• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.44 no.5
• /
• pp.226-233
• /
• 2011

Objectives: Being overweight or obese is central to metabolic syndrome, and these characteristics constitute dominant risk factors for chronic diseases. Although behavioral factors, including eating habits and sedentary lifestyles, are considered to be determinants of obesity, the specific childhood factors that contribute to this condition have not been clearly defined. Methods: The subjects consisted of 261 children aged 7- 9 years who were recruited from an elementary school during October 2003. Information was obtained from their parents using a questionnaire focused on eating behaviors and lifestyle factors, additional data were also collected via anthropometric measurements and biochemical examinations, including blood tests. Results: A total of 48 (18.4%) of the 261 children were overweight, and 34 (70.8%) had at least one other component of metabolic syndrome. Eating behaviors emerged as significant lifestyle-related risk factors for being overweight or obese. Those who engaged in overeating more than twice per week had three times the risk of being overweight (odds ratio [OR], 3.10, 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.39 to 6.92), and those who ate rapidly had three times the risk of being overweight (OR, 3.28; 95% CI, 1.68 to 6.41). Those who had fewer family meals (fewer than 2?3/month) had a nine times higher risk of being overweight than those who had family meals more frequently (at least 1/day) (OR, 9.51; 95% CI, 1.21 to 74.82). Conclusions: This study showed that being overweight or obese during preadolescence is associated with a higher risk of metabolic syndrome and is related to unhealthy eating behaviors. Thus, weight-control strategies and healthy eating behaviors should be developed early in life to reduce the risk for metabolic syndrome.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.57 no.12
• /
• pp.520-525
• /
• 2014

Purpose: Childhood obesity is an increasing public health issue worldwide. We examined dietary patterns among adolescents in a dormitory school, identified obese adolescents and tried to intervene to improve food habits and physical activity. Methods: We conducted an experimental prospective longitudinal study based on 36 obese (body mass index $[BMI]{\geq}95th$ percentile) adolescents (aged 12-18 years) compared with controls (healthy children: normal age-appropriate BMI ($BMI{\leq}85th$ percentile). Six months' intervention included lifestyle-modification counseling (once a week by a clinical dietician), and an exercise regimen twice a week, 60 minutes each time, instructed by a professional pediatric trainer). Both groups underwent baseline measurements at the beginning of the study and 6 months later (arterial stiffness, blood pressure, pulse, weight and height, hemoglobin, creatinine, liver enzymes, highly sensitive C-reactive protein and complete lipid profile). Results: Twenty-one participants completed the study. Low compliance from participants, school staff and parents was observed (participation in planned meetings; 71%-83%). BMI significantly decreased from $32.46{\pm}3.93kg/m^2$ to $30.32{\pm}3.4kg/m^2$ (P=0.002) in the study group. Arterial stiffness was not significantly different between the 2 groups and did not change significantly after 6 months' intervention (P=0.494). No significant changes in CRP and lipid profile were observed after the intervention. Conclusion: Making lifestyle modifications among adolescents in a dormitory school is a complex task. Active intervention indeed ameliorates BMI parameters. However, in order to maximize the beneficial effects, a multidisciplinary well-trained team is needed, with emphasis on integrating parents and the school environment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.13 no.8
• /
• pp.4017-4023
• /
• 2012

Background and Aim: Polymorphisms in methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) are known to be associated with predisposition for certain cancers. This study aimed to evaluate the effects of lifestyle factors, family history and genetic polymorphisms in MTHFR C677T and A1298C on rectal cancer risk and possible interactions with lifestyle factors in Northeast Thailand. Methods: A hospital-based case-control study was conducted during 2002-2006 with recruitment of 112 rectal cancer cases and 242 non-rectal cancer patient controls. Information was collected using a structured-questionnaire. Blood samples were obtained for assay of MTHFR C677T and A1298C genotypes by polymerase chain reaction with restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) techniques. Associations between lifestyle factors, family history and genetic polymorphisms v.s. rectal cancer risk were assessed using logistic regression analysis. Results: Subjects with frequent and occasional constipation had a higher risk ($OR_{adj.}$=14.64; 95%CI=4.28-50.04 and $OR_{adj.}$=2.15; 95%CI=1.14-4.06), along with those who reported ever having hemorrhoids ($OR_{adj.}$=2.82; 95%CI=1.36-5.84) or a family history of cancer ($OR_{adj.}$=1.90; 95%CI=1.06-3.39). Consumption of a high level of pork was also associated with risk ($OR_{adj.}$=1.82; 95%CI=1.05-3.15). Interactions were not observed between MTHFR and other risk factors. Conclusions: This study suggested that the risk factors for rectal cancer in the Thai population are bowel habits, having had hemorrhoids, a family history of cancer and pork consumption.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.24 no.2
• /
• pp.137-151
• /
• 2019

Objectives: The rapidly changing dietary environment requires a study that addresses the status of middle and high school students regarding their consumption of convenience food sold at convenience stores. Methods: This study examined adolescents' lifestyle patterns, dietary habits, and status of consuming convenience food at convenience stores. A total of 659 students (329 middle school students and 330 high school students) in Incheon participated in this questionnaire survey. Results: The mean age of the subjects was 13.7 years for the middle school students, and 16.6 years for the high school students. The gender and grade distributions in the middle and high school students were similar. The middle school students reported that they spent more time using electronic devices (p<0.001) or watching TV (p<0.001) than high school students. More than 60% of middle and high school students consumed convenience food at convenience stores without statistical difference between the two groups. The main reason for consuming convenience food from convenience stores was its convenience followed by taste in both groups. Despite the high frequency of consuming convenience food, the students rarely checked the nutrition labels at the time of purchase. On the other hand, they were still most concerned about the nutritional value of the convenience foods when they consumed convenience foods. The most frequently consumed convenience food was ramyon in both groups. Significant positive correlations were observed between the frequency of consuming convenience food at convenience stores and lifestyle factors for the middle school students, including monthly allowance, time for using electronic devices, and number of private lessons. For the high school students, however, the only monthly allowance had a significant positive correlation with the consumption. Conclusions: Adolescents are increasingly exposed to convenience foods and relevant nutritional issues are a concern. Therefore, a dietary environment that is adequately formed for the healthy development of youth as well as systematic nutrient education that is appropriately designed for both middle and high school students is required.

• Journal of the Korea Society of Computer and Information
• /
• v.27 no.12
• /
• pp.259-266
• /
• 2022

In this paper, we propose a study is to prepare basic data for integrated health promotion education by preventing dry mouth and dry eyes through lifestyle management. From October 7 to 17, 2022, a total of 516 respondents who voluntarily agreed and responded through a self-written structured questionnaire were statistically analyzed for university students in their 20s across the country. As for the factor of feeling dry mouth among the living habits of the study subjects, the more smoking per day, the higher(8.41±2.041) and very high(7.75±2.927) felt dry mouth(p=.015), and the time spent using smart phones. The shorter this was, the lower(1.16±0.784) and very low(1.83±1.672) felt dry mouth(p=.022). The main factors contributing to dry mouth and dry eyes were dry eyes (odds ratio 3.651, p=.000), and high smoking(odds ratio 0.916, p=.038), and the more you use your smart phone (odds ratio 0.256, p=.004), the more you feel dry mouth. When feeling dry eyes, they felt dry mouth more(odds ratio 4.002, p=.000), and the more they exercised, the more dry eyes they felt(odds ratio 1.600, p=.009). As a result, since dry mouth and dry eyes appear as common inconveniences, it was found that lifestyle management is necessary to maintain and promote a healthy life. Therefore, it is proposed to build an integrated health platform that can improve the quality of life and implement personalized health management programs.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.426-439
• /
• 2007

The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness and practice on well-being life and well-being related behaviors, and the various factors affecting well-being related behaviors such as purchasing food materials, food habits, eating out and daily routine activities. A survey was conducted by questionnaire and on a 5-point Likert scale. The subjects of this study were composed of 221 students and their 102 parents who were over 40 years residing in the Ulsan area. The results of this study are summarized as follows: Almost half of the subjects (47.4%) responded that they have good health conditions; to keep a good health condition, 41.2% of the subjects were exercising regularly and 20.4% of them kept diet control. In regard to the meaning of well-being, 66.6% of the subjects thought it is the lifestyle for physical and mental richness (children: 70.6%, parents: 57.8%). 30.3% of the subjects answered that the most important part of well-being was food related. The importance order was mental richness, food related things, physical health for children, and for the parents, it was food related things, physical health, mental richness. Most of population (45.8%) answered that they have a willingness for the pursuit of a well-being life. Among the well-being related behaviors, 69.7% of subjects have purchased items (children: 61.5%, parents: 87.3%). 37.2% of the subjects have acquired information from TV. The average well-being practice score was $61.01{\pm}10.36$. Children's scores were significantly lower than the parent's scores (p < 0.001). And the average practice score of 'purchasing food materials,' 'eating out,' 'food habits,' 'daily routine activities' were $15.3{\pm}3.3,\;15.5{\pm}3.1,\;16.8{\pm}3.3$ and $13.4{\pm}3.5$, respectively. Among five types of purchasing food materials, 'purchasing domestic agricultural food' was greatest ($3.64{\pm}0.91$) and 'purchasing of organic or low agricultural chemical food products' was lowest ($3.15{\pm}0.91$). In regard to food habits, 'eating rice and bread made of mixed grains' was greatest ($3.46{\pm}1.12$) and 'eating uncooked food or zen food' was lowest ($2.46{\pm}0.99$). The practice scores were significantly affected by gender (p < 0.05), monthly income (p < 0.01), educational level (p < 0.01), presence of disease (p < 0.05), subjective health condition (p < 0.05), well-being awareness (p < 0.001) and concern with well-being (p < 0.001). Well-being awareness scores and well-being practice scores are related positively. Therefore various programs in well-being education should be necessary in order to boost the authentic perceptions of well-being and well-being oriented behaviors in any socioeconomic situation, such as different generations; industrial companies producing well-being goods for consumer's needs and satisfaction; and government and local community create various conditions for well-being oriented behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.42 no.5
• /
• pp.705-712
• /
• 2013

Epidemiologic research has suggested that frequent eating out may be associated with poor dietary habits, including high-calorie and inadequate nutrient intakes. Limited studies, however, have evaluated dietary behaviors with patterns of eating out in South Korea. The aims of this study were to examine the associations between nutrient intakes, adherence to dietary guidelines, and frequencies of eating out among Korean adults. Data were analyzed from adult (30 to 64 years old) participants of the 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=10,223). Nutrient intake levels were assessed by the 24-hour recall method. The dietary score (DS-ADGK) was calculated based on the adherence to dietary guidelines for Koreans. Subjects who frequently consumed meals outside the home tended to be younger, male, urban-dwelling, highly educated, and receiving a higher income. The frequency of eating out was positively associated with the higher intake of most nutrients, except carbohydrates and crude fiber. Regular breakfast habits seem to be associated with the frequency of meals outside the home for women; younger women who frequently eat out tended to have irregular breakfast eating habits, but this association is attenuated with increasing age. The mean DS-ADGK differed by sex, age, and the frequency of eating out; older participants scored higher than the younger ones, women had higher scores than men, and those who frequently eat out had lower scores than their counterparts. In addition, the adherence score for each component of the dietary guidelines was also significantly different by age and sex. The consideration of demographic characteristics related to frequent eating out and other barriers to healthful eating, as well as essential and practical interventions, are needed to promote positive dietary behavioral changes in Korea.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.489-498
• /
• 2008

This study was carried out to identify bone mineral density(BMD), body composition, lifestyle and dietary habits of young women by physical measurement and questionnaires. The study subjects, 190 young women living in Seoul, were divided into three age groups: $20{\sim}24$ years(93), $25{\sim}29$ years(44) and $30{\sim}39$ years(53). There was no significant difference in mean body muscle mass, protein, mineral, body fat and BMI among the three age groups. The rate of low weight(18%) in 20 years group was higher that of the 30 years(11.3%). The mean BMD and T-score were $0.44g/cm^2$ and -0.66. BMD and T-score of the forearm bone were significantly higher in the $30{\sim}39$ years group. But BMD and T-score of calcanues were not significantly different among the three age groups. The rate of normal, osteopenia and osteoporosis subjects by BMD were 60.5%, 38.4%, 1.1%, respectively. The rate of osteopenia in $20{\sim}24$ years group was significantly higher than the other age groups. The rate of meal irregularity was significantly higher in $20{\sim}24$ years group. The rate of women who walk and are exposed to sunlight more than 1hr per day were significantly higher in $20{\sim}24$ years group than the others. However, the score of food behaviors is significantly higher(bad) in $20{\sim}24$ years group than the others. The relationship between BMD and frequency of food intake showed significant differences in beans, broom, seaweed and rice wine. In conclusion, the risk rate of BMD was very high, 40% of the subjects, and the risk rate of BMD was higher in 20 years group than 30 years group, and the rate of low weight in 20 years group was higher than in 30 years group. The food habits and behaviors were not healthy enough. Therefore, nutrition education is needed for bone health.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
• /
• v.31 no.3
• /
• pp.83-95
• /
• 2014

Objectives: This study was to examine the experts perception on the operation of the national health promotion fund and related policies, and to obtain the perspective on the improving governance of the fund. Methods: Experts opinion survey was recruited 120 experts who were public health officials, and members of board in academic societies related to health promotion and health policy, and 60 experts participated in the survey. Results: Most health care experts agreed that the current allocation of health promotion fund was not optimal with its lack of allocation on promoting healthy lifestyle and R&D for health promotion, while the majority of the fund was being spent on supporting national health insurance. Thus, establishing governance system and control tower for the fund was viewed as critical. Also the status of deliberation committee should be raised to higher position where it can hold practical authority to plan and evaluate fund spending. Conclusions: The priority of health promotion fund spending should be more on improving health such as modifying life-style and spreading healthy habits, rather than on disease management or subsidizing health insurance. It is recommended that change from to environment in health promotion policy regime is required to establish effective governance system for the fund operation.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.36 no.6
• /
• pp.1042-1054
• /
• 2006

Purpose: Previous evaluation studies of the visiting nursing program explained an average change of the participants' health status, without considering socio-ecological characteristics and their impacts. However, these factors must affect individual health problems and lifestyles. For effective and appropriate community based programs, the Geographical Information System(GIS) can be utilized. GIS is a computer-based tool for mapping and analyzing things that happen on earth, and integrates statistical analysis with unique visualization. The purpose of this study was to evaluate visiting nursing care and to advocate the usefulness of planning and evaluating visiting nursing programs using Exploratory Spatial Data Analysis(ESDA) with GIS technology. Methods: One hundred eighty-four elderly participants with cerebrovascular risk factors who lived in 13 areas of one community received visiting nursing care. The data analyzed characteristics of pre-post change and autocorrelation by ESDA using GIS technology. Results: Visiting nursing care showed an improvement in the participants' lifestyle habits, and family management ability and stress level, while the improvements were different depending on the regions. The change of family management ability and stress level correlated with neighborhoods (Morgan's I=0.1841, 0.1675). Conclusions: Community health providers need to consider the individual participant's health status as well as socio-ecological factors. Analysis using GIS technology will contribute to the effective monitoring, evaluation and design of a visiting nursing program.