Nationwide Cross-sectional Study of Association between Pterygium and Alkaline Phosphatase in a Population from Korea

PURPOSE: We determined whether elevated serum alkaline phosphatase (ALP) was related to prevalence, location, type, length, and recurrence of pterygium in a population from the Republic of Korea.METHODS: A nationwide cross-sectional dataset, the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2011), was used in this study. All participants were > 30 years of age and underwent the ALP test and ophthalmic evaluation (n = 22,359). One-way analysis of variance, the chi-square test, and Fisher's exact test were used to compare characteristics and outcomes among participants. Multivariable logistic regression was used to examine the possible associations between serum ALP levels and various types of pterygium. Data were adjusted for known risk factors for development of pterygium and ALP elevation (age, sex, residence, sunlight exposure, drinking, smoking, hypertension, diabetes, BMI, AST, ALT, vitamin D, and HDL).RESULTS: The overall prevalence of pterygium was 8.1%, and participants with pterygium had higher levels of serum ALP (p < 0.001). Participants with higher serum ALP had a significantly higher prevalence of all types of pterygium than those in the lower serum ALP quartiles. After adjusting for potential confounding factors, multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that ALP was associated with the prevalence of pterygium (odds ratio [OR], 1.001; p = 0.038). Trend analysis between the OR and ALP quartiles revealed a linear trend in overall prevalence and in the intermediate type of pterygium. Subgroup analysis revealed a stronger correlation in participants > 50 years of age. One-way analysis of variance revealed an association between the size of pterygium and serum ALP quartile levels. Serum ALP was not associated with recurrence of pterygium.CONCLUSIONS: Increased serum ALP was associated with the prevalence and size of pterygium.

Relationship between Coffee Consumption and Dry Eye Syndrome in Korean Adults: 2010–2011 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: Dry eye is a common disease, and coffee is a popular beverage that is heavily consumed in Korea and worldwide. We examined the correlation between coffee consumption and dry eye.METHODS: This study was performed using data from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was a cross-sectional study of the Korean population conducted from 24 months. We included adults aged ≥19 years who underwent ophthalmologic examination and excluded those who had comorbid conditions with dry eye. The subjects were divided into dry eye and control groups. The dry eye group consisted of those who had been clinically diagnosed with dry eye. A multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to determine the correlation between coffee consumption and dry eye.RESULTS: An inverse correlation was found between coffee consumption and dry eye in the group that consumed 3 cups of coffee a day (P=0.001). However, after multivariate adjustment, the statistical significance of the correlation disappeared (P=0.283).CONCLUSION: Consumption of 3 cups of coffee a day in comparison to non-consumption group was negatively correlated with dry eye in an univariate analysis model, but the correlation was not statistically significant after adjusting for age, sex, body mass index, smoking, binge drinking, sun exposure time and history of eye surgery.

The correlation between triglyceride to HDL cholesterol ratio and metabolic syndrome, nutrition intake in Korean adults: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016 / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Metabolic syndrome causes diabetes and increases the risk of cardiovascular disease. This study examined the correlation between metabolic syndrome, nutrition intake, and triglyceride (TG)/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol ratio. METHODS: Using the data from the 7th KNHANES (2016), this study was conducted on healthy adults aged 19 and older. The components and existence of metabolic syndrome and nutrition intake were independent variables and the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio was a dependent variable. A complex sample logistic progress test was used with age, sex, smoking, and drinking frequency corrected. RESULTS: The TG/HDLcholesterol ratio of people with metabolic syndrome was as high as 1.314 on average, compared to people without metabolic syndrome (p < 0.0001). Among each component of metabolic syndrome, the TG/HDL cholesterol ratio had a significant association with fasting blood glucose, TG, HDL cholesterol, and waist circumference (p < 0.05). Only energy and carbohydrate intake were significantly related to the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The TG/HDLcholesterol ratio is associated with each component of metabolic syndrome, but in particular, it is positively correlated with the presence of metabolic syndrome. Lower energy intakehad a positive correlation with the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio. These results show that metabolic syndrome can be predicted using the TG/HDLcholesterol ratio, and a diet strategy through nutrition and health education is necessary to prevent metabolic syndrome.

Change over a period of 9 years in self-reported oral health of a middle-aged population using 4-6th KNHANES data / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: To explore changes in self-reported oral health in middle-aged Koreans over a period of 9 years. METHODS: This study design was a cross-sectional analysis. This study analyzed the data of 18,845 middle-aged (45-64 years) subjects who participated in 4-6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES). A complex-sample chi-square test was used to analyze self-reported poor oral health according to sex, household income, and education. A complex-sample logistic regression analysis was used to identify the changes in the factors. SPSS 23.0 and the R ver. 3.5.1 statistical package were used for the analyses. RESULTS: Poor oral health have been decreased by 5.3% over the 9-year period. Middle-aged men were more likely to report their oral health as worse than women. The lower income and education groups reported their oral health as poor compared to the higher income and education groups. The factors affecting self-reported poor oral health over the 9-year period were sex, income, and education. CONCLUSIONS: More than half of the aged population reported their oral health as poor. Oral health policies should be established for the aged population, including the middle-aged population, for long-term plans.

Relationship between Perceived Health Status andPatient Satisfaction in Outpatient Settings - Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 / 의료커뮤니케이션

BACKGROUND: It is important to investigate patient satisfaction to improve the quality of healthcare. Among the many factors that affect patient satisfaction, perceived health status has been considered as one of the major factors. Therefore, we investigated patient satisfaction through patient experience in outpatient settings according to perceived health status.METHODS: This cross-sectional study using questionnaires of patient experience and perceived health status from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 included 4267 people aged over 19 years who met the inclusion criteria. Perceived health status was classified into three: good, fair, and poor. Questions about patient experience consisted of four items: doctor spending enough time with patients, doctor providing easy-to-understand explanation, doctor giving opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns, and doctor involving patient in decisions about care or treatment. Patient experience was classified into two: satisfied and non-satisfied. A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the data.RESULTS: In the good perceived health status group, level of satisfaction was 79.2%, 88.5%, 83.3% and 87.2%, respectively for the four items targeting patient experience. In the poor group, level of satisfaction was 76%, 84.9%, 79.5%, and 83.1%, respectively for the four items. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios of good perceived health status group were 1.775 (1.347–2.338), 1.946 (1.356–2.793), 1.652 (1.218–2.240), and 1.665 (1.193–2.323) compared with the poor group.CONCLUSION: Perceived health status is associated with patient satisfaction. In particular, the better the perceived health status, the better the patient satisfaction through patient experience.

Study of the Coverage of Nutrition Labeling System on the Nutrient Intake of Koreans - using the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) Data / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the coverage of the current mandatory nutrition labeling system on the nutrient intake of Koreans. METHODS: KNHANES dietary intake data (2013) of 7,242 subjects were used in the analysis. KNHANES dietary intake data were collected by a 24-hour recall method by trained dietitians. For analysis, all food items consumed by the subjects were classified into two groups (foods with mandatory labeling and other foods). In the next step, all food items were reclassified into four groups according to the food type and nutrition labeling regulations: raw material food, processed food of raw material characteristics, processed foods without mandatory labeling, and processed foods with mandatory labeling. The intake of energy and five nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, saturated fat, and sodium) of subjects from each food group were analyzed to determine the coverage of the mandatory nutrition labeling system among the total nutrient intake of Koreans. RESULTS: The average intake of foods with mandatory labeling were 384g/day, which was approximately one quarter of the total daily food intake (1,544 g/day). The proportion of energy and five nutrients intake from foods with mandatory labeling was 18.1%~47.4%. The average food intake from the 4 food groups were 745 g/day (48.3%) for the raw food materials, 54 g/day (3.5%) for the processed food of raw material characteristics, 391 g/day (25.3%) for the processed foods without mandatory labeling, and 354 g/day (22.9%) for the processed foods with mandatory labeling. CONCLUSIONS: Although nutrition labeling is a useful tool for providing nutritional information to consumers, the coverage of current mandatory nutrition labeling system on daily nutrient intake of the Korean population is not high. To encourage informed choices and improve healthy eating habits of the Korean population, the nutrition labeling system should be expanded to include more food items and foodservice menus.

Study of the Coverage of Nutrition Labeling System on the Nutrient Intake of Koreans - using the 2013 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) Data / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the coverage of the current mandatory nutrition labeling system on the nutrient intake of Koreans. METHODS: KNHANES dietary intake data (2013) of 7,242 subjects were used in the analysis. KNHANES dietary intake data were collected by a 24-hour recall method by trained dietitians. For analysis, all food items consumed by the subjects were classified into two groups (foods with mandatory labeling and other foods). In the next step, all food items were reclassified into four groups according to the food type and nutrition labeling regulations: raw material food, processed food of raw material characteristics, processed foods without mandatory labeling, and processed foods with mandatory labeling. The intake of energy and five nutrients (carbohydrate, protein, fat, saturated fat, and sodium) of subjects from each food group were analyzed to determine the coverage of the mandatory nutrition labeling system among the total nutrient intake of Koreans. RESULTS: The average intake of foods with mandatory labeling were 384g/day, which was approximately one quarter of the total daily food intake (1,544 g/day). The proportion of energy and five nutrients intake from foods with mandatory labeling was 18.1%~47.4%. The average food intake from the 4 food groups were 745 g/day (48.3%) for the raw food materials, 54 g/day (3.5%) for the processed food of raw material characteristics, 391 g/day (25.3%) for the processed foods without mandatory labeling, and 354 g/day (22.9%) for the processed foods with mandatory labeling. CONCLUSIONS: Although nutrition labeling is a useful tool for providing nutritional information to consumers, the coverage of current mandatory nutrition labeling system on daily nutrient intake of the Korean population is not high. To encourage informed choices and improve healthy eating habits of the Korean population, the nutrition labeling system should be expanded to include more food items and foodservice menus.

Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with dental caries experience in Korean adolescents: the 2010 ~ 2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and dental caries experience in Korean adolescents based on the 2010 ~ 2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. METHODS: The study subjects were 2,655 Korean adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. Subjects were classified into four groups according to their serum 25(OH)D levels. We used logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and for dental caries experience after adjusting for age, household income level, recipient of basic livelihood, tooth brushing and visiting dental clinics. RESULT: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D insufficiency (20 ng/mL≤25(OH)D<30 ng/mL) was associated with increased odd ratios (ORs) for dental caries experience in boys (OR = 2.577, 95% CI = 1.013–6.557), compared with serum 25(OH)D sufficiency (25(OH)D≥30.0 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: The serum 25(OH)D levels were found to be related to risk of dental caries experience in Korean adolescent boys.

The Association between Smoking Status and Influenza Vaccination Coverage Rate in Korean Adults: Analysis of the 2010–2012 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Globally, smoking is one of the biggest challenges in public health and is a known cause of several important diseases. Influenza is preventable via annual vaccination, which is the most effective and cost-beneficial method of prevention. However, subjects who smoke have some unhealthy behaviours such as alcohol, low physical activity, and low vaccination rate. In this study, we analyzed the relationship between smoking status and factors potentially related to the influenza vaccination coverage rate in the South Korean adult population. METHODS: The study included 13,565 participants aged >19 years, from 2010 to 2012 from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Univariate analyses were conducted to examine the association between influenza coverage rate and related factors. Multivariate analysis was obtained after adjusting for variables that were statistically significant. RESULTS: The overall vaccination rate was 27.3% (n=3,703). Older individuals (P < 0.0001), women (P < 0.0001), non-smokers (P < 0.0001), light alcohol drinkers (P < 0.0001), the unemployed (P < 0.0001), and subjects with diabetes mellitus (P < 0.0001), hypercholesterolemia (P < 0.0001), and metabolic syndrome (P < 0.0001) had higher influenza vaccination coverage than the others. In multivariate analyses, current smokers and heavy smokers showed lower vaccination rates (odds ratio, 0.734; 95% confidence interval, 0.63–0.854). CONCLUSION: In the current study, smokers and individuals with inadequate health-promoting behaviors had lower vaccination rates than the others did.

Association of Diabetes with Serum Vitamin D in Korean Adults : Analysis of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013~2014)

Insufficient vitamin D intake is a major health problem around the world. Recently, many studies have suggested that vitamin D intake may influence insulin resistance. However, little is known about the association between vitamin D and diabetes mellitus. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and diabetes mellitus in Korean adults. This study was a cross-sectional analysis of 3,686 participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013~2014 aged 19 years and higher. The results showed that the mean serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level in Korean adults was 16.77 ng/mL, and 74.2% of them had an insufficient serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level (below 20 ng/mL). In normal and pre-diabetic groups, the serum 25-hydroxy vitamin D (25(OH)D) level significantly increased with age (P30 ng/mL), after adjusting for variables that may affect fasting blood glucose, but this result was not significant. In conclusion, although no significant association was observed between diabetes prevalence and vitamin D levels in this study, further studies are needed because the effect of vitamin D on diabetes remains controversial. This nutrient plays a crucial role in the body, and levels are insufficient in the Korean population.

Relationship between Diabetes Mellitus and Anemia in Korean Adults-Based on the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey VI

Anemia, defined as a reduction in the hemoglobin concentration of blood, is common in diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, can be potentially caused by diabetes complications such as nephropathy. Recent research suggests that diabetes mellitus (DM) itself may be a major risk factor of anemia. However, there are few Korean studies on the relationship between diabetes mellitus (DM) and anemia. This study was performed to investigate the association between anemia and diabetes mellitus (DM) in Korean adults. A total of 10,151 Korean adults over aged 19 years (4,422 male, 5,729 female) were selected from the participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey VI (KNHANES VI). Korean adults with anemia had a higher prevalence of diabetes mellitus (DM) than the normal adults (11.4% vs. 30.4% in male, 8.8% vs. 9.4% in female). The unadjusted odds ratio (OR) for anemia was greater in adults with DM than in normal male (OR=3.28; 95% CI: 2.27~4.73). After adjusting for other risk factors including age, education, family income, smoking, drinking, and menstrual status, anemia and diabetes were not associated (OR=1.33; 95% CI: 0.84~2.09). Similarly, there was no association between anemia and diabetes in female. In conclusion, this study shows that the prevalence of anemia is similar in diabetic and non-diabetic Korean adults after adjusting for multiple risk factors. Further research is required to elucidate the mechanism of anemia caused as a consequence of diabetes mellitus (DM).

Visual Acuity and Falls in South Korea: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2012

PURPOSE: To assess the influence of visual acuity (VA) and ocular condition on falls. METHODS: We analyzed 28,899 Korean adults using cross-sectional data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008-2012). Associations between best corrected VA based on better or worse seeing eye and ocular condition and falls were identified using multivariable logistic regression. We included sociodemographic factors and comorbidities including hypertension, diabetes, arthritis, acute myocardial infarction/angina, and stroke as independent variables. VA was divided into 1.0, 0.8, 0.5-0.63, and <0.5. RESULTS: Among 28,899 subjects, falls occurred in 511. In multivariable logistic regression analysis, low VA based on the better seeing eye was significantly associated with falls (VA 1.0 as a reference group; adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.31, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.00-1.72 in VA of 0.8; aOR = 1.86, 95% CI, 1.07-3.24 in VA of 0.5-0.63; and aOR = 1.21, 95% CI, 0.58-2.54 in VA of <0.5; p = 0.025 for trend). There was no association between VA based on the worse seeing eye and falls. Early age-related macular degeneration was associated with falls in univariable analysis (OR = 2.24) and age- and sex-adjusted analysis (aOR = 1.52), but not in multivariable analysis. In terms of age subgroups, subjects with VA of 0.5-0.63 were more likely to have experienced falls compared with subjects with VA of 1.0 (aOR = 5.83, 95% CI, 1.58-21.54) among subjects 50 years of age or younger. An increasing trend of falls with decreasing VA among subjects between 50 and 70 years of age was observed (p = 0.033 for trend). However, no such association was observed in elderly subjects ≥70 years of age. CONCLUSIONS: VA should be considered for preventing falls because lower VA is associated with increased risk of falls.

Prevalence and Risk Factors for Undercorrected Refractive Errors among South Korean: KNHANES 2008-2012

PURPOSE: To assess the prevalence and risk factors of undercorrected refractive error in South Korea. METHODS: We analyzed 36,162 participants for estimating prevalence using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008-2012). Undercorrected refractive error was defined as an improvement of at least 2 lines in best corrected visual acuity compared with the presenting visual acuity in the right eye. Proportion of undercorrected refractive error by occupation was presented, and associated sociodemographic factors were evaluated by multivariable logistic regression. RESULTS: The prevalence of undercorrected refractive error among all participants and among adults was 8.5% (n/N, 6,954/36,162) and 18.8% (n/N, 3,980/19,884), respectively. The proportion of undercorrected refractive error was higher among those with did not wear spectacles or contact lenses (23.1%) than among spectacle or contact lens wearers (8.1%). The proportion of participants who gained more than four or more lines of best corrected visual acuity was 7.2% (n = 2,606) for the all age group. In terms of occupation, farming, fishing, and forestry occupations (22.8%, 570/2,499) and laborer (20.2%, 497/2,457) were more likely to have undercorrected refractive error. Age groups of 10s, 70s, or 80s (30s as a reference group), female sex, lower income, lower education level, and living without a spouse were associated with undercorrected refractive error. CONCLUSIONS: People of older age, female sex, and lower socioeconomic status were more likely to have undercorrected refractive error. This suggests that a public-health approach is needed for preventing visual impairment via proper vision correction.

The effect of long working hours on 10-year risk of coronary heart disease and stroke in the Korean population: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 2007 to 2013

BACKGROUND: Recently, the emergence of long working hours and the associated conditions such as coronary heart disease (CHD) and stroke have gained attention. The aim of this study was to investigate the association between long working hours and the 10-year-risk of CHD and stroke, estimated by Jee’s health risk-appraisal model for ischemic heart disease. METHODS: We analyzed data from Koreans who randomly enrolled in Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008–2012 and finally included 13,799 participants. The participants were classified as per their working hours: 0–30 h/week, 31–39 h/week, 40 h/week, 41–50 h/week, 51–60 h/week, 61–70 h/week, 71–80 h/week, and >80 h/week. The risks for CHD and stroke were determined using Jee’s health risk-appraisal model. Multiple logistic regression was used to analyze the association between working hours and 10-year risk for CHD. RESULTS: The 10-year risks for CHD and stroke were significantly and positively associated with working hours in both men and women. Furthermore, higher risks for CHD and stroke were associated with longer working hours in women. CONCLUSION: Long working hours are significantly associated with the risks of CHD and stroke, estimated by Jee’s health risk-appraisal model. This study suggests the need for proper management of working hours to reduce CHD risk and stroke risk in the Korean population. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s40557-016-0149-5) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.

Factors Associated with Poor Glycemic Control among Patients with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012) / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: Glycemic control is an effective way to reduce the cardiovascular complications of diabetes, but more than half of the adults with diabetes in Korea are improperly controlling their glycemic levels. The purpose of this study is to identify the factors associated with poor glycemic control in type 2 diabetes patients. METHODS: This study analyzed 1,261 subjects ≥30 years old diagnosed with type 2 diabetes who participated in the fifth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010-2012). Poor glycemic control rates were defined as hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) level ≥7%. To shed light on the causes of poor glycemic control, socio-demographics, diabetes severity, health status, and health behavior factors were adjusted and logistic regression was done. RESULTS: Of the total 1,261 patients, 53.0% of patients with type 2 diabetes had HbA1c ≥7%. After running a logistic regression model, the odds ratio of poor glycemic control was higher in high school graduates than elementary school graduates; in people living in Chungcheong and Jeolla/Jeju than those living in Seoul; in the group with diabetes for over 5 years had diabetes less than 5 years; in a group with insulin and oral hypoglycemic agent treatment than non-treatment; in a group with hypertriglyceridemia than without hypertriglyceridemia; and in the group with slept less than 6 hours slept 7-8 hours. CONCLUSION: We need a comprehensive public health policy to reduce the poor glycemic control rates in type 2 diabetes patients. We should recognize the education levels, duration of diabetes, diabetes treatment, hypertriglyceridemia, and sleep duration were associated with poor glycemic control.

Cross-sectional study of the association of vitamins C and D with periodontal status / 대한구강보건학회지

OBJECTIVES: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between vitamin C, vitamin D, and periodontal diseases in adults. METHODS: The data used for analysis were obtained from the sixth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013-2014). Subjects were 2,702 adults aged from 19 to 64 years. Complex Chi-square tests and complex logistic regression analyses were used to assess the association between vitamins and periodontal status. RESULTS: There is no statistically significant association between vitamin C intake and periodontal status. Periodontal status of subjects with a low vitamin D (25-hydroxyvitamin D) level was better than that of the subjects with a high level (P<0.05). However, multivariate analysis demonstrated that this association is not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: More follow-up studies are necessary to determine the association of the vitamins C and D with the periodontal diseases.

Vegetable and fruit intake in one person household: The Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2010~2012) / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: The aim of the current study was to compare the vegetable and fruit intake between one person households and those living with family. METHODS: The 24-hour recall data of 14,914 persons over 20 years old who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2010 to 2012 were used for the final analysis. Consumption of non-salted vegetables and fruits (> or = 400 g/day), fruits (> or = 200 g/day), and kimchi (> or = 120 g/day) was compared between one person households and those living with family. Logistic regression models were used to assess the associations between potential determinants and adequate vegetable and fruit intake. RESULTS: After additional adjustments for age, household income, and total energy intake, no statistically significant differences in likelihood of low intake of non-salted vegetable and fruit and kimchi were observed between one person households and those living with family. (Non-salted vegetables and fruits: odds ratio (OR) = 1.15, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 0.79-1.68 for the men; OR = 1.25, 95% CI = 0.98-1.59 for women). However one person households have greater likelihood of low intake of kimchi than those living with family in women (OR = 1.72, 95% CI = 1.31-2.26). CONCLUSION: Although there were no differences in likelihood of low intake of non-salted vegetables and between individuals living alone and those living with family, women of one person households were great likelihood of low intake of kimchi compared to those living with family.

The Factors Related to the Non-Practice of Cancer Screening in Cancer Survivors: Based on the 2007-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 보건행정학회지

BACKGROUND: The aim of the current study was to investigate the factors related to the non-practice of cancer screening in cancer survivors, who are at high risk of developing second cancers. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional analysis of 1,125 cancer survivors > or =19 years old who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys IV and V (2007-2012). A Rao-scott chi-square test and a survey logistic regression analysis were employed respectively to analyze the difference of cancer survivors in cancer screening by each characteristic and the factors related to the non-practice of cancer screening in cancer survivors. RESULTS: Among total subjects, 33.5% did not participate in cancer screening in the last two years. Results from a fully adjusted logistic model showed that the non-practice of cancer screening in cancer survivors was significantly associated with variables such as sex, age, marital status, education level, monthly income, and drinking a alcoholic beverage Specifically, the odds ratio of non-practice of cancer screening was higher in males than in females, in the younger group than in older group, in the group with no spouse than in the group with a spouse; in a group with a low level of education than in a group with a high level of education; in a group with the lowest income level than in a group with the other levels of income; or in non-drinkers than in drinkers. CONCLUSION: Health policies to reduce the non-practice rate of cancer screening in cancer survivors should be designed and implemented with close attention to cancer survivors\' socio-economic characteristics such as sex, age, marital status, education, and income, along with a health behavioral characteristic as drinking.

Development of dietary behavior items available in Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: Given that the indicators related to chronic diseases are important to evaluating goals of the national health policy, the aim of this study was to develop dietary behavior items available in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. METHODS: The dietary behavior items were developed based on the literature reviews, need assessment of the field, expert focus-group interviews, and expert advisory meeting. Questions for each dietary behavior item were developed by reflecting on environmental, personal, and behavior factors of the ecological frame and then revised through expert focus-group interview and expert advisory meeting. The understanding and reliability of the developed questionnaire were assessed by cognitive interview and test-retest reliability. RESULTS: The developed items were sodium and salt intake, added and simple sugar intake, enough time to consume a meal for all ages, caffeine drinks and fresh/healthy food intake for children and adolescents, and limited dietary intake, fresh/healthy food intake for seniors. In most questions except some questions on sodium and salt intake, subjects understood over 70% and consistency of responses based on the kappa values was acceptable. CONCLUSION: Developed dietary behavior items are expected to be useful for evidence-based nutrition policy, interventions and research targeting dietary patterns through investigating and monitoring dietary behavior patterns.

A Trend Analysis of the Prevalence, Awareness, Treatment, and Control of Hypertension by Age Group / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: We examined the trends in prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension in Korea as a basis for improving hypertension control programs. METHODS: 12 598 participants of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in this study. Weighted linear regression to test time trends from 2007 to 2011 was performed. RESULTS: The prevalence of hypertension was 20.7% in 2007, 29.4% in 2009, and 26.2% in 2011. Awareness of hypertension was 64.8% in 2007 and 61.1% in 2011. Awareness in those aged 65 and over was greater than in younger groups (age 19 to 44 and 45 to 64; p<0.001). The treatment rates were 58.4% in 2007 and 56.8% in 2011. The treatment rate was greater for those 65 and over than for younger age groups (p<0.001). The percentage of controlled hypertension was 37.6% in 2011. The percentage of controlled hypertension in those 65 and over was higher than in younger age groups (p<0.001). The treatment-control rates were 65.9% in 2007 and 67.7% in 2011. The prevalence of hypertension was higher in the males (p<0.001), while the awareness (p<0.001), treatment (p<0.001), and control (p<0.001) rates were higher in the females. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of hypertension was increasing and the hypertension awareness, treatment, and control rates were low in younger age groups and males.