We quantitatively assessed the association between a vegetarian diet and diabetes risk using pooled estimates from observational studies. Electronic database searches for articles published from January 1980 to May 2016 were independently performed by two investigators, and 13 articles (14 studies) were identified. The pooled odds ratio (OR) for diabetes in vegetarians vs. non-vegetarians was 0.726 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.608, 0.867). In the subgroup analyses, this inverse association was stronger for the studies conducted in the Western Pacific region (OR 0.514, 95% CI: 0.304, 0.871) and Europe/North America (OR 0.756, 95% CI: 0.589, 0.971) than studies conducted in Southeast Asia (OR 0.888, 95% CI: 0.718, 1.099). No study had a substantial effect on the pooled effect size in the influence analysis, and the Egger’s (p = 0.465) and Begg’s tests (p = 0.584) revealed no publication bias. This meta-analysis indicates that a vegetarian diet is inversely associated with diabetes risk. Our results support the need for further investigations into the effects of the motivations for vegetarianism, the duration of the adherence to a vegetarian diet, and type of vegetarian on diabetes risk.

Although dietary supplement use is believed to improve health status, the efficacy and safety of its use remains controversial. This study aimed to investigate the contribution of consumption of vitamin and mineral supplements (VMS) to the total micronutrient intake. Study participants (n = 586) were selected from the ongoing prospective cohort study of the Korean population, and baseline information on current use of dietary supplements, types of supplements, frequency of use, dosage, duration, and brand name was collected. Dietary information was assessed using a 146-item semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire. Approximately one-fourth of the participants were categorized as VMS users. The proportion of VMS use was significantly higher in women (p = 0.02), older participants (p = 0.002), and those with a higher income level (p = 0.03) than in non-users. All vitamin and mineral intakes of both groups met the recommended nutrient intake levels by food consumption alone, except for riboflavin, calcium, and magnesium. Approximately 0.7–3.4% of the VMS users had nutrient intake levels that exceeded the tolerable upper intake levels for vitamin A, E, C, iron, and iodine. Excessive use of VMS can lead to an increased risk for adverse health effects. The results of this study provide useful baseline data for establishing guidelines for the appropriate consumption and adequate intake levels of VMS.

Although there is evidence of the biological mechanisms by which obesity may induce vitamin D insufficiency or deficiency, limited epidemiological studies have been conducted, especially among Asian adolescent girls and young adult women who are at a high risk of vitamin D deficiency. This study aimed to examine the cross-sectional association between obesity and vitamin D insufficiency among adolescent girls and young adult women in Korea. We used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2008–2014, and 3623 girls and young adult women aged 12–29 years were included. Demographic and lifestyle data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from the health interview survey. Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) level, body mass index (BMI), and body fat percentage (BF%) were measured during health examinations. Multivariable logistic regression was used considering the complex, multistage probability sample design of KNHANES. In the multivariable-adjusted analyses, obese girls and women, defined by BMI, were more likely to have a higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (odds ratio [OR]: 1.49, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.03–2.17). This association was also evident for BF%. Participants with ≥30% BF% had a significantly higher prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency (OR: 1.52, 95% CI: 1.07–2.16). Obesity may worsen vitamin D insufficiency among adolescents and young women because of the fat-soluble characteristics of vitamin D and related health behaviors, such as a lack of outdoor activity. Further large-scale prospective cohort studies or randomized controlled trials are warranted to confirm this causality.

출산장려금은 지방자치단체에서 출산을 장려하기 위해 고안한 대표적인 정책 중 하나이다. 출산장려금은 2002년 전라남도 함평군과 충청남도 논산시에서 도입된 이후 지속적으로 확대되었으며 출산장려금의 지급수준도 점차 높아지고 있다. 출산장려금의 확대 및 효과에 관한 다양한 연구가 진행되었으나 기존의 연구에서는 출산율과 출산장려금수준의 상호 관계는 고려되지 않았다. 출산장려정책의 정책목표인 출산율과 출생아 증가율은 정책을 도입할 때 환경적 요소로 작용할 뿐만 아니라 출산장려금의 수혜집단의 크기와 연관되므로 정치적 요소로 작용할 수 있다. 본 논문에서는 출산율과 출산장려금수준이 상호 영향을 미칠 수 있다는 문제의식을 바탕으로 양자의 관계를 동시방정식 모형(Simultaneous Equation Model)을 이용하여 추정하였다. 분석결과 1인당 출산장려금이 출산율과 출생아 증가율에 양(+)의 영향을 미치는 것은 통계적으로 유의하지 않았다. 반면 출산율과 출생아 증가율이 1인당 출산장려금에 양(+)의 영향을 미치는 것은 통계적으로 여전히 유의하였다. 본 연구는 출산장려금이 정책효과와 관계없이 정치적으로 확대될 수 있다는 점을 지적하며 향후 사회복지정책 평가에 있어 정책목표의 내생성을 고려해야 한다는 시사점을 제공한다.