• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.115-124
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the health risk behaviors, mental health and subjective health status of adolescents in multicultural families and monocultural (Korean) families. This study was conducted to prepare basic data for education and policy proposals related to health promotion of adolescents in multicultural families. Methods: The study was a secondary analysis using the raw data of the 15th Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2019). A complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis was conducted to understand the influence of growing up in a multicultural family on health risk behaviors, mental health and subjective health status by comparing the variables to those of monocultural adolescents. Results: Adolescents from multicultural families had a 3.3 times higher rate of drug use experience, 1.89 times higher rate of sexual experience, and 1.24 times higher rate of not wearing seat belts. In addition, the rate of not washing hands and the rate of suicide attempts were 1.34-1.50 times and 1.62 times higher, respectively, compared to adolescents from monocultural families. Conclusion: This study showed that it is necessary to develop appropriate health promotion programs to solve the problems of drug use, sexual intercourse, not wearing seat belts, not washing hands, and attempting suicides, which are more prevalent among adolescents from multicultural families than from monocultural families. It will serve a basic policy for the long-term development and growth of Korea at this critical time when multicultural adolescents are increasing.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.37
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• pp.195-216
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• 1999

Adolescents whose families receive public assistance are primary interest in the article because they experience disproportionate shares of the burden of poverty and psychosocial stress and are at substantially high risk. To explain the psychosocial stresses of high-risk adolescents in poverty, this study analyzed the inter-relations and interactions of major variables: 1) stress related life condition, 2)individual & environmental resources, 3) emotional, behavioral, and academic adjustment. Data came from the survey of 351 students living in the families receiving public assistance. The major findings were as follows. High-risk adolescents in poverty suffered from chronic stresses related life conditions, including family environmental stress, financial & medical stress and stigmatic stress. As the effects of stress increased, depression/anxiety and delinquency of poor youth increased. The psychosocial adjustment of poor youth at risk was most effected by the stress resulted from family environment. Though they were suffered from stresses related poor environment, adolescents in poverty adjusted well, if they had individual and environmental resources including self-esteem democratic parenting and supportive school climate. In conclusion, this study confirmed that emotional, behavioral, and academic adjustment of adolescents in poverty was affected by various stresses from life conditions and individual and environmental resources. In order to improve adjustment of poor youth at risk, life conditions have to be improved and psychosocial resources to be increased. These findings have provided practical implications for social workers helping high-risk adolescents in poverty.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.85-92
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• 2008

The present study was conducted to develop a Multi-dimensional Body Image Scale for Malaysian female adolescents. Data were collected among 328 female adolescents from a secondary school in Kuantan district, state of Pahang, Malaysia by using a self-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. The self-administered questionnaire comprised multiple measures of body image, Eating Attitude Test (EAT-26; Gamer & Garfinkel, 1979) and Rosenberg Self-esteem Inventory (Rosenberg, 1965). The 152 items from selected multiple measures of body image were examined through factor analysis and for internal consistency. Correlations between Multi-dimensional Body Image Scale and body mass index (BMI), risk of eating disorders and self-esteem were assessed for construct validity. A seven factor model of a 62-item Multi-dimensional Body Image Scale for Malaysian female adolescents with construct validity and good internal consistency was developed. The scale encompasses 1) preoccupation with thinness and dieting behavior, 2) appearance and body satisfaction, 3) body importance, 4) muscle increasing behavior, 5) extreme dieting behavior, 6) appearance importance, and 7) perception of size and shape dimensions. Besides, a multidimensional body image composite score was proposed to screen negative body image risk in female adolescents. The result found body image was correlated with BMI, risk of eating disorders and self-esteem in female adolescents. In short, the present study supports a multi-dimensional concept for body image and provides a new insight into its multi-dimensionality in Malaysian female adolescents with preliminary validity and reliability of the scale. The Multi-dimensional Body Image Scale can be used to identify female adolescents who are potentially at risk of developing body image disturbance through future intervention programs.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.5
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• pp.11-23
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• 2004

The purpose of this study was to analyze the internet usage patterns among adolescents and to provide basic data for the development of internet addiction prevention program. The subjects of this study were 1169 students in middle and high school students in Seoul, Korea. Self-administered questionnaires were employed and data were analysed by SPSS 12.0. Major conclusions were as follows: 1. Most of the students were found to be the normal internet users. On the other hand, potential risk group was 8.2% and high risk group was 4.7%. Every students have had an experience of inter use. The 90.6% of the students' households had internet links. The percentage of students who were using internet more than 3 hours a day was 25.7%, and The most popular type of website was entertainment. 2. Male students showed greater percentages of potential risk and high risk group than female students. The students having parents in divorce, remarriage and separation were more likely to be in potential risk group than those having normal parents. The staying alone in home after school and small sleeping time were positively related to high level of internet addiction. 3. The characteristics of the students in potential risk and high risk group were longer duration of the internet use, internet use through the whole week, frequent internet use late at night, frequent use of pornographic site, main purpose of internet use for entertainment and shortage of rest during internet use. This study results had an limitation of generalizing to entire Korean adolescents because the sample of this study was middle and high school students living in Seoul. Future study was needed for the analysis of internet use behavior of the entire Korean adolescents, and for the identification of the accurate predictors for adolescents' internet addiction.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.1
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• pp.74-82
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• 2017

This study was conducted to evaluate the risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents consuming snacks frequently from 2007~2009, Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). The subjects (12~14 years: n=523; 15~18 years: n=614) were presented with food frequency questionnaires, and they were classified according to their gender and frequency of snack consumption. In the age group of 12~14 years, boys and girls (boys OR: 1.11, 95% CI: 0.52~2.39, girls OR: 12.45, 95% CI: 2.26~68.51) who consumed yogurt frequently had a higher risk of overweight and obesity at the highest quartile frequency compared with the lowest quartile after adjustments for multiple confounding factors, including age, physical activity, frequency of eating out and snack consumption, and energy intake. In the age group of 15~18 years, girls (OR: 1.01, 95% CI: 0.34~2.99) consuming fried foods had a higher risk of overweight and obesity at the highest quartile frequency compared with the lowest quartile after adjustments for multiple confounding factors, including age, physical activity, frequency of eating out and snack consumption, and energy intake. Thus, we conclude that frequent consumption of yogurt and fried foods increases the risk of overweight and obesity in adolescents. These findings suggest that the risk of overweight and obesity is associated with the frequency of snack consumption.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to verify relationships between light- and heavy alcohol drinking and health-risk behaviors such as smoking, inappropriate weight control, physical inactivity, and sexual activity among adolescents. Methods: The data of 68,043 adolescents in middle- and high school collected from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2015 were analyzed. For statistical analysis, logistic regression model was used. Results: The rate of heavy alcohol drinking increased with increasing age up to 21.5% among boys and 13.9% among girls. Among boys, heavy alcohol drinkers were at a higher risk of smoking (adjusted odds ratios [OR]=3.3, 95% confidence interval [CI]=2.8-3.8), inappropriate weight control (OR=1.7; 95% CI=1.4-2.1), having sexual intercourse (OR=3.6; 95% CI=3.0-4.2) than light drinkers. Multiple health-risk behaviors of smoking, inappropriate weight control and sexual intercourse also increased in accordance with the severity of drinking alcohol beverage compared to non-drinker. Physical inactivity was decreased among heavy drinkers compared to light drinkers (OR=0.8; 95% CI=0.7-0.9 for inactivity of moderate exercise). Similar results were observed among girls. Conclusions: Alcohol drinking especially heavy alcohol drinking among adolescents is related to other risky behaviors including smoking, inappropriate weight control, and sexual activity. To prevent health problems in adolescents, it is necessary to adopt a combined approach regarding heavy drinking and health-risk behaviors.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.18 no.2
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• pp.58-67
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• 2015

Purpose: This study aimed to compare dietary patterns (missed meals, eating instant foods, skipping fruits/vegetables) between general and multicultural adolescents in Korea. Methods: Data from the 9th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (2013) were used, and analysis was done for the 66,951 youth using SPSS 18.0. Results: The rate of lunch absence accounted for 7.3% in general adolescents and 8.3% in multicultural family adolescents. However, the response of breakfast absence for a week was higher than the rate of the absence of lunch and dinner. For eating instant foods at least more than once a week, there was a significant difference for carbonated drinks, snacks, ramen and fast food in multicultural adolescents. More multicultural adolescents also noted "never ate fruits and vegetable within the recent week." Conclusion: For the healthy diet of adolescents, more careful observation and nursing education should be implemented. Furthermore, parents should also be included in the education altogether.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.49 no.12
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• pp.1267-1274
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• 2006

This is to determine current status and historical trends of the health of Korean adolescents. Adolescence is not only a time of health and well-being, but also a time of experimentation and of being at risk of significant threats by health-damaging behaviors. A comprehensive overview through a review of major national demographic data on health-related issues would give health professionals chances to deal with Korean adolescents' unique needs to improve their health.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.229-238
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• 2021

Background: Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR), an important physiological feature of asthma, is a prognostic marker of childhood asthma. Purpose: We aimed to investigate the factors associated with BHR in adolescents with childhood asthma. Methods: Two hundred and fifteen adolescents (≥13 years of age; 149 males, 66 females) who were diagnosed with asthma during childhood were enrolled, underwent methacholine challenge tests, and were divided into the BHR group (<25 mg/mL of provocation concentration causing a 20% fall in forced expiratory volume in 1 second [FEV₁] [PC₂₀], n=113) or non-BHR group (≥25 mg/mL of PC₂₀, n=102). We examined longitudinal changes in BHR and the risk factors for its persistence in the 108 adolescents for whom baseline data, including methacholine PC₂₀ at age 6 years, were available. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were performed to assess the factors associated with BHR in adolescents. Results: Mold sensitization (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 5.569; P=0.005) and increased blood eosinophil count (aOR, 1.002; P=0.026) were independently associated with BHR in boys but not girls. The odds of BHR decreased by 32% with each 1-year increase in age in boys (aOR, 0.683; P=0.010) but not girls. A reduced FEV₁/forced vital capacity ratio (<90%) was independently related with BHR in female patients only (aOR, 7.500; P=0.007). BHR decreased with age throughout childhood. A low methacholine PC₂₀ at age 6 years was independently associated with persistent BHR throughout childhood in male and female patients, whereas early mold sensitization was a risk factor for persistent BHR in male patients only (aOR, 7.718; P=0.028). Conclusion: Our study revealed sex-specific differences in the factors associated with BHR in adolescents with childhood asthma. Our findings suggest the risk factors that might affect asthma transition from childhood to adolescence and adulthood.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.5
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• pp.196-207
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• 2021

Over the last few decades, the rates of pediatric obesity have more than doubled regardless of sociodemographic categorization, and despite these rates plateauing in recent years there continues to be an increase in the severity of obesity in children and adolescents. This review will discuss the pediatric obesity mediated cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors such as attenuated levels of satiety and energy metabolism hormones, insulin resistance, vascular endothelial dysfunction, and arterial stiffness. Additionally, early intervention to combat pediatric obesity is critical as obesity has been suggested to track into adulthood, and these obese children and adolescents are at an increased risk of early mortality. Current suggested strategies to combat pediatric obesity are modifying diet, limiting sedentary behavior, and increasing physical activity. The effects of exercise intervention on metabolic hormones such as leptin and adiponectin, insulin sensitivity/resistance, and body fat in obese children and adolescents will be discussed along with the exercise modality, intensity, and duration. Specifically, this review will focus on the differential effects of aerobic exercise, resistance training, and combined exercise on the cardiovascular risks in pediatric obesity. This review outlines the evidence that exercise intervention is a beneficial therapeutic strategy to reduce the risk factors for CVD and the ideal exercise prescription to combat pediatric obesity should contain both muscle strengthening and aerobic components with an emphasis on fat mass reduction and long-term adherence.