The purpose of this study was to investigate the body composition, biochemical parameters, and consumption of convenience foods according to β-3 adrenergic receptor polymorphism in university students. A survey was conducted on a total of 486 students - 189 males and 297 females. Based on a self-reporting method, questionnaires were administered for over 20 minutes, and β-3 adrenergic receptor and blood samples were also analyzed. The genotype frequencies of β-3 adrenergic receptor polymorphism were Trp/Trp homozygote (73.0%) and Trp/Arg heterozygote (27.0%) in male students. For the female students, the distribution of genotypes was Trp/Trp (71.0%) and Trp/Arg (29.0%). There were no differences according to biochemical parameters (ALT, cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and hemoglobin) or body composition. Males with TT genotype frequently ate Ramyon (2.40±0.52), Cup Ramyon (2.37±0.39), Kimchi (2.23±0.61), and frozen meat (2.00±0.44), whereas males with TA genotype ate Fries (frozen food) (1.90±0.79), Smoked meat (1.67±0.81), and Canned fruit (1.64±0.81). Females with TT genotype frequently ate Frozen fries (2.21±0.35), Kimbab (2.12±0.44), and Ramyon (1.85±0.40), whereas females with TA genotype frequently ate Kimchi (1.73±0.98), Fries (frozen food) (1.46±0.26), and Cup Ramyon (1.30±0.34). When questioned about satisfaction about body shape, 22.8 and 60.8% of those with TT genotype answered that they were 'satisfied' or needed to 'lose weight', respectively, whereas 18.0 and 63.9% of those with TA genotype answered that they were 'satisfied' or needed to 'lose weight', respectively. In conclusion, this study found no significant effects in terms of β-3 adrenergic receptor polymorphism, which suggests that health-promoting education needs to be developed so that university students appropriately recognize their bodies and control their weight in desirable ways. Therefore, it is necessary to educate individuals with TT genotype how to buy reasonable foods by understanding the interrelationship between convenience foods and health care and by checking the nutrition index labels on convenience foods. Thus, it is recommended that a health-promoting program be developed for the promotion of healthy lifestyles.

• 안명수 | Ahn, Myoung-Soo
• 김경희 | Kim, Kyung-Hee