• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.106-114
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• 2014

It is generally accepted that diet modification provides beneficial effects on the management of diabetes. In the present study, we evaluated the effects of diet modification on nutrient intake and quality of life in a large sample of diabetic patients. This study was conducted using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey IV and V (2007-2010). A total of 2,484 of diabetic patients were included in the analysis. Then, we compared the overall quality of dietary intake between diabetic patients with diet modification and those without dietary modification. The result showed that subjects on diabetic diet (DDG) showed lower levels of total cholesterol, triglyceride, and AST before and after the adjustment for covariates (all p < 0.05). The results of nutrient assessment showed that DDG had lower intakes of total energy, fat, and carbohydrate (all p < 0.05), but higher intakes of energy from protein, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin and vitamin C than NDG. (all p < 0.05). In addition, nutritional adequacy ratio of calcium and vitamin B2 were significantly higher in DDG than those in normal diet group (NDG) (p < 0.05). However, we observed no significant differences in quality of life between two groups. In conclusion, diet modification in diabetic patients seemed to be effective to improve blood lipid profile and the adequacy of nutrient intake without sacrificing the quality of life.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.673-684
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although adherence to a higher diet quality may help prevent cognitive decline in older adults, literature for this in a Korean population is limited. Thus, the aim of this study was to examine the association between diet quality indices and the risk of mild cognitive impairment (MCI) in Korean older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 806 community-dwelling people aged 60 yrs and over in Korea. Diet quality was assessed via the revised Recommended Food Score (RFS) and alternate Mediterranean Diet Score (aMDS). Cognitive function was measured using a Korean version of the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE-KC). Associations between diet quality indices and MMSE-KC score were assessed with a general linear model after adjusting for covariates. Logistic regression was used to determine the association between diet quality indices and the risk of MCI. RESULTS: The prevalence of MCI was 35.3%. There were no significant trends between MMSE-KC scores and RFS and aMDS after adjusting for age, gender, education, exercise, living status, social activity, and alcohol drinking. Among total subjects, RFS was inversely associated with the risk of MCI after adjusting for covariates (Q5 vs. Q1; odds ratio [OR], 0.49; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.83). Among total subjects and men, aMDS was inversely related to the risk of MCI after adjusting for covariates (Q5 vs. Q1; OR, 0.51; 95% CI, 0.29-0.89 for total subjects; Q5 vs. Q1; OR, 0.36; 95% CI, 0.15-0.83 for men). CONCLUSIONS: Our results demonstrate that high diet quality evaluated by RFS and aMDS is inversely associated with the risk of MCI. Thus, high quality diet may reduce or retard cognitive decline in the old population. Longitudinal studies are needed to determine the causal relationship between diet quality and the risk of MCI in the elderly.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.352-364
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Given the increasing proportion of the Korean population that is aged 65 years and older, the present study analyzed the relationship between diet quality and sarcopenia in elderly persons by using data from the 2008-2011 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data for 3,373 persons aged 65 years and over (men: 1,455, 43.1%) were selected from the 2008-2011 KNHANES. Sarcopenia assessments are based on a formula that divides a subject's appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) by their weight (wt) and multiplies that result by 100 ([ASM/wt] × 100). Sarcopenia is present if the subject's result was less than one standard deviation (SD) below the sex-specific mean for a young reference group. For evaluation of diet quality, data obtained via the 24-hour recall method were used to calculate the Diet Quality Index for Koreans (DQI-K). A general linear model was applied in order to analyze general information and nutritional intake according to sarcopenia status. For analysis of the relationship between diet quality and sarcopenia, a binominal logistic regression analysis was undertaken. RESULTS: The sarcopenia prevalence rate among the study subjects aged 65 years and over was 37.6%. The DQI-K of those without sarcopenia was 3.33 ± 0.04 points, while that of those with sarcopenia was 3.45 ± 0.04 points (P < 0.05). The relationship between diet quality and sarcopenia revealed that subjects aged 75 and older had a poor diet quality, and their odds ratio (OR) of sarcopenia presence was significantly higher (OR: 1.807, 95% confidence interval: 1.003-3.254, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: This study revealed that poor diet quality was related to sarcopenia presence in Koreans aged 75 and older. In order to improve the diet quality of the elderly (aged 75 and older), it is necessary to develop dietary improvement guidelines.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.354-365
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• 2016

Objectives: Studies that reported the association between diet quality/nutritional intake status and mortality have rarely used long-term follow-up data in Asian countries, including Korea. This study investigated the association between the risk of mortality (all-cause and cause-specific) and the diet quality/nutritional intake status using follow-up 12-year mortality data from a nationally representative sample of South Koreans. Methods: 8,941 individuals who participated in 1998 and 2001 Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were linked to mortality data from death certificates. Of those individuals, 1,083 (12.1%) had died as of December, 2012. Cox proportional hazard models were used to estimate the relative risks of mortality according to the level of diet quality and intakes of major nutrients. Indicators for diet quality index and nutritional intake status were assessed using MAR (mean adequacy ratio) and energy and protein intake level compared with the 2010 Korean DRI. Results: Higher diet quality/nutritional intake status were associated with lower mortality; the mortality risk (95% confidence interval) from all-cause of lowest MAR group vs highest was 1.66 (1.27 to 2.18) among ${\geq}30$ year old, and 1.98 (1.36 to 2.86) among 30~64 year old individuals. Those with below 75% of energy and protein intake of Korean DRI had higher mortality risks of all-cause mortality compared to the reference group. Diet quality/nutritional intake status was inversely associated with mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer. Conclusions: Poor Diet quality/nutritional intake status were associated with a higher risk of mortality from all-cause and mortality from cardiovascular diseases and cancer among South Korean adults.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.9 no.5
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• pp.511-516
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• 2015

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aims to determine contribution of meal frequency, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and availability of healthy foods towards diet quality of adolescents in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This study was conducted among 373 adolescents aged from 13 to 16 years old. Diet quality of the respondents was assessed using the Healthy Eating Index for Malaysians. Meal frequency, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and availability of healthy foods were assessed through the Eating Behaviours Questionnaire (EBQ), self-efficacy for healthy eating scale, and availability of healthy foods scale, respectively. RESULTS: The majority of the respondents (80.7%) were at risk of poor diet quality. Males ($mean=34.2{\pm}8.2%$) had poorer diet quality than females ($mean=39.9{\pm}9.0%$) (t = -5.941, P < 0.05). Malay respondents ($mean=36.9{\pm}8.7%$) had poorer diet quality than Indian respondents ($mean=41.3{\pm}10.0%$) (F = 2.762, P < 0.05). Age (r = 0.123, P < 0.05), self-efficacy for healthy eating (r = 0.129, P < 0.05), and availability of healthy foods (r = 0.159, P < 0.05) were positively correlated with the diet quality of the respondents. However, meal frequency was not correlated with the diet quality of the respondents. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that being a male, being a Malay, low self-efficacy for healthy eating, and low availability of healthy foods contributed significantly towards poor diet quality among respondents. CONCLUSIONS: In short, sex, ethnicity, self-efficacy for healthy eating, and availability of healthy foods were associated with diet quality among adolescents. Health practitioners should take into consideration of differences in sex and ethnicity during implementation of nutrition-related intervention programs. Self-efficacy for healthy eating and availability of healthy foods should be included as important components in improving diet quality of adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.6
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• pp.545-557
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• 2016

Objectives: This study was performed to compare the diet quality and diversity according to types of obesity categorized by body mass index and waist circumference among Korean adults aged 19-64 years. Methods: This study used the data of the 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-V) and included 11,081 study participants. Type of obesity was categorized into 4 groups (Type 1: BMI obesity + abdominal obesity; Type 2: BMI obesity only; Type 3: abdominal obesity only; Type 4: Normal). To compare the diet quality and diversity according to obesity type, ANCOVA (Analysis of covariance) was used with stratification of age groups (19-44 years, 45-64 years). Results: With regard to comparative analysis of diet quality, there were significant differences between diet qualities in energy, protein, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, phosphorous and iron and type of obesity in the 19-44 age group, while there were significant differences between diet qualities on protein, vitamin C, phosphorous and type of obesity in the 45-64 age group. There was no significant difference between diet diversity score and type of obesity in Korean adults. Conclusions: This study showed that in Korean adults, diet qualities of some nutrients were different among obesity types, while diet diversity was not. These observations should be considered in an effort to improve intake of over-and deficient nutrients and in further studies to evaluate the effects of nutrient quality on obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.102-114
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• 2002

This study was performed to assess the relationship between diet quality and general characteristics, stress, exercise habits, and nutritional knowledge score in the postmenopausal women. The data of dietary intakes were obtained using food frequency questionnaires which were collected from 151 postmenopausal women in urban area. Diet quality was assessed by INQ(index of nutritional quality), MAR(mean adequacy ratio), DDS(dietary diversity score), DVS(dietrary variety score), DQI(diet quality index). The results are summarized as follows. The mean age of the subjects was 59.9 years old. The means of height, weight, and BMI were 154.7cm, 57.2kg and 23.9 respectively. The subjects who did not exercise regularly were 70.9% and those who excercised at least once a week were 29.1%. The subjects who had regular meal time were 69.5% and those who ate breakfast regularly were 72.6%. More than 2/3 of subjects had regular eating behavior. Overall dict quality was significantly(p < 0.05) associated with INQ, MAR, DDS, DQI. However, there was no significant association between income level and diet quality. In conclusion, it would be beneficial to provide nutritional education included dietary diversity, dietary variety, dietary guideline, and adequate flood amount, to prevent chronic degenerative disease and maintain healthful life in the postmenopausal women.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2012

Purpose: To examine the levels of physical activity (PA) and diet quality, socio-demographic and clinical correlates, and identify associations with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among breast cancer survivors. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design. A total of 74 breast cancer survivors who had completed their primary cancer therapy were recruited from a comprehensive cancer center in Korea. Measurements used included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Diet Quality Index, and the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: Only twenty-six women (35.1%) met the American Cancer Society criteria of weekly PA, while most participants (93.2%) displayed good or excellent diet quality. Those less likely to meet the PA criteria were older women, women who had a lower economic level, and women not receiving anti-hormone therapy. However, there was no significant factor associated with diet quality. Women who met the criteria for PA displayed significantly better global QOL than women who did not meet the criteria. No significant differences were found in HRQOL between women who did and did not meet the diet quality criteria. Conclusion: Nurses should be aware of breast cancer survivors who are older and who have a low economic status when assessing and screening the level of PA to improve HRQOL.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.33 no.3
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• pp.304-313
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• 2000

This study was performed to assess diet quality in the postmenopausal women. The data of dietary intakes were obtained using food frequency questionnaires which were collected from 151 postmenopausal women in urban area. We evaluated nutrient intake and diet quality. Diet quality was assessed by NAR(nutrient adequacy ratio), FGIP(food group intake pattern), DDS(dietary diversity score), DVS(dietary variety score), FGS(food group score), DQI(diet quality index). Nutrient intakes of the subjects were close to Korean RDA. Nutrient composition of the diet(in percentage of total energy) was 64% carbohydrate, 15% protein, and 19% protein, and 19% total fat, that was close to 65 : 15 : 20. NAR of most nutrients, except vitamin A, E, were higher than 0.75 and MAR was 0.88. NAR and MAR of the subjects in theis study were higher than those of the subjects of rural area in other studies. The subjects who consumed the five food groups were 60.9%. The mean of DDS was 4.5. The subjects who consumed more than 61 dish items during a month were 61.5%. The mean of DVS was 62.4 and it was significantly higher in the elder age group. 67.6% of the subjects were below FGS of 12. The mean of FGS was 10.6 and few subjects consumed serving numbers of each food groups which were recommended for Koreans. 55.0% of the subjects were DQI scores of 0, 1, and 2. The mean of DQI was 2.3 and few subjects followed the five dietary guidelines for Korean.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2019

BACKGOUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated nutritional status of the elderly with dementia in a care facility with the aim of improving the meal quality of the facility. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data were collected from 30 dementia patients aged more than 65 years in a long-term care facility in Hongseong. The data were obtained from questionnaires and medical records. The food intake data was obtained using food photographs and the nutrient intakes were calculated using the CAN-Pro 5.0. The data were compared with the dietary reference intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). The nutrient density, diet quality such as nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ), as well as dietary diversity score (DDS) were evaluated. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical programs. RESULTS: The average daily energy intakes for men and women were much lower than the estimated energy requirements of the KDRIs. The average intakes of energy and most nutrients in the general diet group were significantly higher than those of the other two groups. Significant differences in diet quality and diet diversity were observed according to the meal type groups. The NARs of some minerals (calcium, iron, and zinc) and vitamins (vitamin $B_6$ and folic acid) were less than 0.5 in all study groups. The NARs of protein, iron and MAR of the general diet group were significantly higher than those of the liquid diet group. The DDS scores of meats, fruits and diary food group were very low in all meal type groups, meaning that the diet qualities of the study subjects were not appropriate in all meal type groups. CONCLUSIONS: The food intakes of the study groups showed some limitations by a direct comparison with KDRIs because of the very low physical activities of the study subjects. The diet quality and diet diversity indices suggest the need for improvements in the nutritional quality in all types of diet. Overall, new intervention strategies targeting facility residents with dementia in Korea are needed as soon as possible.