• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.130-137
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• 2007

Objectives: Studies investigating problematic internet use have increased rapidly and have been focused on its causes, psychopathology, prevalence, characteristics and so on. However, there are few studies concerning the correlation between problematic internet use and youth health risk behavior. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between problematic internet use and youth health risk behavior. Methods: A community sample of 632 high school students in grades 10 and 11 was collected for the survey. The sample was assessed using the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System(YRBSS) and Young's Diagnostic Questionnaire of Internet Addiction(YDQ). The subjects were classified into two groups: normal and problematic internet use, and the problematic internet use group was further divided into at-risk use and addiction groups. Results: There were 56 subjects(8.9%) in the internet addiction group and 56 subjects(8.9%) in the at-risk internet use group. The other 507 subjects were classified as normal. The subjects in the internet addiction group kissed more frequently and ate less fruit than those in the normal group. They also showed a relatively higher tendency to watch TV, ride in a car driven by a drunk driver and to carry a weapon than those in the normal group. There were no differences in health risk behaviors between the subjects in the internet addiction group and those in the at-risk internet use group, except for the possibility of riding in a car driven by a drunk driver. Conclusion: Unlike the normal group, there was very little difference in health risk behavior between the internet addiction group and the at-risk internet use group, which indicates that the addiction group and the at-risk internet use groups are homogenous. It is important to focus on the behavior of individuals in the at-risk group, and preventive measures should be taken in order to reduce the possibility of at-risk adolescents becoming addicted.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.150-159
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• 2008

Purpose: To assess the relationship between lifestyle and metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records and laboratory results of 109 subjects (7~15 years of age) who visited our pediatric obesity clinic between January 2004 and December 2007. They completed the parent- and self-report questionnaire developed by the Committee on Nutrition of the Korean Pediatric Society to assess lifestyle. The metabolic syndrome was defined as having 3 or more of the following metabolic risk factors: obesity, hypertension, serum triglycerides ${\geq}$110 mg/dL, HDL-cholesterol ${\leq}$40 mg/dL, fasting glucose ${\geq}$110 mg/dL, and insulin ${\geq}20{\mu}IU/mL$. Results: All subjects had at least 1 risk factor (obesity). Sixty-three percent of subjects had 2 or more risk factors, 32% of subjects had 3 or more risk factors, and 10% had 4 or more metabolic risk factors. Hypertriglyceridemia (36%), hypertension (32%), hyperinsulinemia (24%), and HDL-hypocholesterolemia (20%) were observed. Fasting blood glucose levels were normal in all subjects. Hypertension was significantly associated with an unbalanced diet and hyperinsulinemia was significantly associated with parental obesity (p<0.05). Those who ate after 8 PM were at a risk of hypertension (odds ratio, 2.5; 95% CI, 1.0~6.1). Those who did not have a preference for exercise were at a risk of hyperinsulinemia (odds ratio, 10.4; 95% CI, 2~54.1). Those who watched TV for ${\geq}$3 hours/day were at a risk of metabolic syndrome (odds ratio, 4.8; 95% CI, 1.2∼18.8). Conclusion: Lifestyle, such as eating late, no preference for exercise, and TV watching ${\geq}$3 hours/day, were related to metabolic syndrome in obese children and adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.4
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• pp.45-60
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• 2002

The aim of this study was to assess adolescents' sexuality and to gather student opinions on current school-based sex education in South Korea. A self-administered questionnaire survey was conducted in Seoul, Incheon, and Kyunggi Province to assess the status and needs of high school sexuality education. Survey data was obtained from 1,130 senior high school students. The rates of sexual intercourse for boys and girls were 33.1% and 13.2% respectively. Boys were more likely to be sexually involved (p = .000) and experienced earlier at first sexual intercourse than girls (p = .006). Among students who had sexual intercourse, only 20.3% (21.1% of boys and 19.1% of girls) used contraceptives at first sexual intercourse. The proportion of respondents who had had sexual intercourse was higher among those with poor self-perceived academic performance (p = .000). The proportion was also higher among those with a boy or girl friend (p = .000). Other risk-taking behaviors such as smoking and drinking were associated with sexual activity (p = .000). This study found that most students were not satisfied with sex education because of teachers' lack of information and skills in delivering it. Most teachers providing sex education were not qualified and/or trained. They should receive adequate training and guidelines for the training. Training should also give teachers time to practice and become comfortable in delivering it.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.272-284
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• 2014

This study is to reveal the significant value of astrology as a counseling tool beyond its unscientific means in prophecy and counseling effects on changes in adolescents' self-awareness with astrology. In astrology, personal self-awareness is related to the nature of the sun and the public self-awareness is associated with ascendants, or the persona. In addition, the location of the moon that governs emotion and basic and peripheral aspects of polarity, quality, and elements are analyzed to be applied to the scene of consultation in relation of social unrest. For this study, 24 subjects were selected randomly at the Youth Support Center in Gyeongsangnam-do city C who referred to be showing social maladjustment, problematic behaviors and so under probation. The subjects were divided into the experimental group (12) and control group (12). To measure the affects of astrology-utilized consultation and to assess changes of self-awareness and its sub-factors, analysis of variance was conducted repeatedly and statistically validated with the difference between the group (experimental, control) and test(pre, post). As the results, it was proven that the consultation using astrology is affective on increasing adolescents' self-awareness and it can be understood that astrology has a meaningful value as a consultation tool in the aspects of social science.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.191-196
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• 2006

Cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors may be acting several decades before CVD becomes manifest. Data from young subjects may be valuable in further elucidating at this issue. We evaluated the association between baPWV (brachial-ankle pulse wave velocity) and cardiovascular risk factors in apparently healthy young adults. A total of 46 male and 91 female adolescents aged $18{\sim}25 years$ were studied. baPWV increased in a dose-responsive manner as the number of metabolic syndrome components. In both gender groups, baPWV was positively correlated with age. In males, waist, circumference total cholesterol, and LDL-cholesterol were positively correlated with baPWV, and in females, blood pressure (BP) was positively correlated with baPWV. Age, gender, mean BP, and Homeostasis model assessment insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) were found to be independent factors associated with baPWV levels. In conclusion, mean BP, age, gender, and HOMA-IR were associated with baPWV in young adults. This result suggests that multiple cardiovascular risk factors may be associated with an increased risk of arterial stiffness in young adults.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5011-5017
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• 2012

Background: Overexposure to sunlight in childhood and the adolescent period and associsated sunburns significantly increase the risk of skin cancer in adulthood. In Turkey, the incidence of skin cancer in the general population is 0.8%. The incidence is 0.6% and the mortality rate is 0.4% for men, while these rates are 1.0% and 0.7%, respectively, for women. If skin cancer is found early, its treatment is facilitated. Therefore, personal skin examination is important for early diagnosis. Objectives: Our aim was to determine the effects of training for raising consciousness among adolescents to protect against skin cancer by influencing skin self examination behavior. Method: This quasi experimental intervention study was conducted between February and April 2012 in Izmir. The study population consisted of students attending $6^{th}$, $7^{th}$ and $8^{th}$ classes of a primary school (n:302). No sampling was performed. Data were collected with a form developed by the researchers based on the literature. The first part of form is aimed to determine demographic characteristics of adolescents (3 questions) and their risk status of skin cancer (6 questions). The second part was prepared for skin cancer risks of adolescents (8 questions) and indications of skin cancer (12 questions). The last part was intended to determine their knowledge about skin self examination (4 questions) and behavioral stages of skin self examination (1 question). Data collection was achieved with a questionnaire form in three phases. In the 1st phase, data about demographic characteristics of students, risk status of skin cancer, knowledge level of skin cancer and behavior stages were collected. In the $2^{nd}$ phase, skin self examination training based on the transtheoretical model was performed within the same day just after obtaining preliminary data. In the $3^{rd}$ phase, adolescents were followed up three times to establish the efficacy of the training (on the $15^{th}$ day after training program and at end of the $1^{st}$ and $2^{nd}$ months). Follow-up data were evaluated by questioning skin self examination performing behavior stages through electronic mail. Results: Half of the adolescents (50.5%) are male, and 58.4% of them are 13 years old with a mean age of $12{\pm}1.15$ years. About 29.4% of adolescents had brown hair color, 37.9% had brown/hazel eye color, 29.4% had white skin, and 47.2% had fewer than 10 moles in their body. The pretest mean score on knowledge level about risks of skin cancer was found to be $4.19{\pm}1.96$, while the post-test mean score was $6.79{\pm}1.67$ (min:0, max:8).The pretest mean score about indications of skin cancer was $7.45{\pm}3.76$, while the post-test mean score was $10.7{\pm}2.60$ (min:0, max:12). The increases were statistically significant (p<0.05). The behavior "I do not perform skin self examination regularly in every month and I do not think to perform it in the next 6 months" was reduced from 52.8 to 35.5% after training. Conclusion: The training program organized to raise consciousness among adolescents for protection against skin cancer increased the knowledge level about risks and indications of skin cancer and it also improved the behavior of performing skin self examination.

• The Journal of the Acoustical Society of Korea
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• v.32 no.1
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• pp.56-63
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• 2013

This study surveyed MP3 player usage and evaluated its effect on hearing thresholds in high school students. It is reported an increase in risk factors for hearing loss in adolescents that paralleled the increase in sales of MP3 players. A total of 538 students in two high schools in Gwangju province participated in this study. The students completed questionnaires about their MP3 player use and their pure tone hearing thresholds were tested at several frequencies. The questionnaire results indicated that 61.1%, of the students listened to music on MP3 players for more than one hour per day, 71.6% listened for four or more days per week, and 36.7% had listened for more than 3 years. Listening at a high volume of 60% of the maximum level was reported by 51% and they recognized having ear pains. The pure tone hearing threshold was found to be raised for the adolescents who had a long history of MP3 listening at high volume (p< 0.0001).

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.101-111
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• 2013

Type 1 diabetes is on the rise worldwide. Although nutrition education for patients with diabetes has become a routine practice, specifics and impacts of such educations need to be more researched. This study examined the status of nutrition knowledge, dietary attitude, and dietary behavior among children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes (9-19 year-old) and explored factors influencing dietary behaviors related to diabetes by applying the Theory of Planned Behavior. Face-to-face interviews, using a pre-tested structured questionnaire, were conducted with 32 participants (11 boys and 21 girls) with type 1 diabetes followed by a diabetes clinic in a university hospital. This study found that the level of nutrition knowledge related to diabetes was generally low at 4 points out of a possible 10, however, the dietary attitude related to diabetes was found to be generally good at 26 points out of a possible 30. Participants were motivated to follow medical staff recommendations the most; however, their family was also important. Perceived behavioral control was low especially for eating-out and portion control. The dietary behavior related to blood glucose control showed low at 13 points out of a possible 20. Regression analysis showed that perceived behavioral control (p < 0.001) was significantly related to the dietary behavior related to blood glucose control. This rare study with children and adolescents with type 1 diabetes showed that nutrition education should include a component to improve perceived behavioral control through high-risk situation management.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.897-900
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• 2012

Cervical cancer resulting from prior infection with human papillomavirus (HPV) is a significant public health threat against young Japanese women. A national immunization plan to vaccinate 13~16 year old female students against HPV infection has been started in Japan since 2010, and may reach almost full coverage by the end of 2012. Older age females who may already be sexually active are not targeted by this plan but should follow safer sex practices as well as periodic screening of the cervix cytology to reduce their risk of developing cervical cancer. HPV vaccination alone does not offer full protection either, because only some HPV types are covered by the vaccines and the long-term efficacy of the vaccines has not been determined yet. Therefore, we did a survey at an international university in Japan to study the knowledge and attitude of female college students towards prevention of cervical cancer, to examine the age when they start sexual activity and other related attributes that may influence the risk of cervical cancer. We discuss the results of our survey and what they imply for the possible impact of an HPV immunization plan on the risk of cervical cancer in Japan, and conclude by an emphasis on the need to increase awareness among Japanese female adolescents and to enhance the cervical screening rates among older females who are already sexually active.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.12
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• pp.390-394
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• 2017

Purpose: Atrioventricular nodal reentry tachycardia (AVNRT) is less common in pediatric patients than in adult patients. Thus, data for pediatric AVNRT patients are insufficient. Hence, we aimed to analyze the patient characteristics, treatment, and any recurrences in pediatric AVNRT patients. Methods: We reviewed the records of 50 pediatric AVNRT patients who had undergone radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) between January 1998 and December 2016 at a single regional center. The patients were aged ${\leq}18years$. Results: Among 190 pediatric patients who underwent RFCA for tachyarrhythmia, 50 (26.3%; mean age, $13.4{\pm}2.6years$) were diagnosed as having AVNRT by electrophysiological study. Twenty-five patients (25 of 50, 50%) were male. Twenty patients (20 of 50, 40%) used beta-blockers before RFCA. All patients had no structural heart disease except 1 patient with valvular aortic stenosis and coarctation of the aorta. RFCA was performed using the anatomic approach under fluoroscopic guidance. The most common successfully ablated region was the midseptal region (25 of 50, 50%). Slow pathway (SP) ablation and SP modulation were performed in 43 and 6 patients, respectively. Complication occurred in 1 patient with complete atrioventricular block. During follow-up, 6 patients had recurrence of supraventricular tachycardia, as confirmed by electrocardiography. Among them, 5 underwent successful ablation at the first procedure. In 1 patient, induction failed during the first procedure. Conclusion: RFCA is safe and effective in pediatric AVNRT patients. However, further research is needed for establishing the endpoints of ablation in pediatric AVNRT patients and for identifying risk factors by evaluating data on AVNRT recurrence after RFCA.