Journal List > Korean J Nutr > v.42(8) > 1043796

You, Chin, and Chang: Prevalence of Constipation, Bowel Habits and Nutrient Intakes of College Students in Incheon Area

Abstract

This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of constipation, bowel habits and nutrient intakes of college students. The subjects were 353 college students (166 males and 187 females) aged 19 to 29 years in Incheon area. The subjects were asked about bowel habits and dietary intake using questionnaires during march, 2008 and the prevalence of functional constipation (FC) was based on the Rome II criteria. The prevalence of FC in male and female students was 12.7% and 28.9%, respectively. The prevalence of self-reported constipation in male and female students was 12.0% and 36.9%, respectively. Both were higher in female students compared to male students. Among the subjects that have self-reported constipation, proportions of FC were 35.0% in male students and 55.1% in female students. Of subjects that did not self-reported constipation, the proportions of FC were 9.6% in male students and 13.6% in female students. Over 90% of respondents that self-reported constipation in male students, had neither visited a hospital and nor used laxatives or functional foods for constipation relief. Seventy five point three percent of male students, and 40.1% of female students, had a defecation frequency of over 5 times per week (p < 0.001). Ratios intaken under the estimated average requirement (EAR) of Vit A, Vit C, folic acid and Ca were over the 50% regardless of functional constipation. Mean daily consumption of total dietary fiber was 15.0 g/day in male students and 13.5 g/day in female students. According to these results, both functional constipation and self-reported constipation are more frequent in female college students and further studies are required in case-control study and related to psychological factors as well as nutrients to relieve of constipation.

Figures and Tables

Table 1
General characteristics of subjects
kjn-42-702-i001

1) Mean ± SD

2) Significantly different between gender by Student's t-test or chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

3) N (%)

Table 2
Anthropometric parameters of the subjects
kjn-42-702-i002

1) Mean ± SD

2) NS: Not Significantly different between normal and functional constipation by Student's t-test or chi-square test

3) Significantly different between gender by Student's t-test or chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

4) BMI: Body Mass Index, 5) N (%), 6) WHR: Waist Hip Ratio, 7) BMR: Basal Metabolic Rate

Table 3
Prevalence of functional constipation and self-reported constipation by gender
kjn-42-702-i003

1) N (%)

2) Significantly different between gender by chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

Table 4
Odds ratio (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for functional constipation and self-reported constipation by general characteristics
kjn-42-702-i004

1) Significantly different from male (***: p < 0.001 )

Table 5
Prevalence of symptoms compatible with functional constipation by Rome II criteria
kjn-42-702-i005

1) Often: more than 25% of the time, 2) N (%)

3) Significantly different between gender by chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

Table 6
Proportion of functional constipation in self-reported constipation
kjn-42-702-i006

1) N (%)

2) Significantly different between self-reported have and not having constipation by chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

Table 7
Duration of constipation, ever visited hospital and laxative or functional food use in self-reported constipation
kjn-42-702-i007

1) N (%), 2) NS: Not significant

Table 8
Bowel habits of the subjects
kjn-42-702-i008

1) N (%)

2) Significantly different between normal and functional constipation by chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

3) Significantly different between gender by chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

Table 9
Daily nutrient intakes of the subjects by gender and functional constipation
kjn-42-702-i009

1) Mean ± SD

2) NS: Not significantly different between normal and functional constipation by Student's t-test

3) Significantly different between gender by Student's t-test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

Table 10
Evaluation of energy intake using EER by gender and functional constipation
kjn-42-702-i010

1) EER: Estimated Energy Requirement, 2) NS: Not significant, 3) N (%)

Table 11
Evaluation of nutrient intake using DRI by gender and functional constipation
kjn-42-702-i011

1) DRI: Dietary Reference Intakes, 2) EAR: Estimated Average Requirement, 3) RI: Recommended Intake

4) UL: Tolerable Upper Intake Level

5) Significantly different between gender by chi-square test (*: p < 0.05, **: p < 0.01, ***: p < 0.001)

6) NS: Not significant different between normal and functional constipation by chi-square test

7) N (%)

Notes

This work was supported by INHA UNIVERSITY Research Grant.

References

1. Lee MS, Kwak CS. The comparison in daily intake of nutrients, quality of diets and dietary habits between male and female college students in Daejeon. Korean J Community Nutr. 2006. 11(1):39–51.
2. Shin AS, Roh SB. Fast food consumption patterns of college students in Busan. Korean J Dietary Culture. 2000. 15(4):287–293.
3. Lee SH, Park M. Body fatness and eating behavior of university students. Korean Acad Soc Women's Health. 2008. 9(2):1–20.
4. Hwang HS. An survey of dietary life and nutrition status in Mokpo National University. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 1991. 20(1):65–71.
5. Higgins PDR, Johanson JF. Epidemiology of constipation in North America: a systematic review. Am J Gastroenterol. 2004. 99(4):750–759.
crossref
6. Jun DW, Park HY, Lee OY, Lee HL, Yoon BC, Choi HS, Hahm JS, Lee MH, Lee DH, Kee CS. A population-based study on bowel habits in a Korean community: prevalence of functional constipation and self-reported constipation. Dig Dis Sci. 2006. 51(8):1471–1477.
crossref
7. Thompson WG, Longstreth GF, Drossman DA, Heaton KW, Irvine EJ, Muller-Lissner SA. Functional bowel disorders and functional abdominal pain. Gut. 1999. 45:Suppl II. II43–II47.
crossref
8. Jeon SG, Shon CI, Kim JE, Park JE, Park SR, Park KH. Bowel habits in routine check-up subjects. Korean J Med. 1999. 57(1):36–41.
9. Lee KH. Etiology and treatment of the constipation. J Kyung Hee Univ Med Cent. 1999. 15(4):328–332.
10. Everhart JE, Go VLW, Johannes RS, Fitzsimmons SC, Roth HP, White LR. A logitudinal survey of self-reported bowel habits in the United States. Dig Dis Sci. 1989. 34(8):1153–1162.
11. Shin JR, Ly SY. Dietary Habits and Factors Related to Lifestyles in Constipated Female Students. Korean J Community Nutr. 2003. 8(5):675–688.
12. Chung HJ, Park HW, Choi EJ, Lee JJ. A study of the lifestyle factors related to constipation among food habits of college students in Seoul and Gyunggi. Korean J Community Nutr. 2002. 7(5):654–663.
13. Watanabe T, Nakaya N, Kurashima K, Kuriyama S, Tsubono Y, Tsuji I. Constipation, laxative use and risk of colorectal cancer: The Miyagi Cohort Study. Eur J Cancer. 2004. 40(14):2109–2015.
crossref
14. Kim HJ, Won CW, Choi HR, Kim B, Kim HJ, Bae JM, Hwang HM. Prevalence and risk factors of functional constipation in the Elderly. J Korean Acad Fam Med. 2006. 27(9):693–698.
15. Lee HJ, O JH. A study on the defecation pattern and lifestyle factors of female high shool and college students in Gyeonggi Province. Korean J Community Nutr. 2005. 10(1):36–45.
16. You JS, Chin JH, Kim MJ, Chang KJ. College students' dietary behaivior, health-related lifestyles and nutrient intake status by physical activity levels using international physical activity questionnaire (IPAQ) in Incheon area. Korean J Nutr. 2008. 41(8):818–831.
17. Cho JY, Song JC. Dietary behavior, health status and perceived stress of university students. Korean J Food & Nutr. 2007. 20(4):476–486.
18. Kim HK, Kim JH. Food habits and nutrition knowledge of college students residing in the dormitory in Ulsan Area. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 2005. 34(9):1388–1397.
crossref
19. Ko MS. The comparison in daily intake of nutrients and dietary habits of college students in Busan. Korean J Community Nutr. 2007. 12(3):259–271.
20. Pashankar DS, Loening-Baucke V. Increased prevalence of obesity in children with functional constipation evaluated in an academic medical center. Pediatrics. 2005. 116:e377–e380.
crossref
21. Pecora P, Suraci C, Antonelli M, De Maria S, Marrocco W. Constipation and obesity: a statistical analysis. Boll Soc Ital Biol Sper. 1981. 57(23):2384–2388.
22. Na HJ, Kim YN. The prevalence of constipation and dietary fiber intake of 3rd Grade High school girls. Korean J Nutr. 2000. 33(6):675–683.
23. Kim WK, Lee KA. Effect of food behaviors on nutrients and food intake in college students. J Korean Soc Food Sci Nutr. 1998. 27(6):1285–1296.
24. Shin MK, Seo ES. A Study on the food habits and food preference of college students in Ik-San area. J Korean Home Economics Assoc. 1995. 33(4):89–106.
25. Sung IK. Classification and treatment of constipation. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2008. 51(1):4–10.
26. Lee JH, O JH. A study on the defecation pattern and lifestyle factors of female high school and college students in Gyeonggi Province. Korean J Community Nutr. 2005. 10(1):36–45.
27. Sung IK, Rhee PL, Jeon SK, Shim SG, Son HJ, Kim JJ, Koh KC, Paik SW, Rhee JC. Effect of total dietary fiber on bowel habit and bowel transit in healthy subjects. Korean J Gastroenterol. 2000. 35:39–45.
28. Lim ET, Kim YN. The relationship between the prevalence of constipation and beverage intake of female High school students in Seoul. Korean J Community Nutr. 2003. 8(6):856–866.
29. Bae YJ, Lee JC, Kim MH. Nutritional status and dietary quality of college students by residing types in Samcheok. J Korean Dietetic Assoc. 2007. 13(4):311–330.
30. Yu KH, Chung CE, Cho SS, Ly SY. Analysis of dietary fiber intake in the Korean adult population using 2001 Korean national health and nutrition survey data and newly established dietary fiber database. Korean J Nutr. 2008. 41(1):100–110.
31. Gallager DD, Schneeman BO. Dietary fiber. 1996. Washington, DC: International Life Sciences Institute.
TOOLS
Similar articles