• Korean journal of health promotion
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.177-183
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• 2018

Background: Many studies have reported that adolescents living with single parent have a high risk of obesity. However, those studies did not explore the implication of the gender of single parent living with adolescents. This study investigated the differences in obesity rates according to status of co-residence with their parents in Korean adolescents. The family living with single parent was classified into the family living with single father and the family living with single mother. Methods: This cross-sectional study involved 59,602 adolescents who participated in the 2017 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The data on height, weight, status of co-residence with parents, and the other variables were obtained through online questionnaires. Results: In male adolescents, the family living with single mother was related to a high proportion of obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09-1.40) and overweight (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03-1.34). However, in female adolescents, the family living with single father was related to a high proportion of obesity (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.23-1.82). In addition, female adolescents living with neither parent were more likely to be obese (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13-1.91) and overweight (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.00-1.70). Conclusions: This study showed a risk of obesity in adolescents living with single parent differs according to the gender of single parent living with adolescents. Not adolescents living with a same-gender parent, but those living with an opposite-gender parent have a high risk of obesity.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.3
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• pp.376-389
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• 2022

Purpose: Obesity can lead to several chronic diseases. With a continuous increase in the obesity rates, sustainable healthy weight management among growing adolescents has become essential. This study was conducted to examine the relationship between obesity-related factors and creative convergence ability. This could form the basis for convergence education for the sustainable healthy weight management of adolescents. Methods: Data were collected from 430 adolescents in Daegu, Gyeongbuk, and Gyeonggi regions using a self-administered 5-Likert questionnaire from November to December 2020. Results: The average score of the male students was higher than that of the female students in terms of healthy weight management convergence awareness, creativity, convergence thinking ability, self-efficacy, exercise, and dietary diversity. On the other hand, the dietary restraint score and the number of weight loss attempts were higher in the female students. Dietary restraint, disinhibition scores and weight loss attempts were higher in obese adolescents compared to underweight adolescents. It was found that dietary restraint, convergence thinking ability, problem-solving ability, exercise, and dietary diversity factors had a positive effect on healthy weight management convergence awareness. Healthy weight management convergence awareness, exercise, meal amount management, junk food management, weight loss belief, and weight loss trial experience had a positive effect on dietary restraint. Convergence thinking ability, weight loss experience, and obesity factors had a positive effect on dietary disinhibition. Conclusion: The sustainable healthy weight management education of adolescents is based on weight management knowledge and awareness of convergence, and must include gender differences. Thus, the problem-solving ability for healthy weight management can be creatively cultivated to enhance self-efficacy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.667-682
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the changes in health behavior, mental health, and nutritional status of Korean adolescents before and after the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic outbreak. Methods: A total of 800 adolescents (12~18 years old) who participated in the 2019-2020 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) were included as study subjects and divided into four groups (204 middle school boys, 172 middle school girls, 219 high school boys, and 205 high school girls). The 2019 and 2020 KNHANES data were classified into data collected before and after the COVID-19 outbreak, respectively. Results: After the COVID-19 pandemic outbreak, middle school boys showed an increased tendency toward becoming overweight and obese, with significantly increased levels of diastolic blood pressure and insulin. While there was no major change in the subjective health status among adolescents, the high school boys showed a significantly decreased physical activity after COVID-19 outbreak. Moreover, the proportion of middle school students feeling a little stressed significantly increased after the COVID-19 outbreak. The rate of skipping breakfast significantly increased in middle school girls, but the rate of having lunch with companions significantly increased among all adolescents after the COVID-19 outbreak. However, the intake of milk, vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, and pulses significantly decreased, although the intake of sugars, beverages, and seasonings significantly decreased as well, during this period. These changes may lead to an increased proportion of adolescents with insufficient intake of nutrients, including potassium, vitamin C, and riboflavin. Conclusion: These results highlight the impact of COVID-19 on comprehensive changes in physical and mental health status, lifestyle behavior, and nutritional status in adolescents, suggesting the need for targeted prevention and intervention for physical and mental well-being during the pandemic.