Dietary intake and nutritional status of Korean migrants in New Zealand : a thesis presented in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Science in Nutritional Science at Massey University

Migration to a new country presents many lifestyle challenges that may influence future health outcomes. In particular, eating patterns may be altered due to the expense or lack of availability of foods typical of the immigrant's usual diet and the relative abundance of unfamiliar, locally produced foods. Studies of migrants carried out in host countries have shown that the change of living environment is associated with changes in food choices, activity patterns and other lifestyle factors. This may then be reflected by changes in health indicators: e.g., body measurements, and consequently morbidity and mortality. The latest census indicates that Koreans are the fastest growing ethnic group and the third largest Asian ethnic group in New Zealand after Chinese and Indians. Nonetheless, to date no studies have examined the nutritional outcomes resulting from the migration of Koreans to New Zealand. Hence, a study is needed to determine the dietary habits and the possible impact of the diet on risk factors for health and disease among Korean migrants. As a pilot study, the purpose of this study was to assess dietary intake and other health related measures in a sample of 50 middle-aged (40-55 years) Korean females who have lived in New Zealand for at least 5 years. The study assessed sociodemographic characteristics, activity level, dietary intake, factors related to the dietary intake and anthropometric and biochemical measurements by questionnaires, 24-hour dietary recall and appropriate body measurements. The body measurements included weight, height, triceps and subscapular skinfolds, waist, hip, and upper arm circumference, elbow breadth, body fat using Bioelectrical Impedance Analysis, blood pressure and blood glucose level. The nutrient intakes of subjects were found to be generally adequate and the proportions of energy derived from macronutrients (Carbohydrate:Protein:Fat =55:17:26) were also considered to be in the adequate range. However, low intakes of calcium (596mg) and zinc (8mg) and high intake of sodium (3749mg) were identified as the main nutritional problems in this population. The nutrient intakes of Korean immigrants to New Zealand with longer residences (≥8.8 years) did not differ from those with shorter residences (<8.8 years). This suggests that the dietary acculturation of migrant Koreans may have taken place during the early years of residence in New Zealand (<5 years). The findings from this study further indicate that Korean migrants have not changed their traditional dietary habit to any great extent and that rice and kimchi still hold a prominent place in their diet. While the intakes of the study participants were generally similar to reported intakes from Korean and New Zealand national surveys, the intakes of some nutrients were intermediate in the study participants (Korean immigrants) between those of native Koreans and New Zealanders; intakes of calcium in migrant Koreans were lower than those of New Zealand women, but higher than native Koreans because of a significantly greater intake of dairy products. The risk associated with BMI is difficult to evaluate in this population group because of differences between Korean and New Zealand standards. The subjects had a much lower prevalence of obesity, measured by the BMI, according to the New Zealand (2%) compared to the Korean classification (24%) (p=0.005). Similarly, the subjects had a lower prevalence of increased disease risk, measured by waist circumference, according to the global classification (8%) compared to the Asian classification (24%) (p=0.029). However, almost half of all subjects fell into the 'at risk' group for WHR, suggesting that subjects may have more body fat in the upper body in relation to their body size. These findings suggest that appropriate ethnic-specific obesity indicators need to be developed to monitor anthropometric changes in migrant populations. The majority of subjects fell into the normal blood pressure range with only two hypertensive women in the study group. The findings from this study identified the areas of concern in nutrition and indicated the need for further research into this population. Furthermore, these results may be used to develop culturally appropriate nutrition education materials and programmes

The Export Base Model with a Supply-Side Stimulus to the Export Sector

In the export-base model, the level of a region’s economic activity is underpinned by the performance of its export sector (Daly, 1940; Dixon and Thirlwall, 1975; Kaldor, 1970; North, 1955). This theory is now almost universally represented as a primitive version of the familiar Input-Output (IO) or Keynesian demand-driven approach, where regional output is linked to regional exports through a rather mechanistic multiplier process (Romanoff, 1974). Further, in a standard IO inter-regional framework, the expansion of output in one region always generates positive impacts on other regions. That is to say, there is always a positive spread, and no negative backwash, effect. However, these models typically embody no supply-side constraints. What is more, the stimulus to the export sector is often thought to come through supply-side improvements (North, 1955; McCombie, 1992). Whilst accepting that the development of a healthy export base is generally central to promoting the growth of the regional economy, the relationship is likely to be much more complex than is usually thought. Also whilst an increase in regional exports typically increases economic activity in the target region, the effect on other regions is less straightforward (Myrdal, 1957). In this paper we begin by using a single-region IO analysis of the operation of a stylised export base model. The impact of a conventional increase in export demand is compared to a situation in which increased competitiveness underpins the improved export performance. This analysis is then extended through the use of an inter-regional (Scotland–Rest of the UK) Computable General Equilibrium (CGE) model. In simulation, different exogenous demand and supply side disturbances are calibrated so as to generate the same long-run expansion in Scottish manufacturing exports. The subsequent specific evolutions of regional GDP and employment in both Scotland and the rest of the UK (RUK) are then tracked.Export base, efficiency improvement, regional growth

The Estimation and Correction of Rigid Motion in Helical Computed Tomography

X-ray CT is a tomographic imaging tool used in medicine and industry. Although technological developments have significantly improved the performance of CT systems, the accuracy of images produced by state-of-the-art scanners is still often limited by artefacts due to object motion. To tackle this problem, a number of motion estimation and compensation methods have been proposed. However, no methods with the demonstrated ability to correct for rigid motion in helical CT scans appear to exist. The primary aims of this thesis were to develop and evaluate effective methods for the estimation and correction of arbitrary six degree-of-freedom rigid motion in helical CT. As a first step, a method was developed to accurately estimate object motion during CT scanning with an optical tracking system, which provided sub-millimetre positional accuracy. Subsequently a motion correction method, which is analogous to a method previously developed for SPECT, was adapted to CT. The principle is to restore projection consistency by modifying the source-detector orbit in response to the measured object motion and reconstruct from the modified orbit with an iterative reconstruction algorithm. The feasibility of this method was demonstrated with a rapidly moving brain phantom, and the efficacy of correcting for a range of human head motions acquired from healthy volunteers was evaluated in simulations. The methods developed were found to provide accurate and artefact-free motion corrected images with most types of head motion likely to be encountered in clinical CT imaging, provided that the motion was accurately known. The method was also applied to CT data acquired on a hybrid PET/CT scanner demonstrating its versatility. Its clinical value may be significant by reducing the need for repeat scans (and repeat radiation doses), anesthesia and sedation in patient groups prone to motion, including young children

Introduction to Sociology (GSU)

This Grants Collection for Introduction to Sociology was created under a Round Ten ALG Textbook Transformation Grant. Affordable Learning Georgia Grants Collections are intended to provide faculty with the frameworks to quickly implement or revise the same materials as a Textbook Transformation Grants team, along with the aims and lessons learned from project teams during the implementation process. Documents are in .pdf format, with a separate .docx (Word) version available for download. Each collection contains the following materials: Linked Syllabus Initial Proposal Final Reporthttps://oer.galileo.usg.edu/psychology-collections/1025/thumbnail.jp

Dietary patterns among Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant elementary school children participating in an after school program

Immigrants in the U.S. may encounter challenges of acculturation, including dietary habits, as they adapt to new surroundings. We examined Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant children's American food consumption patterns in a convenience sample of 63 Vietnamese and Hispanic children in grades four to six who were attending an after school program. Children indicated the number of times they consumed each of 54 different American foods in the past week using a food frequency questionnaire. We ranked each food according to frequency of consumption, compared the intake of foods to the USDA Healthy Eating Pattern, and performed dietary pattern analysis. Since the data were not normally distributed we used two nonparametric tests to evaluate statistical significance: the Kruskal-Wallis tested for significant gender and ethnicity differences and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test evaluated the food consumption of children compared with the USDA recommended amounts. We found that among USDA categories, discretionary food was most commonly consumed, followed by fruit. The sample as a whole ate significantly less than the recommended amount of grains, protein foods, and dairy, but met the recommended amount of fruit. Boys ate significantly more grains, proteins, and fruits than did girls. Dietary pattern analysis showed a very high sweet snack consumption among all children, while boys ate more fast food and fruit than girls. Foods most commonly consumed were cereal, apples, oranges, and yogurt. Ethnicity differences in food selection were not significant. The high intake of discretionary/snack foods and fruit, with low intake of grains, vegetables, protein, and dairy in our sample suggests Vietnamese and Hispanic immigrant children may benefit from programs to improve diet quality