• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.161-172
• /
• 2004

The dietary habits of middle-aged obese, overweight and normal subjects were evaluated for the purpose of providing the background information of the degenerative disease control. A survey was conducted with 293 subjects (121 males and 172 females) between the ages 40-64 and they were divided into three groups of normal (BMI 18.5-22.9), overweight (BMI 23-24.9) and obese ($BMI\geq25$) based on the criteria of Korean Obesity Association (2000). The mean age of the subjects was $52.0\pm7.3(male)\;and\;51.9\pm6.9$ (female). Socioeconomic levels of subjects belong to the mid-upper class, since 71.9% of the males and 39.5% of the females received above a college education. More than 40% (44.6%) of males and 22.1% of females were obese, and educational background did not affect the obesity rate in males, whereas in females those who received lower education had a higher rate of obesity (p ＜ 0.001). The subjects had a similar degree of drinking to the national average value. but had a lower degree of smoking. The obese group had the higher rate of drinking (p ＜ 0.01) and smoking (p ＜ 0.01). The annual increase in weight, more than 4 kg, was 8.8% for normal group and 30.9% for obese group. However, there were no differences in the mean annual increase in weight among the three groups. In females there were greater tendencies of weight changes in obese group (p ＜ 0.05). About 44.9% of subjects responded that they were exercising regularly, and the obese group appeared to put into practice less than the other groups and to use more strenuous exercise. There was the greater rate of skipping dinner in the obese female group (p ＜ 0.05). The unbalanced dietary pattern was found more with normal group than the other groups (p ＜ 0.01). The food consumption frequency by food groups was not different among the groups. The obese group consumed less frequently meats, vegetables and fruits and had higher frequency in fish, legumes and their products, instant or fast food. In all subjects the higher rate of obesity was found with males than females and with those of heavier smoking and drinking, and in females the higher rate of obesity was found with lower education levels, skipping meals and having an unbalanced diet. In middle-aged subjects of this study with higher educational and socioeconomic background factors contributing to the effects of obesity may include smoking, drinking, educational background, skipping meals or unbalanced dietary pattern. The predictable characteristics for the development of obesity can be defined as sudden fluctuation of weights, exercise regularity and intakes of vegetables and fruits.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
• /
• v.25 no.4
• /
• pp.305-323
• /
• 2019

The Satisfaction With Life Scale (SWLS) is the most widely used instrument to measure life satisfaction. This study examined the factor structure and measurement equivalence of SWLS across age and gender in Korea. A total of 936 data were analyzed, comprising 433 college students (195 males and 238 females) and 503 middle-aged adults (237 males and 266 females). The results are as follows. Firstly, the data supported a modified single-factor model with correlations between error variances of items 4 and 5. Therefore, items 4 and 5 reflecting the past were found to share a distinct meaning with other items. Secondly, SWLS showed full strict invariance by gender, but only showed partial strict invariance between college students and middle-aged adults. These results indicate that meaningful comparisons of SWLS scores across gender may be valid, but careful attention should be paid when comparing age groups.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
• /
• v.32 no.4
• /
• pp.435-442
• /
• 1999

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the twelve-year incidence of hypertension, and to find risk factors for the incidence in adult population in Kangwha County, Korea. Methods: In 1986, 413 males(mean age 37 years) and 434 females(mean age 33 years) were examined in the Kangwha Study, Among 764 non-hypertensive participants, 164 males and 214 females were reexamined in 1998. Blood pressure(BP) was measured with standard mercury sphygmomanometers. Multiple logistic regression analysis was used to estimate the relative risk of risk factors on the incidence of hypertension. Results: During the 12-year period, 68 of 164 males and 53 of 2f4 females developed hypertension. In a multiple logistic model adjusted for age and pulse rate, baseline BP, baseline body mass index(BMI) and BMI change during the follow-up period were significantly related to the incidence of hyperiension. Adjusted relative risk(RR)s of baseline high-normal BP were 3.90(95% CI: 1.81-7.84) in males, and 12.72(95% CI: 3.70-30.73) in females. Compared with lower baseline BMI group, adjusted RRs of middle baseline BMI group were 2.66(95% CI: 1.19-5.70) in males, and 2.33(95% CI: 0.95-5.55) in females. Adjusted RRs of upper baseline BMI group were 3.52(95% CI: 1.53-7.67) in males and 3.63(95% CI: 1.50-8.43) in females. Increase of BMI was positively related to the incidence in males(adjusted RR=2.71, 95% CI: 1.00-6.71) and females(adjusted RR=3.05, 95% CI: 1.29-6.88). Conclusions: The twelve-year incidence of hypertension was 41.5% in males, and 25.8% in females. Baseline BP, baseline BMI, and BMI change were strongly related to the incidence of hypertension.

• Korean Journal of Child Studies
• /
• v.9 no.1
• /
• pp.19-32
• /
• 1988

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the view that animism is a result of immature concepts of life. Two studies were conducted for this purpose Study I examined developmental trends in animistic thinking and Study II examined children's knowledge of living things. The subjects of Study I were 10 males and 10 females at each level, 6, 8, 11 and 14 years of age and university students, for a total of 100 subjects. The subjects of Study II were 9 boys and 9 girls at each age level, 6, 7 and 8 years of age and university students, for a total of 78 subjects. According to the results of study I and study II, animistic thinking decreased up to middle childhood but increased at later childhood and adulthood. The conception of living things was acquired at 7 years of age. All things considered, there was no evidence that animism is a result of immature concepts of life.

• Journal of Society of Preventive Korean Medicine
• /
• v.3 no.2
• /
• pp.101-128
• /
• 1999

A study on disease treated at oriental medical treatment facilities (OMTF) and patients' satisfaction levels was conducted in order to figure out why the patients visited oriental medical doctors and the level of satisfaction of the patients for the services offered to them by oriental medical doctors. This study was performed from March 2 through May 31, 1998 by interviewing 1.532 persons living in major and small cities in korea. The results obtained were summarized as follows; 1. The general characteristics of subjects. The highest portion of each part was, 66.9% female, persons in the age group of over 60's 22.7%, high school graduated 34.9%, house wife 30.8%, The married 65.0%, Buddhist 36.9%, maj or city residents 60.2%, company covered insurance benefiter 39.0% and etc. 2. 40.5% of subjects visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue diseases. 21.5% for digestive system diseases. 16.2% for respiratory system diseases. 13.3% for circulatory system diseases and 9.0% for neurological problems. 3. 42.7% of males visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue diseases, which were the highest and respiratory system disorders, digestive system disorders, circulatory system disorders and neurological diseases in order. 39.4% of females visited OMTF for skeletal and connective tissue disorders which were the highest and other conditions such as digestive system, circulatory, respiratory, and neurological disorders in order. 4. The males with circulatory system disorders were treated by herbal medicine, combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture, only in order. The females with the some conditions above were treated by combination of herbal medicine and herbal medical and acupuncture only in order. The males and females with respiratory system and digestive system diseases were treated by herbal medicine, combination of herbal medicine and acupuncture only in order. But the males and females with skeletal and connective tissue diseases were by acupuncture are the highest in order. 5. The females and persons in the age group of over 60' s and house wife. the not married, the unhealthy persons, residents living in small cities, the persons with high income by medical treatments frequency in circulatory system diseases are the highest. 6, The females, middle school graduated and the married, persons in the age group of over 60's, unemployed, sales and service industry workers, Buddhists, major city residents, the unhealthy persons, the persons with middle income by medical treatments frequency in respiratory system diseases are the highest. 7. The females, persons in the age group of over 60's, under graduated or elementary school graduated, the unemployed and house wife, the unmarried, Buddhists, major city residents, the unhealthy persons, the persons with low income by medical treatments frequency in digestive system diseases are the highest. 8. The males, major city residents, old ages, under graduated or elementary school graduated, go earn officials, people grown in small city, the persons who had health insurance policies, the persons with low income, the unhealthy persons by medical treatments frequency in skeletal and connective tissue disorders diseases. 9. 50.8% of the respondents said that the treatments at the OMTF were very effective. 47.7% of them said that the treatments were effective. The males, persons in the age group of 40's, high school graduates, official workes, the married, the persons who did not have religion, major city residents, the persons who had health insurance policies, the persons with high income and the healthy persons said that the treatment effects at OMTF were satisfactory. 10. The patients' satisfaction rate for OMTF on each disease is, 1st. Musculo-Skeletal system(most satisfied), 2nd. the pregnancy & delivery complications, 3rd. Eye & ophthalmics, 4th. Respiratory system, 5th. Mental & bodily disorder, 6th. Digestive system and etc. 11. The factors affect OMTF are age, satisfaction for OMTF, current disease, religion, efficiency of Oriental Medicine, health condition and etc. This explained power of variable were 39.0%. 12. The satisfied factors for OMTF is correlate to educational level, and economical variables.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
• /
• v.14 no.4
• /
• pp.299-321
• /
• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate how marriage migration females understand and adjust to the culture of family life in Korea. The study was the conducted by extensively interviewing one member from each of a total of 16 women's multicultural families at a daycare center area in Seoul between June 16, 2010 and July 28, 2010. The results can be summarized as follows: All interviewees were marriage migration females, in the range 20 to 50 years of age, and with middle educational backgrounds. They all had middle-level incomes. Through the content analysis of the informants' responses, three major factors were found to influence the understanding and adjustment of to the culture of family living: personal factors, familial support, and sociocultural support systems. Among the personal factors, the intimacy of the married couples was trouble major factor. An issue that tended to arise was that Korean husbands' traditional culture in terms of their way of thinking was often different from that of the wife's culture. However, husbands supported their wives' outside activities and friendships in order to help them adjust to the culture of family living. The husbands made an effort to understand their wives' original culture and national food, often visiting restaurants that served their wives' national cuisine. In terms of familial support, the most important factors affecting marriage migration females were orienting the education of children to the mother's native language, cooking their national foods, and visiting the mother's nation with the children. Marriage migration females had the following requires: The teacher in the daycare center needed to be interested in children from multicultural families and encourage self-pride in the marriage migration females' children. In terms of sociocultural support systems, marriage migration females are conscious of the indisposition and lack of consideration in Korean life. However, the Korean government and local provinces are concentrating attention on education for marriage migration females in terms of language, because learning the language can help these women to become accustomed to the rituals of Korean life. Marriage migration females make an effort to understand and adjust to Korean family living culture that involves the food culture for ceremonial occasions, folk plays, and places of historic interest. A matter of importance is Korean people's effort to understand and adjust to multicultural family with their distinctive cultures. Welfare policy related to multicultural families involves adopting supportive laws and actions.

• Korean journal of food and cookery science
• /
• v.28 no.6
• /
• pp.829-837
• /
• 2012

This study was investigated seafoods provided by school food service and students' preferences for and perceptions of seafoods. The subjects were 275 second grade(age 14-16) students of 4 middle schools in Gyeongnam. The results were as follows. The most main seafoods intake place was 'home'(65.8%). 'School food service' took meaningful ratio(20.7%) of students' seafoods intakes. In the intake amount of seafoods provided by school food service, 'all' took 22.5%(male 31.6%, female 14.1%), 'more than provided' took 1.5%(male 3.0%, female 0%). Male students ate seafoods more than female students did(p<.001). In seafoods providing frequency, '2~3 times a week' took 74.5%, '4~5 times a week' took higher ratio in males' schools, while '0~1 times a week' took higher ratio in females'(p<.05). In perceptions of seafoods, most subjects had positive perceptions as 'good for health'(3.95), 'various kinds'(3.75) except 'good peculiar smell' got smallest point(2.85). In means of learning about seafoods names, 'by looking at everyday menu' took 64.6%. In taking nutrition education, 'no nutrition education' took 69.5%. In preferences for seafoods using 5-point scale, males' preferences were higher than females'(p<.001). 48.1% of males got higher than 4 point, while 14.1% of females did. In improvement measures of seafoods, 'provide various kinds'(47.3%) took highest ratio. In preferences for seafoods by seafoods kinds, preference for 'crustacean' was highest while preferences for 'shell fish' and 'fish' were relatively low. Both male and female students highly preferred laver, shrimp, swimming crab, small octopus, fish cake and tuna canned goods. Male students' preferences were higher than female students' for most kinds of seafoods. In preferences for seafoods by cooking methods, preferences for 'grilled', 'stir fried', 'pan fried' were relatively high, 'braised', 'deep fried', 'steamed' were relatively low. Males' preferences were higher than females' for every cooking method except 'steamed'.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
• /
• v.31 no.2
• /
• pp.70-78
• /
• 2018

Purpose: This study investigated the predictors of Sexually Transmitted Infections (STI) among female teenagers in Korea who have had intercourse at least once. Methods: This study is based on the 12th Korea Youth Behavior Web-based Survey conducted in April 2016. Data were collected from 798 middle schools and high schools nationwide in Korea and 65,528 students participated. Among the participants, the subjects of this study were 537 female high school students (Grade 10~12). The data were analyzed through complex samples multiple logistic regression using SPSS statistics 22. Results: Among the 537 female adolescents, 11.9% replied they had experienced STI. The predictors of STI among the subjects were 'age at first intercourse' and 'sexual intercourse after drinking'. The risk of STI was lower in the middle (OR=0.26, 95% CI=0.10~0.64) and high school (OR=0.11, 95% CI=0.04~0.27) age groups than those who had their first sexual intercourse at an elementary school age. The sexual intercourse after drinking group had a higher risk of STI, compared to the no sexual relation after drinking group (OR=2.54, 95% CI=1.28~5.07). Conclusion: Practical sex education programs should begin from the elementary stage in order to protect more female adolescents from STI. In addition, sex education including an alcohol prevention program should be considered to lower STI among female adolescents.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• v.16 no.18
• /
• pp.8525-8531
• /
• 2016

Background: Cancer has become a major health problem associated with high mortality worldwide, especially in developing countries. The aim of our study was to evaluate the incidence rates of different types of cancer in Sulaymaniyah from January-2006 to January-2014. The data were compared with those reported for other middle east countries. Materials and Methods: This retrospective study depended on data collected from Hiwa hospital cancer registry unit, death records and histopathology reports in all Sulaymaniyah teaching hospitals, using international classification of diseases. Results: A total of 8,031 cases were registered during the eight year period, the annual incidence rate in all age groups rose from 38 to 61.7 cases/100,000 population/year, with averages over 50 in males and 50.7 in females. The male to female ratio in all age groups were 0.98, while in the pediatric age group it was 1.33. The hematological malignancies in all age groups accounted for 20% but in the pediatric group around half of all cancer cases. Pediatric cancers were occluding 7% of total cancers with rates of 10.3 in boys and 8.7 in girls. The commonest malignancies by primary site were leukemia, lymphoma, brain, kidney and bone. In males in all age groups they were lung, leukaemia, lymphoma, colorectal, prostate, bladder, brain, stomach, carcinoma of unknown primary (CUP) and skin, while in females they were breast, leukaemia, lymphoma, colorectal, ovary, lung, brain, CUP, and stomach. Most cancers were increased with increasing age except breast cancer where decrease was noted in older ages. High mortality rates were found with leukemia, lung, lymphoma, colorectal, breast and stomach cancers. Conclusions: We here found an increase in annual cancer incidence rates across the period of study, because of increase of cancer with age and higher rates of hematological malignancies. Our study is valuable for Kurdistan and Iraq because it provides more accurate data about the exact patterns of cancer and mortality in our region.

• Journal of Korean Neurosurgical Society
• /
• v.60 no.1
• /
• pp.67-74
• /
• 2017

Objective : The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and the relevant risk factors for lumbar spondylosis (LS) among middle-aged and elderly rural Korean residents and to explore the association between radiographic LS and lower back pain (LBP) in relation to age and gender. Methods : This community-based, cross-sectional study evaluated 1512 subjects with available radiograph. The prevalence of LBP was obtained using a questionnaire and disability resulting from LBP was measured using a validated Korean version of the Oswestry disability index (ODI). In lumbar spine radiographs, vertebral levels from L1/2 to L4/5 were evaluated for the presence of osteophytes and joint-space narrowing (JSN), and Kellgren-Lawrence (KL) grading was applied. Results : Of 4261 subjects aged 40-79 years, data from 1512 subjects were included. The prevalence of radiographic LS indicated by grade ${\geq}2$ osteophytes and JSN were 53.9 and 15.8%, respectively. Seventy-three percent of subjects had KL grade ${\geq}2$ spondylosis and LBP was present in 36.5% of subjects. Although LS was more common among males, the prevalence of LBP was higher among females. Age, male gender and history of hand or knee arthritis were risk factors for LS. LS was significantly associated with LBP mostly among females over 60 years old and correlated with the ODI after adjusting for age and gender. Conclusion : Our study among rural Korean residents revealed a high prevalence of LS and LBP. The association between LS and LBP was observed mostly among females and LS was significantly correlated with the severity of back pain.