Clinical Nutrition Research

Estimating added sugars intake among South Koreans: results from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey: Youngmin Nam, Linxi Huang, Cho-il Kim, Jihyun Yoon; Clin Nutr Res 2026;15(3):139-148. Published online July 31, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2026.0025

Abstract
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Objective

This study aimed to adapt a systematic methodology for estimating the added sugars content of South Korean foods and to assess added sugars intake among South Koreans using data from the 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Methods
The estimation procedure developed for Australian foods was modified and applied to South Korean foods. Added sugars content was estimated for 2,314 food items using the modified 7-step estimation procedure, and these estimates were applied to dietary intake data. Mean contents of total sugars and estimated added sugars were summarized by food group. Mean intakes of total sugars and added sugars, the percentage of energy from added sugars, and the prevalence of excessive added sugars intake were estimated.
Results
According to the modified estimation procedure, 53% of food items were assigned to step 1 (total sugars=0) or step 2 (non-added sugars food groups) and therefore assigned added sugars content of zero, while 21% were assigned to step 3, in which all total sugars were classified as added sugars. Mean added sugars intake was 30.7 g/day, accounting for about half of total sugars intake (58.3 g/day). Overall, 21.2% of the population had energy intake from added sugars exceeding 10% of total energy intake, with the highest proportion observed among adolescent girls (37.9%).
Conclusion
This study provides the first nationally representative estimates of added sugars intake among South Koreans by adapting a systematic methodology. These findings provide a robust foundation for monitoring population-level added sugars intake and informing the development of targeted policies and interventions to reduce added sugars intake.

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Dietary management of pediatric patients with kidney disease: recommendations by the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology and the Korean Society of Clinical Nutrition: Yo Han Ahn, Hee Gyung Kang, Jiyoung Song, Sangmi Han, Eujin Park, Jin-Soon Suh, Jeong Yeon Kim, Min Ji Park, Keum Hwa Lee, Seon Hee Lim, Kyeong Hun Shin, Hyunji Ko, Hyun Joo Lee, Eunyoung Jeong, Jinsu Kim, Sohyun Park, Eonju Choi, Yuri Seo, Kyooyung Oh, Jin Kyoung Kim, Hyun Kyung Lee; Clin Nutr Res 2026;15(1):1-11. Published online January 31, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2025.0033

Pediatric kidney disease has a lower prevalence than other pediatric conditions and has a notably different etiology from kidney diseases occurring in adults. Furthermore, the pediatric population is unique in that they experience ongoing growth and development, distinguishing them from adult patients. Consequently, pediatric patients with kidney disease require a more specialized and meticulous nutritional management plan compared with adult patients. To address this need and promote optimal dietary practices for pediatric patients with kidney disease, pediatric nephrologists from the Korean Society of Pediatric Nephrology and nutritionists from the Korean Society of Clinical Nutrition have collaborated to formulate nutritional guidelines specifically tailored to Korean dietary patterns. These guidelines offer detailed, nutrient-specific recommendations regarding the consumption of energy, protein, calcium, phosphorus, and potassium while providing practical, culturally relevant guidance intended to support both pediatric patients and their caregivers.

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Changes in Dietary Quality among Vietnamese Women Immigrants in Korea and Comparison with Korean Women: Young-Ah Cho, Do-Yeon Kim, Ryowon Choue, Hyunjung Lim; Clin Nutr Res 2018;7(3):178-188. Published online July 21, 2018; DOI: https://doi.org/10.7762/cnr.2018.7.3.178

Abstract
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The dietary behavior of immigrants starts changing upon their arrival in a new country. We evaluated changes in dietary quality of Vietnamese women immigrants in Korea and compared dietary quality with that of Korean women. Fifty-six Vietnamese women immigrants and 56 age-matched Korean women were recruited. Dietary quality were assessed using index of nutritional quality (INQ) and diet quality index-international (DQI-I). Dietary habits were assessed according to 4 dietary behaviors: a prudent, calorie control, dietary fat control, and sodium or salt control diet. DQI-I scores of Vietnamese immigrants decreased after immigration, especially the moderation score, although the variety score increased. Scores were significantly lower than those of Korean subjects (45.1 vs. 64.5; p < 0.001). Vietnamese women immigrants had significantly poorer nutrient balance and calorie intake control, although their fat and sodium control was better than that of Korean woman (p < 0.001). INQs of protein, niacin, phosphorus, iron, zinc were lower in immigrants who had lived longer in Korea than more recent immigrants (p < 0.05). Lower INQs of protein, fiber, vitamin A, B1, B6, C, folate, and phosphorus were related to higher body fat in Vietnamese immigrants (p < 0.05). In conclusion, dietary quality of Vietnamese immigrants decreased after migration, and dietary intake was inadequate compared with that of Korean women. In addition, diet quality of Vietnamese immigrants decreased with length of residence in Korea. There was a negative correlation between diet quality and body fat percent in Vietnamese women immigrants. Findings from this study may help improve diet quality and prevent obesity in Vietnam women immigrants.

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