• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.412-420
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• 2021

This study aimed to assess the association between the weight status and dietary behavior of preschool children. The survey included 412 preschool children aged 2-5 years in 31 childcare facilities in Gwangju. General characteristics of children and their mothers, weight, height, feeding type, complementary feeding, food allergy, and dietary behavior of children based on the Nutrition Quotient for preschoolers (NQ-P) questionnaire were considered. Children were classified into 4 groups by weight status; underweight, normal, overweight, and obese, based on the 2017 Korean National Growth Charts. The percentage of children in the respective groups was 5.3, 70.9, 10.7, 13.1%. Weight status was not related to breast feeding duration nor the starting time of complementary feeding. The NQ-P scores of underweight, normal, overweight, and obese groups were 55.4, 60.0, 60.8, 60.0. Among the three factors covered by the NQ-P, 'balance' and 'environment' scores of the underweight group were lower than that of other groups. Underweight children consumed beans, fish, and white milk less frequently. The 'moderation' scores of the overweight/obese group were lower than those of the normal or obese groups. Obese children more frequently ate processed meat and fast foods. Proper nutrition education is thus needed for not only obese children but also underweight children based on their age, along with their parents, and caregivers.

• Physical Therapy Rehabilitation Science
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.134-142
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• 2024

Objective: This study aimed to compare the subjective health status, physical activity index, and perceived stress rate of obese children with those of healthy children through propensity matching analysis and to use the results to help manage obese children. Design: Descriptive correlation study. Methods: This study conducted a secondary analysis using raw data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Propensity matching (1:2) was conducted between obese and healthy adolescents. Results: The number of days of physical activity was 1.22 days for the obese adolescent group and 1.01 days for the non-obese adolescent group, which was higher in the obese group (p=0.003). The subjective health status was 3.43 and 3.81 in the obese and non-obese adolescent groups, respectively, showing a higher difference in the normal group (p<0.001). No statistical difference was observed in the perceived stress rate (p=0.871) or strength exercises (p=0.190) between the two groups. Conclusion: This study suggests the need for development measures to effectively improve youth physical activity, muscle-strengthening programs, stress management, and subjective health status in obese and normal groups.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.396-405
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• 2003

The purpose of this study was to investigate the changes of obesity and depression level of obese children on body weight control program. The body weight control program included nutrition education, psychotherapy and exercise for weekly session during 9 months. The results from this study were as follows. A total of 27 obese children participated in this study. The average age of children was 11.7 years, 70% of children had regular exercise. Average exercise time was 1.2 hours and watching television time was 1.8 hours. Children's serum composition were within normal ranges. Rohrer index(RI) was significantly decreased to 163 from 167(p<0.001) and BMI was significantly decreased to 23.9 from 24.5(p<0.01) after body weight control program. There was not significant difference in depression score after body weight control program and there was not significant correlation between obesity and depression level. The response tendency of depression items indicated obese children had negative depression feelings and couldn't have hopeful mind to the future. But there were significant increase(p<0.05) in depression and hopeful mind in factor analysis. The suggestion and limitations of this study were discussed. These results suggest that body weight control program including nutrition education, exercise and psychotherapy may be effective for helping obese children.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.146-156
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to analyze characteristics of the obese children in depth and provide basic information for a comprehensive educational program for the obese children. Physical and biochemical characteristics, nutrient intake, and self-esteem, etc. of 16 obese elementary school children (OC) and 14 normal weight elementary school children (NWC) were examined. Self-esteem was measured using Likert-type scales with description. Plasma levels of total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and glucose of OC were higher than those of NWC. Dietary intake with a lunch provided more energy and vitamin B1 in OC than in NWC. Physical appearance and athletic competence among self-esteem in OC were lower than in NWC. However, there was no significant difference in physical activity between OC and NWC. In OC, atherogenic index was positively related with waist circumference, obesity index and BMI while athletic competence self-esteem was negatively related with them. It is recommended that the children should receive the comprehensive educational program for improving children' dietary behavior and their self-esteem.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.3
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• pp.197-202
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• 2005

Resistin, adiponectin, and leptin are hormones secreted by adipose tissue and are known to play an important role in adipose tissue metabolism. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the levels of adipocyte-derived hormones (resistin, adiponectin, leptin) in obese children aged 10-12 years. The subjects were 102 obese children with obesity index (OI) over $120\%$ and 51 control children with obesity index less than $120\%$ were included for comparison. Anthropometric variables and serological parameters were assessed. Height, weight, OI, body mass index (BMI) were significantly higher in obese group than in control. Obese children showed significantly higher serum concentrations of triglyceride (TG), total cholesterol (TC), and LDL-cho1esterol and significantly lower HDL-cholesterol compared with control children, even though the values were within normal ranges for both groups. Concentrations of resistin and leptin were significantly higher in obese group than in control. Adiponectin and insulin levels were tended to lower in obese group even though the differences were not statistically significant. Resistin had significant positive correlation with OI and TG, and 1eptin with weight, OI, BMI, TG and TC. On the other hand, adiponectin showed significant negative correlations with height, OI and BMI. These finding showed that obese children had higher serum levels of resistin and leptin and lower adiponectin, and also these hormones had correlations with related factors of obesity, suggesting adipocyte-derived hormones has a role in child obesity.

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

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.234-244
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• 2002

This study was conducted to compare the rates of hyperlipidemia, hypertension, high blood glucose, and liver dysfunction, between 64 obese children (24 boys and 11 girls who were moderately obese, and 21 boys and 8 girls who were severely obese) and 45 normal weight children (31 boys and 14 girls) from 13 elementary schools in Kangnung city. Among the boys with severe obesity, the levels of serum triglycerides and LDL-cholesterol (133.60 $\pm$ 49.99 mg/dl and 105.00 $\pm$ 41.12 mg/dl( respectively) were significantly higher compared to the normal Weight group (81.16 $\pm$ 23.59 mg/dl and 87.74 $\pm$ 32.095 mg/dl, respectively) of moderately obese group (102.30 $\pm$ 36.03 mg/dl, 89.99 $\pm$ 32.10 mg/이, respectively). In girls, only serum triglycerides were significantly higher in the severely obese group (154.30 $\pm$ 46.84 mg/dl), compared with the normal weight group (80.00 $\pm$ 25.31 mg/dl) or moderately obese group (106.40 $\pm$ 41.73 mg/dl). In boys, blood pressure in the severely obese group (systolic: 120.5 $\pm$ 9.74 mmHg; diastolic: 80.95 $\pm$ 10.44 mmHg) was significantly higher compared with the groups of normal weight or moderately obese children. The rate of hypertriglyceridemia was significantly different among normal weight, moderately obese, and severely obese boys (9.7%, 41.7%, and 76.2%, respectively). The proportion of boys who had an Atherogenic Index(AI) higher than 3 was found to be significantly higher in the severely obese group (28.6%), compared to 6.5% in the normal weight group and 4.1% in the moderately obese group. Among boys, a significantly higher rate of hypertension was found in the severely obese group, which showed high systolic blood pressure and high diastolic pressure (81.0% and 81.0%), compared with the normal weight group (16.1% and 22.6%) and moderately obese group (33.3% and 33.3%). In conclusion, the diagnosis and management of obese children needs to be tailored to gender and the degree of obesity. Furthermore, a systematic management program needs to be developed for early screening and detection of obesity in order to minimize the risk of hyperlipidemia and hypertension, especially in severely obese children.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.97-108
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• 2000

This study researches an obesity index and the realities of physical activity of elementary school children and provide basic data to instruct correct physical activity for low weight and obese children. The subject was 813 Elementary School Children of grade 4-6 in Kyungju and data were collected with a Physical Activity Questionnaire from YHS, USA. The collected data were analyzed with real number, percentage, average and standard deviation techniques. The range was by SPSS WIN. Both of them were in the normal range, between -38.3 and 77.7, between low weight and obesity. The results are as follows : 1. An Obesity index according to grade and sex: the average obesity index of 423 boys was $7.56{\pm}15.7$, for girls it was $2.56{\pm}14.3$. Both of them were in the normal range, between -38.3 and 77.7. There were low weight($-38.85{\pm}0.9$) students as well as obese, including extremely low weight children ($-38.85{\pm}0.9$) and extremely obese children. 2. On the whole, in the Frequency of the 25 item physical activities breakdown, children reported to watch TV 1. ($2.7{\pm}0.6$), or do homework($2.1{\pm}0.9$), more than three-fourths of the week, male children, however, played more football($2.0{\pm}0.9$). As male obese children do less MET5, MET8(highly active activity) than male normal children, it was also discovered that low weight children do more severe activity in MET8(high activity). In female cases, it was revealed that neither do highly intense activity. 3. In physical activity, male children received higher points than female children with $92.94{\pm}37.95$ to $74.46{\pm}29.50$. On the whole, male and female obese children had lower score than normal children. 4. As for attitude toward physical activity, male children($31.96{\pm}4.37$) had a positive attitude than female children ($29.57{\pm}3.89$), but obese male children had a negative attitude regarding activity viewed as normal. Therefore, in preventing obesity in elementary school children the treating of under-weight children should be included in the obesity program so as to prevent mal-nutrition or deficiency. It is needed to instruct obese children to carry out intensive work-outs at least 3 times a week through systematic programs. It is also needed that parents and teachers educate elementary school children from an early age with information on the frequency and intensity of work-outs to prevent obesity. It is also desirable that children be educated to carry out physical activities that address their specific needs. As a result of this study, obesity management must be started from elementary school and children should be instructed to act in high-intensity actirities when they spend leisure time.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.250-255
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship among plasma leptin, lipid profiles, insulin levels, and percentage of body fat of 72 schoolchildren from Obese Clinic Center in Seoul. The subjects divided into two groups: 39 obesity children [obesity index greater than $20\%$] who did not have a discernable medical cause of their obesity and 33 children with a obesity index less than $20\%$. The mean age, height, and obesity index of the subjects were 10.4 years, 144.0 cm, and $21.3\%$, respectively. The mean glucose and insulin levels of the obese children were 80.5 mg/dl and $13.3\;{\mu}IU/mL$ and those of the non obese children were 82.0 mg/dl and $4.2\;{\mu}IU/mL$, respectively. Obese children had significantly (p<0.05) higher level of total cholesterol, triglyceride, VLDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, and insulin concentration than non-obese children. However obese children had a lower level of HDL-cholesterol than non-obese children. Plasma leptin level were also positively correlated with BMI (p<0.000l), body fat (p<0.0001), tricep skinfold thickness (p<0.0001), mid arm circumference (p<0.0001), and waist hip ratio (p<0.0001). Plasma leptin showed a significantly positive correlation with insulin (p<0.0001), total cholesterol (p<0.0001), LDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001), and triglyceride (p<0.0001) levels, however, it was negatively correlated with HDL-cholesterol (p<0.0001) levels. In conclusion, the concentration of leptin in the blood is significantly correlated with the amount of body fat, BMI, plasma insulin, and plasma lipid profiles.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.509-520
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• 2009

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weight control program on food habits, eating behaviors and life habits in obese elementary school children. The program consisted of nutritional education, physical exercise and behavioral therapy was conformed for 10 weeks. Participants of the study involved 41 obese children and their parents. There was significant difference in waist circumference (p < 0.05) and children's body fat % significantly decreased from 35.8% to 33.0% (p < 0.01) after program. There was significant increase (p < 0.05) in HDL-cholesterol, 47.8 (mg/dL) to 53.6 (mg/dL) after weight control program. Food habits and eating behaviors of obese children were showed positively changes but there were no significant differences after program. Regularity of having breakfast and amount of meal under the stress condition were not significantly different after program. The levels of physical activity of obese children were significantly increased from 1.40(hr) to 1.74(hr) per day (p < 0.05). But there were no significant changes in spending hours of watching television and playing computer games. Food habits, eating behavior and physical activity showed significant correlations to weight control. These results suggest that the body weight control program for obese children including nutrition education, physical exercise and behavioral therapy may be effective to improve their food habits, eating behaviors and life habits. Nevertheless we need a more concentrating program to improve life habits such as physical activity and watching television.