Korean journal of community nutrition最新文献

Objectives: Using data from the 2019‒2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the association between dietary quality and metabolic syndrome by self-reported weight change among adult Korean cancer survivors.

Methods: We analyzed 340 cancer survivors (≥ 5 years post-diagnosis) by one-year weight change (stable, loss, and gain). Dietary quality was assessed using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), and metabolic syndrome was defined according to standard criteria. Relative risks (RR) were estimated using a modified Poisson regression.

Results: The weight loss group was older than the weight gain group (P < 0.001). Females were more prevalent in the loss and gain than in the maintenance group (P = 0.008). Hypertension prevalence was highest in the loss and lowest in the gain group (P = 0.028); other risk factors were similar. The gain group had the highest body mass index (P = 0.011). KHEI scores were highest in the maintenance (66.59 ± 0.76) and lowest in the gain group (60.42 ± 1.77; P = 0.006), with significantly lower whole grain (P = 0.036) and fruit intake (P = 0.014). Compared with the maintenance group, the gain group demonstrated higher risks of metabolic syndrome (RR: 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40-3.06; P < 0.001), abdominal obesity (RR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.36-2.74; P < 0.001), and impaired fasting glucose (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.23-2.34; P < 0.01). Within the gain group, participants in the lowest KHEI quartile had increased risks of metabolic syndrome (RR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.06-7.43; P < 0.05) and hypertriglyceridemia (RR: 7.29, 95% CI: 1.54-34.61; P < 0.05).

Conclusion: Accordingly, weight change and dietary quality may critically affect the metabolic health of cancer survivors. Lifestyle management, including weight control and tailored diets, may help prevent metabolic disorders and support long-term health.

Objectives: Dietary quality is a modifiable determinant of type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). However, evidence on the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) and sex-specific differences in its association with T2DM risk remains limited. This study is to examine the longitudinal association between KHEI and incident T2DM in Korean adults, with a focus on potential sex differences.

Methods: We analyzed 56,000 adults (37,684 women and 18,316 men) from the Health Examinee cohort of the Korean Genome and Epidemiology Study. Dietary intake was assessed using a validated semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, and KHEI scores were constructed based on national guidelines. Incident T2DM was defined using physician diagnosis, treatment history, or biochemical criteria. Cox proportional hazards models and restricted cubic spline analyses were applied to evaluate associations, with adjustments for demographic, lifestyle, and clinical covariates.

Results: Over a median follow-up of 4.2 years, 2,252 women and 1,776 men developed T2DM. Women in the highest quartile of KHEI had a 18% lower risk of T2DM compared with those in the lowest quartile (hazard ratio [HR]: 0.82, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.71-0.93; P for trend = 0.007). In men, no significant association was observed (HR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.95-1.29). The interaction by sex was statistically significant (P for interaction < 0.05). Spline analyses indicated a linear inverse association between KHEI and T2DM risk in women, whereas no trend was evident in men.

Conclusion: Higher diet quality, as measured by the KHEI, was associated with a reduced risk of T2DM in women but not in men, suggesting sex-specific effects of dietary patterns on diabetes prevention. These findings highlight the need for tailored nutritional strategies that consider biological and behavioral differences between women and men in Korea.

Objectives: Since the enactment of the Serious Accidents Punishment Act in Korea in 2021, the importance of safety management in food service facilities has increased. This study was conducted to examine the status of safety education and to identify educational needs for safety accident prevention among army food service personnel.

Methods: This study included 157 food service personnel from Army units located in Gyeongsangnam-do. Participants were divided into two groups based on the daily number of meals served. Demographic characteristics, the status of safety education, and priority for safety accident prevention education were evaluated.

Results: A total of 97.5% of participants received safety education, with 60.8% attending at least monthly. "Lecture" (63.4%) was the most commonly used educational method. The preferred educational methods were "Lecture" (23.5%) and "Counselling" (23.5%), showing significant group differences (P < 0.001). A total of 79.6% of participants reported applying the educational content in their performance. The mean importance score for safety accident prevention (4.78) was higher than the performance score (4.44), with significant differences between the two groups observed in the importance scores (P < 0.05). "Slip & burn" had the highest importance score, while "Electric shock and fire" had the highest performance score. The educational needs analysis revealed that the highest priority item for the < 100 meals group was "When moving heavy items, an assistive device or assistance from colleagues should be utilized", while for the ≥ 100 meals group, it was "When using a vegetable cutter or grinder, use an exclusive stick."

Conclusion: This study can serve as a foundational database for developing customized safety education programs tailored to Korean army food service personnel.

Objectives: Food neophobia in children is often associated with limited exposure and familiarity to some foods. Cooking-based nutrition education (CBNE), which promotes acceptance through direct experience, may support the development of healthy eating habits. This study aimed to develop and implement a standardized CBNE program for school-aged children in Seoul, South Korea, and to evaluate its effectiveness by assessing changes in raw vegetable intake. Raw vegetable intake is an early indicator of the effectiveness of nutrition education on diverse topics in promoting healthy eating habits.

Methods: A single-group pre-post study was conducted with 37 children aged 6-11 years who participated in a 2-day CBNE program in October 2023. The participants completed pre- and post-education questionnaires and raw vegetable intake assessments. Four low-preference vegetables (bell pepper, carrot, cucumber, and tomato) were selected and served raw (25 g each) before and after the program. Intake changes were analyzed using paired t-tests, and Pearson's correlation and hierarchical regression analyses were performed to identify predictors.

Results: Total raw vegetable intake significantly increased post-education (P = 0.008), particularly for carrots (P = 0.023). By subgroup, raw vegetable intake significantly increased in girls, upper-grade students, and those who consumed four or more vegetable side dishes per meal. Hierarchical regression analysis revealed that while vegetable preference was initially significant, vegetable-related experiences (β = 0.395, P = 0.026) and diversity of vegetable side dishes per meal (β = 0.403, P = 0.032) were stronger predictors in the final model (adj R² = 0.333).

Conclusion: The CBNE program may enhance vegetable intake in children. Although preference remained the strongest individual factor, vegetable experience and the diversity of vegetable side dishes per meal had a greater combined effect. These findings underscore the importance of repeated and diverse exposure, not only by supporting previous studies that link such exposure to increased intake but also by suggesting that environmental support may be essential for sustaining healthy eating habits.

Objectives: Although diet quality is known to be associated with environment and individuals' characteristics, these have not been studied together. We determined the association of diet quality with regional factors stratified by individuals' sociodemographic characteristics.

Methods: This study used nationally representative survey data on regional factors (2010-2020) and the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data on individuals' sociodemographic characteristics (2013-2018). Community-dwelling Koreans aged ≥ 20 were included (n = 26,853). Regions were categorized into metropolitan cities or provinces and subsequently according to regional factors (level of educational attainment, income per capita, food security status, physical activity facilities, time to the nearest large retailer, and internet use of the region). Individuals' sociodemographic characteristics included age, education status, income, and number of household members. Diet quality was assessed using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI).

Results: In the entire population, education status of metropolitan cities was positively associated with the KHEI. Shorter time to retailers and higher internet use were positively associated with the KHEI in metropolitan residents with higher income levels but negatively associated with the KHEI in those with lower income status. Among provincial residents with a low education status or income, regional physical activity facilities were positively associated with the KHEI.

Conclusion: The association between diet quality and regional factors varied depending on the resident's sociodemographic characteristics. Both regional and individual sociodemographic factors must be considered to address gaps in nutritional equity.