Korean journal of community nutrition最新文献

Objectives: The theory of planned behavior (TPB) has been widely employed to predict healthy eating intentions. Regional differences may affect dietary habits, health status, and personality traits, whereas variations in urbanization influence accessibility to fresh and healthy food, thereby impacting TPB components. This study aimed to explore whether regional differences between northern and southern China including city-tier development are associated with healthy eating intentions among Chinese adults.

Methods: The study included data from 2,114 Chinese adults aged 19-64 years collected between 2019 and 2023. Participants were categorized by geographic region (north or south) and city-tier status (first-tier or other).

Results: Compared to individuals from northern first-tier cities, those from southern regions exhibited stronger attitudes, perceived behavioral control (PBC), and intention to eat healthily. Participants from other cities in the north had more positive attitudes, subjective norms, PBC, and intentions to participate in healthy eating. Furthermore, residents of southern cities revealed weaker subjective norms than those of cities in the north. The adjusted odds ratio (OR) for compliance with intention to engage in healthy eating was higher among participants from other cities in both the north and south compared to those from northern first-tier cities (northern other cities: OR = 2.43, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.49-3.97, P < 0.001; southern other cities: OR = 1.95, 95% CI: 1.08-3.51, P = 0.027). No significant differences existed among the subjects from first-tier cities according to their geographic regions. These trends remained consistent even after including the interaction term between geographic regions and city-tier classification.

Conclusion: These findings underscore the complexity of regional variations influencing dietary intentions and indicate that tailored health promotion strategies should incorporate regional characteristics. Future research should explore underlying factors, including regional cultural influences, to better inform policies and interventions.

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between self-care and health-related behaviors such as medication use, dietary supplementation, dietary habits, and physical activity among Koreans aged 20-60 years.

Methods: Data from a total of 300 participants (150 men and 150 women) living in Seoul and Gyeonggi provinces in Korea were analyzed to assess the relationship between health behaviors and dietary supplements (DSs) related to self-care. Based on self-care levels, the participants were classified into three groups: low (n = 124), medium (n = 78), and high (n = 98).

Results: DSs (P < 0.001), physical activity (P < 0.001), recognizing the perceived health benefits of self-care (P < 0.001), self-care when sick (P = 0.039), and the reasons for self-care (P = 0.028) differed among the self-care groups. Daily diet frequency (P = 0.001), breakfast frequency (P = 0.026), regular exercise (P < 0.001), DSs use rate (P < 0.001), DSs use frequency (P = 0.013), and total dietary behavior score (P < 0.001) also differed significantly depending on the degree of self-care. The degree of self-care was significantly and positively correlated with DSs intake (r = 0.377, P < 0.001), physical activity (r = 0.433, P < 0.001), and total dietary behavior score (r = 0.185, P < 0.01).

Conclusion: The results demonstrated that the degree of self-care was related to DSs, physical activity, and total dietary behavior scores in Korean adults. Additionally, self-care capacity should be increased through health-related behaviors based on health education programs.

Objectives: Clinical nutrition treatment is the central part of diabetes management, such as prevention, treatment, and self-management of diabetes, and personalized clinical nutrition treatment, which enables improvement in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Our study aimed to contribute to the improvement of appropriate nutrition management in personalized treatment for obese and non-obese diabetes patients.

Methods: T2DM patients were recruited as participants, and 36 final participants were assigned to the lean diabetes mellitus group (LDM; body mass index [BMI] < 25 kg/m²) and the obese diabetes mellitus group (ODM; BMI ≥ 25 kg/m²). We assessed the dietary intakes, body composition, dietary habits, the Korean version of obesity-related quality of life, and biochemical indices.

Results: According to the phenotype's comparison, the ODM group had a high prevalence of T2DM complications and hypertension, had a dietary habit of less than 10 minutes of mealtime duration and preferred fast food intake, and had a low obesity-related quality of life. However, the LDM group had a high choice of Korean dishes at the time of eating out and a high intake of vitamin C, and iodine because of the intake of vegetables and seaweeds.

Conclusion: We observed differences in diet, nutrient intake, and clinical characteristics according to the phenotype of T2DM patients. In particular, obese diabetes patients have an increased risk of cardiovascular diseases, bad dietary habits, and low obesity-related quality of life. Therefore, personalized nutrition treatment is needed in consideration of the risk of cardiovascular disease and dietary habits for patients in the ODM group, as well as determining the energy requirements of Korean patients with T2DM.

Objectives: This study investigated the differences in food purchase frequency among single-person households by gender and age group and explored the characteristics of single-person household groups according to their food purchase patterns.

Methods: Utilizing data from the 2023 Consumer Behavior Survey for Foods conducted by the Korea Rural Economic Institute, this study examined food purchase frequencies among 966 single-person households. Data were analyzed using Rao-Scott chi-square tests, ANCOVA, ANOVA, and K-modes hierarchical cluster analysis.

Results: Significant differences were observed in the food purchase frequencies of single-person households for fresh and convenient food. Women displayed higher purchase frequencies for fish, vegetables, and fruits, whereas men showed higher purchase frequencies for convenient foods (P < 0.01). Single-person households aged 39 years and younger exhibited lower purchase frequencies for vegetables (P < 0.005) and fish (P < 0.001) and substantially higher frequencies of convenient food purchases (P < 0.001). Additionally, this study identified three distinct single-person household groups based on food purchase pattern: the "nutrition-conscious" group, which exhibited high purchase frequency for fresh foods; the "convenience-seeking" group, which showed high purchase frequency for all types of convenient foods; and the "passive food consumer" group, which displayed relatively low purchase frequency for both fresh foods and convenient foods. The socio-demographic characteristics of single-person households differed significantly across these three groups, with the "passive food consumer" group and "convenience-seeking" group exhibiting lower healthy eating competency (M_{N(nutrition-conscious group)} = 3.68, M_{P(passive-food-consumer group)} = 3.40, M_{C(convenience-seeking group)} = 3.52, P < 0.001), safe eating competency (M_N = 3.87, M_P = 3.57, M_C = 3.77, P < 0.001), and satisfaction (M_N = 3.36, M_P = 3.23, M_C = 3.25, P = 0.04) than the "nutrition-conscious" group.

Conclusion: This study underscores the need for targeted nutrition programs to address the unique needs of single-person households depending on their characteristics. Specifically, this study highlights the importance of targeted interventions for "convenience-seeking" and "passive food consumer" to promote dietary competency and encourage healthy dietary behavior.

Objectives: This study evaluated the nutrition quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P) and analyzed the impact of key factors, such as caregivers' food literacy, social support, and food environment, on the eating habits of preschool children in Korea. This study also sought to provide foundational data for developing tailored nutrition education programs by identifying the nutrition education needs of caregivers.

Methods: This study was conducted among caregivers of preschool children (aged 0-6 years) using an online self-administered survey conducted from August 22 to August 28, 2023. A total of 1,116 survey responses were analyzed. This study assessed children's NQ-P score, caregivers' food literacy, social support, food environment, and nutritional education needs. Data were analyzed using SPSS 29.0 (IBM Co.).

Results: The average NQ-P score for preschool children was 52, showing a tendency for the balance score to decrease and the moderation score to increase with age. Children from rural and low-income areas exhibited significantly lower NQ-P scores. Caregivers' food literacy was higher in urban and higher-income groups. Multiple regression analysis revealed that social support, food literacy, income, and food environment significantly affected children's NQ-P scores. The effectiveness of nutrition education varied based on the income level, with nutrition education on healthy eating being the most preferred topic for preschool children.

Conclusion: This study confirmed that caregivers' food literacy and social support significantly affected preschool children's nutritional status. This suggests a need for tailored nutritional education and dietary support policies, particularly for low-income and rural populations.

Objectives: Nutrient intake during pregnancy and lactation is crucial for the health of both mother and offspring. Diet and nutrient metabolism potentially vary according to ethnicity and fetal number; nevertheless, recent studies validating this are inadequate. Furthermore, few studies have tracked changes in intake after delivery. We compared the food and nutrient intakes between pregnant women in Korea carrying singletons and multiples during late pregnancy and assessed their changes through postpartum.

Methods: Ninety-eight pregnant women were recruited from Chonnam National University Hospital between January 2019 and December 2023, and 48 responded to follow-up. Third trimester and postpartum intake were assessed via food frequency questionnaires and supplement questionnaires. Student's t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, chi-square test, paired t-test or Wilcoxon signed-rank test was performed and adjustments were made for covariates.

Results: Nutrient intake was generally adequate relative to the Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans, with no differences between singleton- and multiple-pregnancy women. Sixty-six of 98 (67%) pregnant women consumed meat, fish, vegetables, and fruit daily. Dairy intake was low, while the mean iron intake during pregnancy reached 54.2 ± 34.0 mg/d, exceeding the tolerable upper intake level, mainly owing to supplements. Postpartum fruit and vitamin C intake decreased, with no significant differences between breastfeeding and non-breastfeeding women.

Conclusion: Dietary intake did not significantly differ between Korean singleton- and multiple-pregnancy women. Dairy intake was low and iron intake was excessive. Fruit intake decreased after delivery; however, difference in dietary intake according to breastfeeding status was minimal. Nutritional education may be necessary to promote a balanced diet in pregnant and postpartum women.

Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier KCT0005118.

Objectives: The aim of this study was to assess the impact of a multi-component program, including partially hydrolyzed guar gum (PHGG, Sunfiber^®) supplementation, on glycemic control, gut health, and nutritional status to support diabetes prevention and management among Korean adults.

Methods: A single-arm trial was conducted with 29 adults (aged 20-55 years) with fasting plasma glucose (FPG) ≥ 100 mg/dL. Over a six-week period, participants engaged in a multi-component program that incorporated the supplementation of PHGG (Sunfiber^®, 12.5 g/day), weekly nutritional coaching, and the use of continuous glucose monitoring devices. The program's effectiveness was evaluated by measuring FPG and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c) levels through blood tests conducted before and after the intervention. Improvements in gut health were gauged using the Korean Gut Quotient Measurement Scales, while enhancements in nutritional status were assessed using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) and surveys that evaluated improvements in gut health and nutritional status.

Results: Participants' average age was 43.89 years, with approximately 80% being male. Most participants (about 75%) were classified as overweight or obese. After six-weeks, 17 participants who adhered closely to the program (meeting certification criteria) exhibited significant reductions in key blood glucose markers. FPG levels decreased from 113.06 ± 23.16 mg/dL to 106.24 ± 16.33 mg/dL (P < 0.05), and HbA1c levels decreased from 6.08% ± 0.81% to 5.87% ± 0.53% (P < 0.05). The NQ evaluation revealed significant increases in comprehensive nutrition scores, and in the balance and practice domain scores for all participants (P < 0.05). Furthermore, in the gut health survey, approximately 82.1% of all participants reported experiencing positive changes.

Conclusion: Among adults with elevated FPG levels, a multi-component intervention program that included PHGG (Sunfiber^®) supplementation, structured dietary management, and the use of health-monitoring devices showed significant benefits in improving glycemic control, overall nutritional status, and gut health.

Trial registration: Clinical Research Information Service Identifier: KCT0010049.