Korean Journal of Community Nutrition

Research Articles

[Korean]
Effects of primary caregivers’ food literacy, social support, food environment, and household income on the nutritional status of school-aged children: a cross-sectional study: Seyeon Park, Ji-Yun Hwang, Sohyun Park, Hyun Joo Ryou, Jieun Oh; Korean J Community Nutr 2025;30(5):352-363. Published online October 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2025.00248

Abstract PDF: Objectives
The dietary habits of school-aged children play a critical role in their growth and development, and are strongly influenced by the home environment. Household income is closely associated with caregivers’ food literacy, social support, and food environment. This directly affects the nutritional status of children. This study aimed to provide evidence to inform policies and educational programs for improving dietary habits in children, and to establish a foundation for tailored support strategies for low-income families.
Methods
This cross-sectional study included 846 primary caregivers of school-aged children from 17 regions across Korea, recruited through an online survey. Household income, caregivers’ food literacy, social support, and food environment were assessed. Nutritional status in children was measured using the Nutrition Quotient for Children (NQ-C). Statistical analyses included descriptive statistics, chi-square tests, one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), analysis of covariance (ANCOVA), correlation analyses, and multiple linear regression.
Results
Caregivers from higher income households demonstrated significantly greater food literacy and social support (P < 0.001). Children from these households showed high balance scores and a large proportion of these children were in the “high” NQ-C grade. The NQ-C score in children was positively correlated with food literacy (r = 0.425), social support (r = 0.471), and the food environment (r = 0.235) (P < 0.001). Multiple regression analysis showed that food literacy (β = 0.256) and social support (β = 0.348) were significant predictors of nutritional status in children.
Conclusion
This study confirmed that the nutritional status in children is not only determined solely by household income but is also mediated by caregivers’ food literacy, social support, and food environment. These findings highlighted the limitations of providing only economic support. The findings underscore the need for multifaceted interventions such as strengthening parental nutrition education, expanding social support networks, and improving access to healthy foods.

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[English]
Self-reported weight change and diet quality in relation to metabolic syndrome among Korean cancer survivors: a cross-sectional study using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019–2021: Hye Won Kim, Ji-Myung Kim; Korean J Community Nutr 2025;30(5):341-351. Published online October 31, 2025; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2025.00241

Abstract PDF: Objectives
Using data from the 2019‒2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, we examined the association between dietary quality and metabolic syndrome by self-reported weight change among adult Korean cancer survivors.
Methods
We analyzed 340 cancer survivors (≥ 5 years post-diagnosis) by one-year weight change (stable, loss, and gain). Dietary quality was assessed using the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI), and metabolic syndrome was defined according to standard criteria. Relative risks (RR) were estimated using a modified Poisson regression.
Results
The weight loss group was older than the weight gain group (P < 0.001). Females were more prevalent in the loss and gain than in the maintenance group (P = 0.008). Hypertension prevalence was highest in the loss and lowest in the gain group (P = 0.028); other risk factors were similar. The gain group had the highest body mass index (P = 0.011). KHEI scores were highest in the maintenance (66.59 ± 0.76) and lowest in the gain group (60.42 ± 1.77; P = 0.006), with significantly lower whole grain (P = 0.036) and fruit intake (P = 0.014). Compared with the maintenance group, the gain group demonstrated higher risks of metabolic syndrome (RR: 2.07, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.40–3.06; P < 0.001), abdominal obesity (RR: 1.93, 95% CI: 1.36–2.74; P < 0.001), and impaired fasting glucose (RR: 1.70, 95% CI: 1.23–2.34; P < 0.01). Within the gain group, participants in the lowest KHEI quartile had increased risks of metabolic syndrome (RR: 2.81, 95% CI: 1.06–7.43; P < 0.05) and hypertriglyceridemia (RR: 7.29, 95% CI: 1.54–34.61; P < 0.05).
Conclusion
Accordingly, weight change and dietary quality may critically affect the metabolic health of cancer survivors. Lifestyle management, including weight control and tailored diets, may help prevent metabolic disorders and support long-term health.

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[Korean]
Problems Encountered in Analyzing the Market Size, Purchase, and Consumption of HMR in the Republic of Korea: Sung Ok Kwon, Injoo Choi, Yoojeong Joo, Jihyun Yoon; Korean J Community Nutr 2022;27(6):480-491. Published online December 31, 2022; DOI: https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2022.27.6.480

Abstract PDF

Objectives
This study examined the problems encountered when analyzing the market size, purchase, and consumption of HMR (home meal replacements) in the Republic of Korea.
Methods
The macro data relevant to the market size and purchase status of HMR were critically summarized. The micro data retrieved from the 2019 & 2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were analyzed to understand the consumption of HMR.
Results
The Korea Agro-Fisheries & Food Trade Corporation and the Ministry of Food and Drug Administration reported the market size of HMR, whereas the Korean Rural Economic Institute and the Rural Development Administration reported the purchase expense and frequencies of HMR. Since the values on the market size and purchase status were calculated or surveyed using different scopes of HMR, there have been reliability issues for the data presented. Additionally, lack of consensus on the use of Korean terms corresponding to HMR was found to be a problem. To examine the consumption of HMR, analysis of the food intake data from KNHANES presented results with very low validity due to the inappropriate survey and coding scheme not reflecting the inclusion of new food types.
Conclusions
Several problematic discrepancies were encountered in the statistics on HMR. The fundamental cause of these problems was the absence of agreement on the scope of HMR and the Korean terms corresponding to it. Considering the increasing importance of HMR in Korean diets, urgent cooperative efforts are required between the government and academia to derive an agreed Korean term and establish the scope of HMR.

Citations

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