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This study aimed to compare the dietary factors related to sarcopenia and obesity status in 5458 elderly individuals (2391 men and 3076 women) aged ≥65 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2019). Participants were categorized into normal, sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity groups. Sarcopenic obesity showed a higher prevalence of diabetes and lower HDL cholesterol levels compared to obesity. Sarcopenic obesity exhibited a lower total KHEI score and lower adequacy, including meat/fish/eggs/beans, than normal or obesity. In women, sarcopenic obesity scored lower than obesity on the total KHEI, adequacy for most foods, and balance of energy intake, and lower than sarcopenia on the adequacy of breakfast and milk/milk products. Sarcopenic obesity showed no significant difference in energy intake compared to sarcopenia, and less physical activity compared to sarcopenia and obesity, with a BMI/waist circumference comparable to that of obesity. Low total KHEI scores and scores for meat/fish/eggs/beans were most closely associated with sarcopenia in men and with sarcopenic obesity in women. In conclusion, low dietary quality and inadequate protein-rich foods are possibly associated with the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in elderly Koreans, especially in women. Adequate energy intake and dietary diversity may be effective in managing sarcopenic obesity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Cancer screening is pivotal for early detection and improved survival rates. While socio-ecological factors are known to influence screening uptake, the role of lifestyle, dietary habits, and general health in shaping these decisions remains underexplored. Utilizing the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), this study examined the myriad of factors impacting cancer screening utilization. Data from 274,872 adults aged 40 years or older were scrutinized, highlighting demographics, income, lifestyle behaviors, health-related variables, nutrient intake, and dietary quality. A combination of descriptive statistics and logistic regression helped us ascertain influential determinants. Higher educational attainment and income quartiles were positively correlated with cancer screening rates. Regular walkers, those engaged in moderate physical activity, and individuals with a previous cancer diagnosis were more likely to get screened. High-risk drinkers and smokers were less inclined towards screening. Dietary habits also influenced screening decisions. Notably, participants with healthier eating behaviors, indicated by factors such as regular breakfasts and fewer meals out, were more likely to undergo screening. Additionally, nutrient intake analysis revealed that those who had undergone screening consumed greater quantities of most nutrients, bar a few exceptions. For individuals aged 50–64, nutritional assessment indicators highlighted a higher mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and index of nutritional quality (INQ) value among those who participated in screening, suggesting better nutritional quality. This study elucidates the complex socio-ecological and nutritional landscape influencing cancer screening decisions. The results underscore the importance of a holistic approach, emphasizing lifestyle, dietary habits, and socio-economic considerations. It provides a roadmap for policymakers to craft more inclusive screening programs, ensuring equal access and promoting early detection. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The increased life expectancy and the occurrence of premature menopause prolong the mean postmenopausal phase in women's lifespans. Although the roles of poor socioeconomic status (SES), anthropometric characteristics, and nutritional status in premature menopause and the health of postmenopausal women are well understood, the differences in nutritional status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence in postmenopausal women depending on their menopause age are less explored. Furthermore, the association between SES and MetS risk in postmenopausal women is not studied. Thus, this study aimed to compare distinct nutritional status and MetS risk between women with premature menopause and natural menopause. Additionally, the association among SES, health-related lifestyle behaviors (HLBs), and MetS risk in postmenopausal women was studied. This study included 31,799 postmenopausal women from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The relationship between disease prevalence and nutrient intake of the subjects was analyzed using analysis of variance (GLM), and Scheffé test was performed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association among SES, HLBs, and MetS as well as premature menopause. Women with premature menopause showed poor SES, anthropometric characteristics, and HLBs compared with women with natural menopause. Additionally, premature menopausal women had markedly lower intakes of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-3 fatty acid, and β-carotene, but higher intakes of energy, carbohydrate, saturated fatty acid, and sugar than women with natural menopause (p < 0.0001). Premature menopausal women showed significantly higher MetS prevalence by having hypertriglyceridemia (p < 0.0001), hypertension (p = 0.0145), and reduced HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.0001) relative to natural menopausal women. Furthermore, our findings indicate a substantial link among SES, HLBs, and the risk of premature menopause. In postmenopausal women, deteriorating SES and HLBs appear to influence the prevalence of MetS. Notably, our study reveals that higher intakes of protein, calcium, phosphate, and iron are correlated with a lower risk of developing MetS. These observations suggest that proactive nutritional education for premature menopausal women is necessary to improve MetS risk and their nutritional status. Also, SES-dependent interventions regarding nutrition and HLBs in postmenopausal women will be significant to lower MetS risk, MetS-derived chronic disease, and mortality in postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to identify the combined factors of physical activity and diet associated with non-sarcopenic non-obese status in 1586 diabetic patients aged ≥65 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016 to 2019). Participants were categorized into non-sarcopenic non-obesity (NSNO), sarcopenia non-obesity (SNO), non-sarcopenic obesity (NSO), and sarcopenic obesity (SO) groups. NSNO had lower insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides compared to NSO and SO. NSNO had lower perceived stress, higher nutrition education and dietary supplement intake. As assessed by the Korean Healthy Eating Index, NSNO scored higher total than SNO and SO, in breakfast and energy balance compared to SO, and in the adequacy of vegetables and meat/fish/egg/bean compared to SNO. NSNO had significantly higher energy and protein intake and physical activity, with BMI/waist circumference lower than NSO, SO, and comparable to SNO. Physical activity was positively associated with NSNO. Low Total KHEI score and protein intake level reduced the odds ratio (OR) of NSNO, particularly when physical activity was insufficient, with OR = 0.38 for KHEI Q1 and OR = 0.32 for protein T1. In conclusion, physical activity, diet quality, and protein intake are associated with NSNO prevalence in Korean elderly with diabetes, and energy balance through active intake and expenditure may be effective. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We investigated whether cigarette smoking and dietary acid load (DAL) are associated with a risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. Healthy men without diagnosed chronic disease (aged 40–64 years) from the KNHANES-VI (2013–2015) were included in the analysis (n = 774) and were subdivided by smoking status and DAL levels, as estimated using the quartile of net endogenous acid production (NEAP). The current smokers tended to have a higher risk of COPD than the never-smokers before and after adjustment. When divided by the DAL quartile, the Q4 group tended to have a higher risk of COPD than the Q1 group. Additionally, the current smokers with lower (Q2), modest (Q3), and the highest NEAP scores (Q4) showed risks of COPD that were more than fourfold higher than those of the never-smokers with the lowest NEAP scores (Q1). The ex-smokers with higher NEAP scores (Q3 and Q4) showed risks of COPD that were more than fourfold higher than those of the Q1 group. Interestingly, the risk of COPD was also more than sixfold higher in the never-smokers with the highest NEAP scores compared to that in the Q1 group. The NEAP scores and smoking status synergistically increased the risk of COPD in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. This suggests that DAL levels are an important factor in the prevention and management of COPD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is distinguished by the buildup of excessive liver fat unrelated to alcohol consumption. However, the role of alcohol consumption on disease progression is debatable. Recently, alcohol flushing syndrome in Asian populations has gained interest, and its role in the risk of developing MASLD is unknown. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between alcohol consumption and MASLD in Korean men, considering their alcohol flushing response and utilizing the lipid accumulation product (LAP) score. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021) were analyzed. Participants were categorized into non-or-infrequent drinkers and light-to-heavy drinkers and further sub-classified based on alcohol flushing response as non-flushers and flushers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between alcohol consumption and MASLD risk in both non-flushers (aHR 1.90, 95% CI 1.51–2.40, p < 0.001) and flushers (aHR 2.35, 95% CI 1.94–2.84, p < 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, exercise, smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose. There was a significant interaction between alcohol consumption and alcohol flushing response for MASLD risk (p for interaction < 0.001). These findings emphasize the importance of alcohol flushing as a potential indicator of MASLD risk in Korean men and highlight the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted preventive strategies. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to compare the dietary factors related to sarcopenia and obesity status in 5458 elderly individuals (2391 men and 3076 women) aged ≥65 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016–2019). Participants were categorized into normal, sarcopenia, obesity, and sarcopenic obesity groups. Sarcopenic obesity showed a higher prevalence of diabetes and lower HDL cholesterol levels compared to obesity. Sarcopenic obesity exhibited a lower total KHEI score and lower adequacy, including meat/fish/eggs/beans, than normal or obesity. In women, sarcopenic obesity scored lower than obesity on the total KHEI, adequacy for most foods, and balance of energy intake, and lower than sarcopenia on the adequacy of breakfast and milk/milk products. Sarcopenic obesity showed no significant difference in energy intake compared to sarcopenia, and less physical activity compared to sarcopenia and obesity, with a BMI/waist circumference comparable to that of obesity. Low total KHEI scores and scores for meat/fish/eggs/beans were most closely associated with sarcopenia in men and with sarcopenic obesity in women. In conclusion, low dietary quality and inadequate protein-rich foods are possibly associated with the prevalence of sarcopenic obesity in elderly Koreans, especially in women. Adequate energy intake and dietary diversity may be effective in managing sarcopenic obesity.

Cancer screening is pivotal for early detection and improved survival rates. While socio-ecological factors are known to influence screening uptake, the role of lifestyle, dietary habits, and general health in shaping these decisions remains underexplored. Utilizing the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), this study examined the myriad of factors impacting cancer screening utilization. Data from 274,872 adults aged 40 years or older were scrutinized, highlighting demographics, income, lifestyle behaviors, health-related variables, nutrient intake, and dietary quality. A combination of descriptive statistics and logistic regression helped us ascertain influential determinants. Higher educational attainment and income quartiles were positively correlated with cancer screening rates. Regular walkers, those engaged in moderate physical activity, and individuals with a previous cancer diagnosis were more likely to get screened. High-risk drinkers and smokers were less inclined towards screening. Dietary habits also influenced screening decisions. Notably, participants with healthier eating behaviors, indicated by factors such as regular breakfasts and fewer meals out, were more likely to undergo screening. Additionally, nutrient intake analysis revealed that those who had undergone screening consumed greater quantities of most nutrients, bar a few exceptions. For individuals aged 50–64, nutritional assessment indicators highlighted a higher mean adequacy ratio (MAR) and index of nutritional quality (INQ) value among those who participated in screening, suggesting better nutritional quality. This study elucidates the complex socio-ecological and nutritional landscape influencing cancer screening decisions. The results underscore the importance of a holistic approach, emphasizing lifestyle, dietary habits, and socio-economic considerations. It provides a roadmap for policymakers to craft more inclusive screening programs, ensuring equal access and promoting early detection.

The increased life expectancy and the occurrence of premature menopause prolong the mean postmenopausal phase in women’s lifespans. Although the roles of poor socioeconomic status (SES), anthropometric characteristics, and nutritional status in premature menopause and the health of postmenopausal women are well understood, the differences in nutritional status and metabolic syndrome (MetS) prevalence in postmenopausal women depending on their menopause age are less explored. Furthermore, the association between SES and MetS risk in postmenopausal women is not studied. Thus, this study aimed to compare distinct nutritional status and MetS risk between women with premature menopause and natural menopause. Additionally, the association among SES, health-related lifestyle behaviors (HLBs), and MetS risk in postmenopausal women was studied. This study included 31,799 postmenopausal women from the 8th National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The relationship between disease prevalence and nutrient intake of the subjects was analyzed using analysis of variance (GLM), and Scheffé test was performed. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to evaluate the association among SES, HLBs, and MetS as well as premature menopause. Women with premature menopause showed poor SES, anthropometric characteristics, and HLBs compared with women with natural menopause. Additionally, premature menopausal women had markedly lower intakes of protein, polyunsaturated fatty acid, n-3 fatty acid, and β-carotene, but higher intakes of energy, carbohydrate, saturated fatty acid, and sugar than women with natural menopause (p < 0.0001). Premature menopausal women showed significantly higher MetS prevalence by having hypertriglyceridemia (p < 0.0001), hypertension (p = 0.0145), and reduced HDL cholesterol levels (p < 0.0001) relative to natural menopausal women. Furthermore, our findings indicate a substantial link among SES, HLBs, and the risk of premature menopause. In postmenopausal women, deteriorating SES and HLBs appear to influence the prevalence of MetS. Notably, our study reveals that higher intakes of protein, calcium, phosphate, and iron are correlated with a lower risk of developing MetS. These observations suggest that proactive nutritional education for premature menopausal women is necessary to improve MetS risk and their nutritional status. Also, SES-dependent interventions regarding nutrition and HLBs in postmenopausal women will be significant to lower MetS risk, MetS-derived chronic disease, and mortality in postmenopausal women.

This study aimed to identify the combined factors of physical activity and diet associated with non-sarcopenic non-obese status in 1586 diabetic patients aged ≥65 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016 to 2019). Participants were categorized into non-sarcopenic non-obesity (NSNO), sarcopenia non-obesity (SNO), non-sarcopenic obesity (NSO), and sarcopenic obesity (SO) groups. NSNO had lower insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglycerides compared to NSO and SO. NSNO had lower perceived stress, higher nutrition education and dietary supplement intake. As assessed by the Korean Healthy Eating Index, NSNO scored higher total than SNO and SO, in breakfast and energy balance compared to SO, and in the adequacy of vegetables and meat/fish/egg/bean compared to SNO. NSNO had significantly higher energy and protein intake and physical activity, with BMI/waist circumference lower than NSO, SO, and comparable to SNO. Physical activity was positively associated with NSNO. Low Total KHEI score and protein intake level reduced the odds ratio (OR) of NSNO, particularly when physical activity was insufficient, with OR = 0.38 for KHEI Q1 and OR = 0.32 for protein T1. In conclusion, physical activity, diet quality, and protein intake are associated with NSNO prevalence in Korean elderly with diabetes, and energy balance through active intake and expenditure may be effective.

This study aims to determine the relationship between chewing ability and the nutritional status of the elderly in Korea. This study utilized the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted from 2013–2018 for persons who were ≥65 years of age. Of the 7835 subjects, 43.2% had chewing difficulty. Compared to the normal group, the chewing difficulty group had more stress, lower exercise frequency, less snack intake, a lower frequency of eating out, and a higher proportion of food insecurity. The chewing difficulty group had significantly lower food intake compared to the normal group, including various food groups such as cereals and grain, potatoes, fruits, meat, and milks and dairy products. The intake of fresh fruits was 24.5% lower and the intake of plant food (fresh fruits and nonstarchy vegetables) was 17.8% lower in the chewing difficulty group compared to the normal group. In addition, the intake of most nutrients (carbohydrates, fat, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) was significantly lower in the chewing difficulty group than in the normal group. The chewing difficulty was significantly associated with undernutrition (OR = 1.63). In conclusion, chewing ability is closely related to food and nutrient intake among the elderly, which can decrease the quantity and quality of diet and is also related to undernutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to develop customized nutrition programs and aging-friendly food products that consider the chewing ability of the elderly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the relationship between serum vitamin E levels and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the potential modulating role of age and sex has been underexplored. We conduct an age- and sex-stratified investigation of the association between serological vitamin E status and depressive symptoms in a large nationwide sample. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed (n = 4448). The participants were stratified into four groups according to age (<65 vs. ≥65 years) and sex. Each group was divided into tertiles of vitamin E/total lipid ratio, and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) scores were compared among the tertiles via multivariable linear regression analyses. The relationship between dietary supplement use and the proportions of tertiles was assessed in each group. With the middle tertile as the reference group, the low tertile of vitamin E/total lipid ratio was associated with increased PHQ-9 scores in younger females and older males after adjusting for all covariates, while the high tertile showed no significant associations with PHQ-9 scores in any group. The low tertile was associated with increased adjusted mean PHQ-9 scores by 0.53 and 1.02 compared to the middle tertile in younger females and older males, respectively. Dietary supplement use was related to higher vitamin E/total lipid ratio in all four groups. In conclusion, younger females and older males with a low vitamin E status showed worse depressive symptoms. These individuals may benefit from dietary interventions to prevent depressive symptoms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is distinguished by the buildup of excessive liver fat unrelated to alcohol consumption. However, the role of alcohol consumption on disease progression is debatable. Recently, alcohol flushing syndrome in Asian populations has gained interest, and its role in the risk of developing MASLD is unknown. Therefore, in this cross-sectional study, we investigated the association between alcohol consumption and MASLD in Korean men, considering their alcohol flushing response and utilizing the lipid accumulation product (LAP) score. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2019–2021) were analyzed. Participants were categorized into non-or-infrequent drinkers and light-to-heavy drinkers and further sub-classified based on alcohol flushing response as non-flushers and flushers. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between alcohol consumption and MASLD risk in both non-flushers (aHR 1.90, 95% CI 1.51–2.40, p < 0.001) and flushers (aHR 2.35, 95% CI 1.94–2.84, p < 0.001) after adjusting for potential confounding factors such as age, exercise, smoking, body mass index, systolic blood pressure, total cholesterol, and fasting plasma glucose. There was a significant interaction between alcohol consumption and alcohol flushing response for MASLD risk (p for interaction < 0.001). These findings emphasize the importance of alcohol flushing as a potential indicator of MASLD risk in Korean men and highlight the need for further research to understand the underlying mechanisms and develop targeted preventive strategies.

We investigated whether cigarette smoking and dietary acid load (DAL) are associated with a risk of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. Healthy men without diagnosed chronic disease (aged 40–64 years) from the KNHANES-VI (2013–2015) were included in the analysis (n = 774) and were subdivided by smoking status and DAL levels, as estimated using the quartile of net endogenous acid production (NEAP). The current smokers tended to have a higher risk of COPD than the never-smokers before and after adjustment. When divided by the DAL quartile, the Q4 group tended to have a higher risk of COPD than the Q1 group. Additionally, the current smokers with lower (Q2), modest (Q3), and the highest NEAP scores (Q4) showed risks of COPD that were more than fourfold higher than those of the never-smokers with the lowest NEAP scores (Q1). The ex-smokers with higher NEAP scores (Q3 and Q4) showed risks of COPD that were more than fourfold higher than those of the Q1 group. Interestingly, the risk of COPD was also more than sixfold higher in the never-smokers with the highest NEAP scores compared to that in the Q1 group. The NEAP scores and smoking status synergistically increased the risk of COPD in healthy, middle-aged Korean men. This suggests that DAL levels are an important factor in the prevention and management of COPD.

This study aims to determine the relationship between chewing ability and the nutritional status of the elderly in Korea. This study utilized the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) conducted from 2013–2018 for persons who were ≥65 years of age. Of the 7835 subjects, 43.2% had chewing difficulty. Compared to the normal group, the chewing difficulty group had more stress, lower exercise frequency, less snack intake, a lower frequency of eating out, and a higher proportion of food insecurity. The chewing difficulty group had significantly lower food intake compared to the normal group, including various food groups such as cereals and grain, potatoes, fruits, meat, and milks and dairy products. The intake of fresh fruits was 24.5% lower and the intake of plant food (fresh fruits and nonstarchy vegetables) was 17.8% lower in the chewing difficulty group compared to the normal group. In addition, the intake of most nutrients (carbohydrates, fat, calcium, phosphorus, sodium, potassium, vitamin A, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C) was significantly lower in the chewing difficulty group than in the normal group. The chewing difficulty was significantly associated with undernutrition (OR = 1.63). In conclusion, chewing ability is closely related to food and nutrient intake among the elderly, which can decrease the quantity and quality of diet and is also related to undernutrition. Therefore, it is necessary to develop customized nutrition programs and aging-friendly food products that consider the chewing ability of the elderly.

Studies have reported inconsistent results regarding the relationship between serum vitamin E levels and depressive symptoms. Furthermore, the potential modulating role of age and sex has been underexplored. We conduct an age- and sex-stratified investigation of the association between serological vitamin E status and depressive symptoms in a large nationwide sample. Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed (n = 4448). The participants were stratified into four groups according to age (

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex metabolic disorder and a high-risk condition for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Rapid screening of at-risk individuals using accurate and time-saving tools is effective in disease management. Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data, we collected data from 2234 participants suitable for the study design, of which 974 (43.6%) were men and 1260 (56.4%) were women. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to estimate the optimal sex-specific neck circumference (NC) cut-off point to predict the MetS risk. To analyze the risk of MetS according to the estimated NC, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the confounding factors. The result of the ROC analysis showed that the optimal neck cut-off points for predicting the risk of MetS were 38.25 cm (AUC: 0.759, 95% CI: 0.729–0.790) in men and 33.65 cm (AUC: 0.811, 95% CI: 0.782–0.840) in women. In the upper NC cut-off point compared to the lower NC cut-off point, NC was associated with an increased MetS risk by 2.014-fold (p = 0.010) in men and 3.650-fold (p < 0.001) in women, after adjustments. The current study supports NC as an effective anthropometric indicator for predicting the risk of MetS. It is suggested that more studies should be conducted to analyze the disease prediction effect of the combined application of anthropometric indicators currently in use and NC.

Antioxidant intake has been suggested to be associated with a reduced osteoporosis risk, but the effect of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on bone health and the risk of osteoporosis remains unclear. We aimed to assess the hypothesis that dietary TAC is positively associated with bone mass and negatively related to the risk of osteoporosis in Korean women. This cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dietary TAC was estimated using task automation and an algorithm with 24-h recall data. In total, 8230 pre- and postmenopausal women were divided into four groups according to quartiles of dietary TAC. Dietary TAC was negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–0.99; p-value = 0.045) in postmenopausal women, but not in premenopausal women. Dietary TAC was positively associated with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women and BMC of the total femur and lumbar spine in premenopausal women. Our study suggests that dietary TAC is inversely associated with the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and positively associated with bone mass in both pre- and postmenopausal women.

Drinking culture has been well developed in Korea. This research assessed trends in daily pure alcohol consumption over time and examined its trends regarding socio-demographic variables and alcoholic beverage types. We used data from the 1998–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 87,623 adults aged ≥ 19 years were included. Alcohol intake was assessed via 24-h dietary recall, and pure alcohol content was calculated according to alcoholic beverage type. Daily alcohol consumption increased from 8.37 g in 1998 to 14.98 g in 2016–2018 (p for trend < 0.001). The degree of the increasing trend was higher for women (2.09 g to 5.79 g) than men (14.78 g to 23.94 g) from 1998 to 2016–2018. Alcohol intake was highest in men aged 30–49 years and women aged 19–29 years. Moreover, the change of the rising trend in alcohol consumption according to high socioeconomic factors was more pronounced than the other variables. Lastly, the alcohol intake from soju and beer was dominant in alcohol consumption and escalated over time. The total daily alcohol intake increased about two times during 21 years in Korea, and the trends varied according to socio-demographic status.

Hypertension is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease and mortality. The interplay between dietary intake—especially sodium intake—and high blood pressure highlights the importance of understanding the role of eating patterns on cardiometabolic risk factors. This study investigates the relationship between a modified version of the Recommended Food Score (RFS) and hypertension in 8389 adults aged 19–64 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015. A dish-based, semi-quantitative, 112-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes. Modified RFS (mRFS) is based on the reported consumption of foods recommended in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet modified for Korean foods. High blood pressure included hypertension and prehypertension, also known as stage 1 hypertension. Men and women with the highest quintile of mRFS had a 27.2% (OR: 0.728, 95% CI: 0.545–0.971, p-trend = 0.0289) and 32.9% (OR: 0.671, 95% CI: 0.519–0.867, p-trend = 0.0087) lower prevalence of high blood pressure than those with the lowest quintile of mRFS, respectively. Our finding suggests that a higher mRFS may be associated with a lower prevalence of high blood pressure among the Korean adult population.

This study analyzed dietary assessment and factors according to fruits and vegetables intake in Korean elderly people. We enrolled 8336 Korean elderly people aged ≥65 who participated in the dietary intake survey (24-h recall methods) of the 2013–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES). The intake of fruits and unsalted/non-starchy vegetables was 372.06 g/day. According to age group, the intake in the age group 65–74 years as 422.47 g/day, and the intake in the age group 75 years + was 301.12 g/day. Based on the intake of daily meals and snacks, the intake of fruits and unsalted/non-starchy vegetables was the highest in snack-eating individuals (480.96 g/day). The subjects who consumed more than the World Health Organization (WHO)/World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)’s plant food intake standards (over 400 g/day of intake of fruits and unsalted/non-starchy vegetables) were 35.47% of the elderly people. These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more fundamental strategies to increase fruits and vegetables intake among elderly people. Furthermore, the study outcomes are expected to provide basic information for developing education programs to improve the dietary life of Korean elderly people.

Non-invasive anthropometric measurement methods such as those for measuring height and weight are crucial in pediatric patients. However, research focusing on the association between the type of dietary pattern and handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio in adolescents has not been carried out yet. This cross-sectional analysis of the 2014–2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey assessed 2327 adolescents (aged 10–18 years) who had their handgrip strength measured and analyzed its association with dietary pattern. The clusters were examined for nutritional values, and the ready-to-eat, balanced, and Western-style fast-food clusters were ultimately generated. Overall, 85.6% of the participants were assigned to a ready-to-eat dietary pattern, 9.3% to a Western-style fast-food dietary pattern, and 5.1% to a balanced dietary pattern. Compared with the participants following a balanced dietary pattern, those following a ready-to-eat dietary pattern were shown to have a significantly lower handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio. Decreased handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio values in participants following ready-to-eat dietary patterns indicate a diffuse problem in adolescents’ health and possibly imply an association between reduced muscle quality and dietary pattern. Therefore, the overall environmental factors potentially inducing such unhealthy dietary preferences should be investigated, and appropriate lifestyle changes in Korean adolescents should be encouraged.

Dietary fiber has been actively studied for its profound impacts on mental health by affecting the gut–brain axis communication. However, the association between dietary fiber intake and depression has been inconsistent, partly due to the lack of consideration of the fiber source. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between various sources of dietary fiber and depression in Korean adults through a nationwide cross-sectional study. The study population was a total of 2960 adults between 19 and 64 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2012–2016). Dietary fiber intake from each fiber subtype (crude, cereal, vegetable, fruit, seaweed, and mushroom) was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Depression prevalence was assessed using a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and self-reported clinical diagnosis by a physician. We found that seaweed (odds ratio (OR) = 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20–0.72; p < 0.05) and mushroom fiber intake (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.01–0.37; p < 0.05) were inversely associated with depressive symptoms assessed using the PHQ-9 parameters. Moreover, seaweed fiber intake was inversely associated with clinical depression diagnosed by a physician (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.23–0.88; p < 0.05). This was the first study to find that higher intakes of seaweed and mushroom fiber were associated with a lower likelihood of depression in a representative cohort of Korean adults, indicating that the specific source of dietary fiber may be an important dietary factor in modulating depression.

Folate, folic acid, has a role in mitigating inflammatory reactions in the human body. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum folate levels with lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Of the 8149 participants of the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 311 subjects (192 males and 119 females) having COPD defined by the lower fifth percentile of the reference population were selected. Pearson’s correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between serum folate level and lung function measurements. The association between the serum folate level and lung function in patients with COPD was evaluated using multivariable linear regression analysis after adjustment for age, sex, height, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, total calorie intake, residence, smoking status and smoking pack–years, education, and household income. The serum folate level showed a positive correlation with the predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%). In males, a trend for a positive correlation with serum folate level was observed in predicted FEV1%, FEV1 value, predicted percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC%), FVC value, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). No significant correlation between the serum folate level and lung function in females was observed. In the multivariable linear regression model, the serum folate level was associated with an increase in predicted FEV1%, FEV1 value, predicted FVC%, FVC value, and PEF; however, the significance was only observed in males, especially among current smokers. High serum folate level was positively associated with lung function measurements in male COPD patients who were current smokers. Further longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms.

Sufficient vitamin D levels are associated with reduced Helicobacter pylori infections, which can cause gastric carcinogenesis. We examined associations between vitamin D concentrations and gastric cancer (GC) prevalence in a Korean population. We analyzed data of 33,119 adults using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations as a biomarker of vitamin D status. Participants were classified with GC if previously diagnosed as such by a physician. After controlling for age, sex and body mass index (model A), odds ratio (OR) for GC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70, 0.95), with a 5-ng/mL increment in total 25(OH)D concentrations. In fully adjusted models (model B), the OR for GC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.98), with a 5-ng/mL increment in total vitamin D. Following the classification of vitamin D concentrations into three categories or for GC in model A was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.92) comparing between higher (≥20 ng/mL) and lower (

This study aimed to evaluate the association between serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels and metabolic syndrome (MetS) using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Of the 24,269 individuals, 5885 adults (2672 men and 3213 women) were included. The prevalence of MetS and its components according to quartiles of serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels was calculated. Multivariate linear regression model was used to calculate the number of metabolic components according to serum vitamin levels. The association between serum vitamin levels and MetS with its components was assessed using multivariate logistic regression model. The prevalence of MetS was highest in Q4 and lowest in Q1 for both vitamins, regardless of sex. A dose-dependent association between serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels and MetS was observed. After adjustment for covariates, the odds ratio (OR) for MetS in Q4 compared to Q1 was 2.351 (95% CI: 1.748–3.163, Ptrend < 0.001) in the retinol group and 2.559 (95% CI: 1.953–3.353, Ptrend < 0.001) in α-tocopherol group. Among metabolic components, hypertriglyceridemia, high fasting glucose, and high blood pressure was positively associated with serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels. In conclusion, high serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels were associated with increased risk of MetS.

The effects of serum retinol and α-tocopherol on serum uric acid levels have not been established, especially in Asian people. This study evaluated the independent associations of retinol and α-tocopherol with serum uric acid levels in the Korean population. We included 6023 participants aged ≥ 19 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels were divided into quintiles, and a multivariate linear regression model was used to evaluate the association of serum retinol and α-tocopherol levels with uric acid concentration. Additionally, we used multivariate logistic regression to examine the relationships between the levels of these micronutrients and hyperuricemia. Serum retinol levels were positively associated with uric acid concentrations in a dose-dependent fashion in both sexes (ptrend < 0.001); the difference in serum uric acid levels between the highest and lowest quintiles of retinol levels was 0.57 mg/dL in men and 0.54 mg/dL in women. In the multivariable logistic model, the hyperuricemia risk increased linearly with the increase in serum retinol level, regardless of sex (ptrend < 0.001). Although the serum α-tocopherol level appeared to be significantly associated with increased uric acid levels, this association was nullified after adjusting for serum retinol levels. Serum retinol levels were positively associated with serum uric acid levels and hyperuricemia in a dose-response fashion. Maintaining serum retinol concentrations under sub-toxic levels might be necessary to prevent hyperuricemia-related adverse health outcomes.

The purpose of this study was to examine the association between the level of energy intake from carbohydrate and the dietary and health characteristics among Korean adults. We examined the diet quality and health conditions of Korean adults by segmenting them into eight groups according to the level of energy intake from carbohydrate (

The dietary intake of fish and fatty acid may influence the risk of asthma, yet epidemiological research remains controversial and inconclusive. We examined the association between asthma and the dietary intake of fish, seaweeds, and fat in a Korean population, aged 19 to 64 years, using the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2013−2016 (n = 13,038). The prevalence of doctor-diagnosed asthma and medication prescribed asthma were 2.5% and 1.0%, respectively. The subjects with medication prescribed asthma had significantly lower consumption of seaweeds (p = 0.0110) and lower n3/n6 polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) (p = 0.0275) as compared to subjects without medication prescribed asthma. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratio (OR) (95% confidence interval, CI) of doctor-diagnosed asthma in the highest quartile were 0.63 (0.41−0.97) and 0.66 (0.44−1.00) for fish and seaweeds respectively, compared to the lowest quartile after adjusting confounding factors. Furthermore, there were significant inverse associations between medication prescribed asthma and seaweeds [OR (95% CI) = 0.37 (0.19−0.70)], n-3 PUFA [OR (95% CI) = 0.43 (0.21−0.89)] and n3/n6 [OR (95% CI) = 0.47 (0.22−0.99)] intake after adjusting for confounding factors. These results suggest, that the higher consumption of fish and seaweed and the high ratio of n-3 to n-6 PUFA may be associated with a lower prevalence of asthma.

Single nutrients or food groups have been associated with physical performance. However, little is known about the association of overall diet quality with hand grip strength (HGS), a predictive parameter in the prognosis of chronic disease morbidity and mortality, or quality of life. This study examined the association between HGS and three indices—the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), the Alternate Mediterranean Diet (aMED), and Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH)—using data obtained on Korean elderly persons aged ≥65 years (n = 3675) from a nationally representative database. The cross-sectional data was collected as part of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2014−2016). Dietary intake data from the 24-h recall method were used to calculate diet quality scores. The cutoff value for low HGS was defined as the value corresponding to the lowest 20th percentile of HGS of the study population (men, 28.6 kg; women, 16.5 kg). Higher index scores for diet quality were associated with 32%−53% lower odds of low HGS. Better overall diet quality may be associated with higher HGS in the elderly Korean population.

We aimed to investigate the association between dairy product consumption and the risk of obesity and metabolic syndrome (MetS) in Korean adults. Data from 13,692 Korean adults aged ≥19 years from the KNHANES 2010–2013 were used. The study participants were divided into three groups according to the serving size of dairy products they consumed based on a single 24-h recall. About 58% of the Korean adults did not consume any dairy products in one day. In both the sexes, only those who adhered to the recommendation for dairy products (≥1 serving/day) achieved the daily requirement of calcium. Women who consumed ≥1 serving/day of dairy products had lower risks of obesity (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m2) (adjusted odds ratio (AOR), 0.77; 95% confidence interval (CI), 0.66–0.89; p for trend < 0.01) and MetS (AOR, 0.67; 95% CI, 0.56–0.80; p for trend < 0.01) than women who did not consume dairy products. However, these significant associations were not observed in men. In conclusion, consuming ≥ 1 serving/day of dairy products could be an easy and efficient strategy for meeting daily calcium requirement as well as lowering risks of obesity and MetS among Korean women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The association between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the vitamin D metabolic pathway and lung function is unknown. We examined the association between five SNPs on DHCR7, GC, CYP2R1, and CYP24A1 along with serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and lung function in older Korean men (n = 758) and women (n = 837). Lung function was determined by forced vital capacity (FVC) and forced expiratory volume in 1 s (FEV1) from the data in the Korea Nutrition and Health Examination Survey 2011–2012. Genetic risk score (GRS) was calculated by the number of 25(OH)D-decreasing alleles of the five SNPs. Our results showed that increases in GRS were associated with reduced 25(OH)D levels (p < 0.05 for both sexes). In the entire population, FVC and FEV1 were associated with both GRS and 25(OH)D levels. In women, FVC and FEV1 were negatively associated with GRS (β-coefficient (95% CI): −0.022 (−0.039, −0.005) and −0.020 (−0.035, −0.005), respectively; both p < 0.05), but not with 25(OH)D. However, in men, FVC and FEV1 were positively associated with 25(OH)D (β-coefficient (95% CI): 0.008 (0.001, 0.016) and 0.008 (0.002, 0.015), respectively; both p < 0.05), but not with GRS. In conclusion, lung function was associated with genetic variation in Korean women and with 25(OH)D in Korean men.

Fish rich in n-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids have been suggested to have a favorable effect on bone health, but previous epidemiologic studies have shown inconsistent results. The purpose of the present study was to investigate the hypothesis that the consumption of fish and shellfish is positively associated with bone mass and negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis in Koreans and Americans. Men and postmenopausal women ≥50 years old from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008-2011 (n = 7154) and the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2010 (n = 2658) were included. There was a positive correlation between the consumption of fish and shellfish and bone mineral density (BMD) of the total femur, femoral neck, and lumbar spine in Koreans. Consistently, multivariate logistic regression analysis showed a significant association between intake of fish and shellfish and the risk of osteoporosis in Koreans but not in Americans. Consumption of fish and shellfish was 4-5 times higher in Koreans than Americans in the present study. In conclusion, intake of fish and shellfish was associated with BMD and the risk of osteoporosis in Koreans but not in Americans, suggesting that a minimum intake level of fish and shellfish might be recommended to protect against bone loss and osteoporosis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Metabolic syndrome (MetS) is a complex metabolic disorder and a high-risk condition for type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Rapid screening of at-risk individuals using accurate and time-saving tools is effective in disease management. Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data, we collected data from 2234 participants suitable for the study design, of which 974 (43.6%) were men and 1260 (56.4%) were women. We used receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis to estimate the optimal sex-specific neck circumference (NC) cut-off point to predict the MetS risk. To analyze the risk of MetS according to the estimated NC, logistic regression analysis was performed to identify the confounding factors. The result of the ROC analysis showed that the optimal neck cut-off points for predicting the risk of MetS were 38.25 cm (AUC: 0.759, 95% CI: 0.729–0.790) in men and 33.65 cm (AUC: 0.811, 95% CI: 0.782–0.840) in women. In the upper NC cut-off point compared to the lower NC cut-off point, NC was associated with an increased MetS risk by 2.014-fold (p = 0.010) in men and 3.650-fold (p < 0.001) in women, after adjustments. The current study supports NC as an effective anthropometric indicator for predicting the risk of MetS. It is suggested that more studies should be conducted to analyze the disease prediction effect of the combined application of anthropometric indicators currently in use and NC. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Antioxidant intake has been suggested to be associated with a reduced osteoporosis risk, but the effect of dietary total antioxidant capacity (TAC) on bone health and the risk of osteoporosis remains unclear. We aimed to assess the hypothesis that dietary TAC is positively associated with bone mass and negatively related to the risk of osteoporosis in Korean women. This cross-sectional study was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Dietary TAC was estimated using task automation and an algorithm with 24-h recall data. In total, 8230 pre- and postmenopausal women were divided into four groups according to quartiles of dietary TAC. Dietary TAC was negatively associated with the risk of osteoporosis (odds ratio, 0.73; 95% confidence interval, 0.54–0.99; p-value = 0.045) in postmenopausal women, but not in premenopausal women. Dietary TAC was positively associated with bone mineral content (BMC) and bone mineral density of the femoral neck and lumbar spine in postmenopausal women and BMC of the total femur and lumbar spine in premenopausal women. Our study suggests that dietary TAC is inversely associated with the risk of osteoporosis in postmenopausal women and positively associated with bone mass in both pre- and postmenopausal women. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drinking culture has been well developed in Korea. This research assessed trends in daily pure alcohol consumption over time and examined its trends regarding socio-demographic variables and alcoholic beverage types. We used data from the 1998–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 87,623 adults aged ≥ 19 years were included. Alcohol intake was assessed via 24-h dietary recall, and pure alcohol content was calculated according to alcoholic beverage type. Daily alcohol consumption increased from 8.37 g in 1998 to 14.98 g in 2016–2018 (p for trend < 0.001). The degree of the increasing trend was higher for women (2.09 g to 5.79 g) than men (14.78 g to 23.94 g) from 1998 to 2016–2018. Alcohol intake was highest in men aged 30–49 years and women aged 19–29 years. Moreover, the change of the rising trend in alcohol consumption according to high socioeconomic factors was more pronounced than the other variables. Lastly, the alcohol intake from soju and beer was dominant in alcohol consumption and escalated over time. The total daily alcohol intake increased about two times during 21 years in Korea, and the trends varied according to socio-demographic status. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Hypertension is associated with an increase in cardiovascular disease and mortality. The interplay between dietary intake—especially sodium intake—and high blood pressure highlights the importance of understanding the role of eating patterns on cardiometabolic risk factors. This study investigates the relationship between a modified version of the Recommended Food Score (RFS) and hypertension in 8389 adults aged 19–64 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2015. A dish-based, semi-quantitative, 112-item food frequency questionnaire was used to assess dietary intakes. Modified RFS (mRFS) is based on the reported consumption of foods recommended in the Dietary Approaches to Stop Hypertension (DASH) diet modified for Korean foods. High blood pressure included hypertension and prehypertension, also known as stage 1 hypertension. Men and women with the highest quintile of mRFS had a 27.2% (OR: 0.728, 95% CI: 0.545–0.971, p-trend = 0.0289) and 32.9% (OR: 0.671, 95% CI: 0.519–0.867, p-trend = 0.0087) lower prevalence of high blood pressure than those with the lowest quintile of mRFS, respectively. Our finding suggests that a higher mRFS may be associated with a lower prevalence of high blood pressure among the Korean adult population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study analyzed dietary assessment and factors according to fruits and vegetables intake in Korean elderly people. We enrolled 8336 Korean elderly people aged ≥65 who participated in the dietary intake survey (24-h recall methods) of the 2013–2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination (KNHANES). The intake of fruits and unsalted/non-starchy vegetables was 372.06 g/day. According to age group, the intake in the age group 65–74 years as 422.47 g/day, and the intake in the age group 75 years + was 301.12 g/day. Based on the intake of daily meals and snacks, the intake of fruits and unsalted/non-starchy vegetables was the highest in snack-eating individuals (480.96 g/day). The subjects who consumed more than the World Health Organization (WHO)/World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF)'s plant food intake standards (over 400 g/day of intake of fruits and unsalted/non-starchy vegetables) were 35.47% of the elderly people. These results suggest that it is necessary to develop more fundamental strategies to increase fruits and vegetables intake among elderly people. Furthermore, the study outcomes are expected to provide basic information for developing education programs to improve the dietary life of Korean elderly people. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Non-invasive anthropometric measurement methods such as those for measuring height and weight are crucial in pediatric patients. However, research focusing on the association between the type of dietary pattern and handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio in adolescents has not been carried out yet. This cross-sectional analysis of the 2014–2017 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey assessed 2327 adolescents (aged 10–18 years) who had their handgrip strength measured and analyzed its association with dietary pattern. The clusters were examined for nutritional values, and the ready-to-eat, balanced, and Western-style fast-food clusters were ultimately generated. Overall, 85.6% of the participants were assigned to a ready-to-eat dietary pattern, 9.3% to a Western-style fast-food dietary pattern, and 5.1% to a balanced dietary pattern. Compared with the participants following a balanced dietary pattern, those following a ready-to-eat dietary pattern were shown to have a significantly lower handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio. Decreased handgrip strength and handgrip-to-weight ratio values in participants following ready-to-eat dietary patterns indicate a diffuse problem in adolescents' health and possibly imply an association between reduced muscle quality and dietary pattern. Therefore, the overall environmental factors potentially inducing such unhealthy dietary preferences should be investigated, and appropriate lifestyle changes in Korean adolescents should be encouraged. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Dietary fiber has been actively studied for its profound impacts on mental health by affecting the gut–brain axis communication. However, the association between dietary fiber intake and depression has been inconsistent, partly due to the lack of consideration of the fiber source. Therefore, this study aimed to examine the association between various sources of dietary fiber and depression in Korean adults through a nationwide cross-sectional study. The study population was a total of 2960 adults between 19 and 64 years of age who participated in the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2012–2016). Dietary fiber intake from each fiber subtype (crude, cereal, vegetable, fruit, seaweed, and mushroom) was calculated using the Food Frequency Questionnaire (FFQ). Depression prevalence was assessed using a Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) and self-reported clinical diagnosis by a physician. We found that seaweed (odds ratio (OR) = 0.38; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.20–0.72; p < 0.05) and mushroom fiber intake (OR = 0.18; 95% CI: 0.01–0.37; p < 0.05) were inversely associated with depressive symptoms assessed using the PHQ-9 parameters. Moreover, seaweed fiber intake was inversely associated with clinical depression diagnosed by a physician (OR = 0.45; 95% CI: 0.23–0.88; p < 0.05). This was the first study to find that higher intakes of seaweed and mushroom fiber were associated with a lower likelihood of depression in a representative cohort of Korean adults, indicating that the specific source of dietary fiber may be an important dietary factor in modulating depression. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Folate, folic acid, has a role in mitigating inflammatory reactions in the human body. This study aimed to evaluate the association of serum folate levels with lung function in chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) patients. Of the 8149 participants of the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), 311 subjects (192 males and 119 females) having COPD defined by the lower fifth percentile of the reference population were selected. Pearson's correlation coefficient was used to investigate the relationship between serum folate level and lung function measurements. The association between the serum folate level and lung function in patients with COPD was evaluated using multivariable linear regression analysis after adjustment for age, sex, height, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, total calorie intake, residence, smoking status and smoking pack–years, education, and household income. The serum folate level showed a positive correlation with the predicted percentage of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1%). In males, a trend for a positive correlation with serum folate level was observed in predicted FEV1%, FEV1 value, predicted percentage of forced vital capacity (FVC%), FVC value, and peak expiratory flow (PEF). No significant correlation between the serum folate level and lung function in females was observed. In the multivariable linear regression model, the serum folate level was associated with an increase in predicted FEV1%, FEV1 value, predicted FVC%, FVC value, and PEF; however, the significance was only observed in males, especially among current smokers. High serum folate level was positively associated with lung function measurements in male COPD patients who were current smokers. Further longitudinal studies are needed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sufficient vitamin D levels are associated with reduced Helicobacter pylori infections, which can cause gastric carcinogenesis. We examined associations between vitamin D concentrations and gastric cancer (GC) prevalence in a Korean population. We analyzed data of 33,119 adults using serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) concentrations as a biomarker of vitamin D status. Participants were classified with GC if previously diagnosed as such by a physician. After controlling for age, sex and body mass index (model A), odds ratio (OR) for GC was 0.81 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 0.70, 0.95), with a 5-ng/mL increment in total 25(OH)D concentrations. In fully adjusted models (model B), the OR for GC was 0.84 (95% CI: 0.72, 0.98), with a 5-ng/mL increment in total vitamin D. Following the classification of vitamin D concentrations into three categories or for GC in model A was 0.52 (95% CI: 0.30, 0.92) comparing between higher (≥20 ng/mL) and lower (<12 ng/mL) total 25(OH)D concentrations. In model B OR for GC was 0.57 (95% CI: 0.32, 1.00) comparing between higher and lower total 25(OH)D concentrations. Our results suggested that high vitamin D concentration was associated with lower ORs of GC in Korean adults. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]