• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• v.14 no.1
• /
• pp.44-52
• /
• 2008

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate and compared the growth and development of premature and full-term infants during the 2 years after birth. Method: The participants were 102 infants, 51 each for premature infants, and for healthy full-term infants. Participants in the premature group accounted for 17.5% of all premature infants who were registered at the public health center in G city. Developmental status was evaluated using the Korean Denver II. Results: The catch-up growth of the premature was 100% in weight and in height. Suspicious developmental delay according to the Korean Denver II was 3.9% in normal infants and 31.2% in premature infants. Factors related to the suspicious developmental delay in premature infants were their age and health state at birth. The rate of suspicious developmental delay was higher in infants over 6 months and infants unhealthy at birth. Conclusion: A premature follow-up program, which includes nutrition education to achieve catch-up growth and to prevention obesity, along with continuous developmental screening test for infants and children born prematurely is recommended. Provision for home visits and telephone counseling for premature infants and their families who do not to use the public health center should also be included.

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.13 no.2
• /
• pp.53-67
• /
• 2012

This study uses the 1999-2009 Korean Time Use Survey to explore how mothers' employment affects parental time spent in activities that may relate to their children's weight. Specifically, it estimates two-part regression models to assess the effects of maternal employment upon the amount of time mothers spend in activities potentially related to their preschool children's eating and physical activity. The findings suggest that working mothers and those mothers who work longer hours allocate significantly less time in food preparation, eating with the child, and supervising the child's physical activity than mothers who are not employed and those who work fewer hours. The paper also finds that spouses of working mothers do not allocate more time to these activities to offset the reduction in mothers' time. Also, using local unemployment rates as instrumental variables, maternal employment is found to allow mothers to spend significantly more time on food preparation and family meals, although its effect on mothers' total childcare time is negative. Several aspects of Korean society may have made the relationship between maternal employment and childhood weight issues different from what was found in other countries.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
• /
• v.26 no.3
• /
• pp.292-302
• /
• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between health behaviors and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among vulnerable children in a community. Methods: Using data from 'The Obesity Prevention Framework for Vulnerable Children', a secondary analysis was conducted for 165 children (ages 8~12 years) and their parents who were recruited from 16 K-gu Community Child Centers in Seoul. Six types of health behaviors related to eating and activity were assessed. Each behavior was categorized into the non-recommended vs. recommended levels. The scores of the recommended levels of the six health behaviors were summed up for the composite score of health behaviors. HRQOL was measured by KIDSCREEN-52. Results: The groups with a non-recommended level of fast food intake and sedentary behavior had a significantly lower total score of KIDSCREEN-52 than those with a recommended level. Moreover, the lower composite score of health behaviors was significantly associated with the lower total score of KIDSCREEN-52. Conclusion: Among the vulnerable children, the six recommended health behaviors and their composite score were in significant positive associations with the HRQOL levels. Therefore, nursing strategies for enhancing the recommended levels of health behaviors are needed for vulnerable children.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.53 no.3
• /
• pp.341-348
• /
• 2010

Purpose : Body composition is important to define and manage obesity and undernutrition. Obesity is a significant health problem with medical and psychological consequences for children and adolescents. Body composition analysis (BIA) is a simple, rapid, noninvasive, and reproducible technique. However, comparative analysis of body composition has not been done in young children below 7 years old. The aim of this study is to estimate antropometric data and body composition by BIA, and to investigate the correlation between anthropometric data and fat mass or fat percent in young children. Methods : We measured height, weight, body mass index (BMI), fat mass, and fat percent by BIA in 1,376 children aged 3-6 years of whom 688 were males and 688 were females. Results : Fat mass, fat percent, intracellular fluid, extracellular fluid, protein, and minerals were significantly higher in the obese group. A significant positive correlation exists between fat mass and BMI or weight. A significant positive linear correlation was also noted between fat percent and BMI. Protein, weight, fat mass, and fat percent were significantly different among groups. Conclusion : BIA is an objective, accurate method to estimate body fat in childhood obesity cases. Fat mass and fat percent data acquired by using BIA highly correlated with BMI. However, a large-scale study is needed to diagnose obesity in young children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.50 no.1
• /
• pp.32-40
• /
• 2017

Purpose: Obesogenic environments in children, in particular excessive intake of sodium, generate hypertension, which is a major risk factor for chronic diseases. Methods: In all, 725 children, 379 boys and 373 girls, aged 8~9 years were recruited from seven elementary schools in Kuro-ku, Seoul. To evaluate whether or not obesity risk was modulated by salt-sensitive genes, Solute Carrier Familiy 12 member 3 (SLC12A3) was used as the target. After children were assigned into obese (BMI > 85 percentile) or non-obese groups, anthropometry, blood biochemistry, and dietary intakes were measured according to the genotypes GG (wild) or GA+AA (hetero+mutant). Results: Without gender differences, high TG and low HDLc were detected in the obese group compared to the non-obese group. Regardless of obesity, weight gain and blood pressure (BP) increased in the SLC12A3 GA+AA genotype rather than in the GG type. HDLc was associated with obesity risk without genotype difference. Odd ratios for risk of obesity were 15.57 (95% CI 2.192~110.654), 22.84 (95% CI 1.565~333.469), and 9.32 (95%CI 1.262~68.817) in boys and girls with GA+AA genotypes as sodium intake increased above 4,000 mg/day. Dietary calcium, sodium, folate, and vit C were associated with obesity risk according to gender or genotype differences. Since high folate intake reduced obesity risk in only boys with GG type. Risk for overweight and obesity increased in boys with GA+AA genotypes and dietary habits with high sodium and cholesterol and low folate. Conclusion: The A allele of SLC12A3 rs11643718 was sensitive to development of obesity in children as sodium intake increased.

• Journal of Haehwa Medicine
• /
• v.2 no.2
• /
• pp.219-246
• /
• 1993

In 1991, Obesity rate of South Korea has reached to 18.7%. Because of economical development, the pattern of diet is exchanged from carbohydrate to rich protein and fat. The more problem is not only obesity of adult but also one of little child. Obesity is induced to diabetes mellitus, hypertension, artherosclerosis, hyperlipoidemia. heart and C.V.A disease, etc. In Woman, special important ploblem is the complex of beauty about Woman's figure. In Oriental Medicine, the factor of obesity is mainly regarded as dampness. And there are many treatments and methods to body weight loss, but obesity patients dislike to use them because of their side effects and inconvenience, intolerance. Now ear acupuncture is applied on so many disease because of its easy handly, non-side effect and high efficiency in clinics. Here obesity acupuncture is used to ear and whole body acupuncture. Because they react eachother for lack point. Therefore, in order to investigate the effect of obesity acupuncture and develop non-drug, non-starvation etc, we analyzed 453 the cases of body weight loss patients treated with ear and whole body acupuncture in Oriental Medicine Hospital of Jeon-Ju Woo-Sug University from April.1.1992. to March.17. 1993. The results were summarized as follows. 1. Distribution of sex ; male (4.4%), Female(95.6%) 2. Distribution of age in descending order ; 30s, 20s, 40s, 10s, 50s, below 10s, abowe 60s. The 20s-30s are group made up 60.7% of the group. 3. Distribution of occupation in descending order; housewife, student, service, salaried, merchant, teacher, farmer, inoccupation. 4. Distribution of human coporal constitution in descending order : Tae-Eum-In, So-Eum-In, So-Yang-In. 5. Distribution of body height and weight, 155-164cm ; 71.1%, 60-70kg, 74.6% are majority. 6. Distribution of weight variation, 2-6kg(71.0%) is majority, also 13-14kg(0.4%). 7. Distribution of duration in descending order ; 1-3 years, 3-6 years, 1-12months, above 10 years but in success, 1-12 months, 1-3 years, 3-6 years, above 10 years. Therefore, we know that the shorter duration of obesity is, the more loss of body weight. 8. Past experiences to body weight loss; Yes(69.5%), No(30.5%). The success rate accordant with the past temporary experiences shows that the cases without experience is higher than the ones with experience. 9. In distribution of times(treatments), 10 times is top. The rate of body weight loss is the highest in 14 times. Therefore, I think that one would need at least 10 times. in order lose body weight 10. Distribution of body weight variation in treatments times is at 2 times(3-4kg loss), and surprisingly is 14kg loss at above 15 times. 11. Distribution of symptoms improvement, in descending order ; heavy sense in body, dec. of appetite, inc.of exercise, lumbago, edema, knee pain, inc.of urine, inc. of fullness sense, thirsty, disease of gynecology, white tung, chest burning, heart burning, dec.of tobacco, drink taste. motion sickness, allergy, water eczema, arthma, belching. 12. Distribution of snack; Yes(87.4%), No(78.6%) 13. Distribution of exercise; Yes(21.4%), No(78.6%) 14. Distribution of sleeping times, above 7 hours(79.0%) 15. Distribution of the reason to body loss, the complex of beauty(68.7%) is top. 16. Distribution of side effect in obesity acupuncture, constipation (17.4%) is top. 17. Distribution of method in body weight loss ; dietary treatment (31.1%), sauna(26.7%), exercise(19.7%), the center of body weight loss (15.0%) herb-med and starvation treatments (5.1%), hand-finger acupuncture (hand-foot acupuncture) is 1.6%, diet pill(0.3%), etc(0.6%).

• International Journal of Human Ecology
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.39-50
• /
• 2011

This study surveys the state of 'children's snacks' sold within the Green Food Zone and that of High Calorie Foods with Low Nutrition Value (HCFLNV). The main purposes are the analyses of foods in accordance to KFDA Program for HCFLNV and an analysis of differences in HCFLNV that are dependent on relevant factors such as food types, school types, origins, the scale of manufacturing company, area and price. Based on the analyses, educational and political implications have been sought that will form nutritious dietary habits, contribute to the prevention of obesity, and improve health in child consumers. The methodologies of this study are literature studies and surveys. The results of this study can be summarized as following. First, the number of children's snacks is 517 items of total 645 gathered within 150 Green Food Zones. Candies are the most popular item, next are cookies, chocolates, and breads. Second, in the real state survey there are 186 HCFLNV (36.0%) among children's snacks sold within Green Food Zone. Based on the survey results, the marking of HCFLNV on the package of children's snacks and the extension of the ban of HCFLNV sales to all stores within the Green Food Zone are strongly suggested. This provides preliminary data related to children's snacks and food safety. With enforcement of the Special Act on the Safety Management of Children's Dietary Life, the rate of HCFLNV has decreased and the child snack product environment in stores has improved. However, it is necessary to supervise low-priced snacks and promote an awareness of HCFLNV along with the child consumer education of food safety is needed.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
• /
• v.25 no.2
• /
• pp.397-411
• /
• 2000

The present study was conducted to analyze the degree of changes in knowledge and attitude toward health, arid health promoting activities after providing health education intervention for a year to elementary school children, to examine the factors effecting knowledge, attitude and health promoting practices for obesity and diet, and to analyze whether changes are present in health level according to changes in knowledge on health and health promoting activities. After conducting a pre-survey rio 354 subjects of 3rd and 4th grade students and their mothers in the city area of Kyungju, in April, 1999, 301. responses with the responding rate of 85% were obtained. Final analysis was done with 231 pairs of a student and his/her mother who could be followed up after a year among 301 pairs of the respondents, excluding those students who transferred, those who were excused from school early, those who did not take abdominal fat measurements, and those students and mothers respondents whose survey was incomplete. Based on the changes before and after the intervention, the scores on knowledge about obesity and diet showed a significant difference in normal weight group, and the scores on the attitude toward obesity and diet increased significantly in obesity group but decreased significantly in normal weight group(p<0.01). The scores of practicing health promoting activities were significantly increased in both groups, and although the waist-hip ratio (WHR) did not change in obesity group, the rate increased significantly in normal weight group(p<0.01). As for changes on the knowledge of obesity and diet before and after the intervention while dividing the scores into 3 levels based on the scores of the pre-survey and compared to changes in the scores one year after, in the case of the changes in the scores in the 1st third, the score on the knowledge about obesity and diet changed from 1.3 in the pre survey to 3.7 after the intervention, showing significant increase(p<0.01) The scores of practicing health promoting activities for obesity and diet were significantly increase in all three levels(p<0.01), and the degree of changes in the scores was 7.0 points in the 1st third, 4.4 points for the and third and 1.8 points for the 3rd third, showing a significant difference among the three levels(p<0.01). It was shown that the increase in BMI in those students whose mothers have the education level higher than university was significantly higher than the increase in BMI in those students whose mothers have the education level under high school, and those students whose mothers are in their 30's showed higher changes in practicing health promoting activities for obesity and diet. When the scores of mothers' knowledge and attitude toward obesity and diet were compared by dividing the scores into tertile, the score of students' knowledge changed significantly according to the scores of mothers' attitude toward obesity and diet. In multiple regression analysis on changes in the scores of knowledge about obesity and diet, the student variables of the degree of awareness on the seriousness of obesity, and the scores of previous knowledge on diet and obesity were selected the significant variables, and among the mother variables, the degree of guiding the child on diet and the education level were the significant variables. In multiple regression analysis to analyze the factors effecting changes in the attitude toward obesity and diet, the student variables of the BMI, scores of previous knowledge on obesity and diet, and scores on the previous attitude toward obesity and diet were shown to be significant. In multiple regression analysis on the factors effecting changes in health promoting activities for obesity and diet, the student variables of the BMI, scores on the previous attitude toward obesity and diet, and changes in the scores of obesity and diet were selected the significant variables.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.51 no.8
• /
• pp.804-811
• /
• 2008

Purpose : Childhood obesity is a problem that places a child at great risk for becoming an obese adult. To prevent obesity, it is important to focus on early life risk factors that may contribute to childhood obesity. The aim of this study is to find obesity-causing infantile risk factors in preschool children. Methods : A total of 223 children aged 3 to 5 years old from Busan were the subjects of this study. We calculated their body mass index (BMI) and classified them into two groups (normal weight and overweight/obese children). Information regarding parental weight and height, mother's educational level and employment status, birth weight, feeding patterns, start time of weaning, duration of night feeding, and fosterer was obtained by using questionnaires. Results : There were 68 (30.5%) overweight/obese children and 155 (69.5%) normal weight children. Overweight/obese children were significantly associated with formula milk feeding, rapid weight gain during the first 6 months, and maternal obesity (P<0.05). There were no statistical differences in paternal obesity, mothers educational level and employment status, birth weight, start time of weaning, duration of night feeding, and fosterer between the normal and overweight/obese children. Conclusion : Although healthy diet and regular exercise will remain the cornerstones of weight management in obese children, our data supports the view that education about maintaining a normal weight could be introduced much earlier in families with high-risk children.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.56 no.1
• /
• pp.54-69
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Proteins are major components of the body and essential nutrients for proper growth and development. However, studies on protein intake in children and adolescents are insufficient. A few previous studies have reported the relationship with growth indicators, but results vary depending on the source of protein. Therefore, the current study investigates the relationship between protein intake and overweight and obesity among children and adolescents in Korea. Methods: Based on the 2014-2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 5,567 children and adolescents aged 6-18 years, who participated in a 24-hour dietary recall with information on height and weight, were included in this study. Protein intake was estimated as percentage of total energy (% of energy) and was classified into animal and plant protein according to the food source. Overweight and obesity were defined using the 2017 pediatric and adolescent growth chart. Results: Total protein intake of the subjects was estimated as 14.5% of total energy (animal protein 8.3% and plant protein 6.3%). The group with the highest total protein intake had a higher odds ratio (OR) of overweight/obesity than those with the least protein intake (OR, 1.36, 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.10-1.67, p for trend = 0.003). When classified by food source, the group with the highest animal protein intake had a significantly higher OR of overweight/obesity than subjects with the lowest intake (OR, 1.30, 95% CI, 1.05-1.61, p for trend = 0.016). However, plant protein was not significantly associated with overweight/obesity. Conclusions: These findings suggest that a high intake of animal protein in children and adolescents increases the risk of being overweight and obese. In order to develop normal growth and prevent obesity in the future, it is necessary to determine an appropriate protein intake level through nutrition education programs and prospective studies on balanced protein intake.