• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.8
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• pp.1283-1294
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• 1998

This study was conducted to investigate nutritional status by anthropometric meas-urement and to assess the validity of indicators for nutritional status of preschool children. Health examinations, including blood and urine tests, were done for 799 childern aged 2 to 6 years. The mean anthropometric measurements of height, weight , head circumference, and chest circumference were 90.2cm, 13.9kg, 47.7cm, 50.9cm for 2 years (n=13), 94.8cm, 15.2kg, 43.3cm, 47.0cm for 3 years(n=125), 100.7cm, 16.4kg, 46.2cm, 50.5cm for 4 years(n=272), 106.5cm, 18.1kg, 48.8cm, 53.8cm for 5 years(n=253), 113.0cm 20.4kg, 50.4cm 56.9cm for 6 years(n=136), respectively. All anthropometric measureemnts were significantly different by age and sex. The results of physical examinations excluding dental examination were normal for all studied children. Urine test results were also normal for the subjects. The most common blood type was A and the rarest one was type AB. The mean hemoglobin concentration was 11.84g/dl for boys(n=398), 11.86g/dl for girls, and 11.85kg/dl for all. The percentage of childeren whose hemoglobin concentration was less than 11.0g/dl was 21.6% for boys and 18.9% for girls. The percentage of children whose height for age, weight for age, and weight for height were in the rang of median $\pm$1 standard devication(S.D) was 71.7% , 65.6%, and 67.0% for each indicator. Obese childeren whose weight for height or weigth for age was more than median +2S.D. were 5.2% while tall children whose height for age was more than median +2S.D, were 1.8% . Past and recent nutritional status of most children(87.2%) were assessed as normal by the combination of three indicators(height for age, weight for age, weight for height). The percentate of coincidence between for height) and one assessed by anthropometric measurements (height for age, weight for age, weight for height) and one assessed by physicial was 59.6%, 69.3% and 67.8% for each indicator, respectively. The distribution of subjects by height for age was significantly different between normal and anemic groups. With these results , the nutritional status of children the studied was normal. The anthropometric measurements reflected the nutritional status of childeren relatively well. In conclusion, in comparison with biochemical meausurements anthropometric measurements are relatively simple and effective indicators for nutritional assessement of children in large health and nutrition suveys in Korea.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.289-303
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• 2007

This report includes basic data on nutrition education for Chinese adolescents living in Korea. A total of 183 Chinese adolescents living in Incheon participated in the survey. Body composition was analyzed by the Inbody 4.0., and questionnaires on personal dietary behavior were administrated. When compared with the body measure indices of Korean adolescents, we found that height was similar, but weight greater ($5{\sim}12 kg$) among the participants. Regarding obesity, 30.0% of all students were obese (BMI>25), especially the high school boys (42.0%). But in the case of middle school boys, the rates of obesity and under weight (BMI<18.5) were the same (both of them at 22.9%). The average WHR (Waist Hip Ratio) of the female high school group (0.9) was over the normal range. The average percent body fat for each group was also over the normal range. The percentage of students having breakfast everyday was 52.2%, and the rate of skipping breakfast was 25.0%. In the obesity group, the rate of skipping breakfast was remarkably high (P<0.05). Because lunch service was not available at the schools, a lunch box from home was the most popular pattern (43.1 %), but eating out was also popular at 36.6%. For the male high school students, the eating out rate was 62.8%. Since many have-lived in Korea for a few generations, the students' eating practices were much closer to the Korean pattern. For their ordinary meal pattern, 96.0% of the students included Korean foods. however, for New Years Day, the rate of having Gyo-Ja was 75.2%, and having Wol-Byung at Choo-seok was 78.6%, showing that the Chinese tradition still remains. In the case of food preferences, the percentage having Kimchi everyday was 62.1 %, but those drinking green tea was 13.1 %. For cold drinks, the rate for drinking them more than twice per week was 71.6%. The most preferred cooking method was frying with oil (50.6%). Among the students who had visited China (or Taiwan), the rate for 'bad food familiarity' was 37.0%, and the rate for 'did not know Chinese traditional course menus' was 71.3%. As a result of combining eating practices from both China and Korea, and the absence of lunch service in Chinese schools, students are showing bad dietary behaviors. therefore, it is necessary to provide proper nutrition education and a system for lunch service in Chinese schools.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.667-682
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in health behavior, mental health, and nutritional status of Korean adolescents before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. Methods: A total of 800 adolescents (12~18 years old) who participated in the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were included as study subjects and divided into four groups (204 middle school boys, 172 middle school girls, 219 high school boys, and 205 high school girls). The 2019 and 2020 KNHANES data were classified into data collected before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, respectively. Results: After the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, middle school boys showed an increased tendency toward becoming overweight and obese, with significantly increased levels of diastolic blood pressure and insulin. While there was no major change in the subjective health status among adolescents, the high school boys showed a significantly decreased physical activity after COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, the proportion of middle school students feeling a little stressed significantly increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. The rate of skipping breakfast significantly increased in middle school girls, but the rate of having lunch with companions significantly increased among all adolescents after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the intake of milk, vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, and pulses significantly decreased, although the intake of sugars, beverages, and seasonings significantly decreased as well, during this period. These changes may lead to an increased proportion of adolescents with insufficient intake of nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and riboflavin. Conclusion: These results highlight the impact of COVID-19 on comprehensive changes in physical and mental health status, lifestyle behavior, and nutritional status in adolescents, suggesting the need for targeted prevention and intervention for physical and mental well-being during the pandemic.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.9 no.1
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• pp.33-46
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• 2008

Objectives: The aim of this study was to investigate the correlation between the obesity rate in elementary school students in Daejeon and the relevant factors such as social-demographical factors, genetic factors, birth factors, diet factors and intelligence factors. Methods: For the research, 443 fourth grade students, 405 fifth grade students and 417 sixth grade students from six elementary schools in Daejeon Metropolitan City Participated in this study and classified into three groups: normal-weight group, mild obesity group, and moderate or severe obesity group. Results: The total obesity rate of the elementary school students in the school district of Daejeon Metropolitan City was 14.2%; the rate of mild obesity was 7.2%; the rate of moderate obesity was 5.5%; and the rate of severe obesity was 1.5%. The obesity rate of surveyed boys was 16.9%, and the obesity rate of girls was 11.1%. The significant factors for girls' obesity were fathers' EMI, mothers' EMI, living standards, constant demand of foods, preference for greasy foods, frequency of eating snacks, and daily walking hours. It was found that students' subjective mind and objective health index were related to obesity. In the case of obese students, they had more concern about their health and more stress from the dissatisfaction of their physical appearance than normal students. Conclusions: From the above evidences, it is apparent that the obesity of elementary school students has strong relations with eating habits rather than physical activities. It is to be hoped that obesity prevention programs such as effective meal guidance. parental guidance for watching TV, and intense physical activities will be included in the curriculums of health education for elementary school students.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.35 no.5
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• pp.619-621
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• 2008

Purpose: By virtue of good nourishment, obese boys are increasing in Korea, which may result in prevalence of cryptopenis. As milieu of economy, culture, and society changes, increased attention to the external genitalia in children should encourage surgeon to do assertive treatment for cryptopenis. But various operative methods have been devised yet to need sophistication and revision. The author performed suprapubic lipectomy and operation according to the modification of the Johnston's principle. Methods: The patient was 5 years old, 32 kg, and 122 cm. He had no pain or tenderness. The operation was done under general anesthesia. It was done with excision of suprapubic fat, cutting of retracted dartos fascia instead of removing the fascia around penile base, and anchoring of dermis and the cutting margin of the fascia to the underlying fascia such as Buck's fascia, tunica albuginea and rectus fascia at penile base. And then circumcision was performed. Results: Postoperative complication was not observed. The clinical result of the operation was satisfactory to both surgeon and parents of the patient. Conclusion: Suprapubic lipectomy and anchoring of dermis and retracted cutting dartos fascia margin to the underlying fascia in all directions at the penile base through a single suprapubic incision provide this patient with complacency.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.82-89
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• 2011

Objectives: This study was designed to regulate the percentile of body fat percentage by Bioelectrical Impedence Analysis (BIA) in order to detect overweight and obesity in preschool children. Methods 1301 three to six year old children's height, weight, and body fat percentage using BIA was measured. Results: The percent of the boys with 85th percentiles of the body fat percentage were 22.3%(3years), 23.4%(3.5years), 23.9%(4years), 24.8%(4.5years), 22.8%(5years), 24.6%(5.5years) and 23.8%(6years). The percent of the girls with 95th percentiles of the body fat percentage were 24.9%(3years), 27.5%(3.5years), 27.3%(4years), 28.6%(4.5years), 28.1%(5years), 33.3%(5.5years) and 32.7%(6years). For the girls, the percent of girls with 85th percentiles of body fat percentage were 23.3%(3years), 24.4%(3.5years), 23.6%(4years), 23.7%(4.5years), 24.7%(5years), 26.0%(5.5years) and 28.1%(6years). And the 95th percentiles of the body fat percentage were 28.6%(3years), 27.3%(3.5years), 25.4%(4years), 28.0%(4.5years), 31.7%(5years), 33.5%(5.5years) and 36.4%(6years). Conclusions: The 85th percentiles of body fat percentage to classify as overweight and the 95th percentiles of body fat percentage to classify as obesity were accord with the Body Mass Index (BMI) criteria by the Korean pediatrics society in 2007.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.103-111
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• 2009

Purpose: By analyzing factors related to suicide ideation of Korean middle and high school students, the purpose of this study was to multi-dimensionally understand suicide ideation of Korean middle and high school students and arrange the plans to prevent suicide. Methods: This study used and analyzed the data on ‘The 3rd (Year2007) Korea Youth Health Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYHRBWS)' conducted by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. In this study, we analyzed 74,698 respondents in total. SPSS 12.0 Program was used to analyze the survey. Descriptive statistics, Chi-Square Test and multivariate logistic regression were also used as research methods. Results: 23.8% of the Korean middle and high school students had suicide ideation during the last one year. Girls had higher possibility of suicide ideation by 1.51 times compared to boys. Students with poor academic achievement had more suicide ideation. In terms of health characteristics, students who perceived themselves as not healthy, and students with short weekday sleeping hours, more drinking experience and more smoking experience had more suicide ideation than others. Furthermore, students who perceived themselves as overweight or obese had more suicide ideation than other students. In terms of mental characteristics, students with high level of stress, low level of happiness and depression had more suicide ideation. Conclusion: As a result of this study, we found out that the factor that had the biggest influence on suicide ideation of Korean middle and high school students was depression. Consequently, active supports and policies to decrease suicide ideation of Korean middle and high school students are necessary. Therefore, active interviews, education for suicide prevention, and periodical screening inspection should be introduced in schools.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.1-12
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• 2021

Purpose: Growing evidence indicates that adolescents from multicultural families are more vulnerable to drug use than those from non-multicultural families. This study aimed to compare the factors associated with the habitual drug use among adolescents from multicultural and non-multicultural families. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Data were obtained from the 14~15th (2018~2019) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Overall, 91,443 multicultural (n=1,725) and non-multicultural adolescents (n=89,718) were included. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and logistic regression analysis. Results: The multicultural adolescents engaged in more habitual drug use than did non-multicultural adolescents. In both groups, those who currently drank, experienced violent victimization, had sexual experiences, and did not live with their family were at greater risk of engaging in habitual drug use. The odds ratios of these factors were higher in multicultural adolescents than in non-multicultural adolescents. In non-multicultural adolescents, those who were boys, had experienced depression and suicidal ideation, perceived their body image as normal, overweight, or obese, and had poor subjective health status were at greater risk of engaging in habitual drug use. Conclusion: These results highlight the need to develop customized strategies for adolescents from both multicultural and non-multicultural families to reduce and prevent their habitual drug use.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to differentiate the factors associated with the BMI group of adolescents between rural and urban areas, and provide baseline data in the development of health education programs considering their personal and environmental characteristics. Methods: Secondary data analysis was performed using the data from an on-line survey of the 9th adolescence behavioral health in 2013. The instruments included general, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics. This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted with 26,513 adolescents. The data were analyzed using a t-test, two-way ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Significant differences in the prevalence of obesity between urban and rural areas were nated and rural areas exhibited a higher prevalence of obese adolescents (p<0.05). The factors associated with the BMI group were the mothers' education level (low) and lower age of adolescents (middle school) in rural areas, wherase those for urban areas were gender (boys) and the fathers' education level (low) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Because there was a significant difference in the prevalence of obesity between rural and urban areas, it is necessary to develop a tailored education program considering the regional and environmental characteristics that the adolescents belonged to in order to prevent and control adolescent obesity.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.12-22
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• 2021

Objectives: This study examined the association between the dietary behavior and weight status of preschool children and their mothers in Daejeon, Korea. Methods: A total of 301 mother-preschool children (aged 3~6 years) dyads were included in this study. The dietary behavior of children and their mothers was assessed using the Nutrition Quotient (NQ) questionnaire for preschoolers and adults, respectively. The NQ questionnaires were completed by the mothers. The overweight/obesity status of children and their mothers was determined using data on height and body weight reported by the mothers. Multiple logistic regression was performed to examine the relationship between the dietary behavior and weight status of children and their mothers. Results: The mean NQ score was 58.9 ± 9.7 in children and 55.6 ± 9.2 in mothers. The NQ score was higher in boys than girls but did not vary by age. The prevalence of overweight/obesity was 27.5% in children and 46.5% in mothers. The physical activity level of mothers and their NQ scores were positively associated with the NQ scores of the children. After adjustment for covariates, the mothers in the highest tertile of NQ scores showed a lower odds ratio (OR) for the unhealthy dietary behavior of children (OR = 0.24, 95% CI = 0.11~0.53, P < 0.001) compared to those in the lowest tertile. The obese mothers showed a higher OR for children's overweight/obesity (OR = 3.38, 95% CI = 1.68~6.80, P = 0.001) compared to normal weight mothers. Conclusions: The dietary behavior and weight status of young children and their mothers were closely linked. Nutrition education programs targeting mothers are necessary for improving maternal and child nutrition. Specifically, these programs need to be tailored to the socioeconomic characteristics or weight status of mothers.