Korean J Nutr.  2011 Oct;44(5):428-442. 10.4163/kjn.2011.44.5.428.

Actual Status of Constipation and Life Factors Affecting Constipation by Diagnosis of Rome in Female University Students in Korea

• Jung SJ
• Chae SW
• Sohn HS
• Kim SB
• Rho JO
• Baik SH
• Kang MH
• Kim GH
• Kim MH
• Kim HS
• Park EJ
• Heo YR
• Cha YS

• KMID: 2268566
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/kjn.2011.44.5.428

Abstract

This study investigated the actual status of constipation. In total, 978 female students in Korea participated. We identified the relationship among constipation and life style, clothing patterns, housing patterns, dietary habits, and dietary intake in a constipation symptom group and a normal group. The actual constipation rate based on the Rome II criteria was 27.0% (n = 264). Body weight (p < 0.05) and body mass index (p < 0.05) in the constipation group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The incidence of functional bowel disease and irritable bowel syndrome in the constipation group were significantly higher than those in the normal group. The discomfort of wearing underwear was significantly higher in the constipation group than that in the normal group. The constipation group revealed a significantly higher rate of irregular dietary habits than those in the normal group. The dietary diversity score of the normal group was 4.22 (p < 0.05), which was significantly higher than that of constipation group (4.12). No significant difference in life style factors was observed. It is necessary for university female students to correct their dietary habits, maintain food intake of three times per day, and select diverse foods. Furthermore, it is necessary for university female students to wear comfortable clothing to lessen symptoms and improve constipation rates.

Keyword

constipation; female university students; dietary habits; clothing habits; housing life

MeSH Terms

Body Mass Index
Body Weight
Clothing
Constipation
Eating
Female
Food Habits
Housing
Humans
Incidence
Irritable Bowel Syndrome
Korea
Life Style
Rome

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Dietary Diversity score by constipation symptoms.

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