• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.44 no.1
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• pp.126-140
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• 2020

This study analyzed the self-identified cold tolerance and wearing behavior of teenagers inside and outside the classroom during winter, considering recent climate changes. A questionnaire was divided into four parts-general information, thermal and comfort sensation inside and outside classroom, self-identified cold tolerance, and wearing behavior to collect data from 322 students. Over several years, changes were noted in respondents' wearing behavior during winter outings, with the biggest being the purchase of a "long padded jacket" for warmth while outside. Most respondents showed similar wearing behavior, such as no difference between the number of clothes worn in a classroom maintained at 20℃ (girls: 8.0±3.1 layer, boys: 6.5±2.1 layer) and outside (girls: 8.8±3.4 layer, boys: 7.1±3.0 layer), despite feeling differently about the thermal sensation inside and outside the classroom. This difference may due to a teenager's lack of knowledge about temperature and their tendency to follow clothing trends. Female students were more sensitive to the cold and wore more garments inside and outside the classroom. Gender-related differences should be considered when educating teenagers about safe and healthy clothing.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Clothing and Textiles
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.530-543
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• 2018

This study investigated elderly winter wearing habits and self-identified thermal tolerance in order to compare differences between older males and older females. We surveyed 269 participants: 119 males (age $76.9{\pm}5.9yr$) and 150 females (age $76.1{\pm}5.7yr$). Thirty one questionnaires were used: Self-identified cold and heat tolerance, clothing behavior, lifestyles related to the cold and health care, etc. High percentage of respondents (both males and females) felt vulnerable to the cold. The total number of outdoor clothes were $9.6{\pm}1.6$ and $10.6{\pm}1.6$ in males and females, respectively (p<.05). Wearing frequencies for thermal underwear were 84.0% and 82.4% in males and females, respectively. The using percentage of auxiliary heating devices was higher in females compared to males (p<.01). Males felt more cold in the head and face compared to females (p<.01). Self-identified cold tolerance had negative relationships with the total number of winter outdoor clothes for both males (r=-0.260) and females (r=-0.222) (p<.01). The perceived old age for both males and females was 72.4 yr. Sex differences should be considered when developing guidelines for winter clothing behavior for the elderly and educating them on how to improve health and cold tolerance.