• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.5
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• pp.526-536
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• 2021

This study was conducted to investigate the anti-obesity effect of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus After inducing obesity by feeding hight fat diet (diet induced obesity model: DIO) for four weeks, each 8 rats were assigned to normal (Nor), high fat diet (HF), high fat diet containing orlistat (PC), high fat diet containing different concentration of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus (UPDM_L, UPDM_H) and Discorea Japonica Thunb. (UPD) extract. Although the UPD, UPDM_L (ultrafine pulverized Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus: 400 mg/kg) and UPDM_H (DIO oral administration ultrafine pulverized Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus: 800 mg/kg) showed weight gain inhibition effects, the results of poor obesity inhibition rather than PC were confirmed. However, it showed a more effective weight loss effect in UPDM_H than UPD, and significantly reduced the weight of epididymal fat and subcutaneous fat. Furthermore, the possibility of anti-obesity effects of Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus can be confirmed by observing the effects of reducing serum total cholesterol, triglyceride and LDL concentrations, reducing ALT and AST levels, and inhibiting fat build-up in liver tissue. It is believed that Discorea Japonica Thunb. fermented with Monascus can be expected to utilize as a functional material that is important to improve anti-obesity and metabolic syndrome.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.5
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• pp.474-483
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• 2021

The intake of processed foods containing high levels of sugar increases the incidence of chronic diseases, including obesity, diabetes, and metabolic syndrome. Limiting sugar intake is important for a healthy life at all ages. Therefore, this study analyzed food sources and sugar intake by the different age groups based on the 7^th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We used 24-hour recall survey data to investigate the daily sugar intake and the major food groups and main dishes contributing to sugar intake. The mean sugar intake was 58.9-66.8 g/day. The three major food groups contributing to sugar intake were fruits (15.2-19.9 g/day), beverages (10.7-12.4 g/day), and milk and milk products (7.6-7.8 g/day). Teas and other non-alcoholic beverages (14.7-17.3 g/day), fruits (12.5-16.2 g/day), and dairy products (7.0-7.6 g/day) were the major food groups that contributed to the sugar intake. Carbonated drinks, apples, and milk were the top sources of sugar intake in each group. In conclusion, the sugar intake of Koreans is mainly from carbonated drinks, fruits, and milk. These results provided the basic data for nutrition education and nutrition program development according to the different age groups of the Korean population.

• Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.233-237
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• 2018

Background: Obesity is a complex, medical condition causally contributing to many chronic diseases and a number of efforts have been made to find the associated markers for novel prevention and treatment of obesity. Our study was to evaluate the relationship between gut immune response and obesity and overweight with use of fecal calprotectin (FC) both in adult and children groups. Methods: Fecal samples were obtained from 74 subjects: 14 non-obese and overweight children (PN), 13 obese and overweight children (PO), 20 non-obese and overweight adults (AN), and 27 obese and overweight adults (AO). FC was measured using a commercial Legend Max quantitative enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (BioLegend). Mann-Whitney U-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: Median FC concentration was $7.9{\mu}g/g$ (range, $1.9-28.9{\mu}g/g$) for PN, $5.0{\mu}g/g$ (range, $2.6-29.6{\mu}g/g$) for PO, $9.5{\mu}g/g$ (range, $0.8-28.9{\mu}g/g$) for AN, and $10.0{\mu}g/g$ (range, $1.6-25.6{\mu}g/g$) for AO, respectively. In both adults and children age groups, the FC showed no statistically significant difference between AO and AN or PO and PN. However, FC showed statistically significant difference (P<0.05) between AO and PO while not significant between AN and PN. Conclusion: FC level in AO was significantly higher than that in PO, suggestive of different pathophysiologic mechanism between children obesity and adults obesity.

• Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.238-247
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• 2018

Background: We aimed to estimate the proportion of patients with diabetes who achieved target glycemic control, to estimate diabetes-related costs attributable to poor control, and to identify factors associated with them in the United Arab Emirates. Methods: This retrospective cohort study used administrative claims data handled by Abu Dhabi Health Authority (January 2010 to June 2012) to determine glycemic control and diabetes-related treatment costs. A total of 4,058 patients were matched using propensity scores to eliminate selection bias between patients with glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) <7% and HbA1c ${\geq}7%$. Diabetes-related costs attributable to poor control were estimated using a recycled prediction method. Factors associated with glycemic control were investigated using logistic regression and factors associated with these costs were identified using a generalized linear model. Results: During the 1-year follow-up period, 46.6% of the patients achieved HbA1c <7%. Older age, female sex, better insurance coverage, non-use of insulin in the index diagnosis month, and non-use of antidiabetic medications during the follow-up period were significantly associated with improved glycemic control. The mean diabetes-related annual costs were $2,282 and $2,667 for patients with and without glycemic control, respectively, and the cost attributable to poor glycemic control was $172 (95% confidence interval [CI], $164-180). The diabetes-related costs were lower with mean HbA1c levels <7% (cost ratio, 0.94; 95% CI, 0.88-0.99). The costs were significantly higher in patients aged ${\geq}65$ years than those aged ${\leq}44$ years (cost ratio, 1.45; 95% CI, 1.25-1.70). Conclusion: More than 50% of patients with diabetes had poorly controlled HbA1c. Poor glycemic control may increase diabetes-related costs.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.9 no.11
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• pp.425-431
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• 2018

The middle aged women in their 40s and 50s were the subjects for this study. There were 6 women for the group of complex exercise. There were 6 women for the group of complex exercise and intake of peony beverage. There were 5 women for controlled group. This study compares and analyzes the effect of complex exercise program, in which the subjects exercise 60 minutes a day for three times a week, on the physical structure, inflammation factors and metabolic syndrome of middle aged women. The result is as shown in the following. there were significant difference (p<.001) for fibrinogen of each group in the change of inflammation factors due to regular complex exercise program and intake of peony beverage. But there were not significant difference in the period, period x the effect of groups' interaction. It is believed that there could be polluted variables, as the number of subjects for this study is not enough. So there should be a study that has more subjects to make it more significant.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.68-78
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this review is to analyse the trend in papers related to obese people with disabilities. Methods: We reviewed Korean Medicine papers by searching 4 Korean web databases and classified the papers by the year of publishment, the title of journals, the type of study, main treatment, assessment for outcomes. Results: There were 18 studies about the intellectually disabled, which accounted for most of the study. It is expected that intensive research on obesity for the intellectually disabled will be conducted in the future. Also, study on obesity for the disabled will require special attention. Disabled person tend to have a higher obesity rate and secondary diseases due to disabilities can be easily developed. Their health care capabilities are more likely lower than those of the general population. Given these considerations, it would be necessary to study metabolic syndrome in parallel in the study of obesity for the disabled. Disabled person are exposed to obesity more easily than ordinary people, and there is a higher risk of health degradation due to complications from obesity, which requires more attention and research. However, since there is not research in the oriental medical and medical circles on obesity in the disabled, medical approaches and studies on obesity in the disabled are necessary. Conclusions: We expect that more interest and research will be carried out on obesity for the disabled in the Korean medicine to achieve clinical application and to develop treatment protocols for the disabled obesity disease.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.6 no.4
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• pp.111-125
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• 2018

Purpose : Cachexia, is a complex metabolic syndrome associated with underlying illness and characterized by loss of muscle with or without loss of fat mass. Patients with cachxia shows various symptoms including fatigue, anxiety, pain, sleep disorders, and poor appetite. Medications therapy, dietary and exercise therapy, and emotional support are recommended to treat patients with cachexia. However, evidence-based research verifying the role of exercise therapy in patients with cachexia is limited. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of therapeutic exercise on fatigue and anxiety in patients with cachexia. Methods : Case report. A 29-year-old woman was diagnosed with cachexia. Following 2 weeks of inpatient and 4 weeks of out-patient treatment. we assessed her weight, as well as pain, fatigue, and anxiety level. As an the patient exercised for an hour 5 times a week for 2 weeks,-and during the outpatient visit, she exercised for an hour twice a week for 4 weeks. Her weight was measured using a weighting scale. Pain was assessed using the visual analog scale, and fatigue and anxiety levels were assessed using questionnaires. Results : Following 6 weeks of treatment, exercise therapy a positively affected the patient's weight, as well as pain, fatigue, and anxiety levels. We observed a weight gain of 4.5 kg, pain reduction of 5.1 points. Fatigue reduction of 43 points, anxiety reduction of total 41 points. Conclusion : Exercise therapy positively affects weight, as well as pain, fatigue, and anxiety levels in patients with cachexia. However, generalization of this observation is inappropriate based on this single case study.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.127-139
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• 2019

Purpose : The lipid profile is a major predictive index for cardiovascular disease, but there have only been a few studies conducted on the relationship between lipid ratio and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Korean population. To address this research gap, we investigated the association between three lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Korean adults. Methods : This study used data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2016. Lipid ratios included triglyceride (TG)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)/HDL. Cardiovascular risk factors included in this research were: systolic blood pressure $(SBP){\geq}140$, diastolic blood pressure $(DBP){\geq}90$, fasting blood sugar $(FBS){\geq}126$, $HbA1c{\geq}6.5$, body mass index $(BMI){\geq}25$, waist circumference (WC) $men{\geq}90$, $women{\geq}85$, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A complex samples logistic regression test was performed to analyze the association between lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results : 1) TG/HDL ratio had statistically significant relationships with DBP, FBS, HbA1c, BMI, WC and MetS. 2) TC/HDL ratio was correlated to SBP, DBP, FBS, BMI, WC, and MetS. 3) LDL/HDL ratio had association with BMI, WC, and MetS. Conclusion : We identified significant association between lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The three lipid ratios were particularly strongly associated with BMI, WC, and MetS.

• Toxicological Research
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.395-402
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• 2019

Subcutaneous adipose tissue (SAT) accumulation is a constitutional disorder resulting from metabolic syndrome. Although surgical and non-surgical methods for reducing SAT exist, patients remain non-compliant because of potential adverse effects and cost. In this study, we developed a new minimally-invasive approach to achieve SAT reduction, using a microneedle (MN) patch prepared from gelatin, which is capable of regulating fat metabolism. Four gelatin types were used: three derived from fish (SA-FG, GT-FG 220, and GT-FG 250), and one from swine (SM-PG 280). We applied gelatin-based MN patches five times over 4 weeks to rats with high-fat diet (HD)-induced obesity, and determined the resulting amount of SAT. We also investigated the histological features and determined the expression levels of fat metabolism-associated genes in SAT using hematoxylin and eosin staining and western blotting, respectively. SAT decreased following treatment with all four gelatin MN patches. Smaller adipocytes were observed in the regions treated with SA-FG, GT-FG 250, and SM-PG 280 MNs, demonstrating a decline in fat accumulation. The expression levels of fat metabolism-associated genes in the MN-treated SAT revealed that GT-FG 220 regulates fatty acid synthase (FASN) protein levels. These findings suggest that gelatin MN patches aid in decreasing the quantity of unwanted SAT by altering lipid metabolism and fat deposition.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.263-267
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• 2019

BACKGROUD/OBJECTIVES: Obesity is globally a major public health issue. Evidence suggests that elevated ferritin levels are associated with obesity, dyslipidemia, insulin resistance, and metabolic syndrome. This study was undertaken to examine the relationship between the serum ferritin level and depression in Korean male adults with respect to classification of the prevailing obesity. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This was a case-control study; subjects were classified into obese group (${\geq}25.0kg/m^2$, 28 subjects) and normal group ($18.5-22.9kg/m^2$, 27 subjects). A survey was conducted to assess the depression levels as per the guidelines suggested by the Center program for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D). Blood was collected from each group for assessing biomarkers, and isolated plasma was evaluated for fasting glucose, insulin, quantitative insulin sensitivity check index, and ferritin levels. Data were analyzed, and groups were compared with respect to Body Mass Index (BMI), depression scale and biomarkers. RESULTS: The average depression score of the obesity group was 16.86, which was higher than the normal group (12.56). Subjects scoring more than 16 points comprised 53.6% of the population in the obese group, which was more than double that in the normal group, as assessed by the CES-D program. Furthermore, the serum ferritin level of the obesity group was 207.12 ng/mL, which was higher than that of the normal group (132.66 ng/mL). Lastly, the BMI appeared to be significantly correlated with both depression (r = 0.320, P = 0.017) and elevated ferritin levels (r = 0.352, P = 0.008). CONCLUSION: This study provides evidence of existing correlation between ferritin and depression with obesity.