• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.18-31
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• 2000

Recently, the number of obese people have been increasing due to westernized diets and increased sedentary activity. In particular, obese adolescent have been newly recognized as having significant health problems. This study focuses on determining the gender difference of obese adolescents through implementation of a structured questionnaire on general characteristics, attitudes toward dieting, eating habits and emotional depression due to obesity. Data collection was carried out by 291 students in attendance at 3 high schools in Pusan from 11. 2. 1998 to 11. 30. 1998. The targets were 148 boys and 143 girls who were judged as obese in the school's physical check-up. The test of reliability of this research was calculated by chronbach's α. Data analysis was managed by computer and statistics by SPSS/WIN. The results of the survey are as follows: 1. For the questionnaire regarding attitudes toward dieting which include 28 items, 10 out of 28 items (about 36%)showed gender difference. 2. For the questionnaire regarding eating habits which include 17 items, 5 out of 17 items (about 30%)showed gender difference. 3.For the questionnaire regarding emotional depression about obesity, 30.6% of boys and 27.3% girls answered but no statistical significance. The results of this survey indicated that this study will be important as a good guideline for treating obese adolescents. It is hoped that much more research on gender difference in obese adolescents will be implemented in the future. In addition, the development of effective treatments for obesity should be based on the gender of the adolescent.

• Korean Parent-Child Health Journal
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.18-27
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare health locus of control with health-promoting behaviors according to elementary school children's degree of obesity, and to analyze correlations between two variables. Methods: Three hundreds and sixty three elementary school children were participated from three elementary schools in Seoul. Multidimensional Health Locus of Control (HLOC) scale and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile (HPLP) were used. Results: Obese children was 16.8% of all research subjects. Internal HLOC in over weight group was higher than normal weight group (F=3.611, p=.014). Chance HLOC in under weight group was higher than other groups (F=3.553, p=.015). External HLOC in over weight and obesity group was higher than normal weight group (F=3.553, p=.015). Correlations between HLOC in internal and external and health-promoting behaviors were significant (r=.347, p<001; r=.207, p<001). Also, children who did not have siblings and have obese parents showed higher rate of obesity, and lack of sleeping time tend to be related to obesity. Conclusion: External HLOC of obesity children is higher than that of normal weight children. Meanwhile, obese children with higher internal HLOC were good at doing health-promoting behaviors. Therefore, if obese children are trained for internal health control, it can lead to their health-promoting behaviors.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2006

Objectives: Obesity is one of risk factors for psychological and social adjustment problems (depression, low self esteem, low school function etc). Quality of life(QOL) is comprehensive and multidimensional construct including physical, emotional, social and school functioning. Some authors reported that child and adolescent obesity is associated with impaired QOL. This study was to examine the association between QOL and body mass index (BMI) in middle school students. Methods : Cross sectional analysis of 471 adolescents between the ages of 13 and 14 years ($mean{\pm}SD,\;13.4{\pm}0.6$), who attended one of middle schools in Seoul, Korea. Participants' QOL were scored by using Korean version of pediatric QOL inventory generic score scale ($PedsQL^{TM}$ 4.0). Participants had a $mean{\pm}SD\;BMI\;of\;21.3{\pm}4.0$. Self reports and parent proxy reports using $PedsQL^{TM}$ 4.0 were administered to measure participant's QOL. Participants were divided into four groups by BMI (Male: obesity group >26.5, at risk group 23.2-26.5, normal weight group 15.8-23.1, underweight group <15.8, Female : obesity group >25.2, at risk group 22.9-25.2, normal weight group 16.0-22.8, underweight group <16.0). Results : Compared with other groups, obese adolescents reported significantly(p<0.01) love. QOL in all domains. Obese adolescents were more likely to have impaired QOL than normal weight adolescents (Odds Ratio, 8.3, 95% confidence interval, 4.0-16.7). Conclusion : Obese adolescents have lower QOL than normal weight adolescents. Psychiatrist, parents, and teachers need to be informed of the risk fur impaired QOL in obese adolescents to target interventions that could enhance health outcomes.

• Journal of the Korean Academy of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.119-129
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate mental health problems in obese child and adolescent patients. We assess the frequency of mental health problems and their differences according to sex, school grade and severity of obesity. Methods: The sample consisted of 106 children and adolescents aged 8-16 years (61 boys with mean age $10.98{\pm}2.26$, 45 girls with mean age $9.74{\pm}1.96$, p=.004) who were diagnosed with obesity and recruited at the Department of Pediatrics of Jeju National University Hospital. The participants completed the Korean-Child Behavior Checklist (K-CBCL), Children's Depression Inventory (CDI), Korean version of the Eating Attitude Test-26 (KEAT-26), and somatotype drawings. Results: The percentage of participants having a T-score in clinical range on one or more CBCL subscale was 37.7%. The percentage of participants in the high risk group for depression (CDI score above 17) was 20.8% and that in the high risk group for eating disorder (EAT-26 score above 20) was 6%. The girls showed significantly lower CBCL T-scores in social competence ($48.39{\pm}15.66$ vs. $38.91{\pm}22.04$, p=.011), adjustment function ($49.51{\pm}17.35$ vs. $40.38{\pm}22.58$, p=.020) and school competence ($53.34{\pm}10.47$ vs. $48.22{\pm}15.11$, p=.042) than the boys, but the percentages of boys and girls in clinical range were not significantly different. The middle school students showed (significantly) higher CBCL T-scores in somatic symptoms ($60.86{\pm}9.44$ vs. $55.74{\pm}6.76$, p=.005), aggressive behavior ($58.81{\pm}6.74$ vs. $54.68{\pm}6.22$, p=.009), total problems ($59.86{\pm}9.91$ vs. $54.88{\pm}9.76$, p=.039) and externalizing problems ($57.90{\pm}10.57$ vs. $52.44{\pm}9.38$, p=.022) than the elementary school students. The severe obesity group showed significantly higher CBCL T-scores in attention problems ($59.18{\pm}9.45$ vs. $54.15{\pm}5.34$, p=.001), social problems ($59.25{\pm}8.59$ vs. $55.96{\pm}6.50$, p=.038), delinquent behavior ($58.07{\pm}6.97$ vs. $54.73{\pm}6.00$, p=.017) and total problems ($59.21{\pm}11.65$ vs. $54.67{\pm}9.03$, p=.037) than the mild to moderate obesity group. Conclusion: Significant proportions of obese children and adolescents suffer from mental health problems. Clinicians need to pay attention to the mental health risk, especially in obese adolescents and severely obese children and adolescents.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.441-450
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• 2009

The prevalence of obesity in children has steadily risen during recent years in developed countries. Child obesity has become a major concern to health providers since it has grown to epidemic proportions over the past few decades. This study was conducted to investigate the biochemical status, dietary habits and life styles according to the obesity degree among obese children residing in the Gyungbuk area. The subjects were 148 elementary school students (boy 103, girl 45) and classified as mildly obese (n = 56), moderately obese (n = 61) and severely obese (n = 31) by the obesity index. The average body weight and height increased significantly according to the obesity degree (p < 0.05, p < 0.001). Serum cholesterol concentration came under the normal level in all groups. Serum AST activity increased according to the obesity degree but it was not significant. Serum ALT activity increased according to the obesity degree (p < 0.05). Dietary habit score was lower significantly according to the obesity degree (p < 0.01). Life style of the subjects was significantly different for the level of 'healthy state (p < 0.05)', 'body perception (p < 0.01)', 'watching TV and video (p < 0.05)', 'normal sleeping hour (p < 0.05)' and 'degree of stress (p < 0.05)' according to the obesity degree. A positive relationship between obesity index and blood pressure, ALT has been shown in the subjects. Obesity index and dietary habit scores were negatively associated. Therefore, these results suggest that a practical nutrition-exercise education program for the prevention of child obesity should be provided to elementary school children. (Korean J Community Nutrition 14(4) : 441${\sim}$450, 2009)

• 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.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.64 no.12
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• pp.619-627
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• 2021

Pediatric obesity has become a serious public health issue. The prevalence of obesity in children and adolescents has increased worldwide and in Korea over several decades. Obese children are more likely to be obese adults with an increased cardiovascular risk. Therefore, maintaining a healthy weight and preventing obesity during childhood are of critical importance. Moreover, obese children and adolescents often have endocrine comorbidities such as prediabetes, type 2 diabetes, dyslipidemia, metabolic syndrome, polycystic ovary syndrome, and central precocious puberty. Hence, the early implementation of obesity management using a multidisciplinary team approach and screening for these comorbidities in obese children and adolescents are required with the appropriate management of each comorbidity and/or specialist referral.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.55 no.6
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• pp.630-641
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• 2022

Purpose: In this study, we assessed the intake of nutrients and food groups and analyzed the nutrition quotient of obese children in South Korea. The hypothesis was that dietary quality and nutrient intake are related to the body mass index (BMI) of obese children. Methods: The participants included 48 children (20 boys and 28 girls). Based on the guidelines for the age-for-body mass index provided by the Korean National Growth Charts for children and adolescents, the participants were divided into 3 groups: overweight, BMI ≥ 85th percentile; obese, BMI ≥ 95th percentile; severely obese, BMI ≥ 99th percentile. Results: The energy distribution showed that the carbohydrate ratio was significantly higher in the overweight group (p < 0.01), whereas the fat ratio was significantly higher in the obese and severely obese groups (p < 0.05). Thus, in the overweight and obese groups, the percent body fat was negatively associated with the carbohydrate ratio (p < 0.05) but was positively associated with the fat ratio (p < 0.05). The Dietary Reference Intakes (DRI) data revealed that the intake levels of protein, vitamin B₁, vitamin B₁₂, and sodium were higher in all groups. Intakes of fiber, calcium, potassium, and magnesium were insufficient in all groups, and the DRI percent for protein was significantly higher in the obese and severely obese groups than in the overweight group. No significant differences were obtained in food group patterns or Nutrition Quotient (NQ) scores among the 3 groups. According to the evaluation results by food record and NQ, a significant difference was obtained in the dietary quality of obese children. Conclusion: We conclude that a higher intake of fat enhances weight gain. Based on the study results, we propose that the guidelines should consider the energy distribution of carbohydrate and fat intake to prevent and control obesity among Korean children.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.368-372
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• 2004

Purpose: This study was performed to investigate the correlation between mother's characteristics and obesity index, percentage of body fat, total cholesterol, and serum leptin levels in obese children. Method: Sixty two students in 4th, 5th, and 6th grades were selected from two elementary schools located in the suburbs of Seoul. Mother's characteristics were collected by questionnaires. Biophysical indexes were as follows; obesity indexes were calculated by height and weight, percentages of body fat were measured by a bioelectrical impedence fatness analyzer, total cholesterol levels were measured by a Hitachi automatic analyzer, and serum leptin levels were measured by the immunoradiometric assay method. Result: The degree of mother's concern for their children's obesity showed a statistically significant positive correlation with biophysical indexes such as obesity index and serum leptin level in obese children. However, there were no significant correlations between mother's economic state, education level, occupation and biophysical indexes. Also, there were no significant correlations between mother's concern for their children's obesity and percentage of body fat, and serum cholesterol levels. Conclusion: These results indicate that mother's concern for their children's obesity is one of the most important factors in child obesity.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.63 no.3
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• pp.110-114
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• 2020

Background: Subclinical hypothyroidism (SH) is a common condition in obese children. However, its effect on glucose and lipid metabolism in obese children remains controversial. Purpose: The present study aimed to investigate the association between SH and metabolic parameters. Methods: A total of 215 obese children and adolescents aged 6-18 years were included in this retrospective cross-sectional study. The patients' anthropometric measurements such as thyrotropin (TSH), free thyroxine (fT4), fasting plasma glucose, and insulin levels, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) index, and lipid profiles were evaluated. The patients were allocated to the SH group (fT4 normal, TSH 5-10 mIU/L) (n=77) or the control group (fT4 normal, TSH<5 mIU/L) (n=138). The glucose and lipid metabolisms of the 2 groups were compared. Results: SH was identified in 77 of 215 patients (36%). Mean body mass index was similar in both groups. The mean serum insulin, HOMA-IR, and triglyceride (TG) levels were higher and the mean high-density lipoprotein cholesterol level was lower in the SH group than in the control group (P=0.007, P=0.004, P=0.01, and P=0.02, respectively). A positive correlation was observed between TSH level and insulin level, HOMA-IR, and TG level. Conclusion: SH was identified in some of the obese children and adolescents. A clear association was observed between SH, insulin resistance, and dyslipidemia in obese children.