• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.286-295
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• 2023

The purpose of this study was to investigate the association between household economic changes by COVID-19 and dietary habits in Korean adolescents. The study analyzed data from the 17th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey in 2021. A total of 54,848 middle and high school students, 28,401 males and 26,447 females, participated in this study. COVID-19 lead to deterioration of household economy in the lower level of household economic status (p<0.001). The deterioration of household economic status by COVID-19 was associated with dietary habits such as lower breakfast intake, and higher fast food, soda drinks, and sweet drinks consumption (p<0.001). Logistic regression analysis showed that deterioration of household economic status was significantly decreased in frequency of breakfast intake (OR: 0.73, 95% CI: 0.67~0.80). The deterioration of household economic status by COVID-19 was also significantly associated with increased frequency of fast food (OR: 1.28, 95% CI: 1.16~1.41), soda drinks (OR: 1.42, 95% CI: 1.30~1.56) and sweet drinks (OR: 1.35, 95% CI: 1.24~1.46) consumption (p<0.001). In conclusion, it was confirmed that the change in household economy caused by COVID-19 was associated with dietary habits in adolescents. As the household economy deteriorated, there was an increase in undesirable dietary habits including skipping breakfast and fast food consumption.

• Tuberculosis and Respiratory Diseases
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• v.86 no.3
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• pp.216-225
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• 2023

Background: Tuberculosis (TB)-related stigma has been well-documented. Since the emergence of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), different organizations have been alerted to the fact that stigma could arise again. Due to stigma's negative effects, this qualitative study aimed to explore the stigma felt by patients by evaluating the following: COVID-19 stigma and its temporal progression through the pandemic; stigma perceived by different patients with TB before and during COVID-19 pandemic; and difference perceived by individuals who contracted both diseases. Methods: A semi-structured interview was developed according to the available literature on the theme. It was performed individually in 2022 upon receiving signed informed consent. Participants were recruited with a purposive sampling approach by searching medical records. Those who currently or previously had pulmonary TB and/or COVID-19 were included. Data were subjected to thematic analysis. Results: Nine patients were interviewed, including six (66.7%) females. The median age of patients was 51±14.7 years. Four participants (44.4%) had completed high school and four (44.4%) were never smokers. Three had both TB and COVID-19. Four only had TB and two only had COVID-19. Interviews identified eight main themes: knowledge and beliefs, with several misconceptions identified; attitudes towards the disease, varying from social support to exclusion; knowledge and education, assumed as of extreme importance; internalized stigma, with self-rejection; experienced stigma, with discrimination episodes; anticipated stigma, modifying actions for avoiding stigma; perceived stigma, with judgment by others prevailed; and temporal evolution of stigma. Conclusion: Individuals expressed strong stigma for both diseases. De-stigmatization of respiratory infectious diseases is crucial for limiting stigma's negative impact.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.28 no.5
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• pp.404-413
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• 2023

Objectives: This study compared serum lipid concentration according to drinking habits. Methods: We analyzed data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VII). The study included 8,525 adults (3,651 males and 4,874 females), aged 30 - 59 years. Results: There were differences in age, gender, education level, smoking status, physical activity, and waist circumference between drinkers and abstainers. The serum low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C) level of the drinkers was lower than those of the abstainers (P < 0.05). The serum triglyceride (TG) and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C) concentrations were highest in the group that consumed alcohol 'more than twice a week' relative to the other groups (P < 0.001). The LDL-C and atherogenic index (AI) levels were lowest in the 'more than twice a week' drinking group compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). The serum TG and HDL-C concentrations were the highest in the '7 glasses/time' group (P < 0.001). The serum LDL-C concentration was the lowest in the '7 glasses/time' group (P < 0.001). Notably, the higher the frequency of binge drinking (7 glasses or more), the higher the concentration of TG (P < 0.001). The serum HDL-C concentration was significantly higher in the 'no binge' and 'more than once a week' groups compared to the other groups (P < 0.001). The serum LDL-C concentration and AI score were the lowest in the 'more than once a week' group (P < 0.001). Conclusions: As the quantity and frequency of drinking increased, the serum TC concentration increased. Moreover, an increase in the serum HDL-C concentration led to a decrease in AI. The factors exacerbating cardiovascular disease increased simultaneously due to drinking. Our results suggest that for individuals with hypertriglyceridemia and patients with low HDL-cholesterolemia, separate guidelines based on the quantity and frequency of alcohol consumption are warranted.

• Journal of Oral Medicine and Pain
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• v.30 no.4
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• pp.383-389
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• 2005

Xerostomia is defined as a subjective complaint of dry mouth that may be perceived when there is insufficient mucosal wetting. However, the diagnosis and treatment of xerostomia is not that simple because of the fact that the subjective awareness of dry mouth is not always correlated with a diminution in the flow of saliva and there is always a difference between individuals in salivary flow rates needed for normal oral function. In the present study, the aim was to develop a questionnaire to evaluate the dry mouth symptoms and to analyze its reliability and usability as a diagnostic and analytic tool for xerostomia. The questionnaire which consists of 6 Visual Analogue Scale(VAS) type questions to evaluate the subjective oral dryness and 4 questions to evaluate behavior to avoid oral dryness was developed and administered twice with 1 week's interval to the healthy 88 young adults without dry mouth symptoms(44 males and 44 females; mean age was $25.6{\pm}3.1$ years in male and $24.3{\pm}2.1$ years in female). The results were as follows. 1 The intraclass correlation coefficients of 6 questions to evaluate the subjective oral dryness were as significantly high as 0.767 for the degree of oral dryness at other times of the day, 0.850 for the amount of saliva in the mouth, and 0.791 for the degree of effect on daily life due to oral dryness and as high as 0.563 for the degree of oral dryness at night or on awakening, 0.674 for the degree of oral dryness during eating, and 0.641 for the degree of difficulty in swallowing foods. 2. Cronbach's alpha value of 6 questions was 0.982. It can be concluded that the series of questions to evaluate the subjective oral dryness has high internal consistency. 3. Cohen's kappa values of 4 questions to evaluate behavior to relieve oral dryness were as significantly high as 0.850 for the frequency of keeping a glass of water at the bedside and as high as 0.506 the frequency of awakening during sleeping due to oral dryness, 0.419 for the frequency of sipping liquids to aid in eating dry foods, and 0.407 for the frequency of using a candy or chewing gum due to oral dryness. From the results, it can be concluded that the questionnaire consisting of 6 VAS type questions to evaluate the subjective oral dryness and 4 questions to evaluate behavior to relieve oral dryness has reliability of good to excellent level, and that the series of 6 VAS type questions has significantly high internal consistency to evaluate the subjective oral dryness.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.40 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2010

Objective: To identify clinical, salivary, and bacterial changes during orthodontic treatment with follow-up to 24 months. Methods: In 30 patients, clinical (decayed, missing, and filled surfaces [DMFS], O'Leary's plaque index, and plaque pH), salivary (unstimulated and stimulated saliva, buffer capacity, pH, and occult blood), and bacterial (Streptococcus mutans and Lactobacillus) markers were evaluated. A questionnaire was employed to evaluate their hygienic-dietary habits. Data were analyzed by ANOVA, logistic regression and Spearman's correlation. Results: DMFS increased significantly, whereas the plaque index diminished, plaque pH was more acidic (p = 0.23), and unstimulated salivary flow showed significant differences during the treatment (p = 0.013). Stimulated saliva flow increased in females after the placement of appliances; buffer capacity was diminished in males during the therapy; salivary pH remained at basal values. Bacterial levels and occult blood increased to high-risk levels and were not statistically significant different between genders (p > 0.05). Two major relationships were confirmed: initial plaque with use of dental aids (r = 0.429; p = 0.018) and final DMFS with unstimulated salivary flow (r = -0.372; p = 0.043). Conclusions: The increase in retentive surfaces increased the bacterial levels, plaque pH became acidified, and gingival damage was greater. Buffer capacity was altered but maintained a healthy salivary pH during the treatment.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.27 no.4 s.48
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• pp.665-676
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• 1994

The purpose of this study is to observe the longitudinal changes in BMI (Body Mass Index) of obese and non-obese 3rd. grade high school students in Seoul for 12 years and to see the trends of overt weight gain in obese adolescents. The results are as follows; 1. The average annual increasing rates of body mass Indices in male students were $1.14kg/m^2$ in obese group and $0.59kg/m^2$ in non-obese group. In female students, the average annual increasing rates of body mass indices were $0.93kg/m^2$ in obese group and $0.53kg/m^2$ in non-obese group. 2. The change rate of BMI for 12 years was significantly higher in obese group than non-obese group. 3. Puberty had less influence on the change rate of BMI in obese group compared to non-obese group. 4. In obese group, 71.8% of the variance in BMI at 17 can be predicted by BMI at 16 years in male students. In female students 44.4% can be predicted by BMI at age 16. 5. Among the 17-year-old obese students, 58.8% of the males and 56.2% of females were found not to have been obese at 7 years of age. 6. Among the 17-year-old obese students, those who were obese at 7 years of age were found to have higher BMI at later ages than those who were in the non-obese group. Obese adolescents were more likely to be obese in their childhood than non-obese group. There was no optimal age for the significant weight gain and the increasing rate of BMI was constantly higher in obese group than in non-obese group. Due to the fact that child obesity in early age contributes to obesity in adolescence, close observation is advised. On the other hand, a large proportion of obese adolescents can be preventable by early interventions, because about 50% of obese adolescents were not obese in early elementary school age.

• Journal of the korean academy of Pediatric Dentistry
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.837-842
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• 1998

Rett syndrome is a progressive neurological disorder that occurs exclusively in females. The syndrome is characterized by regression of language, motor development, and stereotypic hand movement. Autistic behavior, breathing irregularities, gait dyspraxia, scoliosis, and seizure are also accompanied. The cause of Rett syndrome is unknown, however, it is believed that the X-chromosome might playa significant role in the development of the syndrome. Patients with this syndrome have unusual oral and/or digital habits such as abnormal chewing pattern, bruxism, hypersalivation, micrognathia, high vaulted palate, tongue protrusion with lower posture of tongue, hand biting, digit-hand sucking. Dentists who are aware of distinct manifestations of Rett syndrome will be able to aid in early diagnosis and treatment of the syndrome. Prior to dental treatment for a patient with the Rett syndrome under sedation or general anesthesia, one should assess the degree of hypersalivation, apnea, severity of autism, expected life span. Early recognition of the syndrome and also dental treatment with established strict preventive guidelines for patients with the Rett syndrome may obviate the necessity of sedation or general anesthesia. Two cases with the Rett syndome were reported. Both patients had most of the above mentioned typical manifestations of the syndrome. Dental treatment for the case 1(8-year-old) including caries control, stainless steel crown, sealant application was performed under general anesthesia. The case 2 could not be undergone the dental treatment due to poor general conditions.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.35 no.5 s.112
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• pp.398-407
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• 2005

The present study was conducted to examine the morphometrics and function of the disk on both sides among patients with facial asymmetry (FA) and to elucidate plausible correlations between internal derangement (ID) and FA. The sample was composed of 10 males and 27 females with FA. The disk status of all subjects was evaluated by bilateral high resolution magnetic resonance scans in the sagittal (closed and open) and coronal (closed) planes. Five types of disk displacement were identified accordingly. The disk function was diagnosed as normal disk function, disk displacement with reduction, and disk displacement without reduction. The disk shape on sagittal MRI in closed position was classified as bi-concave, biplanar, funnel/hemiconvex, and deformed. The disk position, translation and rotation were also measured. The difference between the shifted side and non-shifted side was analyzed by statistical analysis. Approximately $70\%$ of the patients in the present study showed unilateral or bilateral ID. It was found that anterior disk displacements (ADD), especially rotational ADD, occurred more frequently in the shifted side, while normal disk position was observed mainly in the non-shifted side (p<0.01). The disk of the shifted side showed significantly deformed configuration and inferior-anterior disk position. However, the disk of the non-deviated side showed hyper-mobility during jaw opening movement. These results demonstrate that in FA patients, the disks status of the shifted side is different from that of the non-shifted side, a phenomenon that could be correlated to facial asymmetry.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.50 no.4
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• pp.381-385
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• 2007

Purpose : Traditional herbal medicines may be overused in Korea. Expenditures and inaccuracies of hospital prescription are increasing gradually. So we investigated the frequency and nature of herbal medicine use among elementary school pupils. Methods : We interviewed students of three elementary schools located in Gwangju with survey papers. We analyzed 905 returned surveys. Results : They consisted of 421 males and 484 females. Five hundred ninety (65.2 percent) of pupils who have taken herbal medicines since birth. First grade made up 74.1 percent, 2nd grade 63.0 percent, 3rd grade 64.8 percent, 4th grade 63.3 percent, 5th grade 65.5 percent, and sixth grade 61.9 percent, respectively. The mean frequency of herbal medicine use was 3.2 times. 6th grade was 3.3 times, 5th grade 3.9 times, 4th grade 3.7 times, 3rd grade 2.7 times, 2nd grade 2.7 times, and 1st grade 2.6 times, respectively. The mean cost of herbal medicine use was from 50,00-100,000 won. The mean age of pupils who took their 1st herbal medicine was 55 months, 6th grade 67 months, 5th grade 58 months, 4th grade 54 months, 3rd grade 55 months, 2nd grade 51 months, and 1st grade 47 months. The most common reason of herbal medicine use was "looking weak, without disease." The rate of elementary pupils who had good effects was 63.7 percent; the rate of side effects was 4.5 percent. Conclusions : The rate of elementary pupils who took herbal medicines was high and gradually higher in lower grades. So, clinicians have to cope directly with this situation and to educate parents about herbal medicines.

• The korean journal of orthodontics
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• v.36 no.6
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• pp.402-411
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• 2006

Objective: This study was carried out to evaluate the distribution and clinical features of patients with degenerative change of the mandibular condyle. Methods: Six thousand and seventy patients with TMD (temporomandibular cisorder) were selected for this study, who had complete initial clinical records and radiographs. Panorama and TMJ panorama radiographs were used to screen the degenerative change in the condyle, and the patients were divided into DJD (degenerative joint disease) and non-DJD groups. Results: The distribution. and clinical features of the two groups were compared. Out of the total number of patients, 31.7% were in the DJD group, and 68.3% were in the non-DJD group. The portion of females was larger in the DJD group (80.8%) than in the non-DJD group (67.5%), and the DJD group had high prevalence in the second and third decades. Lack of incisal contact, retrusive chin, facial asymmetry, and mouth opening limitation were the chief complaints of the patients who had positive relation to DJD. Conclusion: Patients with an orthodontic treatment history, CO-CR discrepancy and crepitation were at possible risk of having DJD.