Food price trends in South Korea through time series analysis

The mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between income poverty and depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation: A nationwide study of Korean adults

BACKGROUND

Income poverty has been linked to poor mental health. Food insecurity, a consequence of poverty, has been identified as a determinant of mental health. We explored the mediating role of food insecurity in the relationship between income poverty and mental health problems.

METHODS

This study utilized a nationally representative sample of 12,918 adults from the 2019-2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, among whom 3,896 were included in the depressive symptom analysis and 9,022 in the suicidal ideation analysis. Income poverty was defined as having a household income below 50 % of the median. Food insecurity was assessed using the Korean version of the 18-item Household Food Security Survey Module and was dichotomized as the presence of food insecurity if three or more items received affirmative responses. Logistic regression and mediation analyses were conducted, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95 % confidence intervals (CIs) computed. Models were adjusted for gender, region, education, employment status, marital status, presence of a child, smoking, physical exercise, and alcohol use.

RESULTS

Among the sample, the prevalence was 15.1 % for income poverty, 3.8 % for food insecurity, 3.9 % for depressive symptoms, and 3.2 % for suicidal ideation. Poverty was associated with a 1.5 % (95 % CI: 1.3 %-1.6 %) increase in the likelihood of depressive symptoms compared to non-poverty conditions, with food insecurity accounting for 52.7 % (95 % CI: 46.8-58.2 %) of this effect (average causal mediating effect [ACME]: 0.008, 95 % CI: 0.006-0.009). Additionally, income poverty was associated with a 2.0 % (95 % CI: 1.9 %-2.1 %) increase in the likelihood of suicidal ideation compared to non-poverty conditions, with food insecurity accounting for 17.7 % (95 % CI: 15.7-19.8 %) of this effect (ACME: 0.004, 95 % CI: 0.003-0.004).

CONCLUSION

Food insecurity can mediate a meaningful portion of the relationship between poverty and mental health problems, highlighting the importance of targeted public health to address food access.

Factors associated with the combination of general and abdominal obesity in middle-aged and older Korean women: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

To identify factors associated with general and abdominal obesity in middle-aged and older Korean women based on the biopsychosocial model.

METHODS

Data from 4,076 women aged ≥45 years who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2015 to 2020 were analyzed. Complex sampling analysis was performed using IBM SPSS ver. 26.0.

RESULTS

The combination of general and abdominal obesity was positively associated with age ≥65 years, postmenopausal status, and without breastfeeding experience among biomedical factors; depressive symptoms and prolonged (≥8 hours a day) sedentary behavior among psychosocial factors; and an educational level lower than middle or high school graduation and the first and second income quantiles among biosocial factors.

CONCLUSION

Healthcare providers in communities and public societies should screen for risk factors for the combination of general and abdominal obesity while considering non-modifiable biomedical (e.g., age) and biosocial factors (e.g., educational level). In addition, intervention strategies should be developed by considering modifiable psychosocial factors such as sedentary behavior.

Association between obesity and COVID-19

Background: Since December 2019, most countries have struggled with the novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome-coronavirus-2 (SARS-CoV-2). During the coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, weight gain became prevalent because the preventive measures against the spread of SARS-CoV-2 infection resulted in decreased physical activity and increased consumption of unhealthy food among the general public.Current Concepts: Several mechanisms have been proposed for the association between obesity and COVID-19. SARS-CoV-2 infection aggravates inflammation and hypoxia in obese people, which can lead to severe COVID-19 disease. COVID-19 affects the immune system, resulting in various complications. Several cytokines, including interleukin-6, are integral to the progression of COVID-19. Thus, COVID-19-associated inflammation and immune dysfunction predispose patients to the complications of obesity, such as cardiovascular diseases and diabetes mellitus.Discussion and Conclusion: Obese patients are commonly prescribed antidiabetic agents, blood pressure lowering medications, and lipid-lowering medications such as statins. The routine intake of these drugs is a protective factor against all-cause mortality. During the COVID-19 pandemic, preventive measures, such as minimizing team sports and closing public exercise facilities, might have contributed to the weight gain in obese individuals. Thus, an active lifestyle with regular home exercise and a healthy diet should be advised for obese patients.

Price Trends of Healthy and Less Healthy Foods and Beverages in Mexico from 2011-2018

BACKGROUND

Cost is one of the main drivers of food selection; thus it is important to monitor food prices. Evidence from low- and middle-income countries such as Mexico is limited.

OBJECTIVE

The aim of this study was to evaluate the prices and price trends of healthy and less healthy food/beverage groups in Mexico from 2011 to 2018.

DESIGN

This study used a time series of the prices of foods and beverages classified by 1) healthiness, 2) processing level, and 3) pairs of healthy/less healthy substitutes.

SETTING

Food and beverage prices used to estimate the Consumer Price Index were obtained. Prices were collected weekly from 46 cities (>20,000 habitants) distributed across the country.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES

Price trend (% change/year) from 2011 to 2018 for all food/beverage groups and price/100 g in 2018 for pairs of healthy/less healthy substitutes were obtained.

STATISTICAL ANALYSES

Linear regression models were used for each food/beverage group, with the logarithm of deflated price as the dependent variable and time (years) as the independent variable.

RESULTS

On average, prices for less healthy foods and beverages increased more than prices of healthy foods and beverages (foods: 1.72% vs 0.70% change/year; beverages: 1.61% vs -0.19% change/year). The price change was similar for unprocessed/minimally processed foods and ultraprocessed foods (1.95% vs 1.85% change/year); however, within each processing category, the price of less healthy foods increased more. By pairs of substitutes (within food/beverage groups), the healthier option for bread, sodas, and poultry was more expensive (price/100 g) in 2018, whereas for red meat, cheese, mayonnaise, and milk, the healthier option was cheaper.

CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the food prices of less healthy foods and beverages increased more than the food prices of healthy foods and beverages. However, by processing level there was no difference, and for pairs of healthy/less healthy substitutes results were mixed. Continued monitoring of food prices is warranted, and future research is needed to understand how these price changes affect dietary quality.

Influence of COVID-19 pandemic and related quarantine procedures on metabolic risk

Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) has changed the lives of many people across the globe. In addition to the effect of the virus on the biological functions in those infected individuals, many countries have launched government policy with additional impact of these quarantine procedures on the metabolic health of many people worldwide. This mini-review aimed to highlight current evidence regarding the influence of metabolic health due to these quarantine procedures including decrease in physical activity, changes in unhealthy eating habits, increase in stress, and provide recommendations of healthy lifestyle during COVID-19 pandemic.

Impact of COVID-19 and Associated Preventive Measures on Cardiometabolic Risk Factors in South Korea

Background

During the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic, preventive measures mandated by government policies have included the closure of exercise facilities and movement restriction, which can lead to an unhealthy lifestyle. We investigated the effect of these preventive measures on metabolic parameters in individuals with cardiometabolic disorders.

Methods

In this retrospective, observational study of patients who visited the hospital at least twice a year for the past 4 years, changes in cardiometabolic factors during the COVID-19 pandemic (2019-2020) were compared with changes in the same cohort at the same annual time points during the previous seasons of 2016-2019.

Results

A total of 1,485 individuals with a mean age of 61.8±11.7 years were included in the analyses. During the COVID-19 pandemic, the number of patients whose metabolic syndrome worsened increased significantly by 21% compared with the 2018-2019 season. Body mass index increased by 0.09±1.16 kg/m² in the 2019-2020 pandemic period, whereas it decreased by -0.39±3.03 kg/m² in 2018-2019 and by -0.34±2.18 kg/m² in 2017-2018 (both P<0.05). Systolic blood pressure increased by 2.6±18.2 mmHg in the COVID-19 pandemic period, while it decreased in the three antecedent seasons (all P<0.05). Lipid profiles worsened in the pandemic period compared with the previous years. Framingham coronary heart disease risk score also increased significantly.

Conclusion

Nationwide strategies to maintain cardiometabolic health are necessary during contagious disease pandemics like COVID-19 to mitigate the adverse health effects of pandemic-preventative strategies.

Trends and Inequalities in Overall and Abdominal Obesity by Sociodemographic Factors in Korean Adults, 1998-2018

Few studies have comprehensively examined the nationwide trends in overall and abdominal obesity prevalence and related sociodemographic inequalities in Korea. In the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998–2018, we estimated the age-standardized prevalence of overall (body mass index ≥ 25 kg/m²) and abdominal obesity (waist circumference ≥ 90 cm men, ≥85 cm women) in each sociodemographic subgroup of Korean adults (aged 19–79 years). For each survey year, weighted logistic regression was performed to estimate odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the associations between obesity prevalence and sociodemographic factors. During the study period, the prevalence of overall and abdominal obesity increased in men (24.8% to 42.4%; 20.1% to 32.1%; respectively) but only a small change was observed in women (26.5% to 26.0%; 22.7% to 20.9%; respectively). Obesity prevalence increased in all sociodemographic groups of men but varied across groups in women. In women, income (4th vs. 1st quartiles in 2016–2018: OR (95% CI) = 0.66 (0.56–0.78) overall obesity; 0.60 (0.51–0.71) abdominal obesity) and education (college or higher vs. high school or less: 0.62 (0.54–0.72) overall obesity; 0.58 (0.50–0.68) abdominal obesity) were inversely associated with obesity prevalence, and the gaps became more pronounced since 2007. Our data suggest that the inequalities in obesity prevalence by sex and by socioeconomic status have become more apparent over time in Korea.

Proper Management of People with Obesity during the COVID-19 Pandemic

Since December 2019, countries around the world have been struggling with a novel coronavirus, severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). Case series have reported that people with obesity experience more severe coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). During the COVID-19 pandemic, people have tended to gain weight because of environmental factors imposed by quarantine policies, such as decreased physical activity and increased consumption of unhealthy food. Mechanisms have been postulated to explain the association between COVID-19 and obesity. COVID-19 aggravates inflammation and hypoxia in people with obesity, which can lead to severe illness and the need for intensive care. The immune system is compromised in people with obesity and COVID-19 affects the immune system, which can lead to complications. Interleukin-6 and other cytokines play an important role in the progression of COVID-19. The inflammatory response, critical illness, and underlying risk factors may all predispose to complications of obesity such as diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular diseases. The common medications used to treat people with obesity, such as glucagon-like peptide-1 analogues, statins, and antiplatelets agents, should be continued because these agents have anti-inflammatory properties and play protective roles against cardiovascular and all-cause mortality. It is also recommended that renin–angiotensin system blockers are not stopped during the COVID-19 pandemic because no definitive data about the harm or benefits of these agents have been reported. During the COVID-19 pandemic, social activities have been discouraged and exercise facilities have been closed. Under these restrictions, tailored lifestyle modifications such as home exercise training and cooking of healthy food are encouraged.