• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.60 no.11
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• pp.359-364
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• 2017

Purpose: The risk of cardiovascular disease (CVD) has been shown to be associated with systemic inflammation in obese adults with metabolic syndrome (MetS). The aims of this study were to evaluate the prevalence of MetS and its relation to inflammatory markers in obese Thai children. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Children with history of endogenous obesity, chronic diseases, drug ingestion, and any acute illness within 2 weeks prior to enrollment were excluded. Their fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, oral glucose tolerance tests, insulin, lipid profiles, and selected inflammatory markers, including interleukin-6, tumor necrosis factor-alpha, and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) levels, were tested. Results: In this study, 58 obese Thai children (female, 20; male, 38) with a mean body mass index z score of $5.1{\pm}2.2$ were enrolled. The prevalence of MetS and prediabetes was 31% and 17.2%, respectively. None of the children had diabetes. FBG levels, 2-hour glucose levels, and lipid profiles were not statistically different between those with and without MetS. However, obese children with MetS had higher insulin levels and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance values. Elevated hs-CRP levels were found in 69% of the cases, although it was not statistically different between the 2 groups. Conclusion: We described a substantial prevalence of MetS in Thai obese children. Regardless of MetS status, two-thirds of the obese children had elevated hs-CRP level, indicating subtle ongoing inflammatory process. This chronic inflammation feasibly predisposes them to CVD in the future, even in children without MetS.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.169-177
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• 2010

Osteoporosis is a disease that increases the fracture rates and a major cause of increased mortality and morbidity in the elderly people. This study is to determine which components of body composition and metabolic syndrome risk factors are important to bone health, we analysed the relationship among bone mineral density (BMD), body composition and metabolic syndrome risk factors in females. Totally 630 females participated in a medical check-up program (mean age 47 years) were selected for this study. Body composition analysis was performed by segmental bioelectrical impedance method, muscle mass, and percent body fat were measured. We also measured metabolic syndrome risk factors including abdominal obesity, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, blood pressure and fasting glucose level. Metabolic syndrome was defined by NCEP-ATP III criteria. The lumbar spine and femoral neck BMD were measured using the dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Osteopenia and osteoporosis were observed in 180 and 51 persons, respectively. Muscle mass and HDL-cholesterol decreased in osteopenia and osteoporosis groups compared to the control group, and the grade was shown progressively by the symptoms. Significant positive correlation between BMD and muscle mass was observed. Multi variable regression analyses showed that % body fat and muscle mass were independent predictors of BMD after adjustment of age, height and weight. In conclusion, the BMD showed negative correlation with the metabolic and body composition was associated with BMD.

• Asian Journal for Public Opinion Research
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.121-139
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• 2015

"Living in the present moment," a Buddhist concept, was applied in this research. This concept urges the patients to cling neither to the past nor the future as well as being mindful of their body, feelings, mind, and mental qualities. The purpose of the study was to develop a "living in the present moment" model and to evaluate the power of "living in the present moment" in terms of physical and mental results. The study used non-participatory action research with quasi-experimental research design that included 3 camps composed of 6 main activities. The percentages, SD, and paired t-test statistics were used to analyze and compare 17 purposively selected diabetic patients from Pak Thong Chai Hospital before and after they attended the 3 camps. The patients improved significantly in terms of waistline, body weight, body mass index (BMI) and blood pressure (SBP and DBP). The mean of fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level was also changed considerably. The results revealed that the treatment helped the patients to gain self-awareness and self-realization (Yonisomanasikara), as well as knowledge and increased support from friends (Kalyanamitta). They also let go of their attachment to their physical and mental oppressions. This helped the patients to relieve their daily pain, fatigue, insomnia, and diabetes-related complications. About 75% of all patients were able to achieve lifestyle modifications. Therefore, implementation of the model should be expanded and utilized in other diabetic centers. The model might also be expanded to pre-diabetes.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.7
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• pp.641-648
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• 2006

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of the individual nutrition education for type 2 diabetes who participate the diabetes buffet. The subjects were 66 patients and divided into education (n=34) and control groups (n=32). The mean age of education and control groups were 59.8 and 56.6 years old, respectively. There were no differences in age and body mass index (BMI) between two groups. Initial glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), post prandial plasma glucose (PP2), total plasma cholesterol, and blood pressure were not different between two groups. But fasting blood sugar (FBS) was higher in education group than in control group. On completion of the study, the education group showed significant decreases in body weight, BMI, FBS and PP2, however, the control group showed no changes in body weight, BMI and PP2, and showed a significant increase in FBS. Initial calorie and protein intakes of the education group did not meet the prescribed amount, however, mineral and vitamin intakes were higher than estimated average requirement (EAR). By the end of study, calorie and protein intakes were significantly increased to meet the prescription. In order to evaluate the effect of diet education, awareness of calorie requirement was used as an index of understanding diet prescription. The degree of awareness of calorie requirement was dependent on age: younger patients showed higher awareness than older subjects. The subject who showed better understanding of diet prescription showed lower levels of HbA1c, FBS, and PP2 at the end of the experiment period. The results of this study clearly show that individual diabetes diet education is effective to make the patient understand their diet prescription, and is effective to control body weight and blood sugar level. Awareness of calorie requirement could be used as an index of understanding of prescribed diet. Since age is an important variable to determine the awareness of calorie requirement, different strategies of nutrition education should be developed for different age groups, especially patients over 70 years old.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.42 no.1
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• pp.29-34
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• 2009

Objectives : This study was performed to evaluate the relationship between C-reactive protein(CRP) and carotid intima-media thickness(carotid IMT) in a population of middle-aged Koreans. Methods : A total of 1,054 men and 1,595 women(aged 40-70 years) from Kanghwa County, Korea, were chosen for the present study between 2006 and 2007. We measured high-sensitivity CRP and other major cardiovascular risk factors including anthropometrics, blood pressure, blood chemistry, and carotid ultrasonography. Health related questionnaires were also completed by each study participant. Carotid IMT value was determined by the maximal IMT at each common carotid artery. The relationship between CRP level and carotid IMT was assessed using multiple linear and logistic regression models after adjustment for age, body mass index, menopause(women), systolic blood pressure, total/HDL cholesterol ratio, triglyceride level, fasting glucose, smoking, and alcohol consumption. Results : Mean carotid IMT values from the lowest to highest quartile of CRP were 0.828, 0.873, 0.898, and 0.926 mm for women(p for trend<0.001), and 0.929, 0.938, 0.949, and 0.979 mm for men(p for trend=0.032), respectively. After adjustment for major cardiovascular risk factors, the relationship between CRP and carotid IMT was significant in women(p for trend=0.017), but not in men(p for trend=0.798). Similarly, adjusted odds ratio of increased IMT, defined as the sex-specific top quartile, for the highest versus lowest CRP quartiles was 1.55(95% CI=1.06-2.26) in women, but only 1.05(95% CI=0.69-1.62) in men. Conclusions : CRP and carotid IMT levels appear to be directly related in women, but not in men.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.846-854
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• 1996

High dietary fiber(DF) diets lower blood glucose and insulin requirements in diabetics. In this study we evaluated the effects of high dietary fiber(DF) food supplements on glucose metabolism in thirty-four subjects with non-insulin-dependent diabetes mellitus(NIDDM). The subjects were divided into three test groups. Each group's prescribed hospital diets were augmented by one of the three following DF supplements for two weeks: Soybean biscuits containing 5g of total DF-the control group(n=15); Biji biscuits containing 20g of total DF-the high insoluble DF group(n=9); and sea tangle biscuits containing 25g of total DF-the high soluble DF group(n=10). The mean daily DF intake of the subjects during the period were: $19.1\pm4.3g$ for the soybean control group; $32.5\pm4.1g$ for the Bijl group; and $38.1\pm5.5g$ for the sea tangle group. The supplementation of the Biji or sea tangle biscuits singnificantly lowered fasting serum glucose levels(p < 0.05) and resulted in the improvement of glucose tolerance. However, the secretions of insulin, C-peptide, and glucagon and Hb $A_{lc}$ concentration were not affected by the high fiber supplementary feeding for two weeks. The urinary excretion of glucose decreased remarkably after the addition of the DF supplements in all three groups(p<0.05). The results indicate that the supplementation of Biji or sea tangle bascuits possesses a beneficial effect on the improvement of glucose metabolism in subjects with NIDDM.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.106-117
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• 2016

Osteoporosis is a major health problem that can lead to mortality. This study was conducted to estimate the prevalence of osteopenia and osteoporosis separately and to assess the risk factors associated with osteopenia/osteoporosis in Korean men aged 50 years and over. A total of 1,136 subjects were analyzed among the participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) 2010~2011 by using SPSS statistics complex samples (windows ver. 23.0). The prevalence rates of osteopenia and osteoporosis were 46.3% and 7.3%, respectively, and the mean ages of both osteopenia and osteoporosis risk groups were significantly higher than that of the normal group. The mean values for lifetime tallest height and bone mineral density in whole body, total femur, femoral neck, and lumbar spine were significantly lower in the risk group(osteopenia/osteoporosis) than in the normal group, whereas the mean values for height, body weight, BMI, waist circumference, alkaline phosphatase, parathyroid hormone, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and triglycerides of the two groups showed no significant differences. The intakes of energy and carbohydrates were significantly higher in the risk group than in the normal group. The results of multiple logistic regression showed that being underweight and having hypercholesterolemia were significantly related with the prevalence of osteopenia/osteoporosis, whereas health habits such as smoking and exercise, chronic diseases such as obesity and hypertension, and nutrient intakes were not. These findings suggest the need for further studies to examine osteopenia/osteoporosis risk factors and outcomes specificly focused on Korean men.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.218-226
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• 2001

This study was performed to assess the nutritional status, frequency of visiting and necessity of nutrition programs for 157 elderly(male:49, female:108) visiting public health centers in Puchon. The purpose of the study was to provide the basic data for developing a nutrition service model. The subject were investigated by interviews with a questionnaire to obtain dietary data and other information related to public health center. Blood tests for analyzing biochemical status were also carried out. The elderly showed low income status. Ninety two percent of them showed their monthly income was less than 400,000 won and 72.6% was observed as having 30,000 won/month as their pocket money. The most frequent disease reported as having or being treated were hypertension(32.6%), rheumatic arthritis(28.5%), diabetes(10.2%), and stomach disease(8.2%) for males and hypertension(33.1%), diabetes(19.4%), rheumatic arthritis(16.7%), anemia(11.1%) for females. The nutrients whose daily intakes were less than 2/3 of RDA were calcium(37.5% RDA),vitamin A(49.9% RDA), iron(60.0% of RDA) and protein(62.0% RDA) for males and vitamin A(27.7% RDA), vitamin B$_2$(33.3% RDA), calcium(44.1% RDA), iron(53.3% RDA), and niacin(60.0% RDA) for females, respectively. Prevalence of anemia, assessed by hemogloben using WHO definition, were 4.1% for males and 18.5% for females. The percentage of males with hypercholesterolemia( 220 mg/dl) was 2.1% and 19.4% fir females, Two percent of males and 12.0% of females were observed as having a LDL-C higher than 165 mg/dl. The mean fasting blood glucose(FBG) level of males and female was 84.2 mg/dl and 101.7 mg/dl respectively. Two percent of males and 8.3% of females were found with a FBG higher than 140 mg/dl. Seventy one percent of elderly reported they were visiting public health centers at least once per week or more frequently. They were satisfied most with the low medical bills but showed the lowest satisfaction for the facilities of the public health centers. What the nutrition service programs wanted most was nutrition counseling and guidance.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.12-26
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships among serum adiponectin, leptin and vitamin D concentrations and the metabolic syndrome in Korean farmers. 105 (26 males, 79 females) farmers (39~78 years, mean age $59.4{\pm}9.6$ years) in Gangwon - area were included in this study. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical blood analysis of subjects were carried out. The prevalence of obesity, abdominal obesity, hypertension, diabetes, hypertriglyceridemia, hypercholesterolemia and hyper LDL-cholesterolemia, metabolic syndrome were 51.9%, 65.7%, 49.5%, 15.3%, 17.3%, 13.5%, 11.5% and 40.9%, respectively. Serum adiponectin and leptin levels ($8.90{\mu}g/ml$ and 12.6 ng/ml) of females were significantly higher than those ($6.49{\mu}g/ml$ and 4.88 ng/ml) of males. But there was no significant difference in 25(OH)vitamin D concentration between males (15.4 ng/ml) and females (16.9 ng/ml). In the subjects with metabolic syndrome, the adiponectin levels were significantly lower and leptin levels were significantly higher than those of the subjects without metabolic syndrome. Serum adiponectin level had positive correlations with HDL-cholesterol level (r = 0.325, p < 0.001), but showed negative correlations with triglyceride and fasting blood glucose concentrations, body weight and waist/hip circumference ratio (r = -0.202 ~ -0.317, p < 0.05). Serum leptin and 25(OH)vitamin D concentrations were positively correlated with body fat (kg, %) and BMI, waist and hip circumferences (r = 0.244 ~ 0.682, p < 0.001). The results of this study suggested that adiponectin and leptin levels could be credible indices to predict chronic diseases in farmers. However, further research on vitamin D should be carried out considering another factors.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.3 no.4
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• pp.287-293
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• 2012

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome has received attention as a risk factor for cardiovascular disease, with particular importance attached to visceral fat accumulation, which is associated with lifestyle-related diseases and is strongly correlated with waist circumference. In this study, our aim is to propose waist circumference cut-off values that can be used as a marker for fatty liver based on a sample of workers receiving health checkups in Japan. Methods: This study was conducted in a total of 21,866 workers who underwent periodic health checkups between January 2007 and December 2007. The mean age of the subjects was 47.4 years for men (standard deviation [SD]: 8.0) and 44.7 years for women (SD: 6.9). Evaluation included abdominal ultrasound and measurement of waist circumference, body mass index, fasting blood glucose, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol, and blood pressure. Results: Based on receiver operating characteristic curve analysis, the optimal waist circumference cut-off values were shown as 85.0 cm (sensitivity 0.72, specificity 0.69) for men and 80.0 cm (sensitivity 0.75, specificity 0.78) for women. Conclusion: Abdominal ultrasound is the most efficient means of diagnosing fatty liver, but this examination seldom occurs because the test is not routinely performed at workers' health checkups. In people found to have a high risk of fatty liver, recommendations can be made for abdominal ultrasound based on the waist circumference cut-off values obtained in this study. That is, waist circumference can be used in high risk individuals as an effective marker for early detection of fatty liver.