Effect of Prune Supplementation on Dietary Fiber Intake and Constipation Relief / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to examine bowel habits, dietary habits, and nutrient intake of constipated adults, and the effects of prune products on relieving constipation symptoms. Fifty one adults with self-reported constipation (mean age 23 years, range 19-41 years, 10 males and 41 females) participated in this study. After a baseline survey on bowel habits and dietary habits, participants were asked to consume at least 50 g of prune and 200 ml of prune juice per day during a 4-week period in addition to usual diet. Nutrient intake was estimated by a 24 hour recall at the baseline and once every week by diet records during the intervention. Data were analyzed after classifying the subjects into mild constipation group and severe constipation group by the severity of the symptoms. During the intervention, the subjects with mild constipation consumed 56 g of prunes (about 5.6 fruits) and 200 ml of prune juice, and the subjects with severe constipation consumed 59 g of prunes (about 5.9 fruits) and 207 ml of prune juice. Average intakes of energy, dietary fiber and water of the subjects in the mild constipation and severe constipation group increased during the intervention compared to the baseline. Average dietary fiber intake of the mild constipation and severe constipation groups significantly increased from 12.5 g and 11.6 g at the baseline to 18.5 g and 16.8 g after consuming prune products, respectively. These changes were accompanied by an increase in the number of bowel movements, a decrease of defecation time, a change to a softer stool consistency, and a decrease of abdominal pain during defecation. Seventy two subjects answered that prune products were effective to improve their overall constipation symptoms. Our data show that supplementation of prune products is effective to provide energy, dietary fiber and water, and to relieve constipation symptoms for constipated adults.

Analysis of the Relationship between Dietary Fiber Intake & Food Habits in the Korean Adult Population: Using the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey Data and the Newly Established Dietary Fiber Database

The present study assessed the relation of dietary fiber to food habits in Korean adults aged 20 and over, using a newly established dietary fiber, as well as the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. The per capita average dietary fiber intake of Koreans was estimated to be 12.25 +/- 5.23 g/1,000 kcal. Calorie-based dietary fiber intakes for females was over the KDRI, but for males it was below the KDRI. The levels of total dietary fiber and energy corresponded with frequent snacking but calorie-based dietary fiber intake did not. The subjects who skipped meals, frequently ate out and consumed fried foods tended to have lower levels of calorie-based dietary fiber although the levels of energy and total dietary fiber corresponded with frequent eating-out and consumption of fried foods. The results of this study suggest that Koreans must make efforts to regularly have three meals a day, reduce the frequency of eating out and consume fewer fried foods in order to maintain the optimum intake levels of dietary fiber that protect against chronic diseases.

Analysis of Dietary Fiber Intake in the Korean Adult Population Using 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey Data and Newly Established Dietary Fiber Database

The present study estimates intake levels of dietary fiber (DF) in Korean adults aged 20 and over, using a newly established dietary fiber database for 3,149 food items, as well as 24-hour recall method data from the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey. Dietary fiber intake and food groups are analyzed by gender, age, and region. The average dietary fiber intake, per capita of Korea was estimated to be 12.24 g/1,000 kcal or 23.58 g/day. Caloriebased dietary fiber intake for 20-49 year-old-Korean males, 20-29 year-old females, and the adults who resided in metropolitan areas was under the Adequate Intake for DF, 12 g/1,000 kcal. Further, the dietary fiber intake after adjusting energy intake in people over 75 year-old was estimated to be 75% of AI. Vegetables, cereals and fruits were three major sources of DF for Korean, making up approximately 75% of DF. Regarding the subjects of this study, major sources of dietary fiber were Kimchi and well-polished rice, which supplied 13.98% and 9.16% of total dietary fiber intake, respectively. The result of this study could contribute to the establishment of DRIs for dietary fiber, after adjusting energy intake for Korean aged 75 years and over. The beneficial health effects of DF and the necessity of nutritional education in this area should be continuously emphasized concerning 20-29 year-old people and metropolitan adults.

Annual Changes in the Estimated Dietary Fiber Intake of Korean during 1991~2001

The present study determined the estimated dietary fiber (DF) intake per capita of Korean from 1991 to 2001 andanalyzed the major food sources of dietary fiber for Korean using the data on per capita consumption of each food reported in the Korean National (Health and) Nutrition Survey Reports and the recently established DF database by the Korean Nutrition Society. The estimated mean daily DF intakes of Korean during the last 11 years (1991~2001) were in the range of 19.25~21.22 g or 9.97~11.99 g/1,000 kcal with a small range of fluctuations. As of 2001, average DF intake per capita of Korean was estimated as 20.92 g or 10.59 g/1,000 kcal. The average DF intake level was under the Adequate Intake for DF (12 g per 1,000 kcal) of the Dietary Reference Intakes (DRIs) for Koreans established in 2005. The level of DF intake was relatively lower in small city residents compared to the large city or rural area. The top two major food group sources of DF for Korean were vegetables and cereals, in addition, legumes, fruits, seaweeds and seasonings were included among top five food groups. The ratio of DF intake from fruits was gradually increased but the ratio from legumes was steadily decreased during the last 11 years. The mostly contributed single foods for DF intakes of Korean were Kimchi and rice regardless of year and area. Percentage of DF intake from top ten single foods was continuously decreased from 65% in 1991 to 51% in 2001. The results of this study revealed that DF intakes of Korean as of 2001 is insufficient compared to the Adequate Intake for DF for Korean and the source of fiber in Korean diet has been more various. Therefore the beneficial health effects of DF and the increased consumption of DF from a variety of food sources should be continuously emphasized through the nutritional education.

Assessment of Intake of Nutrient and Dietary Fiber among Children at the 6th Grade of Elementary School in Gimhae / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The aim of this study was to assess dietary fiber intake and the relationship between dietary fiber intake and nutrient intakes of elementary school students. Food consumption of 200 elementary school students (100 boys, 100 girls) in the 6th grade in Gimhae was assessed by 2-day estimated food records. Nutrient intakes were calculated using CAN-pro and total dietary fiber (TDF) intake using the TDF tables of the common Korean foods. The mean height and weight of the boys were 147.7 cm and 42.1 kg. The mean height and weight of the girls were 149.1 cm and 41.1 kg. The mean body mass index (BMI) of the boys (19.3 kg/m2) was significantly higher than that of the girls (18.4 kg/m2, p +/- 0.05). Average daily intake of energy of the boys and girls was 1733 and 1778 kcal, respectively. Intakes of protein, P, and niacin of the boys and girls exceeded 110% of current RDA. Intakes of Fe, vitamin B1, and vitamin B2 of the boys were similar to RDA. Intake of vitamin B1 exceeded 110% of current RDA and intakes of Fe and vitamin A were similar to RDA among the girls. Ca intake of the boys and girls was 74.2% and 60.1% of RDA, respectively. Vitamin C intake of the boys and girls were 63.6% and 71.7% of RDA, respectively. Intakes of fat, Ca, P, and vitamin B2 of the boys were significantly higher than the girls. Intakes of Fe and vitamin A of the boys were significantly lower than the girls. Average daily intakes of TDF of the boys and girls were 11.2 g and 11.1 g, respectively. TDF intake of the children at the 6th grade of elementary school was about 70% of "age (yr) + 5 g", a recommended level for American children. Major food groups to supply dietary fiber were vegetables, grains, and seasonings among the boys and girls. Major sources of dietary fiber were Kimchi, rice, and red pepper powder which supplied 17.85%. 15.71%, and 5.18% of TDF among the boys and 18.02%, 16.22%, and 6.58% among the girls. Daily fiber intake showed significant positive correlations with intakes of grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, and seasonings among the boys and girls. Daily fiber intake showed significant positive correlations with intakes of energy, carbohydrates, protein, lipids, Ca, P, vitamin A, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, niacin, and vitamin C among both the boys and girls. From the results of this study we could conclude that it is recommended to increase dietary fiber intake in elementary school students at upper level.

An Assessment of Dietary Fiber Intake in Preschool Children in Busan / 대한지역사회영양학회지

To assess the dietary fiber intake of preschool children in Busan and to evaluate the relationship between of the intake of dietary fiber and nutrient intake. Nutrient intake using 24 hour recall, and total dietary fiber (TDF) intake based on tables of TDF of common Korean floods developed by the modified Prosky Method, were estimated for 176 preschool children. The mean daily intakes of TDF, and TDF after adjusting energy intake, were 10.20 g and 7.69 g/1,000 kcal, respectively. The mean daily intakes of TDF for children aged 1-3 and 4-6 years were 9.20 g and 11.08 g, respectively. The range of TDF intake was 1.86 to 22.16 g. The major sources of TDF were cereals (31.0%), vegetables (18.9%) and fruits (11.9%). The TDF intake showed positive correlations with nutrient adequacy ratios (NAR) of iron and Vitamin B1, (p<0.05, p<0.05). The TDF intake per 1,000 kcal showed negative correlations with the NARs of protein, calcium, phosphate, iron, Vitamin A, vitamin B1, Vitamin B2, and niacin (p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001, p<0.001) and with the mean adequacy ratio (MAR, p<0.001). When children were stratified into quartiles (Q1-Q4) on the basis of their fiber intake per 1,000 kcal, their NARs for calcium, phosphate, iron, Vitamin A, Vitamin B1, Vitamin B2 and niacin (p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.05, p<0.05, p<0.001, p<0.001), and their U? (p<0.001) were significantly lower in the children with higher fiber intake per 1,000 kcal (the upper quartile). The NARs fur calcium (0.63), iron (0.60), Vitamin A (0.66), Vitamin B2 (0.74), niacin (0.64), Vitamin C (0.65) and the MAR (0.74) were lower than 0.75 in the children with fiber intakes of more than 9.25 g per 1,000 local (0,), the highest fiber intake per 1,000 kcal. Based on these results, the mean TDF intake of children was higher than the 'age (yr)+5g', the minimum recommended level for American children. Meals with a fiber intake of more than 9.25 g per 1,000 local (Q4) could cause a decreased nutritional status for minerals and vitamins. The result of this study could contribute to the establishment of Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA) for dietary fiber for Korean Preschool children.

The Prevalence of Defecation Difficulty and Bowel Habits in University Students / 간호학회지

To determine bowel patterns and the prevalence of defecation difficulty in young university students, we administered a self-reported questionnaire to 1,617 college students about their bowel habits and eating patterns and obtained the following: 83.7% showed defecation frequency between 2 times per day and 3 times per week, and 33.4% reported difficulty in defecation. Among the subjects with defecation difficulty, 69% complained of constipation and 31% of diarrhea. It was also shown that the prevalence of self-reported defecation difficulty varied by sex. Women were more likely to have defecation difficulty than men (OR=2.5; 95% CI: 2.005-3.149). There were also differences between men and women in respect to the bowel habits (frequency, regularity, thickness, volume, form and time required) and food preferences. Men reported a higher frequency of defecation than women (p<.001). The dietary fiber intake volume of the subjects with defecation difficulty was smaller than subjects without the problem (OR=0.83, CI; 0.706-0.978). Moreover, those whose favorite food was meat were more likely to have defecation difficulty than those preferred vegetables (OR=1.39; 95% CI: 1.058-1.820). Irregular defecation was reported in 44.5% of the students, especially non-residents of Cheolla province (OR=1.2; 95% CI: 1.007-1.480). Non-residents ate dietary fiber significantly less than residents and there were some differences in diet habits and also in bowel habits.

Estimation of Nutrients Intakes and Dietary Fiber Intake of Teenagers in Urban, Fishing, and Rural Areas / 대한지역사회영양학회지

Dietary fiber(DF) intake of teenagers was estimated and the major food sources of fiber were analyzed using three-day food records and data from 365 middle school students in urban, rural and fishing areas. Mean dwily DF intake of males was 9.2+/-3.9g in urban, 10.4+/-5.4g in rural, and 7.9+/-4.0g in fishing areas and the intake of female was 10.6+/-5.1g in urban, 10.6+/-5.2g in rural, and 7.7+/-3.3g in fishing areas. When related to energy intake, female consumed more DF(5.7+/-2.5g/1000 kcal, 7.0+/-3.5g/1000 kcal, 4.6+/-2.2g/1000 kcal, in urban, and rural, fishing areas respectively) than males(4.2+/-1.3g/1000 kcal, 4.6+/-1.5g/1000 kcal, 4.4+/-2.0g/1000 kcal in urban, rural, fishing respectively). Mean crude fiber(CF) intake of males was 4.1+/-1.7g, 4.5+/-2.4g, 3.7+/-2.4g, and female's intake was 4.7+/-1.9g, 4.8+/-2.2g, 3.7+/-1.9g in urban, rural, and fishing areas respectively. The mean DF : CF ratio for the subjects was 2.2-2.6, indicating that the DF intake is 2-3 times that of CF intakes. The intakes of the two measures of fiber were highly correlated(r=0.7781) . The major food sources for DF were cereals, vegetables and fruits and the percentage contributions of the food groups to the DF intake were 27-37%, 22-30%, and 11.5-19.7% respectively. The present study indicates that the DF intake of teenagers is considerably lower than the recommended level and they need to consume more DF than that indicated by the present levels. The importance of nutrition education on health and dietary pattern should also be emphasized among teenagers.