• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.139-145
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• 2013

There is a lack of data on metabolic risk factors during pre-puberty, which is important for identifying the subgroups of youth, at whom early interventions should be targeted. In this study, we evaluated the prevalence of metabolic risk factors and its subsequent relations with dietary patterns in Korean pre-pubertal children through a cross-sectional sample (n = 1,008; boys = 513) of pre-pubertal children (aged 8-9 years) from a sub-study of the Korea Metabolic Syndrome Research Initiatives (KMSRI) in Seoul, Korea. Measures of anthropometry and blood pressure as well as fasting blood samples were used in the analysis. A three-day food records were collected. The metabolic syndrome was defined according to the age-adjusted National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel III guidelines. An added metabolic risk score was calculated for each subject by summing the quintile values of the five individual risk factors. Among the 5 risk components of metabolic syndrome, high waist circumference (WC) was the major factor (P < 0.001). A significant increasing trend of the added metabolic syndrome risk score was observed with the increase of WC (P (trend) < 0.001) among both genders. The cutoff point for high WC for pre-pubertal children was 61.3 cm for boys and 59.9 cm for girls. The prevalence of high triglyceride (TG) values was significantly higher in girls than it was in boys (P < 0.01). Girls in the highest quintile of balanced dietary pattern scores had lower TG values (P (trend) = 0.032) than did those in the lowest quintile. Moreover, girls in the highest quintile of western dietary pattern scores showed increasing trend for the added metabolic risk score (P (trend) = 0.026) compared with those in the lowest quintile. Adverse associations exist between western dietary patterns and the accumulation of metabolic risks among girls, not in boys, even during pre-puberty.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.58-68
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• 2007

The associations between dietary, body composition and sexual maturation were investigated among Korean girls of pubertal age in this study. Dietary intakes were collected by 3 day food records, body compositions were measured by bio-impedence analyzer and sexual maturation stages were determined with a self-administrated questionnaire using Tanner stages in 1,114 girls 9-13 years of age. Girls were divided into early maturation (EM) and late maturation (LM), based on the comparative maturation stages of breast and pubic hair among the same age groups by months. Subjects were excluded if their stage of maturation could not be divided into early and late groups. EM and LM groups consisted of 42.8% and 38.9% of subjects by breast stage and 67.4% and 22.8% by pubic hair stage. Girls in LM group had significantly lower in height, weight and bone mineral contents (p < 0.05). When nutrient densities of average daily intake of the two groups were compared, folate density was significantly higher among the LM group of breast stages (p < 0.01), and Ca, P, K, Vit. $B_1$, Vit. $B_2$ and folate densities were significantly higher among the LM group of pubic hair stages (p < 0.05). These results show that intakes of some micronutrients differ between children with faster and slower sexual maturation velocities at early pubertal stages. More longitudinal studies are needed to confirm whether such differences are consistent throughout the pubertal period.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.233-238
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• 2019

This study aimed to assess the skeletal age of skeletal maturational indicator (SMI) and middle phalanx of the middle finger (MP3) stages and to predict the SMI and MP3 stages corresponding to pubertal growth spurt in boys and girls respectively. The skeletal age was assessed from hand-wrist radiographs of 363 children (182 boys, 181 girls) aged 7 to 16 years by radiologists using the Korean standard bone age chart. Also, SMI and MP3 stages were evaluated from the radiographs. From these records, the mean skeletal age of SMI and MP3 stages was calculated. The stages including pubertal growth spurt were SMI 4 - 5, MP3 FG - G stages in boys and SMI 3 - 4, MP3 F - FG stages in girls.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.37 no.1
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• pp.57-64
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• 2010

The purpose of this investigation was to study the relationship between vertical facial pattern and dental maturation in children in pubertal and pre-pubertal periods. The material consisted of lateral head films and panoramic radiographs of 1306 patients. The subjects were selected according to Ricketts's VERT index and other including criteria. These subjects were divided by VERT index to brachyfacial group and dolichofacial group. In each selected subject, dental age was determined according to Demirjian's dental maturity score. All subjects were distributed according to age, vertical facial type and sex, mean and standard deviation of chronological age, dental age and age difference were determined in each group. And the data were analysed to find the difference of tooth maturation by facial pattern. Findings of this study include: 1. In all groups, dental age was determined higher than chronological age in statistically significant level. 2. Compared by vertical facial pattern, in pubertal age groups, it seems that subjects with brachyfacial type presented the tendency to have an advanced dental maturation, only in female group. 3. Compared by pubertal period, brachyfacial groups presented more advanced dental maturation in pubertal groups than pre-pubertal groups.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.519-532
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to make a comparative analysis of dietary habits, snacks, eating out and fast-food intake between students with a relatively early sexual maturity and others with a relatively late sexual maturity in a bid to grasp the impact of dietary behaviors on sexual maturity. The subjects in this study were 565 boys and girls who resided in Seoul and Gyeonggi province. They included fifth- and sixth-grade school children and seventh-grade middle school students. To classify the selected students according to the level of sexual maturity, the students of the same month age were divided into two groups in consideration of the stage of their sexual maturity and that of the other age groups. The early mature group was significantly taller and weighed more than the late mature group irrespective of gender. According to Tanner stages, the boys of the early mature group reached a 3.03 stage of sexual maturity when the sexual organs were taken into account, and those of the late mature group reached a 1.50 stage of sexual maturity. The girls of the early mature group reached a 3.43 stage of sexual maturity on the basis of breast, and those of the late mature group reached a 2.73 stage of sexual maturity. Concerning eating out, the early mature group ate out more frequently than the late mature group. In regard to snacks, the early mature group had a snack more often. The findings of the study indicated that there were differences in physical development and some dietary behaviors according to sexual maturity. The early mature group had a snack and ate out relatively more often than the late mature group, which showed that some dietary behaviors had an impact on the sexual maturity of the teens who arrived at the age of puberty.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.3
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• pp.256-261
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• 2008

Purpose : Leptin and adiponectin are two representative adipocytokines. Leptin increases, but adiponectin decreases, with obesity and insulin resistance. We aimed to study the relationship between the leptin/adiponectin ratio and insulin resistance in healthy children. Methods : Seventy-seven healthy children (36 boys and 41 girls) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed, and the percentage of weight for height (%WFH) was calculated in each subject. Fasting plasma levels of glucose, insulin, leptin, adiponectin, testosterone, estradiol, and sex-hormone binding globulin (SHBG) were measured. The free androgen index (FAI) was used as a representative of testosterone bioactivity. The homeostasis model assessment was used to estimate the degree of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR). Results : In the boys, HOMA-IR was significantly correlated with age, pubertal stage, free androgen index (FAI), leptin, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio. HOMA-IR was also significantly related to age, percentage of weight for height (%WFH), pubertal stage, estradiol, leptin, and the leptin/adiponectin ratio in girls. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, %WFH, and FAI in the boys (P<0.05). The leptin/adiponectin ratio was not independently related to HOMA-IR after adjusting for age, %WFH, and estradiol in girls. Conclusion : In non-obese healthy children, the leptin/adiponectin ratio was significantly correlated with insulin resistance. The leptin/adiponectin ratio was independently related to insulin resistance even after adjusting for age, degree of obesity, and androgen levels in healthy boys.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.147-154
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• 2014

Purpose: Gender differences in paediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) are frequently reported as a secondary outcome and the results are divergent. To assess gender differences by analysing data collected within the Swiss IBD cohort study database since 2008, related to children with IBD, using the Montreal classification for a systematic approach. Methods: Data on gender, age, anthropometrics, disease location at diagnosis, disease behaviour, and therapy of 196 patients, 105 with Crohn's disease (CD) and 91 with ulcerative or indeterminate colitis (UC/IC) were retrieved and analysed. Results: The crude gender ratio (male : female) of patients with CD diagnosed at <10 years of age was 2.57, the adjusted ratio was 2.42, and in patients with UC/IC it was 0.68 and 0.64 respectively. The non-adjusted gender ratio of patients diagnosed at ${\geq}10$ years was 1.58 for CD and 0.88 for UC/IC. Boys with UC/IC diagnosed <10 years of age had a longer diagnostic delay, and in girls diagnosed with UC/IC >10 years a more important use of azathioprine was observed. No other gender difference was found after analysis of age, disease location and behaviour at diagnosis, duration of disease, familial occurrence of IBD, prevalence of extra-intestinal manifestations, complications, and requirement for surgery. Conclusion: CD in children <10 years affects predominantly boys with a sex ratio of 2.57; the impact of sex-hormones on the development of CD in pre-pubertal male patients should be investigated.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.33-44
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• 2011

The influence of nutrition during early life on physical growth as well as mental development has been thoroughly discussed in the literature. The physical dimensions of the body are greatly influenced by nutrition, particularly during the period of rapid growth in early childhood. Nutritional status affects every pediatric patient's response toillness. Good nutrition is important for achieving normal growth and development. It is indicated that permanent impairment of the central nervous system may result from dietary restriction of imbalance during certain periods of life. If children under 3 years of age show a good nutritional status, it may be assumed that they are well nourished. Several common diseases of children such as iron deficiency, chronic constipation and atopic dermatitis are known food related diseases. Patients with chronic illness and those at risk of malnutrition should have detailed nutritional assessments done. Components of a complete nutritional assessment include a medical history, nutritional history including dietary intake, physical examination, anthropometrics (weight, length or stature, head circumference, midarm circumference, and triceps skinfold thickness), pubertal staging, skeletal maturity staging, and biochemical tests of nutritional status. The use of age, gender, and disease-specific growth charts is essential in assessing nutritional status and monitoring nutrition interventions. Nutrition assessment and dietary counseling is helpful for the cure of disease, and moreover, the prevention of illness.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.286-293
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• 2010

Peak bone mass is established predominately during childhood and adolescence. It is an important determinant of future resistance to osteoporosis and fractures to gain bone mass during growth. The issue of low bone density in children and adolescents has recently attracted much attention and the use of pediatric dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA) is increasing. The process of interpretation of pediatric DXA results is different from that of adults because normal bone mineral density (BMD) of children varies by age, body size, pubertal stage, skeletal maturation, sex, and ethnicity. Thus, an appropriate normal BMD Z-score reference value with Z-score should be used to detect and manage low BMD. Z-scores below -2.0 are generally considered a low BMD to pediatrician even though diagnoses of osteoporosis in children and adolescents are usually only made in the presence of at least one fragility fracture. This article will review the basic knowledge and practical guidelines on pediatric DXA based on the International Society for Clinical Densitometry (ISCD) Pediatric Official Positions. Also discussed are the characteristics of normal Korean children and adolescents with respect to BMD development. The objective of this review is to help pediatricians to understand when DXA will be useful and how to interpret pediatric DXA reports in the clinical practice for management of children with the potential to develop osteoporosis in adulthood.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.22 no.3 s.38
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• pp.491-507
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• 1992

Biennial serial cephalometric radiographs of 47 children (26 boys, 21 girls) were used to analyze the craniofacial growth changes in Korean children from 8 years to 16 years of age. A craniofacial model was designed for this study. It consisted of 72 anatomical points and 98 derived points. The craniofacial changes of these samples during these ages might be summarized as follows: 1. Mandibular growth to cranial base was more forward than maxillary growth. 2. Mandibular growth during this period was found to be a forward-upward (bite closing) rotation of the mandible. 3. Growth changes in total mandibular length (Ar-Gn) showed a pubertal growth spurt at 12-14 years of age in boys and 10-12 years of age in girls. Synchrony of the growth spurts on total mandibular length (Ar-Gn) and standing body height was found. 4. The pubertal spurts occured in the growth of total cranial base (Ba-Na) at 10-12 years of age in boys and 8-10 years of age in girls. The time of the spurts of the cranial base growth was 2 years ahead of that of the total mandibular growth. 5. Synchrony of growth spurts in anterior facial height (Na-Me), posterior facial height (S-Go) and body height was found. 6. The whole craniofacial changes during this period were plotted by using a X-Y plotter and personal computer. A simple profilogram for an diagnostic tool was obtained.