nutrient Intakes and Metabolic Risk Factors in Generally Healthy Korean Middle-Aged Women / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Epidemiological studies have suggested that a higher consumption of whole grain foods can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases including cardiovascular diseases, type 2 diabetes and obesity. The objective of the current study was to examine associations among the consumption of whole grains and nutrient intakes and biochemical indicators associated with chronic diseases among generally healthy middle-aged Korean women. METHODS: Using 24-hour recall data from the 2008-2009 National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, whole grain intake (g/day) was calculated for a total of generally healthy 1,953 subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups by the level of whole grain consumption (0 g/day, > 0 and or = 20 g/day). Mean values or proportions of various nutrient intakes and metabolic risk factors were compared according to the level of whole grain consumption. All statistical analysis was conducted using SAS software version 9.2. RESULTS: We observed that the overall consumption of whole grains was quite low. Specifically, 58.2% of subjects reported no whole grain consumption on the day of the survey, and the mean whole grain intake was only 15.3 g/day. The whole grain consumption was positively associated with intakes of various macro and micronutrients, namely, plant proteins and fats, dietary fiber, calcium, plant iron, potassium, zinc, vitamin A, beta-carotene, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, vitamin B6 and folic acid. In addition, we found significantly decreasing trends in abdominal obesity and hypertriglyceridemia as whole grain intake levels increase. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggested the importance of promoting whole grain consumption as an efficient tool for improving various dietary aspects and preventing chronic diseases.

Relations of Whole Grain Consumption with Predisposing, Reinforcing, and Enabling Factors among Korean Adults

This study compared levels of whole grain consumption-related predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors according to socio-demographic variables, and examined how these factors are associated with whole grain consumption frequency among Korean adults. A survey questionnaire was administered to a convenience sample of adult males and females aged 20~59 years (n=300). The questionnaire included questions on predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling factors in relation to whole grain consumption as well as a brief whole grain food frequency questionnaire. Female subjects showed a significantly higher level of negative beliefs on health.nutrition.taste.texture while showing a significantly lower level of social support compared to that of males. The age group of 40~59 years showed a significantly higher social support level than the age group of 20~39 years. Results from multivariate regression analyses showed that different combinations of predisposing, reinforcing, and enabling variables were significant in predicting whole grain consumption frequency according to sex and age. The study findings can be used for developing specific target-oriented nutrition intervention programs for promotion of whole grain intake among Korean adults.