• Korean Journal of Food Science and Technology
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• v.39 no.2
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• pp.189-193
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• 2007

This study investigated the effects of Gymnema sylvestre (GS) extract on body weight, adiposity, and lipid metabolism in leptin-deficient ob/ob mice. The experimental mice were divided into the following 4 groups: basal diet (AIN-93G diet) and 0.5%, 1%, and 1.5% GS supplemented groups. Each group was fed the experimental diet for 9 weeks. The final body weights, adipocyte sizes, and epididymal fat weights of the GS groups were significantly lower than those of the control group. There were no significant differences in food intake and food efficiency ratios among the treated groups. Serum triglyceride levels and the atherogenic index were significantly lower in the GS groups compared to the control group. Serum HDL cholesterol levels were significantly higher in the 1% and 1.5% GS groups compared to the control group. Serum glutamate oxaloacetate transaminase and glutamate pyruvate transaminase activities did not differ among the four experimental groups. The total hepatic lipid content was significantly lower in the GS groups, and hepatic cholesterol and triglyceride contents tended to be reduced in the GS groups compared to the control group. These results suggest that GS extract may be useful for ameliorating dyslipidemia and fatty liver.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.79-84
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• 2014

Purpose: Overweight can be defined by the body mass index (BMI) and is likely associated with an increased cardiovascular disease risk. However, waist circumference (WC), a central adiposity index, may be a better indicator of cardiovascular disease risk. Studies comparing the effects of BMI and WC on cardiovascular risk factors, such as high blood pressure (BP), are rare in adolescents. Methods: We analyzed the correlations of BMI and WC with BP in 3,363 Korean adolescents (aged 10-19 years), using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2009-2011). Results: Systolic BP (SBP) in both sexes and diastolic BP (DBP) in boys were higher in the high BMI (>85th percentile) and high WC (>90th percentile) groups. High BMI and high WC were positively correlated with high SBP (>90th percentile) in both sexes, and high DBP (>90th percentile), in boys. BMI maintained its positive associations with SBP, DBP, high SBP, and high DBP in the normal weight ($BMI{\leq}85th$ percentile) and overweight (BMI>85th percentile) groups in both boys and girls, as well as in all subjects of both sexes, even after adjustment for WC. However, WC did not correlate with SBP, DBP, high SBP, or high DBP after adjustment for BMI in any group in either sex. Conclusion: In Korean adolescents, BMI correlated better with BP and high BP levels than WC. Further, BMI was positively associated with BP and high BP in the normal weight group as well as in the overweight group.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.30 no.2
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• pp.126-133
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• 2017

Background: There are many mechanisms in which stress can lead to weight gain thus high a BMI. The endocrine and inflammatory pathway can directly increase abdominal adiposity. Another way in which stress leads to weight gain is through changes in health behaviors. The study aimed to investigate the prevalence of musculoskeletal disorders (MSDs) among healthy students of Ahlia University, and to determine the relationship between the development of MSDs and academic stressors and body mass index. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were distributed to 94 students aged 18-26 years who were enrolled at various Ahlia University colleges and met other inclusion criteria. The students responded to the standardized Nordic musculoskeletal questionnaire and the modified College Student Stress Inventory regarding musculoskeletal symptoms and academic stressors. Height and weight measurements were also obtained to determine body mass index. Results: A total of 77.66% reported MSDs in one or more body part, with the prevalence being higher among women than among men. The 7-day prevalence of MSDs severe enough to interfere with activities of daily living was 60.64%, and 44.68% by female and male students, respectively. There was a significant relationship between academic stress and MSDs in the neck, shoulders, lower back, and hips, while the relationship between MSDs, and body mass index, academic stress, and grade point average was not significant. Conclusions: The prevalence of MSDs among Ahlia University students was found to be high. Apart from the positive correlation between academic stress and MSDs in certain body parts, other correlations were not significant.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.221-232
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• 1992

This study was intended to figure out the interrelationship among body fat distribution serum insulin and lipids levels. One hundred forty four adult female from Chinju area were participated in this study. The survey was conducted between December 17, 1990-February 27, 1991, . The results are as follows : Wiast/hip girth ratio(WHR) and waist/thigh girth ratio(WTR) were increased with age and positively correlated with body mass index(BMI). It appeared that the prevalence of obesity in terms of BMI was higher in upper body type than intermediate or lower body type women. Correlation analyese indicated that serum triglyceride level seemed to be more closely associated with BMI and other body fat distribution indices. Analyses of the anthropometric data serum lipids and insulin were carried out by dividing the sample into three body type groups-upper body type women(WHR$\geq$0, .87) intermediate body type women(0.82$\leq$WHR$\leq$0.86) and low body type women(WHR$\leq$0.81) Age weight BMI RBW percentage of body fat serum insulin triglyceride cholesterol level of upper body type women were significnatly higher than that of intermediate or lower body type women(p<0.05) HDL-cholesterol was significantly lower in upper body type women. These results suggested that body fat distribution would be relevant to chronic metabolic diseases.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.49-53
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• 2015

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) is a complex multisystem genetic disorder characterized by hypothalamic-pituitary dysfunction. Many features of PWS indicate a deficiency in growth hormone (GH) production, and these findings provide a rationale for GH therapy in PWS. It is possible that rhGH therapy could have beneficial effects in adults with PWS, similar to those in adults with GH deficiency (GHD) of non-syndromic cause. However, there is a paucity of data on the use of GH in adults with PWS. Here, the previous studies about efficacy and safety of rhGH therapy in PWS adults are summarized. Briefly, rhGH therapy in PWS adults may improve body composition, leading to increased lean body mass and decreased fat mass, as well as decreased subcutaneous and visceral adiposity without overall changes in body mass index. There may be at least transient deterioration in glucose homoeostasis in some PWS patients on rhGH therapy, which requires further study. In addition, clinical care guidelines for rhGH therapy in adults with PWS were suggested.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.248-258
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the associations of body mass index (BMI) and waist circumference (WC) with coronary artery diseases (CAD) in women patients with chest pain. Method: BMI, WC, and flow-mediated vasodilation (FMD) were measured for 162 women patients with chest pain whose mean age was $54.9{\pm}9.2$ years. CAD was diagnosed by coronary angiography. Results: In comparing BMI and WC, WC was found to be more strongly associated with cardiovascular risk factors. For example, correlations with the high density lipoprotein cholesterol were r=-.266, p=.001 (WC) vs. r=-.131, p=.104 (BMI), and for homocystein, r=.378, p<.001 (WC) vs. r=.150, p=.068 (BMI). Obstructive CAD develops more frequently in women patients with abdominal obesity than in patients without abdominal obesity. Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that WC is a better index of adiposity than BMI.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.32 no.3
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• pp.185-196
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• 1994

The prevalence of obesity by measuring the amount of body fat and its related factors were investigated in 315 high school girls living in Seoul. Average body fat amount and body fat percentage measured by the body impedance analysis were 14.2$\pm$5.2kg and 25.9$\pm$7.0% respectively. Mean body mass index(BMI) was 2.1$\pm$2.7kg/m2 and 6.7% of the subjects showed over 25kg/m2 Correlative analysis reveal that the body fat percentage was significantly correlated to both relative body weight and BMI(r=0.66, P<0.01, r=0.68, P<0.01) Relative body weight of the subjects showed positive correlation to those of their mother and father. It was shown that many students skipped breakfast often and did not have a pleasant meal with enough time. There was no relationship between adiposity and dietary nutrient or energy intake. When subgroups of the subjects attending a non-vocational high school and those attending a vocational or technical school were compared obesity was more prevalent in the former. Therefore the burden caused by preparing the university entrance examination seems to play an important role in fat deposition.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.1879-1883
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• 2014

Background: The relationship between obesity and prostate cancer aggressiveness is controversial in recent studies, partly because BMI is the only generally applied marker of obesity. Our study aimed at evaluating the correlation of periprostatic fat (PF) on magnatic resonance imaging (MRI) and adipocytokines with prostate cancer aggressiveness. Patients and method: A total of 184 patients who underwent radical retropubic prostatectomy (RRP) were analyzed retrospectively; different fat measurements on MRI slices and levels of adipocytokines were compared with the clinical and pathologic factors using SSPS ver.13.0. Result: The PF rates showed a statistically significant variation (p=0.019, 0.025) among groups, that is to say, more adipose tissue was distributed in periprostatic areas of high risk patients. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age revealed a statistically association between the PF, the ratio and the risk of having high-risk disease (p=0.031, 0.024). The levels of IL-6, leptin and c-reactive protein (CRP) significantly increased with the aggressiveness of prostate cancer, and also with PF and its ratio. The strongest correlation was seen between IL-6 and PF (Pearson r coefficient=0.67, P<0.001). No association was observed between adipocytokines and BMI. Conclusion: Periprostatic adiposity not only affects prostate cancer aggressiveness, but also influences the secretion of adipocytokines. IL-6, PF and CRP have promoting effects on progression of prostate cancer.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.27 no.5
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• pp.460-472
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• 1994

Prevalences of hypertension and obesity of primary school children in Kangnung were investigated, and the correlations between blood perssure and measured anthropometry were also studied to identify the factors that influence on blood pressure. 1,164 children (602 boys and 562 girls) from five elementary schools were chosen for this study. Anthropometric measurements were taken for blood pressure, body weight, height, triceps skinfold, and circumferences of chest and arm. Data of family history of hypertension were obtained by means of prepared questionnaires. Prevalences of hypertension were 3.3% in boys and 3.1% in girls. The group with elevated blood pressure had relatively a greater frequency of familial hypertension and significantly higher mean body weight and obesity index. The prevalence of obesity was defined as percentage of children whose rates of current weight to standard weight for height and sex in Korean children were more than 120%. Prevalence of obesity were 16.3% in boys, 10.3% in girls. There findings clearly revealed the influences of above-average weight and familial hypertension on blood pressure. These results suggest that children with familial hypertension should be avoid excess adiposity and be measured blood pressure regularly.

• Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.81-87
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• 1999

Body mass index(BMI) is recognized as one of the most useful indexes for adiposity in children and adults. This study was conducted to provide information on BMI distribution by age and sex in Korean children, and to identify sociodemographic factors that affected BMI among children. The study was conducted on 2376 children(boys 1184, girls 1192) living in a middle-size city in Korea. Subjects were selected from the primary schoolchildren in grades 1-6 using the two-stage sampling method. Their mean age was 9.4 years. The percentile of BMI tended to increase as age increased in both sexes. The 85th percentile for boys, aged 6-12 years, was 19.8kg/㎡, and the 95th percentile was 22.5kg/㎡. The 85th percentile for girls, aged 6-12 years, was 18.9kg/㎡, and the 95th percentile was 21.5kg/㎡. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to predict BMI from percent ideal body weight (PIBW), age and sex. After adjusting PIBW and age, BMI for boys was 0.062kg/㎡ lower than that for girls. One year of age increased BIM by 0.55kg/㎡. The prevalence rate of overweight and obesity based on PIBW was 15.8% and 15.0% for boys, and 14.0% and 11.0% for girls, respectively. Demographic factors such as sex, age, and parents' obesity influenced children's BMI. After adjusting for sex, age and parents' BMI, the presence of another children in family, and mother's employment status showed a strong effect on children's BMI. The results suggest an age-sex specific BMI distribution of Korean children. The present study also provides direct evidence of a correlation between early life environmental factors, such as presence of siblings or mother's employment, and BMI level in Korean children.