• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.8
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• pp.804-811
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• 2008

Purpose : Childhood obesity is a problem that places a child at great risk for becoming an obese adult. To prevent obesity, it is important to focus on early life risk factors that may contribute to childhood obesity. The aim of this study is to find obesity-causing infantile risk factors in preschool children. Methods : A total of 223 children aged 3 to 5 years old from Busan were the subjects of this study. We calculated their body mass index (BMI) and classified them into two groups (normal weight and overweight/obese children). Information regarding parental weight and height, mother's educational level and employment status, birth weight, feeding patterns, start time of weaning, duration of night feeding, and fosterer was obtained by using questionnaires. Results : There were 68 (30.5%) overweight/obese children and 155 (69.5%) normal weight children. Overweight/obese children were significantly associated with formula milk feeding, rapid weight gain during the first 6 months, and maternal obesity (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in paternal obesity, mothers educational level and employment status, birth weight, start time of weaning, duration of night feeding, and fosterer between the normal and overweight/obese children. Conclusion : Although healthy diet and regular exercise will remain the cornerstones of weight management in obese children, our data supports the view that education about maintaining a normal weight could be introduced much earlier in families with high-risk children.

• Journal of Music and Human Behavior
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.29-62
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• 2006

The early development of an infant is crucial due to the enormous impact it has throughout an infant's life. Therefore, it is important to understand the development process of an infant and provide a high-quality educational environment so that an infant can progress at an innate pace to learn how to exercise, understand, speak, socialize, and empathize as well as having a balanced growth. When educating an infant, joy is a substantial factor in the formation of trust and development of relationship that makes education efficient. Music can be an effective means to offer a fun atmosphere vto the infant in which it stimulates active participation of the infant and development of a variety of dimensions to the infant's development. Also, the purpose of music therapy education is utilizes to plan for the different age groups' level of understanding of music and allow the infant to have a positive experience and develop properly. The purposes of this study are as following: to examine characteristics according to an infant' developmental steps thoroughly, to suggest interventions using music therapy education to stimulate development of an infant, to prove that infants age 3 to 6 obtain the necessary ability and skill through the effective educational therapy through music, and finally to create a music program for educating infants or music therapy. This study has examined theories of the music approach targeting infants age 3 to 6 and made character observations of infant' Motor, Cognition, Communication, Socialization, and Emotions. With the basis of the above theory, the different levels of development has been divided, specific goals has been set up according to the levels, and various music therapy education for infants have been created. The music therapy education activity has been approved by five professionals who are renown in their specific field. They made comments that the development levels were properly divided in the paper. They also commented that the music program is adequate for achieving the goal of each developmental level and it stimulates the different levels of an infant's development. In conclusion, the study reflects that the approach of music therapy education stimulates the different levels of infant development. Music therapists can utilize this music program to help handicapped children identify characteristics of progress and develop at their own ability.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.53 no.3
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• pp.300-306
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• 2010

Purpose : Recent changes in the population structure of Korea, such as rapid decline in birth rate and exponential increase in old-aged people, prompted us to prepare a new health improvement program in children and adolescents. Methods : We reviewed current health screenings applied for children and adolescents in Korea and other developed countries. We collected and reviewed population-based data focused on mortality and morbidity, and other health-related statistical data. We generated problem lists in current systems and developed new principles. Results : Current health screening programs for children and adolescents were usually based on laboratory tests, such as blood tests, urinalysis, and radiologic tests. Almost all of these programs lacked evidence based on population data or controlled studies. In most developed countries, laboratory tests are used only very selectively, and they usually focus on primary prevention of diseases and health improvement using anticipatory guidance. In Korea, statistics on mortality and morbidity reveal that diseases related to lifestyle, such as obesity and metabolic syndrome, are increasing in all generations. Conclusion : We recommend a periodic health screening program with anticipatory guidance, which is focused on growth and developmental surveillance in infants and children. We no longer recommend old programs that are based on laboratory and radiologic examinations. School health screening programs should also be changed to meet current health issues, such as developing a healthier lifestyle to minimize risk behaviors—or example, good mental health, balanced nutrition, and more exercise.