• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.61-65
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• 2009

AIMS: Korean National Growth Chart was newly developed at 2007. Prevalence of obesity is expected to be changed according to reference data. This study was performed to compare the prevalence of obesity based on the newly developed growth curve with that of previous data. We also investigate the incidence of obesity, overweight, and normal criteria by two kinds of growth curves. Method: We obtained weight, height from 438 middle school students and 1786 high school students. We divided enrolled students into four groups (middle school boys, middle school girls, high school boys, high school girls). The obese, over weight group was defined as BMI(body mass index) more than 95th, 85th${\sim}$94th percentile respectively for age and sex. Obesity by relative weight was defined more than 20% of ideal body weight. We compare the prevalence of obesity in each group by the newly developed Korean National Growth Chart in 2007 and that in 1998. Result: Prevalence of obesity by BMI based on 2007 Korean National Growth Chart and that in 1998 were 8.2-12.9% and 9.0-20.4% respectively. The concordance rate were 99.0%-100% in obese group and 45.0%-91.9% in overweight group according to two kinds of reference data. Prevalence of obesity by relative weight was 11.7-23.0% that was same between 2007 Korean National Growth Chart and that in 1998 except middle school boys group. Conclusion: We found that there is a decrease in prevalence of Obesity by BMI based on 2007 Korean National Growth Chart. It is necessary to evaluate correlation between criteria for obesity and obesity related comorbid conditions for finding proper BMI or relative weight cut off value to prevent obesity and obesity related complications effectively.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.32 no.8
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• pp.918-926
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• 1999

This study was an investigation of nutrient intake and food habit of college students in Taegu. A total of 200 apparently healthy college students living in Taegu were selected for the study. The 24-hour recall were obtained from subjects. The following anthropometric measurements were made on all participants: weight, height, waist and hip circumferences, and bioimpedence. Dietary habits and energy expenditure were examined through questionnaires. Among the subjects 8.3% were obese and 17.7% were underweight in male and 38.8%, respectively. The average intake of nutrients and energy were below the RDA in male(except protein, vitamin C and phosphate) and female(except vitamin C and phosphate), whereas phosphorus intakes well exceed the RDAs for both groups. Lowest mean intake as percentile of RDA were calcium and riboflavin in male, and calcium and iron in female. The mean adequacy ratio(MAR), an index of overall dietary quality was 0.735 for males and 0.730 for females. The index of nutritional quality (INQ) were under 1.0 for vitamin A(0.91), B2(0.628), Ca(0.074), Fe(0.845) in male students and vitamin B2(0.752), Ca(0.649), Fe(0.594) in female students. The alcohol consumption level was negatively correlated (p<.05)with thiamin, ascorbic acid, carbohydrate, and energy consumption in male students. Also the alcohol consumption was negatively correlated (p<.05) with milk consumption in male students. Thus, unfavorable nutritional patterns of alcohol drinkers put them at double jeopardy regarding micronutrient intake and bone health. In conclusion, this study indicates that nutrient intake in the college student in Taegu is considerably lower than RDA. Another important finding of this study is that an unacceptable calcium and iron status was prevalent in a high percentage of subjects in the college student.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.181-188
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• 2019

Purpose: Inadequate calorie intake is one of the most important causes of nonorganic failure to thrive (NOFTT) and is thought to lead to multiple micronutrient deficiencies. However, there have been few studies on NOFTT and micronutrients. The aim of this study was to evaluate the micronutrient status of children with NOFTT. Methods: We conducted a retrospective cohort study in 161 children (106 with NOFTT and 55 health controls) at a single institution. Data on weight for age, height for age, body mass index, and biochemical parameters, indicating the children's nutritional and micronutrient status were reviewed via electronic medical records, and the two groups were compared. Results: Except inorganic phosphate levels, no statistically significant differences were seen in the laboratory findings indicating the children's nutritional and micronutrient status; notably, the inorganic phosphate levels were within the normal range in both groups. We then compared the severe NOFTT (weight for age below the first percentile) and control groups; however, no statistically significant differences were seen for any of the measured parameters. Conclusion: Most children with NOFTT in this study had normal micronutrient levels and other laboratory findings. Therefore, element deficiencies should not be considered a natural consequence of NOFTT or in healthy children. Close monitoring and additional evaluations are needed.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.101-110
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• 2023

Objectives This study was written to report Korean medicine treatment for obese children. Methods This study included obese children who visited the Department of Korean Pediatrics at the Daejeon Korean Medicine Hospital of Daejeon University from September 18, 2020 to March 30, 2023. Height and weight at the first visit and on the day of the last herbal medicine termination were measured, and changes before and after treatment were observed. Liver function tests were performed before and after the treatment. Results Of the nine obese children who received Korean medicine treatment, five were male (55.6%) and four, female (44.4%). In term of age, there were five 8-year-olds (55.6%), two 6-year-olds, and two 10-year-olds (22.2%); the patients' mean age was 8.00 ± 1.414 years. The treatment period was more than three months, and the average treatment period was 177.11 ± 106.013 days. After treatment with Korean medicine, the patients' heights increased, and the body mass index (BMI) percentile and obesity decreased. Liver levels were maintained within the normal range without abnormal liver function after herbal medicine treatment, and no adverse reactions were observed during Korean medicine treatment. As a result of the pattern identification analysis, gastrointestinal damp-heat type and yin deficiency with internal heat were reported at a high frequency. Conclusions Korean medical treatment can reduce the degree of obesity without hindering the growth of childhood obesity.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Inherited Metabolic disease
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.31-38
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• 2023

Maple syrup urine disease (MSUD) is an autosomal recessive metabolic disorder caused by a deficiency in branched chain α-keto acid dehydrogenase (BCKAD). Between 1997, when Korea's MSUD case was first reported, and 2023, 14 cases were reported in the literature. 29% of the cases experienced developmental delay, and 29% expired. The prevalence of MSUD in Korea was estimated to be 1 in 230,000. Of 21 MSUD patients currently being treated at the Korea Genetics Research Center, 19 were detected through newborn screening program, and 2 were diagnosed by the symptoms. 14 MSUD patients had confirmed genetic mutations; 6 (43%) were BCKDHA and 8 (57%) were BCKDHB. In one case, a large deletion was observed. 4 patients had leucine levels above 2,000 (umo/L), and post-dialysis diet therapy was initiated in the newborn period. No patient required further dialysis as diet therapy and regular monitoring proved highly effective. Most MSUD patients were growing normally; weight and height growth were above the 50th percentile in 76% of the cases while BMI values were higher than normal in 71% of cases. Developmental delays were observed only in 2 cases (10%) and anticonvulsant use in 3 cases (14%). With newborn screening available to all Korean infants, early diagnosis and intervention should allow most patients to remain asymptomatic. However, ongoing surveillance, dietary management and continued patient compliance as well as rapid correction of acute metabolic decompensations remain critical to a favorable long-term prognosis.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.11
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• pp.1078-1084
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• 2007

Purpose : The prevalence of childhood obesity has doubled over the last 30 years. Obesity-associated sequelae in the vasculature begins in the early stages of life. The purpose of this study was to investigate how pulse wave velocity (PWV) and ankle brachial index (ABI) change with height, weight and body mass index (BMI) in obese adolescents. Methods : Seventy-nine obese adolescents (group 1: $85th{\leq}BMI<95th$ percentile, n=40; group 2 ($BMI{\geq}95th$ percentile, n=39) were included. The control group(group 3) included 99 healthy adolescents. Brachial- ankle (ba) PWV and ABI were estimated with blood pressure from four extremities. Heart rate (HR), and pre-ejection period/ejection time (PEP/ET) were also estimated. BMI was calculated from individual height and weight. Linear regression analysis was performed to evaluate the correlations between BMI and PWV. Results : Blood pressure and baPWV were significantly higher in group 2, compared to either group 1 or group 3. However, there was no significant difference in ABI, HR and PEP/ET between the groups. PWV showed linear correlation with both BMI and body weight. Conclusion : Obesity was associated with higher arterial stiffness in adolescents, which was demonstrated by an increase in PWV. There was no significant correlation between obesity and ABI.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.766-771
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• 2009

Purpose : The objective of this study was to compare the levels of adipocytokines in obesity group with those in control group and examine their correlation with insulin resistance. Methods : We enrolled 36 obese children (male:female [M:F]=17:19; age, $9.3{\pm}1.9yrs$) with ${\geq}95^{th}$ percentile body mass indexes (BMIs) (obesity group) and 35 healthy children (M:F=16:19; age, $9.1{\pm}2.1yrs$) with $25^{th}-75^{th}$ percentile BMIs (control group). We measured the serum leptin, adiponectin, and resistin levels and insulin resistance in both the groups. Results : The weights, heights, BMIs, fasting sugar levels, insulin levels, and homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) values were higher in the obesity group than in the control group. As compared to the control group, the obesity group showed significantly higher leptin levels and lower adiponectin levels; no significant difference was observed in the resistin levels. The leptin/adiponectin (L/A) ratio was higher in the obesity group than in the control group. In the obesity group, HOMA-IR showed significant positive correlations with weight, height, BMI, and leptin level. However, it was not correlated with age and adiponectin and resistin levels. In the obesity group, leptin level showed significant positive correlations with age, weight, height, and BMI, while adiponectin and resistin levels showed no such correlations with the other variables. Conclusion : We suggest that adiponectin plays an important protective role against weight gain in obese children. Further, L/A ratio can be used as a parameter for predicting the prognosis of obese children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.51 no.1
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• pp.33-41
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• 2008

Purpose : It is now understood that blood pressure (BP) measurement in the routine pediatric examination is very important because of the relevance of childhood BP to pediatric health care and the development of adult essential hypertension. There hasn't been a reference table of BP for Korean children and adolescents up to now. This study was to make normative BP references and to provide criteria of hypertension for Korean children and adolescents. Methods : BP measurements were done on 57,433 Koean children and adolescents (male: 29,443, female: 27,990), aged 7 to 20 years, in 2005. Heights and weights were measured simultaneously. Oscillometric devices, Dinamap Procare 200 (GE Inc., Milwaukee, Wi, USA), were used for the measurements. BPs were measured 2 times and mean levels were gathered for the analysis. Outliers of 2,373 subjects with overweight per height, over ＋3SD, were excluded for the analysis. For the BP centiles adjusted by sex, age and height, fixed modified LMS method which was adopted from the mixed effect model of 2004 Task Force in NHLBI (USA) was used. Results : Normative BP tables for Korean children and adolescents adjusted for height percentiles (5th, 10th, 25th, 50th, 75th, 90th, 95th), gender (male, female) and age(7 to 18 years) were completed. Height centiles of Korean children and adolescents are available from Korean Center for Disease Control and Prevention homepage, http://www.cdc.go.kr/webcdc/. Criteria of hypertension (95th, 99th percentile) and normal range of BP (50th, 90th) adjusted for height percentiles, age and gender were made. Conclusion : This is the first study to make normative BP tables and define hypertension for the Korean children and adolescents. Reliability and accuracy of Dinamap Procare 200 oscillometer for BP measurements remains debatable.

• Childhood Kidney Diseases
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.77-83
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• 2000

Purpose: Pregnancy in transplanted mother is considered as a high-risk pregnancy, and significant incidences of prematurity and low-birthweight(LBW) infants have been reported. The objective of this study is to examine the outcome of pregnancy in transplanted mothers and to evaluate the current growth status in their children. Patients and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed 54 pregnancies in 40 kidney recipients until June 1999. Outcomes of pregnancy were reviewed and assessment of the current growth status in children was performed. Results: 54 pregnancies in 40 recipients were identified; 22 ended in termination of pregnancy because of unwanted pregnancy or therapeutic purposes. And of the other 32, 29 livebirths resulted in 28 recipients. The mean age of conception was $30.3{\pm}3.8$ years, with a mean interval from transplantation to conception of $35.9{\pm}23.2$ months. All patients were maintained on immunosuppressive regimens. Incidence of drug-treated hypertension(HTN) prior to pregancy was $52\%$, HTN during pregnancy, $48\%$; preeclampsia, $41\%$; urinary tract infection, $48\%$; oligohydramnios $4\%$; and no rejection during pregnancy and up to 3month post delivery. Of the 29 liveborn infants, prematurity(<37wk) occurred in $52\%$, LBW(<2500g) in $62\%$, VLBW(<1500g) in $7\%$ and $48\%$ born intrauterine growth retardation(IUGR). Mean gestational age was $36.3{\pm}3.0\;wk$; a mean birthweight, $2.23{\pm}0.6\;kg$; a mean birth-height, $45.1{\pm}3.6cm$. Current mean height standard deviation score (height SDS) was $0.29{\pm}0.91$ and mean weight SDS was $0.62{\pm}1.34$. Only one child($4\%$) under 1 year of age was below 10 percentile in height. Most of children had no medical problems except for 4 children; cleft palate(1), tuberous sclerosis(1), essential hematuria(1), and one child expired due to sepsis. Conclusion: This study showed similar incidence of premaure birth($57\%$) and low birth weight infants($62\%$), but lower incidence of spontaneous abortion($5.6\%$) was observed and compared to other studies. Postnatal growth in majority of children($96\%$) achieved catch-up growth before 1 year. Present study supports a more optimistic view of pregnancy in renal transplant mother and normal growth in their children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.46 no.8
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• pp.751-757
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• 2003

Purpose : Obesity is a significant health problem with medical and psychological consequences for children and adolescents. The purpose of this study was to assess the correlation between body fat percent using bioelectrical impedance(BI) and other variable methods. Methods : We measured height, weight, body mass index(BMI) and body fat percent by skinfold thickness(ST) and BI in 1,035(496 male; 539 female) children from seven to 18 years of age. The correlation coefficients between BI and each of the other different methods were obtained. The sensitivity and specificity to predict obesity by these several methods were studied. Results : Fat percent estimated by BI analysis and BMI showed a strong correlation(r=0.749). Fat percent estimated by BI analysis and ST showed a very strong correlation(r=0.835). At the 95th percentile cut-off point for BI, ST showed a sensitivity of 57.7%, and a specificity of 97.6% for estimating body fat. At the 95th percentile cut-off point for BI, BMI showed a sensitivity of 84.9%, and a specificity of 99.3% for estimating body fat. Conclusion : The fat percent estimated by BI analysis correlated strongly with ST or BMI. BI analysis is an objective and accurate method for estimating body fat in childhood obesity.