• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.8-14
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate factors related to obesity of mid-age women and to examine the relationship between obesity and chronic diseases including diabetes, hypertension, and heart disease. Methods: Using data from Korean American adults living in California, we analyzed the health behavior (diet, exercise, smoking, and binge drinking) and psychological stress of obese women with body mass index ${\geq}25$ by using chi-square test. Logistic regression was used to investigate independent effects of obesity on chronic diseases, after controlling for risk factors. Results: The prevalence of obesity appeared about 16.9%. The Obese group was less likely than the non-obese group to eat vegetables and more likely feel psychological stress. There were no significant differences in smoking, alcohol intake, and physical exercise between the two groups. Obesity was strongly related to chronic diseases (OR=4.642, 95% CI=1.328-16.222). Conclusion: This study suggests that obesity of mid-age women could be reduced by encouraging health behavior such as eating vegetables daily, performing physical exercise regularly, and taking care of emotional stress. Diet and physical activity interventions and emotional supports should be developed for weight loss and prevention of weight gain in mid-age women.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.21 no.1 s.23
• /
• pp.82-88
• /
• 1988

The main objectives of this study were to know the prevalence of cerebrovascular diseases, to find the important risk factors of cerebrovascular diseases. This study is a part of Eumseong Community Health Project supportes by GTZ(West German Goverment). 116 perceived cases of cerebrovascular diseases were first screened by health interview and examinations and 80 cases were diagnosed as a cerebrovascular group. For comparison, 80 cases were matched with their neighbor controls of the same sex and the similar age. 1. The prevalence rate for cerebrovascular diseases was 476.3 per 100,000 population which is considered to be very high compared with that of other countries. Age adjusted rate for cerebrovascular diseases was 261.6 per 100,000. 2. Among the risk factors examined for the association with cerebrovascular diseases by case-control study, and analysed by paired marginal test(McNemar's $X^2$-test) and odds ratio, only hypertension showed high significant statistical association.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.97-107
• /
• 2016

Purpose : Cardiovascular disease is major factor of mortality in worldwide. Previous studies shown that the socioeconomic factors, nutrition factors, health behavior factors, biological factors and co-morbidity are increasing a prevalence of cardiovascular disease. Method : This study examined the risk factors for cardiovascular disease among adults aged 30 years and older using the data from the 2012 to 2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The study participants were 7,555 Cardiovascular disease includes hypertension, stroke, angina pactoris, and myocardial infarction. Descriptive statistic and multivariates logistic regression were calculated. Result : The overall prevalence of cardiovascular disease was 31.16% in the participants. Cardiovascular disease was significantly associated with gender, age, income, education, marital status as socioeconomic factors in unadjusted model. After adjusting socioeconomic status variables, past smoker (OR 1.27, 95% CI 1.05-1.55), obesity (OR 7.14, 95% CI 4.21-12.11), skipping a meal (OR 2.79, 95% CI 2.46-3.16), HDL-C (OR 0.99, 95% CI 0.98-0.99) and WC (OR 1.06, 95% CI 1.05-1.07) were associated with cardiovascular disease. Conclusion : The results marked the importance of finding high risk groups and an early management of cardiovascular disease.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
• /
• v.14 no.3
• /
• pp.252-261
• /
• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Although previous experimental studies reported the health benefits of foods rich in phytochemicals, few epidemiologic studies have investigated the associations between phytochemicals and metabolic disorders. This study aimed to calculate a phytochemical index (PI) and examine its association with metabolic syndrome in the Korean population. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data of Korean adults aged ≥ 19 years who participated in the 2008-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys were analyzed. The PI was calculated using 24-hour intake recall data regarding whole grains, vegetables, fruits, legumes, nuts and seeds, and soybeans and soy products. Demographic and lifestyle data were obtained using self-administered questionnaires. A multivariable logistic regression was performed to calculate the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for the prevalence of metabolic syndrome and its components according to PI quintiles. RESULTS: Overall, 31,319 adults were evaluated. Compared with men, women had a higher median PI level (9.96 vs. 13.63) and significantly higher caloric intake levels from most PI components (P < 0.05), except for soy products. After adjusting for multiple confounding variables, participants in the highest PI quintile had significantly lower prevalences of abdominal obesity (OR: 0.90, 95% CI: 0.81-0.99), hyperglycemia (OR: 0.83, 95% CI: 0.74-0.94), high blood pressure (OR: 0.82, 95% CI: 0.73-0.93), hypertriglyceridemia (OR: 0.84, 95% CI: 0.75-0.94), and metabolic syndrome (OR: 0.78, 95% CI: 0.69-0.88). CONCLUSIONS: Higher intakes of phytochemical-rich foods are associated with a lower prevalence of metabolic dysregulation and consequently, cardiometabolic diseases.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.46 no.4
• /
• pp.326-334
• /
• 2003

Purpose : The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence of obesity in adolescents; to study the association between obesity, blood pressure, and dyslipidemia; and to evaluate the superiority of waist circumference to waist/hip ratio(WHR) in central obesity. Methods : We selected 1382 adolescents(M : F=690 : 692) aged from 11 to 18 years(mean age; boys 15.0, girls 15.4) in Incheon. We measured weight, height, waist, waist/hip ratio, and blood pressure, with blood sampling to evaluate the dyslipidemia. Results : The prevalence of obesity was 6.7% in boys and 6.9% in girls by body mass index(BMI). The prevalence of systolic hypertension was 15.7% in normal group, 32.4% in the overweight group, and 35.4% in the obese group by BMI. The prevalence of diastolic hypertension was 4.9% in the normal group, 6.9% in the overweight group, and 14.6% the in obese group. In boys and girls, BMI, waist circumference, and WHR were positively correlated with systolic and diastolic blood pressure. respectively. In boys, triglyceride was positively correlated with waist circumference(r=0.34, P<0.05). In boys and girls, BMI was highly correlated with obesity index(r=0.98, each), with waist circumference(r=0.89, r=0.82, respectively), and with body fat(r=0.85, r=0.89) respectively. Conclusion : These data suggest the importance of the screening of blood pressure in obese adolescents, with prevention and intervention of obesity since it may be the most cost-effective way of reducing the complications related with obesity.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
• /
• v.6 no.1
• /
• pp.70-78
• /
• 1998

Alternative medicine is defined as the practices used for the prevention and the treatment of diseases that are not taught widely in medical schools, nor generally available inside hospitals. Alternative medicine or therapy is of growing interest to the general public. We conducted a survey to determine the prevalence and patterns of using alternative medicine such as herbal medicine acupuncture, folk medicine, health food and diet, yoga, qi therapy, shiatsu, chiropractics, homeopathy etc.. Based on 794 completed questionnaires, 484 respondents(61%) reported using at least one form of alternative medicine for their medical problems. The major medical conditions for which they used alternative medicine were back pain(85.6%), arthritis(85.4%), hypertension(85.2%), cerebrovascular disorders(86.4%), and insomnia(84.6%). The types of alternative medicine frequently used were herbal medicine, acupuncture, folk medicine, and health food. The reasons why the vast majority of people sought after alternative medicine was that: less side-effect, it is not harmful, it is more effective, there is a shorter waiting time, and a better explanation fur the conditions and a kinder therapist. We found that the frequency of using alternative medicine in the health care system was high. Physicians need to be more aware that many patients may be using alternative medicine. Further survey of the nation-wide prevalence of alternative medicine, and scientific study into the efficacy of this medicine should be followed. In the meantime, we suggest paying attention to possible harmful effects caused by some sorts of alternative medicine.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
• /
• v.26 no.2
• /
• pp.156-164
• /
• 2014

Objectives The purpose of this study was to analyze the Sasang constitution and psychological traits of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) patients and to utilize the results in treatment and management. Methods The differences of Sasang Constitution distribution, psychological characteristics, comorbid disorders between ALS group of 26 patients and general group of 1132 persons were investigated and analyzed. Results There was no significant different distribution of Sasang Constitution between ALS group and general group but there was Yang-like personality tendency in ALS group than general group. In overall constitution, ALS group had the high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders and diabetes than general group. In Soyangin constitution, ALS group had a high prevalence rate of musculoskeletal disorders than genral group. In Taeeumin constitution, ALS group had a high prevalence rate of diabetes and hypertension than general group. Conclusion ALS patients have the Yang-like personality. It is due to the adaptation of personality on the environmental change or coping strategy on diseases rather than the characteristics of congenital Sasang Constitution.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.27 no.2
• /
• pp.327-337
• /
• 2013

Purpose: This study was conducted to determine the prevalence rate of depression and the associated factors affecting the depression among the elderly beneficiaries of the national basic livelihood scheme. Methods: From the beneficiaries of the "visiting health care program" in a city the beneficiaries (aged 65 years or older) of the national basic livelihood scheme were selected. A total of 677 subjects were included in the study and hence for data analyses. Results: The observed prevalence rate of depression was 80.5% (mild depression was 60.2%, and severe depression was 20.3%). The factors influencing depression were indicative of subjective health status, walking exercise, hypertension, and diabetes. Conclusion: On the basis of our study results, as a strategy to reduce the prevalence rate of depression among the elderly concerned, we are of the opinion that it is very much necessary to motivate them to practice continuous and regular walking exercises in easily accessible places by mobilizing community resources such as visiting nurses and volunteers. Such efforts may not only immediately reduce the morbidity rate of depression among the low-income elderly, but also, in the long run, prevent suicides and contribute to improving their mental health status to an appreciable extent.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
• /
• v.85 no.3
• /
• pp.205-220
• /
• 2022

This study aimed to describe the prevalence of comorbidities associated with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and their relation with relevant outcomes. A systematic review based on the PRISMA methodology was performed from January 2020 until July 2021. The MEDLINE, Lilacs, and Scielo databases were searched to identify studies related to COPD and its comorbidities. Observational studies on the prevalence of comorbidities in COPD patients and costs with health estimates, reduced quality of life, and mortality were included. Studies that were restricted to one or more COPD pain assessments and only specific comorbidities such as osteoporosis, bronchitis, and asthma were excluded. The initial search identified 1,409 studies and after applying the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 20 studies were finally selected for analysis (comprising data from 447,459 COPD subjects). The most frequent COPD comorbidities were: hypertension (range, 17%-64.7%), coronary artery disease (19.9%-47.8%), diabetes (10.2%-45%), osteoarthritis (18%-43.8%), psychiatric conditions (12.1%-33%), and asthma (14.7%-32.5%). Several comorbidities had an impact on the frequency and severity of COPD exacerbations, quality of life, and mortality risk, in particular malignancies, coronary artery disease, chronic heart failure, and cardiac arrhythmias. Comorbidities, especially cardiovascular diseases and diabetes, are frequent in COPD patients, and some of them are associated with higher mortality.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
• /
• v.33 no.4
• /
• pp.428-439
• /
• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate the current status of chronic diseases according to obesity in the elderly older than age 65 using data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016~2018). The subjects of the survey were 3,245 elderly older than age 65 who participated in the health survey and nutrition survey, 45.8% of the subjects were males and 54.2% of the subjects were female. 37.5% of all the elderly were obese, and the females (42.4%) were more obese than the males (31.8%) (p<0.001). Diabetes, hypertension, and hypertriglyceridemia had a similar prevalence of 24.6%, 63.0%, and 12.7% in males and females, respectively. Hypercholesterolemia was higher in the elderly females (44.2%) than in the elderly males (24.9%) (p<0.001). Through the logistic regression analysis, it was found that the prevalence of chronic diseases was higher in obesity than normal in elderly males and females (p<0.001). The total food intake increased from 'under weight' to 'obesity' in males (p<0.01) and females (p<0.001). In the case of the elderly males, the higher the degree of obesity, the higher the energy intake (p<0.05), and 'pre-obesity' consumed the most energy in elderly females. As a result of this study, the higher the obesity rate of the elderly, the higher the prevalence of chronic diseases.