Kyungho Ha

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze long-term trends in kimchi consumption and patterns among Korean adults using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2010 to 2024, and to identify sociodemographic, dietary, and health-related factors associated with recent kimchi consumption.Methods: Data from the 5th (2010) through 9th (2024) KNHANES were utilized. Trend analysis included 103,267 participants, while factor analysis focused on 14,244 adults aged ≥ 30 years (2022–2024). Changes in consumption form (side dish versus ingredient) and locations were examined. Multiple logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) for meeting the recommended intake (40 g/day).Results: Over the past 15 years, kimchi consumption among Korean adults has significantly decreased regardless of gender (men: β = –1.53, women: β = –1.31, P for trend < 0.05). The proportion of individuals reporting no kimchi intake on the 24-hour recall day increased from 11.7% in 2010 to 22.7% in 2024. Among young adults (20–39 years), a qualitative shift occurred as consumption transitioned from side dishes to dish ingredients. At-home consumption decreased for all age groups under 60 years. Conversely, eating-out consumption increased for most groups, except for those aged 20–39 years, while school/ workplace consumption increased only in the 0–9 years age group. Analysis of the factors associated with meeting the recommended intake revealed that men, older adults, rural residents, married individuals, alcohol consumers, and smokers were more likely to meet the recommendation. Conversely, frequent solo dining or skipping meals were significantly associated with a lower likelihood of meeting the recommendation.Conclusion: This study confirms a structural shift in the Korean diet. Future strategies for preserving traditional food culture and establishing nutritional policies must be tailored to reflect modern dietary changes, such as an increase in single-person households and the spread of a solo-dining culture.

Irregular eating patterns, including skipping breakfast and/or late-night eating, have gained frequency and may contribute to rising obesity in South Korea. The prevalence of obesity is high, and breakfast consumption is low in Jeju, yet research on meal timing and frequency is limited. This study examined the association between meal timing/frequency and overweight/obesity among adults in Jeju based on the 2022 Jeju Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey data (n=947). Meal timing and frequency were assessed via a 1-d 24-h dietary recall, while late-night eating behaviors were evaluated employing a separate questionnaire. Breakfast consumers were divided into tertiles based on the proportion of total energy intake from breakfast. Compared with breakfast skippers, participants in the highest tertile of the proportion of energy from breakfast had significantly lower odds of overweight/obesity after adjusting for age, sex, total energy intake, and lifestyle and socioeconomic factors (odds ratio, 0.47; 95% confidence interval, 0.24－0.92; P for trend=0.0140). Breakfast skippers consumed more energy at lunch and dinner than breakfast consumers (P<0.0001). Compared with breakfast skippers, breakfast consumers had a lower prevalence of vitamin and mineral intakes below the estimated average requirement and had a higher adherence to the acceptable macronutrient distribution range for fat (P<0.05). Overall, breakfast consumption was positively associated with nutrient adequacy and adherence to appropriate fat intake levels. These findings suggest that breakfast consumption may help maintain healthy nutritional status and is inversely associated with overweight/obesity prevalence among adults in Jeju.

Lee KW, et al. J Nutr Health. 2026 Apr;59(2):159-175. https://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2026.59.2.159

Sarcopenia contributes to an increased risk of falls and fractures, and reduced mobility, and mortality. Supplementation with dietary protein and amino acids has been suggested as a potential strategy to slow or prevent the associated loss of muscle mass and strength. However, most previous studies have focused on dietary protein or limited populations, such as older adults. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the relationship between dietary protein and amino acid intake and handgrip strength (HG) in Korean adults. This study used data from the 2014–2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 18,565 adults who participated in a 1-day 24-hour recall method were included. Protein intake was calculated as a percentage of total energy intake from food sources (animal and plant). Amino acid intake (g/day), including essential amino acids (EAAs), branched-chain amino acids (BCAAs), and non essential amino acids (NEAAs), was assessed using a database expanded based on amino acid composition databases constructed by national institutions. Low HG was diagnosed based on the 2019 guidelines of the Asian Working Group on Sarcopenia. In the fully adjusted model, total and plant protein intakes were positively associated with HG levels (kg) (β = 0.04 and 0.07 per 1% increase, respectively; p < 0.05 for both). Participants aged ≥ 65 years in the highest NEAA intake group had a 42% lower risk of low HG compared to those in the lowest intake group (odds ratio 0.58; 95% confidence interval 0.35–0.97; p for trend = 0.1026). A lower risk of HG was observed in older participants whose plant protein intake ranged from 8 to 10% of energy, compared to those consuming less than 7%. However, no association was found when intake exceeded 10% of energy. These findings suggest that a high intake of NEAAs and a moderately high intake of plant protein may be associated with a lower risk of low HG among Korean older adults. Further prospective studies are needed to explore the effects of protein and amino acid intake on muscle mass and strength.

현유진, et al. J Nutr Health. 2025 Oct;58(5):484-497. https://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2025.58.5.484

Kim S, et al. Nutr Res Pract. 2025 Oct;19(5):773-785. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2025.19.5.773

Although the relationship between fatty acids (FAs) and the risk of all-cause mortality has been long discussed, there is little evidence about the impact of each FA component on all-cause mortality by kidney function status. We used data from the U.S. National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1999-2016. The intake of FAs was estimated as a percentage of total energy using a 1-day 24-hour dietary recall and divided by quartiles; the first quartile was regarded as a reference. We used a multivariate Cox proportional hazard model to identify the impact of FAs on all-cause mortality. Among 44,332 participants, during 129.0 ± 62.4 months of follow-up, there were 1,623 (6.2%), 3,109 (22.3%), and 2,202 deaths (53.1%) in the estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) ≥90, 60-90, and <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 groups, respectively. Higher intake of SFAs significantly increased the risk of all-cause mortality in participants with eGFR 60-90 mL/min/1.73 m2 (adjusted hazard ratio, 1.20 in the 4th quartile). Likewise, higher intake of most PUFAs (octadecadienoic acid, octadecatrienoic acid, omega-6, and omega-3) significantly decreased the risk of all-cause mortality in participants with eGFR 60-90 mL/min/1.73 m2 . These effects of both SFAs and PUFAs were attenuated in participants with eGFR ≥90 and <60 mL/min/1.73 m2 . The impact of dietary FAs on all-cause mortality was prominent in participants with eGFR 60-90 mL/min/1.73 m2 . More specified and targeted counseling for restricting SFAs and encouraging PUFAs needs to be considered, especially for participants with marginally decreased kidney function.