• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.935-948
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• 2014

As chronic diseases have become more prevalent and problematic, effective cares for major chronic diseases have been a locus of the healthcare policy. In this regard, this study examines how region-specific characteristics affect the prevalence of hypertension in South Korea. To analyze, we combined a unique multi-year data set including key indicators of health conditions and health behaviors at the 237 small administrative districts. The data are collected from the Annual Community Health Survey between 2009 and 2011 by Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and other government organizations. For the purpose of investigating regional variations, we estimated using Geographically Weighted Regression (GWR) and decision tree model. Our finding first suggests that using the multi-year data is more legitimate than using the single-year data for the geographical analysis of chronic diseases, because the significant annual differences are observed in most variables. We also find that the prevalence of hypertension is more likely to be positively associated with the prevalence of diabetes and obesity but to be negatively associated with population density. More importantly, noticeable geographical variations in these factors are observed according to the results from the GWR. In line with this result, additional findings from the decision tree model suggest that primary influential factors that affect the hypertension prevalence are indeed heterogeneous across regional groups. Taken as a whole, accounting for geographical variations of health conditions, health behaviors and other socioeconomic factors is very important when the regionally customized healthcare policy is implemented to mitigate the hypertension prevalence. In short, our study sheds light on possible ways to manage the chronic diseases for policy makers in the local government.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.172-179
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• 2010

Purpose: Visceral adipose tissue may be strongly linked to increased metabolic risks in adults. However, because little is known regarding the effect of visceral adipose tissue in children and adolescents, we performed this study to determine the association between abdominal fat distribution and metabolic risk factors in this population. Methods: One hundred one children and adolescents (78 males and 23 females; mean age, 10.8${\pm}$2.4 years) were enrolled. The anthropometric data and metabolic risk factors were evaluated. Theabdominal fat distribution was assessed according to the CT measurement. Age-adjusted, partial correlations were performed among the visceral adipose fat area (VFA), subcutaneous adiposefat area (SFA), metabolic risk factors, and anthropometrics. Results: The SFA increased more rapidly than the VFA with advancing years in both genders. In males, the VFA and SFA were positively correlated with anthropometrics. The VFA was correlated with low HDL-cholesterol and the SFA was correlated with diastolic blood pressure (DBP). However, there was no statistical significance between the VFA, SFA, anthropometrics, and other metabolic risk factors. The VFA and SFA were strongly linked to a number of metabolic risk factors, such as other anthropometrics. Conclusion: This study investigated how a low HDL-C was correlated with VFA and how a high DBP was associated with SFA in Korean male children and adolescents. Our results suggest that the correlation between the VFA, SFA, and metabolic risk factors was relatively weak compared to that reported in previous adult studies.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.7 no.2
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• pp.228-238
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• 2004

Purpose: Obesity is rapidly increasing in Korean children. Obesity is a risk factor for cardiovascular morbidity and is frequently associated with hypertension, diabetes mellitus and coronary artery disease. This study was designed to evaluate risk factors of the metabolic syndrome in obese children. Methods: From February 2000 to June 2004, eighty eight obese (body mass index ${\geq}95th$ percentile) children aged 4 to 15 years were included. We measured serum lipid levels (total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL cholesterol, LDL cholesterol), fasting sugar levels and insulin levels. Insulin resistance was determined by homeostasis model assessment, fasting insulin/glucose ratio and quantitative insulin sensitivity check index. Results: Clustering of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome in obese children demonstrated that 60.2% had more than one risk factors. Hypertension (14.8%), hypertriglyceridemia (14.8%), HDL-hypocholesterolemia (14.8%), LDL-hypercholesterolemia (12.5%) and hyperinsulinemia (12.5%) were observed. As BMI increased, there was statistically significant increase in systolic blood pressure, insulin and insulin resistance values. Insulin resistance was correlated to systolic blood pressure, serum lipid and insulin levels. The more risk factors for the metabolic syndrome obese children had, the higher was their insulin resistance. Conclusion: The increase in insulin resistance and clustering of risk factors for the metabolic syndrome are already apparent in obese children. Monitoring these risk factors for the metabolic syndrome should become a part of routine medical care for obese children.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.364-374
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• 2011

There is a great public concern that higher consumption of eggs may increase the risk of chronic disease due to high levels of cholesterol in eggs. In contrast to this concern, limited studies have examined this relationship, and the study results have been inconsistent. This study was to evaluate the cross-sectional associations between egg consumption, blood markers and metabolic syndrome in Korean adults. We analyzed data from the combined 2007-2008 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Egg intakes were assessed using a food frequency questionnaire. Metabolic syndrome was ascertained using criteria of the NCEP ATP III (2001) and abdominal obesity criteria of the WHO. In 5,548 subjects, 937 subjects were defined as having metabolic syndrome. In linear regression models, subjects reporting one or more egg consumption per day had significantly lower levels of triglyceride, fasting blood glucose and blood pressure, and a higher level of HDL cholesterol, compared to those who rarely consumed eggs (P-trends < 0.05). After adjustments for potential confounding factors, the associations were no longer significant except for total cholesterol, showing higher levels with frequent egg consumption. More frequent intakes of egg (1 egg or more/day) were associated with lower risk of metabolic syndrome in a logistic regression model (OR: 0.69, 95% CI: 0.50-0.96), but this association also became insignificant after adjustments for multiple confounding factors (OR: 1.05, 95% CI: 0.71-1.57). In healthy Korean adults, frequent intakes of eggs did not adversely affect the risk of metabolic syndrome. Further studies are needed to confirm this finding.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.591-601
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• 2024

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the relationship between allergic diseases and digestive discomfort symptoms using a dataset for the traditional Korean medicine examination. Methods: The study included 389 subjects in the allergy group, diagnosed with allergic diseases by either a Korean medicine doctor or modern medical doctor, and there were 4,160 subjects in the control group. Propensity score matching was used to control the factors affecting the allergic disease and digestive discomfort symptoms. These factors included age, sex, medication history, obesity, smoking status, alcohol consumption, meal frequency, meal quantity, eating speed, sleep quality, stress level, and physical activity, matched at a ratio of 1:1. Logistic regression was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio of digestive discomfort symptoms in the allergy group compared to the control group. Results: Compared to the control group, subjects in the allergy group had a significantly higher risk of having abdominal distention 1.62 times (OR=1.62, 95% CI: 1.13-2.32, p-value=0.008) and postprandial fatigue 1.41 times (OR=1.41, 95% CI: 1.02-1.95, p-value=0.037). Conclusion: The study suggests that allergic diseases were associated with certain digestive discomfort symptoms. The findings of this study can serve as a basis for managing both allergic diseases and digestive discomfort symptoms together.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.93-101
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• 2022

Objectives: This study aimed to observe the anti-diabetic effect and underlying mechanisms of Galgunhwanggumhwangryun-tang (GHH; Gegen-Qinlian-decoction) in the C2C12 myotubes. Methods: GHH (1.0 mg/ml) or metformin (0.75 mM) or insulin (100 nM) were treated in C2C12 myotubes after 4 days differentiation. The glucose uptake was assessed by 2-[N-(7-160 nitrobenz-2-oxa-1,3-diazol-4-yl)amino]-2-deoxy-d-glucose uptake by C2C12 cells. The expression of adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK) and phosphorylation AMPK (pAMPK) were measured by western blot. We also evaluated gene expression of glucose transporter type 4 (Slc2a4, formerly known as GLUT4), glucokinase (Gk), carnitine palmitoyltransferase IA (Cpt1a), nuclear respiratory factors 1 (Nrf1), mitochondrial transcription factor A (Tfam), and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ coactivator 1α (Ppargc1a) by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction. Results: GHH promoted glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. The expression of AMPK protein, which plays an essential role in glucose metabolism, was increased by treatment with GHH. GHH treatment tended to increase gene expression of Slc2a4, Gk, and Nrf1 but was not statistically significant. However, GHH significantly improved Tfam and Ppargc1a gene expression in C2C12 myotubes. Conclusions: In summary, GHH treatment promoted glucose uptake in C2C12 myotubes. We suggest that these effects are associated with increased gene expression involved in mitochondrial biosynthesis and oxidative phosphorylation, such as Tfam and Ppargc1a, and increased expression of AMPK protein.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.51 no.6
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• pp.556-566
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was designed to determine the relationship between health behaviors and high levels of low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-cholesterol) according to cardiovascular risk factors among Korean adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study was based on the sixth Korea national health and nutrition examination survey (KNHANES VI). Participants were 13,841 adults aged 19 years and older. Cardiovascular risk factors were stroke, myocardial infarction or angina, diabetes mellitus, smoking, hypertension, aging, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-cholesterol) under 40 mg/dL and HDL-cholesterol over 60 mg/dL. Cardiovascular risk groups were classified as very high risk (stroke, myocardial infarction or angina), high risk (diabetes mellitus), moderate risk (over 2 risk factors), and low risk (below 1 risk factor). The prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol was calculated using the LDL-cholesterol target level according to cardiovascular risk group. Results: The prevalence of high LDL-cholesterol was 25.5% in males and 21.7% in females. Complex sample cross tabulation demonstrated that the high LDL-cholesterol and normal groups differed significantly according to age, education, body mass index, percentage of energy from carbohydrate, fat, saturated fat and n-6 in males and females. These two groups were also significantly different according to smoking in males and the percentage of energy from n-3 in females. Complex sample multiple logistic regression analysis adjusted for multiple confounding factors demonstrated that the probability of high LDL-cholesterol was significantly associated with current smoking (OR: 1.66, 95% CI: 1.40-1.99), obesity (OR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.64-2.31) in males, and current smoking (OR: 1.73, 95% CI: 1.19-2.52), obesity (OR: 1.63, 95% CI: 1.39-1.90), percentage of energy from n-3 (quartile 1 vs. quartile 2; OR: 0.77, 95% CI: 0.62-0.96; quartile 1 vs. quartile 3; OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.56-0.94; quartile 1 vs. quartile 4: OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.51-0.87) in females. Conclusion: This study reveals the impact of smoking, obesity, energy percentage of nutrient intake on LDL-cholesterol.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.495-508
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• 2016

This study was conducted to recognize the need for diet and nutrition education to correct body-shape and eating habits that lead to eating disorders in college students. The relationship between diet and obesity was confirmed. Approximately 405 (male 46.4%, female 53.6%) students were evaluated by questionnaire in September 2014. The statistical program SAS (ver. 4.3) was used to evaluate the Chi-squared, F and T-value. The correlation between eating disorder risk and eating habits was evaluated by Pearson's correlation. Body type recognition was classified into nine steps up the body fatty (9) to skinny (1) to show their body. Eating disorder risk (KEAT-26) was composed of F1 (attachment factors for weight loss), F2 (attachment factors for binge eating, and food), and F3 (adjustment factor to eating their will. The risk of eating disorders in male 73.4% of low risk, in female 61.3% (p<0.05). According to body mass index, underweight groups recognized in the normal weight (53.7%), normal weight group was in overweight (29.1%) (p<0.001). According to body-type, the overweight group had a higher risk of eating disorders (68.2%). The KEAT-26 showed that the overweight and obese group were high-risk in F1 & F2, while the underweight group was high-risk in F3 (p<0.001). Recognized overweight showed the dangers of eating disorders, proper recognition of body-type and body mass index required. Tendency to seek a balanced diet was associated with eating disorders, no-imposed adequate diet for nutritional education would be made. Proper nutrition education for males is needed depending on the increased incidence of male eating disorders.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.47 no.2
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• pp.113-123
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• 2014

Objectives: Several previous studies have found that healthy behaviors substantially reduce non-communicable disease incidence and mortality. The present study was performed to estimate the prevalence of four modifiable healthy behaviors and a healthy lifestyle among Korean adults according to socio-demographic and regional factors. Methods: We analyzed data from 199 400 Korean adults aged 19 years and older who participated in the 2010 Korean Community Health Survey. We defined a healthy lifestyle as a combination of four modifiable healthy behaviors: non-smoking, moderate alcohol consumption, regular walking, and a healthy weight. We calculated the prevalence rates and odds ratios of each healthy behavior and healthy lifestyle according to socio-demographic and regional characteristics. Results: The prevalence rates were as follows: non-smoking, 75.0% (53.7% in men, 96.6% in women); moderate alcohol consumption, 88.2% (79.7% in men, 96.9% in women); regular walking, 45.0% (46.2% in men, 43.8% in women); healthy weight, 77.4% (71.3% in men, 73.6% in women); and a healthy lifestyle, 25.5% (16.4% in men, 34.6% in women). The characteristics associated with a low prevalence of healthy lifestyle were male gender, younger age (19 to 44 years of age), low educational attainment, married, living in a rural area, living in the Chungcheong, Youngnam, or Gwangwon-Jeju region, and poorer self-rated health. Conclusions: Further research should be implemented to explore the explainable factors of disparities for socio-demographic and regional characteristics to engage in the healthy lifestyle among adults.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.1 no.3
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• pp.231-236
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• 2007

Underreporting patterns by the level of obesity have not been fully assessed yet. The purpose of this study was to examine the differential underreporting patterns on cardiovascular risk factor, macronutrient, and food group intakes by the level of Body Mass Index (BMI). We analyzed cross-sectional baseline nutritional survey data from the population-based longitudinal study, the Healthy Women Study (HWS) cohort. Study subjects included 538 healthy premenopausal women participating in the HWS. Nutrient and food group intakes were assessed by the one-day 24-hour dietary recall and a semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire, respectively. The ratio of reported energy intake (EI) to estimated basal metabolic rate (BMR) was used as a measure of relative energy reporting status and categorized into tertiles. Overweight group ($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$) had a higher ratio of EI to BMR (EI/BMR) than normal weight group ($BMI<25kg/m^2$). Normal weight and overweight groups showed similar patterns in cardiovascular risk factors, nutrient intake, and food group intake by the EI/BMR. Fat and saturated fat intakes as a nutrient density were positively associated with the EI/BMR. Proportion of women who reported higher consumption (${\geq}4\;times/wk$) of sugar/candy, cream and red meat groups was greater in higher tertiles of the EI/BMR in both BMI groups. Our findings suggest similar patterns of underreporting of cardiovascular risk factors, and macronutrient and food group intakes in both normal and overweight women.