• Title/Summary/Keyword: Health Surveys

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Persistent Organic Pollution and Arsenic Contamination in Asia Pacific Water: Case Study of Emerging Environmental Problems in Vietnam

  • Pham, Viet.H.
    • Journal of Wetlands Research
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    • v.9 no.1
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    • pp.79-89
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    • 2007
  • This paper provides a comprehensive overview of the present status of several environmental problems caused by emerging toxic substances such as persistent organic pollutants (POPs), endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), and arsenic in various environmental media in Vietnam. Monitoring data reported during the 1990s demonstrated elevated contamination of DDTs in most of these compartments in Vietnam. Studies in frame of the Asia-Pacific Mussel Watch Program revealed that fish, mussels and resident birds from Vietnam contained higher concentrations of DDTs as compared to other countries in region, suggesting the role of Vietnamese environment as a significant emission source of DDT in the Southeast Asian region. The estimated dietary intakes of PCBs and DDTs for Vietnamese were relatively high among Asian developing countries, suggesting potential risk for humans posed by thesechemicals. Widespread contamination of some endocrine active compounds such as alkylphenols and phthalates was observed at various sites along the coasts of northern and middle Vietnam. The presence of significant source of bisphenol-A along Red River estuary was revealed with the concentrations comparable to those reported for developed nations. A case study on seasonal variation of alkylphenols and phthalates in surface water of river delta and estuary of north and middle Vietnam indicated the differences in distribution of these compounds between dry and rainy seasons. Higher concentrations of alkylphenols and phthalates were found in dry season in estuary; while the contrasting pattern was observed in the river delta, showing elevated residues in rainy season. This result suggests the different behavior of alkylphenols and phthalates in river delta and coastal environment. From ecotoxicological perspectives, concentrations of bis-phenol A and di(2-ethylhexyl)phthalates [DEHP] in surface water from some locations in Vietnam exceeded the guideline values for Ecotoxicological Effects and the Environmental Risk Limit, respectively, suggesting potential for toxic implications on aquatic wildlife. Widespread and elevated arsenic contamination was discovered inour recent surveys in groundwater in a large area of suburban areas of Hanoi city, the capital of Vietnam. The most recent investigation in 4 villages showed about more than 50 % of groundwater samples contained As concentrations exceeding 50 g/L (the WHO and Vietnamese standard). In particular, in Son Dong villages, 58 % of samples analyzed contained As concentrations higher than 200 g/L. Good correlations were found in As concentrations in water and hair and urine of peoples in corresponding families, suggesting the chronic exposure to As by people living in As-contaminated ground water areas. In Son Dong village, As levels in hair (mean: 1.7 mg/kg dry wt) and urine (g/g creatinine) exceeding the reference values recommended by WHO, suggesting potential for human risk posed by long term accumulation of As in human body. Future studies should be focused on the time trends of POPs and EDCs in biota in Vietnam in order to predict future trend of contamination and to reveal new clues for understanding possible toxic impacts on aquatic organisms. The issues of arsenic contamination in groundwater and their chronic toxic implications on human health should be systematically investigated in the future.

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What Makes Husband and Wife Satisfied with their Marriages : A Comparative Analysis of Korea and Japan (한일 부부의 결혼만족도 비교)

  • Chung, Ki-Seon;Kamo, Yoshinori;Yi, Ji-Hye
    • Korea journal of population studies
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    • v.33 no.1
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    • pp.133-160
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    • 2010
  • This study aims to analyze marital satisfaction over the family life course and to find its determinants in Korea and Japan. The data for this study came from nationwide representative sample surveys on family in these two countries including 5,308 Korean and 4,920 Japanese men and women living with their spouses. In order to see the cultural difference and similarity in marital relations, the effects of education, income, employment, marriage gradients (normative patterns between the spouses), family stress, and quality of conjugal interactions on Korean and Japanese couples' marital satisfaction were examined. It was found that the marital satisfaction showed a U-shape pattern for both Korean and Japanese couples. In both countries husbands tend to have higher marital satisfaction than wives over the entire life course. The most important determinants of Korean and Japanese couples' marital satisfaction are good qualities of conjugal interactions including deep trust and concerns for spouse and sex life satisfaction. For Korean couples good conjugal interactions is better predictor of marital satisfaction than sex life, while for Japanese couples sex life is more important determinant of marital satisfaction.

A Study on Home Accidents of Preschool Children (from 1 to 6) in Korea and Prevention Measures (영유소아기 가정사고의 원인과 예방에 관한 연구)

  • 변수자
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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    • v.4 no.1
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    • pp.107-120
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    • 1974
  • Necessity and purpose of this study: In a large number of countries it has been founded that children′s domestic accidents are at great risk year by year In the United States, they publish detailed accident statistics at regular intervals. In Korea. there have been just a few studies on Accidents-At-Home of preschool children. But it can not be said that there have been any systematic statistics about this area. and any study accounting for the relations of home accidents and preschool: children in detail, Therefore, the purpose of this thesis was focused on the inquire of these relations so as to make a little contribution to Korean preschool children′s health and security measures. So, the detail-purposes are to study following questions and to testify following hypothesis. Prob. 1. What the types of accidents of Preschool children, where the place accidents occurred\ulcorner Prob. 2. What the cause of accidents and, the main factors of the cause\ulcorner Prob. 3. How about the number of their children. the disparity of age among their children and mother′s age in each case of accidents\ulcorner hypothesis 1. There will be differences in the density of protection of parents according to the number of their children. hypothesis 2, There will be differences in accident-types and first-aid methods according to parents socio-economic background. Method; This study employed the interviewing survey method, in which 130 preschool children ware random.sampled, who visit hospital to have medical care. These children (from 1 to 6 years olds) were selected at the emergency room of five hospitals in Seoul (Hosp: Severance, Woosok, Medical Center, Hanyang Medical College Hospital and Seoul Medical Col1age Hospital during study-period (from Aug. to Oct, 1973). Four head nurses in above Hospitals were employed as accident members for this study. Concerning research analysis, the method of hypothesis verifying is used. Conclusion: As two American experts on this subject. Dr, Raymond Neuter and Mr. Ross Mc Garland have drawn attention to "minor epidemics of accidents" that could be avoided by fairly simple measures. preschool children′s accidents could be avoided by parents fair attentions. In other words, one of the most common causes of preschool children′s accidents derived from their parent′s inattention. Therefore, one important task on this subject is to instruct the parents fairly about the children′s accidents. Many accidents could be avoided by the exorcist of a little self-discipline. Also, as much the prevention of accidents is important, as the first-aid Is Important and necessary at the case of the accidents. So, the methods of proper first-aid treatment must be emphasized, and must be taught in school, especially in girls school. And there could be other means available for prevention of accidents. Firstly, the public authorities can take legal measures. More stringent safety standards can be made enforceable by law. Building materials and equipment for domestic us: ought to meat minimum safety criteria at all times. Next the public itself has to understand the seriousness of the problem, and here the dissemination of information is of great importance. All mass media should be brought into play to promote greater public awareness of the question. At last, it will be needed to obtain more detailed epidemiological data through additional surveys and statistics after this study.

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A Study on Selection Attributes and Information Sources of Optical Shop (안경원 선택속성과 정보원천에 관한 연구)

  • Cha, Jung-Won
    • Journal of Korean Ophthalmic Optics Society
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    • v.21 no.3
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    • pp.173-179
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    • 2016
  • Purpose: This study is to help assist in the management of optical shops by using the importance sequence of optical shop selection attributes, which is related to the consumer's selection method of consumer, and by using the importance sequence of optical shop information sources which is related to a route for optical shop selection. Methods: Customer surveys were conducted from March 10 to March 31, 2015 targeting customers who have visited an optical shop in Seoul and Northern Gyeonggi-do regions. The analys method was descriptive statistics and data were analyzed by utilizing SPSS v.10.0 statistical package program. Results: The highest ranking five attributes among the importance of optical shop selection are "friendliness and politeness of staff", "cleanliness of an optical shop", "quick resolution of customer's complaints by staff", "eyes examination and glasses dispensing skill of staff", "customer's complaints and claims handling". The lowest ranking five attributes among the importance of optical shop selection are "provide free gifts", "scale or size of an optical shop", "opening time and closing time", "convenient parking facilities", "favorable countenance of staff". The two highestr ranking criteria among the importance of optical shop information sources are "previous utilization experience", "recommendation by a relative, a friend and a family etc". The two lowest ranking criteria among the importance of optical shop information sources are "advertisement" and "spatial exterior view of optical shop". Conclusions: It is shown that the important thing in management of an optical shop is an inner caliber like ability of ophthalmic optician, interaction with customers, and previous utilization experience rather than external factors like advertisement, exterior view, and bonus gift.

Mortality of Major Cancers in Guangxi, China: Sex, Age and Geographical Differences from 1971 and 2005

  • Deng, Wei;Long, Long;Li, Ji-Lin;Zheng, Dan;Yu, Jia-Hua;Zhang, Chun-Yan;Li, Ke-Zhi;Liu, Hai-Zhou;Huang, Tian-Ren
    • Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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    • v.15 no.4
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    • pp.1567-1574
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    • 2014
  • The incidence and mortality rates of liver and nasopharyngeal cancer in Guangxi province of China have always been among the highest in the world, and cancer is one of the major diseases that pose a threat to the health of residents in Guangxi. However, no systematic study has been performed to evaluate the time trends in the structure of cancer-related deaths and cancer mortality. In this study, we reveal sex, age and geography differences of cancers mortality between three death surveys (1971 to 1973, 1990 to 1992, and 2004 to 2005). The results show that the standardized mortality rate of cancer in Guangxi residents has risen from 43.3/100,000 to 84.2/100,000, the share of cancer deaths in all-cause deaths has increased from 13.3% to 20.7%, and cancer has become the second most common cause of death. The five major cancers, liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and colorectal cancer, account for 60% of all the cancer deaths. Cancers with growing mortality rates over the past 30 years include lung cancer, colorectal cancer, liver cancer and female breast cancer, of which lung cancer is associated with the sharpest rise in mortality, with a more than 600% rise in both men and women. Cancer death in Guangxi residents occurs mainly in the elderly population above 45 years of age, especially in people over the age of 65. The areas with the highest mortality rates for liver cancer and nasopharyngeal cancer, which feature regional high incidences, include Chongzuo and Wuzhou. Therefore, for major cancers such as liver cancer, lung cancer, gastric cancer, nasopharyngeal cancer and female breast cancer in Guangxi, we can select high-risk age groups as the target population for cancer prevention and control efforts in high-prevalence areas in a bid to achieve the ultimate goal of lowering cancer mortality in Guangxi.

A Subjectivity Study on the Meaning of Aging for Elders (노인의 의미에 대한 주관성 연구)

  • Lee Keum-Jae;Park In-Sook;Kim Boon-Han
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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    • v.7 no.2
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    • pp.271-286
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    • 2000
  • This study is designed to investigate what elders think about the meaning of aging. We have used Q-methods to identify meaning of aging from elders, and developed self-referenced surveys to analyze characteristics In this study, we used a non-structured method to select Q sampling. From 183 Q populations, we selected 36 Q sampling. A total of 32 persons sixty-years or older were randomly selected for P samples, When the Q-sorting was complete, we interviewed the participants at both end of the extremes(agree or disagree), and documented their responses. We used PC QUANL to process the data and used principal component analysis for Q factor analysis. There were five subjective types for the meaning of aging by elders. Of the 32 P-samples of elders, 11 were identified as Type 1, 7 as Type 2, 2 as Type 3, 8 as Type 4, and 4 as Type 5. Type 1 : 'Matured elders' Elders wished the well being of their children, thought older persons should maintain good health, worried about becoming senile, and dependent God believing in life after death. Type 2 : 'Assertive-Rights' Elders categorized as Assertive-Rights insisted on their rights to life as a person. Type 2 elders characterized themselves as people who should keep themselves healthy, become weak and lack sexual desires, act selfish like a child, need to be protected, and be financially independent. Type 3 : 'Passive-Dependents' Elders characterize themselves as those who pray for their children's well being, worry about the children even after their death. and becoming senile. Type 4 : 'Hopeless' The 'Hopeless' type of elders characterized aging as a time to pray for their children, insignificant beings, thoughts were selfish and child-like, poor, worried about going senile, regret their life overall, and preferred to die than to live as an old person. Type 5 : 'Attached-Present' The 'Attached-Present' type of elders thought elderly characterized themselves as acting selfish and child-like, wiser, anxious, regret their life, stand aloof of greed and worldly things, being a model for the society, and deserving to be treated with filial respect. Thus far, Korean elders seemed to have a positive and negative meaning of aging due to the current changes in the society, value system, and family structures. The above five subjective meanings of aging confirm that we need to approach and nurse the elderly differently. Years of aging are a part of and a natural process of life with various physical, psychological, and sociological changes. Nurses need to assist elderly to find the positive meaning of their life by providing appropriate physical, psychological, and social support at an earlier stage in nursing. Based on this study, we could derive the following two implication from the perspectives of science of nursing to care for elders. 1) Based on the studies investigating the type of meaning of aging, we could develop tools to assist in nursing intervention programs for elderly. 2) Based on research on the meaning of aging for different developmental stages of life, we could develop a model for roles for different family members in nursing and caring for the elders.

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The Research Trends in Fundamental Nursing - Based on the Analysis of Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamental Nursing - (기본간호학 연구동향 - 기본간호학회지 논문분석을 기반으로 -)

  • Jeong Ihn-Sook;Kang Kyu-Sook;Kim Kyung-Hee;Kim Keum-Soon;Kim Won-Ock;Byun Young-Soon;Sohng Kyeong-Yae;Son Yeong-Hee;Yang Sun-Hee;Jo Hyun-Sook
    • Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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    • v.8 no.2
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    • pp.132-146
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    • 2001
  • Purpose: This study was to analyze the trends and content of all the research (171 research papers) published in the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing from 1994, when it began to 2000 using an objective tool developed by the researches, and to identify the direction for the future research in Fundamentals of Nursing. Method: Research published in the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing from 1994 were reviewed. Result: Most of research (94.2%) was non-degree based and funded research was very limited. The average number of researchers per research study was 2.2 and collaborative research has been gradually increasing. The total number of key words was 331 and the average was 2.6 per research. The major key words were not different from other nursing departments and included home care nursing (10 times), health promotion (8 times), self-care (7 times). self-efficacy (7 times), and homo-dialysis (6 times). Eighty seven percent of the research was quantitative research. and there were very few qualitative studies. Considering theory level, it was found that 40% were factor related research For study design, non-experimental studies were most frequent (66%), and the rate, especially of surveys, has remarkably decreased. Selection of subjects by convenience sampling, was most frequent and there were very few studies that provided the rationale for the calculation of sample size. The major subjects of study were patients (44.8%) with various diagnoses. The subjects usually gave oral consent to take part in that study. Giving information (46.9%) and exercise (26.5%) were common nursing interventions, and physiological indices (16.5%). vital signs (10.3%), physical functioning (8.2%), level of knowledge/skill (7.2%) and level of activity (6.2%) were frequently measured as outcome. Variables questionnaires were the major approach used to collect data, and 57.8% of the research provided the Cronbach alpha to guarantee internal consistency of study instruments. Data were analyzed with computerized statistical packages using, ANOVA (42.0%), T test(39.5%), and chi-square test. For the last seven years, nursing research in Fundamentals of Nursing has gradually improved in both quantify and quality. Conclusion: It was difficult to find any uniqueness or difference compared to other departments of nursing. In fact, because the history of the Journal of Fundamentals of Nursing is rather short, we can expect that there will be further improvement in qualify and content in the future.

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Environment, Competence, and Strategy Effects on the Export Performance of Regional SMEs (지역 중소기업의 환경, 역량, 전략이 수출성과에 미치는 영향)

  • Kim, Seung-Ho;Huh, Moo-Yul
    • Journal of Distribution Science
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    • v.13 no.3
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    • pp.61-67
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    • 2015
  • Purpose - Exports have long been regarded as significant drivers of sustainable competitive advantage and growth among small and medium enterprises (SMEs). The export activities of SMEs are particularly important in the context of export-oriented economies such as Korea. Although many studies have examined the determinants of exports, it is difficult to find empirical studies about the determinants of the export performance of regional SMEs. This study investigates the determinants of export performance in the regional SME context based on an integrated approach that combines the environment factor of industrial organization theory, competitive strategy theory, and the competences of the resource-based view. Research design, data, and methodology - To empirically analyze the determinants of export performance in the regional SMEs, data were collected from firms in the Daegu metropolitan area. Data were collected directly through questionnaire surveys; in addition, secondary financial data were also taken from the KIS-VALUE database. Out of the 175 responses that were received, 143 were considered to be worth examining. After testing the reliability and validity of the variables through multiple items such as environmental turbulence and competitive strategy, hypotheses were verified by using five multi-regression models. These models were: a control model with organizational size and age, an environmental model with technology and market turbulence, a competency model with R&D and foreign distribution channels, a strategy model with product and market differentiation, and an integrated model including all of these variables. Results - First, as a control variable, the organization size has significant positive effects on export performance. Second, technology turbulence based on industrial organization theory has significant positive effects on export performance, but market turbulence does not affect export performance. Third, the foreign market distribution competency of the resource-based view has strong positive effects on export performance, but the R&D competency does not affect export performance. Fourth, the product differentiation strategy from competitive strategy theory positively impacts export performance, but market differentiation does not affect export performance. Finally, in the integrated model, only the foreign distribution competency of the resource-based view has a significant effect on export performance. Conclusions - The empirical results of this study verified the usefulness of the rationales behind the three theories to explain the export performance of the regional SMEs, especially the importance of the foreign market distribution competency from the resource-based view. With regard to practical considerations, this study's implications suggest that the use of technological environmental changes by industries is better than the use of market changes. Further, the use of the product differentiation strategy is more effective than the use of the market-driving strategy, and the distribution channel competency plays a stronger role than the technology-oriented competency with regard to the export performance position of regional SMEs. Future studies should examine relational perspectives, such as trust among channel partners. Therefore, the configuration approach is more useful in enhancing pragmatism by comparing high- and low-export companies.

Riboflavin in milk and milk products and the destructive effect of sunlight (우유(牛乳)와 유제품(乳製品)의 Riboflavin 함량(含量) 및 일광(日光) 노출시의 파괴율에 관한 연구)

  • Paik, Jeong-Ja;Kim, Harriet
    • Journal of Nutrition and Health
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    • v.9 no.2
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    • pp.54-58
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    • 1976
  • Inadequacy of riboflavin intake among Koreans had been pointed out repeatedly in most dietary and nutritional surveys in Korea. The consumption rate of dairy products has been increasing markedly in recent years. Milk and milk products are known to be a good source of the vitamin which can easily be destroyed by the sunlight. Total riboflavin content of the pasteurized and homogenized milk, both plain and flavored, and the milk products were measured by the Lumiflavin method. It ranged from $62.4{\mu}g$ riboflavin per 100g of homogenized milk to $195.9{\mu}g$ for vanilla flavored ice cream. In general milk products in the form of cream contained about three times as much riboflavin as plain milk. The rates of destruction of riboflavin in chocolate milk and white milk in clear glass bottle and in polyethylene pack were different when measured in 30 min intervals after exposure to bright sunlight for two hours. In the case of the plain milk, the riboflavin content decreased rapidly and remained only about a quarter of the initial value within an hour of the exposure period. The destruction rate slowed down after the first hour of the exposure and resulted about 90% destruction of riboflavin in two hours. The chocolate milk however exhibited a protective effects of the riboflavin from the sunlight. It retained 65% of the initial riboflavin after an hour of the exposure to sun and 55% ofter two hours. Two most widely used milk containers, clear glass bottle and polyethylene pack were about equally affected by the sunlight.

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The Study on Life Style, Weight Control Reality and Tongue Diagnosis according to Body Mass Index in Adolescent Girls in Jeonju (전주지역 여고생의 체질량 지수에 따른 생활습관, 체중관리 실태 및 한방 설진(舌診)에 관한 연구)

  • Min, Deul-Le;Kim, Mi-Ki;Lee, Hyun-Ki;Park, Eun-Jung
    • The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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    • v.25 no.2
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    • pp.73-87
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    • 2011
  • Objectives: This study is to investigate life style and weight control based on the body mass index, and tongue diagnosis in adolescent girls. Help controling unnecessary weight and establishing proper understanding of desirable body images and healthy life for adolescents are expected. Methods: The questionnaire surveys and physical examinations were conducted to examine the life style, weight-control behaviors, and the health status of 173 adolescent girls in Jeonju. Among the students surveyed, 162 answered seriously and were accepted as subjects for the study. Results: 1. The mean height was 160.4 cm and weight was 54.21 kg. The mean BMI of the girls was 21.1 kg/m2, which is normal. The percentages of the normal weight group (71.6%), overweight group (16.7%), obesity group (9.9%), underweight group (1.9%) were shown respectively. 2. The oriental medicine doctor examined the tongue diagnosis. The thin and white tongue fur was the most common (20.7%). This diagnosis showed no statistical significance to BMI. 3. The ideal height for the girls was 165 cm, and the ideal weight was 49 kg. 4. A considerable number of girls (50.6%) thought that a thin body figure was the most beautiful body shape for the women. 5. Even though the percentages of an actual overweight or obese group were 26.6%, 42.0% of the girls thought that they were plump. 6. 94.83% of the normal weight group concerned about the weight regulation. 7. Many girls were dissatisfied with their own body shape, and 86.9% of girls regarded being in a shape was important. 70.69% of the normal weight group answered that they were under stress of their body shapes. Conclusions: The findings of this study demonstrate that there are serious misconceptions on body shapes of the adolescent girls, and mostly, unnecessary and inadequate weight control behaviors were done. Therefore, establishing adequately education on their desirable body images and healthy life is needed for the adolescent girls. In this study, there is no significant relationship between BMI and tongue diagnosis. For the number of subjects is not enough, further study on the relationship between the two is expected.