J Nutr Health.  2016 Oct;49(5):358-366. 10.4163/jnh.2016.49.5.358.

Food intake and nutritional status of female marriage immigrants residing in Gwangju, Korea

• Yang EJ
• Khil JM

• KMID: 2357138
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2016.49.5.358

Abstract

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to assess the nutritional status of female marriage immigrants attending Korean language class in Gwangju, Korea by analyzing daily food and nutrient intake.
METHODS
Eighty-three female immigrants completed a survey. Anthropometric measurements were obtained, and dietary food intake was assessed using a 1-day 24 hour recall method.
RESULTS
The average length of residence in Korea was 5.3 years, and mean age of subjects was 31.0 years old. The home countries of subjects were Vietnam (50.6%), China (24.1%), Philippines (13.3%), and others (12%). Due to the length of residence, there were significant differences in body weight (p < 0.05), BMI (p < 0.05), percent body fat (p < 0.05), and diastolic blood pressure (p < 0.05). The subjects who were 30~49 years old consumed more vegetables and less seaweed than the subjects who were 20~29 years old. The other kinds of consumed foods were similar among groups in different age groups or lengths of residence in Korea. Average energy intake of subjects was 1,641.0 Kcal. The group with less than 5 years of residence showed higher cholesterol intake than the group with 5 or more years of residence in Korea (p < 0.05). There was no significant difference in nutrient intake between the groups of different age or length of residence. There was a positive association among dietary cholesterol intake and consumption of eggs, milk. and dairy products, and blood pressure.
CONCLUSION
The study shows that length of residence affects rate of obesity and nutritional status. Further extensive research is needed to understand the effect of dietary changes and nutritional status of female marriage immigrants as well as for their successful adaptation to develop a more active and long-term nutrition education program.

Keyword

female marriage immigrants; food intake; nutritional status; length of residence

MeSH Terms

Adipose Tissue
Blood Pressure
Body Weight
China
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, Dietary
Dairy Products
Eating*
Education
Eggs
Emigrants and Immigrants*
Energy Intake
Female*
Gwangju*
Humans
Korea*
Marriage*
Methods
Milk
Nutritional Status*
Obesity
Ovum
Philippines
Seaweed
Vegetables
Vietnam
Cholesterol
Cholesterol, Dietary

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