• Anxiety and mood
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.24-29
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• 2014

Objectives : This study aimed to investigate the associations between physical disorders and prevalent/incident suicidal ideation in a community dwelling older population aged 65 years or over. Methods : 1204 people aged 65 years or over evaluated at baseline. Suicidal ideation was identified using the questions from the community version of the Geriatric Mental State Schedule ("GMS B3"). Reported physical disorders covering 11 common and generally chronic health problems were ascertained. Covariates included were depression, age, gender, years of education, accommodation status, past occupation, and current occupation. Of 1066 without suicidal ideation at baseline, 805 (76%) were followed 2 years later, and incident suicidal ideation was evaluated. Results : Prevalent suicidal ideation was significantly associated with 4 of 11 physical disorders: eyesight problems, persistent cough, heart disease and paralysis or weakness in one leg or arm. Incident suicidal ideation was associated with 3 physical disorders: asthma, high blood pressure and paralysis or weakness in one leg or arm. Both prevalent and incident suicidal ideation were significantly associated with increased number of physical disorders. Conclusions : Certain physical disorders were comorbid and precipitating factors of suicidal ideation in elders. And appropriate intervention and treatment of physical disorders might prevent suicidal ideation in elderly.

• Journal of Physiology & Pathology in Korean Medicine
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• v.20 no.5
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• pp.1117-1125
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• 2006

A study is made on the chest pain in the perspective of Hyungsang medicine. The following are the conclusions produced by the examination on the clinical cases of chest pain. Excessive atmospheric influences (wind, rain, cold and summer heat) are the exogenous causes of chest pain. The endogenous causes are diet, dwelling, sexual life and emotions. Persons of bird type are attacked by the chest pain because of emotional depressions. Those of running animal type get sick of chest pain when wood checks earth. Those of turtle type are a afflicted with chest pain due to depression and stagnation of Ki. Those of fish type suffer from chest pain when the ministerial fire of the liver and kidney becomes hyperactive. Chest pain is causes by leakage of Jung for the Jung kwa person, by stagnation of Ki for the Ki kwa person, by flaming fire due to deficiency of Yim for the Shin kwa person and Dy failure of water and fire in complementing each other for the Hyul kwa person. Chest pain often occurs to persons with the following characteristics upward nose, Dig eyes, chapped lips, pronounced foot of nose, red or yellow complexion, frowning face and wrinkles on the nasal radix. Among the six meridian types, chest pain is often found in the persons of Yangmyung and Taeum meridians. Women suffer from chest pain more often than men because breast is a center of life to her.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.65-77
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• 2008

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine factors associated with the self-rated health status of the elderly and whether these factors were different from younger adults. Methods: An interview survey was conducted on non-institutionalized adults in Wonju City, Korea. Determinants of self-rated health status were identified and compared between individuals aged 19 to 64 years and those aged 65 years and over, using an ordered logistic regression conducted separately on these two groups. Participants were 1,685 younger adults and 188 elderly people. Self-rated health status was measured along a continuous scale from 0 to 100 (0 for the worst and 100 for the best they could imagine) and then binned into 11 categories. Results: Self-rated health status of the elderly in Wonju was associated with household income, education, bereavement, adequate sleep, daily and social life being affected by poor health status, mobility, and anxiety and depression. Household income, adequate sleep, and participation in social activities were significant only in the elderly, while some factors associated with the self-rated health status of younger adults, such as rural dwelling, regular exercise, living alone, and skipping breakfast were not significant in the elderly. Conclusion: In order to improve the health of the elderly in Wonju City, it would be necessary to develop programs addressing those specific needs of the elderly and to integrate them effectively in the Healthy City projects.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.142-162
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• 2014

Objectives: To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea. Methods: We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups. Results: Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (${\geq}18.5kg/m^2$), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin $B_1$, $B_6$, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake. Conclusions: These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.35-47
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• 2024

Objective : This study aimed to investigate the association between lifestyle factors and risk of frailty and depressive symptoms among older South Korean adults. Methods : This study included 10,072 individuals aged 65 or older from the 2017 National Survey of Older Koreans, a cohort of community-dwelling older South Koreans. The following lifestyle factors were assessed: physical activity, nutrition management (NM), and leisure/social activity participation (AP). Frailty was measured using the frail scale and depressive symptoms were measured using the Geriatric Depression Scale. Logistic regression analyses were performed to determine the odds ratios. Results : All lifestyle factors were associated with the risk of frailty and depressive symptoms in the study population. Regular exercise (≥3 times/wk, odds ratio [OR] = 0.59, 95% confidence interval [95% CI] = 0.52~0.91; OR = 0.66, 95% CI = 0.59~0.75), active NM (OR = 0.86, 95% CI = 0.80~0.91; OR = 0.81, 95% CI = 0.76~0.86), leisure AP (OR = 0.79, 95% CI = 0.74~0.84; OR = 0.71, 95% CI = 0.66~0.77) and social AP (OR = 0.92, 95% CI = 0.88~0.96; OR = 0.82, 95% CI = 0.78~0.87) were correlated with lower odds ratios of frailty and depressive symptoms. Conclusion : Adopting a healthier lifestyle characterized by regular exercise, balanced nutrition, and active engagement in various activities can effectively reduce the risk of frailty and depressive symptoms among the older population. Ultimately, this study emphasized the essential role of lifestyle choices in promoting the physical and mental well-being of older adults.