• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
• /
• v.54 no.7
• /
• pp.292-297
• /
• 2011

Purpose: Our study aimed to evaluated sex differences in clinical features of obese high school students. Methods: One hundred three obese high school students (body mass index [BMI]${\geq}$85th percentile) and 51 control students (BMI<85th percentile) were enrolled in this study. Anthropometric measurements were performed. Fasting serum glucose, insulin, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase, total cholesterol, triglyceride, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C), and high-sensitive C-reactive protein were measured. Abdominal fat thickness, degree of fatty liver, and carotid intima-media thickness were measured by ultrasound. Results: In control and obese groups, waist circumference was significantly longer in boys but body fat mass was Significantly higher in girls. In the control group, total cholesterol and LDL-C were higher in girls. In the obese group, however, aspartate aminotransferase, alanine aminotransferase and triglyceride were higher and HDL-C was lower in boys. Preperitoneal fat thickness was significantly higher in obese girls. In obese group, the degree of fatty liver was significantly higher in boys. Carotid intima-media thickness was not significantly different between boys and girls. Conclusion: Obese adolescents had distinguishable sex differences in body measurements, metabolic abnormalities, abdominal fat thickness and fatty liver. We can infer that these characteristics may extend into adult obesity.

• Nutritional Sciences
• /
• v.8 no.2
• /
• pp.133-139
• /
• 2005

Objective: The purpose of this study was to determine serum antioxidant nutrients and the relationship between serum antioxidants and risks of chronic diseases in obese Korean children Methods: Normal weight Korean school children (0=170), mean age of 11.5$\pm$1.5, and obese (body fat mass > $28\%$) children (0=176), mean age of 11.0$\pm$1.8, were recruited Fat mass ($\%$) was determnined by Bioelectrical Impedance (BEI), and body mass index (BMI) was calculated Fasting blood was collected to measure serum antioxidant nutrients, vitamin A, vitamin E and zinc. Serum lipid profiles including total cholesterol (TC), high density cholesterol (HDL) and triglyceride (TG), and blood glucose, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase (GOT), and glutamic pyruvic transaminase (GPI) were also determined. Differences in serum blood measurements between obese and normal children were assessed by independent t test. Pearson's correlation analysis was used to determine the relationship between variables. Results: Blood glucose, GPT, total cholesterol, and triglycerides concentrations were significantly higher among obese boys, compared to normal boys (p<005). Significantly lower concentrations of serum vitamin E, after adjustment for TG and TC, was shown in obese boys (0.26 mg/mg) and obese girls (0.31 mg/mg), compared to normal boys (0.36 mg/mg) and girls (0.38 mg/mg) (p<0.05). Fat mass ($\%$) was negatively con-elated with serum vitamin A and vitamin E. Conclusion: Obese Korean children showed insufficient serum vitamin E concentration and increased risk for diabetes, atherosclerosis, and liver disease. Since lower vitamin E concentration was negatively con-elated with atherogenic index, improved vitamin E status in children may decrease the risk of atherosclerosis later in life.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.21 no.5
• /
• pp.283-294
• /
• 1988

To study the factors related to childhood obesity, 75 subjects were selected as an obese group and 75 subjects were selected as a control group according to their obesity index and BMI among the 583 children of 5th and 6th grade in elementary school in Seoul. For each subject, skinfold thickness was measured, information on the characteristics of family, nutrient intake and activity time of the subjects were obtained by questionnarie. The results were summarized as following: 1) Parents' obesity indices of obese group were significantly higher than those of control group(Father's Obesity Index : P<0.01, Mother's Obesity Index : P<0.05). 2) Questions about eating rate and behavior showed that subjects in obese group were significantly faster in their eating rate(p<0.05) and always more eager to eat food(p<0.001) compared to control group. 3) Dietary intake data showed that average daily intake of all the nutrients exceeded Korean recommended dietary allowances for the age group. In female children, fat intakes of obese group were significantly higher than control group(P<0.05). There was no such significant difference in male subjects. 4) Activity time record of subjects reveal that there was a trend for males to spend more time in moderate and high activity and less time in light activity compared to females. Subjects in obese group spent significantly more time for light activity(P<0.001) and significantly less time for moderate activity (P<0.001) compared to subjects in control group. The difference of activity was more pronounced in male subjects. 5) Correlation matrix of the variables showed that obesity index, BMI, and skinfold thickness of the subjects were highly correlated with each other. These indices were positively correlated to parent's obesity indices and the time spent for light activity, but negatively correlated to the time spent for moderate activity. Nutrient intakes were not significantly correlated to obesity indices. Form the results shown above, although both obese and control groups are from high socioeconomic class, obese children tended to come from family with fat parents. They eat fast and are always eager to eat. They tend to eat more fat but are very different from controls in nutrient intake. Obese children are significantly lower in their actinity compared to controls. So, for the prevention and treatment of childhood obesity, it seems to be more important to increase their activity levels.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• v.36 no.8
• /
• pp.1359-1366
• /
• 2006

Purpose. This study was done to determine the effects of weight management program using self-efficacy in middle-aged obese women. The study also attempted to measure the effects of the program on the weight efficacy lifestyle, body composition, and depression. Method. The research design of this study was a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. The experimental group consisted of 21 middle-aged obese women and another 21 middle-aged obese women in the control group. The women in the experimental group participated in the weight management program for 12 weeks using self-efficacy. The weight management program using self-efficacy included education on effects of exercise for weight control, aerobic exercise program, muscle training and counseling through the telephone. Results. After 12 weeks of participation in the program, BMI (p <.0001), body fat % (p <.0001), abdominal fat (p <.0001), in the experimental group were significantly decreased compared to the control group. Weight self-efficacy lifestyle (p <.0001) and depression (p =.006) in the experimental group were significantly improved after the program compared to the control group. According to these findings, weight management program self-efficacy for middle-aged obese women could increase weight efficacy lifestyle, and decrease depression, BMI, body fat, and abdominal fat. Conclusion. The result also suggested that the increasing weight efficacy and lifestyle help the obese women to perform and continue exercise. This program could be used in the community such as public health center for weight care and mental health promotion of middle-aged obese women.

• Child Health Nursing Research
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.123-130
• /
• 2003

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between health locus of control(HLOC) and eating behavior in obese middle school girls. Method: The sample consisted of 170 obese middle school girls in Seoul. Result: 1. The average scores of HLOC were HLOC-Internal ; 4.11, HLOC-External ; 2.45, HLOC-Chance ; 2.09. 2. The average scores of eating behavior factors were Disinhibition ; 2.69, Dietary Restraint ; 2.67, Hunger ; 2.55. 3. The HLOC-Internal and eating behavior(dietary restraint and hunger) were correlated positively. The HLOC-Chance and disinhibition was correlated positively. But HLOC-Chance and dietary restraint was correlated negatively. The HLOC-External and eating behavior(dietary restraint, disinhibition and hunger) were correlated positively. 4. There was not a significant difference in HLOC depending on the demographic characteristics(grade, degree of obesity, father & mother's body shape, existence of obese sibling). There were significant differences in HLOC-Internal and HLOC-External according to thinking about oneself who is obese or not. 5. There was not a significant difference in eating behavior depending on the demographic characteristics(grade, degree of obesity, father & mother's body shape, existence of obese sibling, perception of oneself as a obese). Conclusion: This study has shown a correlation between HLOC and eating behavior. As a result of these findings, clinical and school nurses should be involved in management and counselling of obese girls concerning individual health locus of control and eating behavior.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.378-386
• /
• 2011

To examine the effect of obesity on volume perception according to size and color of rice bowl, we divided female college students into a normal weight group (<30% fat mass, n=100) and obese group (${\geq}30%$ fat mass, n=83) and then measured perceived volume of rice bowls of various sizes (general size; 350 ml vs. small size; 188 ml) and color (yellow, white, blue, and black) containing the same amount of cooked white rice (210 g). Normal weight group perceived that the general rice bowl contained significantly more cooked white rice compared to the small rice bowl. In contrast, the obese group perceived that the general rice bowl contained significantly less cooked white rice than the small rice bowl. The estimated variance in perceived volume of both bowls was significantly bigger in the obese group compared to the normal group. There were no differences in perceived volume among any of the subjects (both normal and obese groups) according to rice bowl color. However, the estimated variance in perceived volume in the obese group was significantly larger than that in the normal group for all of the rice bowls. In conclusion, rice bowl size and color might affect volume perception, and volume perception in obese people may be different from that of normal weight people.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
• /
• v.17 no.4
• /
• pp.349-363
• /
• 2011

The purpose of this study was to investigate the nutrient intakes, nutritional knowledge, food habits, and lifestyle behaviors of moderately or severely obese children living in the Kyonggi-do area. The subjects in this study were 37 obese children with an obesity index higher than 130% in the forth to sixth grades of elementary school. Anthropometric measurements, 24-hour recall of dietary intakes, and a survey on nutritional knowledge, food habits, and lifestyles behavior were conducted in the 37 obese children (25 boys and 12 girls). The average age, body weight, BMI, and R$\ddot{o}$hrer Index were 12.4 years, 68.6 kg, $29.6kg/m^2$, and 194.9 in boys and 12.7 years, 65.7 kg, $29.8kg/m^2$, and 201.8 in girls, respectively. The percentage of correct answers on nutritional knowledge and nutritional attitude score/max score were 85.8% and 23.0/50 in boys and 87.0% and 17.5/50 in girls, respectively. Except for calcium (85.3%) in girls and calcium (62.7%) and folic acid (83.3%) in boys, the average daily nutrient intakes percentages of nutrients were greater than the DRIs values (107.9~327.3% in boys and 103.0~416.0% in girls). This study showed the existence of some problems associated with obesity, such as higher frequency of skipping breakfast, irregular meal times, unbalanced diet, lack of intake of some nutrients, low nutritional attitude, lack of physical activity, and time management in obese children. These results suggest that a systematic education program including nutritional education on balanced diet, good eating habits and behaviors, and importance of eating breakfast and meal regularity must be emphasized to improve nutrient intakes and food habits in obese children. Obese children also require a more concentrated program that includes physical activity, weight reduction, and weight maintenance strategies to improve their life habits.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
• /
• v.8 no.1
• /
• pp.63-70
• /
• 2008

Objectives Obesity is the major risk factor of the heart disease and the metabolic disease. The autonomic nervous system is a key contributor in the regulation of energy balance, so the blunted activity may contribute to the maintenance of the obese state. So we evaluated the function of the autonomic nervous system in young overweight and obese women with heart rate variability. Methods The subjects were 26 overweight and obese young women(BMI〉$23kg/m^2$) and 25 lean women who visited Kangnam Kyunghee hospital for obesity management from March 2006 to April 2008. Bioimpedance Analysis (BIA), short-term spectral analysis of heart rate variability (HRV) were performed. Results HRV of obese young group was lower than the lean young group, but there is no statistical significance. BMI had significantly a negative correlation with Low Frequency(LF) of HRV. LF power is mediated by sympathetic nervous system activity. These results indicate a decrease of sympathetic modulation in overweight and obese young women. Conclusions Overweight and obese young women have decreased sympathetic nervous system activity. In clinical practice, an assessement of HRV would be noninvasive and sensitive methods for sympathetic nervous system of young overweight and obese women.

• Genomics & Informatics
• /
• v.15 no.1
• /
• pp.28-37
• /
• 2017

Obesity is a highly prevalent, chronic disorder that has been increasing in incidence in young patients. Both epigenetic and genetic aberrations may play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Therefore, in-depth epigenomic and genomic analyses will advance our understanding of the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying obesity and aid in the selection of potential biomarkers for obesity in youth. Here, we performed microarray-based DNA methylation and gene expression profiling of peripheral white blood cells obtained from six young, obese individuals and six healthy controls. We observed that the hierarchical clustering of DNA methylation, but not gene expression, clearly segregates the obese individuals from the controls, suggesting that the metabolic disturbance that occurs as a result of obesity at a young age may affect the DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells without accompanying transcriptional changes. To examine the genome-wide differences in the DNA methylation profiles of young obese and control individuals, we identified differentially methylated CpG sites and investigated their genomic and epigenomic contexts. The aberrant DNA methylation patterns in obese individuals can be summarized as relative gains and losses of DNA methylation in gene promoters and gene bodies, respectively. We also observed that the CpG islands of obese individuals are more susceptible to DNA methylation compared to controls. Our pilot study suggests that the genome-wide aberrant DNA methylation patterns of obese individuals may advance not only our understanding of the epigenomic pathogenesis but also early screening of obesity in youth.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.433-440
• /
• 1996

To assess the relationship between serum cholesterol level and dietary intake in obese children, 50 subjects were selected as an obese group and 50 subjects as a normal group depending upon body mass index. Fasting blood samples were obtained and analyzed for serum total cholesterol(TC), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDLC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDLC) and triglyceride(TG). The dietary intake and information on dietary behavior and family environment were obtained by questionaire using 24 hour dietary recall method for 2-consecutive days. The concentrations of TC, LDLC, HDLC and TG of obese group were estimated to be 193.3mg/dl, 122.5mg/dl, 53.7mg/dl and 86.0mg/dl, respectively. The obese group showed higher TC, LDLC, TG level(p<0.001) and lower HDLC level(p<0.001) than normal group. Food intakes in obese group were similar to those of normal group except meats & fishes(P<0.01), milk & dairy products, fruits(p<0.05), and green & yellow vegetables(p<0.001). Nutrient intakes in obese group exceeded Korean recommended dietary allowance for the corresponding ages. Saturated fatty acid(p<0.05) and cholesterol(p<0.001) intakes in obese group were higher than those of normal group. In correlation analysis, meats & fishes, eggs and milk & dairy products intakes were positively related to serum TC, LDLC and TG ; on the contrary, green & yellow vegetables and fruits intakes were negatively related to serum TC, LDLC and TG ; but positively to HDLC. Obesity index, serum cholesterol level, cholesterol and saturated fatty acid intake were positively correlated with parent's obesity index, frequency of snack per day, eating rate and late snack.