Frequency of Instant Noodle (Ramyeon) Intake and Food Value Recognition, and their Relationship to Blood Lipid Levels of Male Adolescents in Rural Area

Lee, Joung Won; Lee, Yeon Ho

Abstract

In order to investigate the ramyeon intake patterns, food value recognition, and their effects on blood pressure and blood lipid levels, a total of 385 male students aged 13-15 years living in rural area were sampled randomly, and they were surveyed using questionnaire. Blood pressure and fasting serum lipids levels of 123 subjects selected among the total were determined. Of the total subjects 80.3% either liked or liked very much ramyeon and 42.2% of them were eating ramyeon from 1 to 2 times a week,21.1% 5-6 times a week, while 11.7% more than once a day, and 13.1% less than once a month. They took ramyeon from one (56.8%) to two (25.4%) packs each time. Two-third of subjects consumed entire ramyeon soup or more than half of it. Mostly they added egg or onion to ramyeon and took along with kimchi, cooked rice, danmuji, or dried laver. The food value recognition score about ramyeon was 41.33 out of 100 full grade. Comparing to underweight or normal weight subjects, overweight students tended to take ramyeon more frequently when playing with friends and tended to consume less soup of ramyeon. There was a significant negative correlation between ramyeon intake frequencies and HDL-cholesterol levels (r=-.223 p < .05). Moreover, among the normal body weight students (n=72) adjusted with relative weight, ramyeon intake frequencies showed not only a significant negative correlation with HDL-cholesterol level (r=-.244 p < .05), but also significant positive correlations with atherogenic index (r: .249 p < .05) and systolic blood pressure (r: .259 p < .05) . These results suggested that frequent intake of ramyeon with limited sidedishes as a whole meal might have negative influences on blood pressure and serum lipid levels. Nutrition education is needed to have correct food value recognition and proper consumption of ramyeon along with the balanced diet.