• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.11 no.11
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• pp.296-312
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• 2011

Korea has been suffering from financial hardship with low birth rate and rapid growing of advanced aged people because low economic growth and low interest rate have continued after IMF foreign-exchange crisis. Under these circumstances, it is necessary for the middle-aged people to have well-prepared retirement plan in the sense of physical, psychological, social and economical preparedness. The study intends to find out how the occupation and activity characteristics affect the physical, psychological, social and economical preparation for their remaining old age. For the purpose, questionnaires were collected from 344 middle-aged people working in private companies, public offices and small-business owners in metropolitan and Chungcheong province. The findings are as follows: First, they were physically well-prepared, as they thought their leisure activity was more important, their occupational role was more stable and they were old and healthy. Second, Women had notion about their occupation if they kept a good relationship with their colleagues. And they were psychologically prepared well as they valued their leisure activities. Third, if they perceived their occupations as stable and had more social and leisure activities, they were socially well-prepared. Fourth, Although the level of economical preparation depends on their wealth, the occupation and activity characteristics had no effect on the economical preparation. These findings imply that the retirement preparation as a recent social issue has been influenced by the nature of occupation and activity and suggest that the definite policy and program will be required for the retirement preparation of the middle-aged people from various aspects.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.261-275
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• 2013

This study was designed to investigate the relationships of depressed mood with obesity, blood and urinary compositions, and dietary habits in Koreans at the age of 40, a critical transition to the middle adulthood stage. A total of 27,684 people who have taken the Life Transition Period Health Examination at the Korea Association of Health Promotion in 2011 were divided into two groups; the depressed mood group (DG) and the non-depressed group (NG) according to results of the primary questionnaire for mental health. The results were analyzed using the health examination criteria of the National Health Insurance Corporation. Women and medicaid recipients showed higher incidence of depressed mood than men and health insurance subscribers. People with underweight in BMI or abdominal obesity showed correlation with depressed mood, while there was no significant relationship with metabolic syndrome. Regarding blood and urinary compositions, DG was related to a higher level of hemoglobin and lower levels of HDL-cholesterol and triglyceride, although the relationships diminished after adjustment for other confounder effects. According to dietary habits, more people in DG were categorized as a group for "Needs Much Improvement", and the odds ratio of the depressed mood showed a significant increase. Significant difference regarding the frequency of food items such as milk products, animal proteins, Kimchi, and fruits was observed between DG and NG. In addition, a higher portion of subjects in DG did not consume regular meals and various kinds of food. In conclusion, the depressed mood of 40 year-old adults was significantly related to underweight, higher waist measurement, and undesirable dietary habits. Results of our study can be applicable as a basic resource for development of effective nutrition counseling and education programs for improvement of mental health promotion during the critical transition to the middle adulthood stage.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.36 no.2
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• pp.231-243
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• 2012

This study examines the characteristics of fat body type males aged 35 to 55 with a BMI rate higher than 25 categorized as mid-degree obesity and high-degree obesity according to the $6^{th}$ Size Korea; in addition, the study provides a sizing system for obese males. The physical characteristics of the obese male appeared to be with a shorter lower body compared to an upper body for a higher degree of obesity. Obesity appeared evenly from chest to thigh circumference compared to a normal group. Especially, their waist measurement, depth, and width were significantly larger as well as the crotch length (natural indentation) and a larger waist measurement. As for the cloth sizing system, this study suggests the sizes with higher distribution among the designated size intervals of casual tops, men's suit tops and bottoms based on standard stature, chest size and waist circumference (Omphalion) by KS.

• Journal of Korea Entertainment Industry Association
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• v.13 no.6
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• pp.175-186
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• 2019

Purposes: This study aimed to investigate the differences in the prevalence of obesity according to sex and age and self-rated health in adults with metabolic syndrome according to sex, age, and the presence or absence of metabolic syndrome. Methods: The study subjects were 5,674 adults, who completed all three components of the KNHANES VI-2. The subjects were categorized, using life transition periods, into young adults, middle-aged adults, and older adults. Research methods were selected based on the research objectives of the KNHANES VI-2. IBM SPSS 23.0 was used for complex samples cross-tabulation and a complex samples general linear model analysis. Results: Obesity was prevalent in 77.2% of young male adults, 66.2% of middle-aged male, and 52.3% of older male adults with metabolic syndrome, whereas it was prevalent in 72.4% of young female adults, 73.9% of middle-aged female adults, and 64.6% of older female adults with metabolic syndrome. Men had higher self-rated health than women. As age increased, self-rated health status decreased. Those with metabolic syndrome had lower self-rated health status than those without metabolic syndrome. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity was found to be high in those with metabolic syndrome. This study found that based on sex, men had the highest self-rated health status, and based on age, young adults had the highest self-rated health status, whereas those with metabolic syndrome had low self-rated health status.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.573-584
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• 2017

The main purpose of this study is to investigate the important impacting factors of health-related quality of life (HRQOL) by different age groups. The subjects of this study were 5,976 adults over 19 based on data from the 2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey and EQ-5D index score was used for the measurement of HRQOL. Three age groups were considered of young (19-39), middle (40-65), and old (over 66) and for each age group Bayesian ordered probit model analysis was fitted to identify significant factors and their effects on HRQOL. Sex, subjective awareness of health, stress and diseases have been identified to be common important factors for all age groups. HRQOL of women is more likely to be lower than that of men. Subjective awareness of health affect positively but stress and diseases affect negatively on HRQOL. For middle age group, occupational activities have been found to be important positive factors on HRQOL. On the other hand, obesity is more important factor influencing on HRQOL negatively and frequent walking is recommended for old age group.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.134-141
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was conducted to identify the current status of studies of bereaved families in Korea. Methods: We reviewed 97 studies of bereaved families, which were published between 1994 and 2013 in Korea. The studies were classified in three groups according to time, subjects, and topic. Results: First, the number of bereaved family-related studies has increased since 2010. Second, most studies focused on the whole family, and middle-age widows were also popular subjects. Third, the most popular topic was a relationship between certain variables. Conclusion: First, variables and their relations among themselves should be approached through an integrated study. Second, a systematic review is needed to assess the effects of interventions on the bereaved. Third, a qualitative research method is needed to broaden and deepen our understanding about the middle-age widowers, parents who lost their children and children who lost their parents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.72-82
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to compare the body compositions and food behaviors of middle aged men with different obesity indices. The subjects were 62 middle aged men who lived Gunsan city. Heights, body weights, soft/lean masses, fat masses, percentages of body fat, and fat distributions were measured. Food habits and health-related lifestyle habits were evaluated based on questionnaires. The subjects were assigned to one of the following groups based on their percentage of body fat ($\%$Fat) ; normal, overweight and obesity. The results were as follows: their heights, fat masses, percentages of body fat, WHR, RBW, BMI and fitness scores were significantly higher in the obese subjects when compared to the normal and overweight subjects. Self-perceptions of weight and desires of weight control were significantly related with their percents of Fat. The overweight and the obese groups skipped meals, ate supper out, ate snacks, smoked tobacco, and exercised less frequently than the normal group. There were no significant differences in the scores of the dietary habits and drinking of alcohol among the three groups. Therefore, proper nutritional education on regular meals and intervention is required if middle aged men want to be of normal weight and have healthy lifestyles.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.19 no.5
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• pp.1009-1018
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to develop slacks patterns for middle-aged abdomen-obese adult males by using the 3D virtual-twin and virtual-garment simulation system. The criteria for subjects in this study were males who had over $25kg/m^2$ of BMI, over 90cm of waist, and over 0.90 of WHR. A total of 211 adult males who met these criteria were enrolled. The results were as follows: first, a new slacks pattern considerate of abdomen-obese men was development. The basic numerical formula were as follows: front and back hip girth H/4+3.5, front waist girth W/4+1+0.5, back waist girth W/4+1-0.5, front crotch extension H/16, back crotch extension H/8-0.5, front pleats amount 2.7, and back dart amount 1.5. Second, according to the results of the new slacks patterns appearance evaluation, the new slacks pattern scored more highly than the existing pattern in silhouette and ease amount, confirming that the new slacks pattern is appropriate for the abdomen-obese men. Also, the new slacks pattern was evaluated allowing proper space length of waist, abdomen and hip. Virtual models of production through data from a 3D body scan, pattern draft and virtual garment digital program were applied to a prototypic design method in order to enhance the fitness of ready-made garments. The use of the virtual twin made it impossible to comprehend the appearances and ease correspondent to motions. In order to evaluate wearing fitness, therefore, the system should be improved so as to change arm positions and perform various motions.

• 한국노년학
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.211-227
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the characteristics of emotional life across the life span and to examine the affective optimization theory emphasized positive aspect of aging. Three age groups(young group N=238. middle group N=495, old group N=283) were participated in this study. As a result, there were no age differences between the old and the middle group in the frequency of positive emotion experiences, but the old group experience more negative emotions than the middle group. However, generally they experienced positive emotions more often than negative emotions. Also, there were age differences in choosing social goals. The older group took the goals that related to emotional regulation and personal relationship more important than the goals related to learn something new or approve their ability. Interestingly, there were no age differences among three age groups in subjective well-being even though there existed differences in experiences of frequency of positive and negative emotions. Finally, the importance of role of the affective optimization in subjective well-being and adaptation in later life was discussed.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.464-473
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• 2009

The serum levels of antioxidant materials (${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin, lutein, lycopene, ${\alpha}$-tocopherol, ${\gamma}$-tocopherol, retinol) of the healthy Korean middle-aged adults (n = 373) were measured and their relationships with the serum lipids and anthropometric indices were analyzed. The serum levels of ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin, ${\beta}$-carotene, lutein were higher than those of lycopene and ${\alpha}$-carotene. The levels of all measured carotenoids except lutein were significantly higher in females than in males, but retinol level was vice versa. There was a tendency of increase in serum levels of antioxidant vitamins with increasing age. The serum carotenoid levels had a positive correlation with serum cholesterol and a negative correlation with serum triglyceride. The serum levels of tocopherols or retinol showed a significantly positive relationship with blood cholesterol or triglyceride. In overall, anthropometric indices showed negative relations with serum carotenoids levels, but vice versa with serum tocopherol or retinol levels. Particularly, ${\beta}$-carotene and lutein levels showed a significantly negative relation with blood pressure in male subjects. The serum levels of ${\alpha}$-carotene, ${\beta}$-carotene and ${\beta}$-cryptoxanthin had significantly negative relations with body fat-related indices in female subjects. The results demonstrated that blood antioxidants levels differed by sex and age, and had significant relations with blood lipid levels and anthropometric indices. Therefore, the rationale and significance of the relationships need to be elucidated in the future study related to dietary intakes and life style.