• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• 제21권2호
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• pp.1-11
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• 2008

Purpose: Few studies have attempted to explain the childhood's sociality issue in Korea. This study was conducted to investigate the association between obesity stress and sociality factors. Methods : The study subjects were 4th, 5th, and 6th grade students from the elementary schools in Kwangju, Anyang, and Hwasung city. The cross sectional study was carried out through the self-reported questionnaire survey about obesity stress, sociality, and socio-demographic characteristics. The data was analyzed by multiple regression analysis using SPSS 12.0 version. Results : Overall, the findings of this study were consistent with previous studies. The measures of obesity stress showed significant negative relationships with measures of childhood sociality. Specifically, the association between mental stress from obesity and socialization was more higher than other variables. In addition, multiple regression analysis found that the effect of mental stress from obesity on childhood sociality was more higher than the effect of stress from physical discomfort and the effort to overcome the obesity stress. Conclusion : Findings provide evidence for the notion that the measures of obesity stress is significantly associated with childhood sociality.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• 제5권1호
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• pp.58-64
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• 2000

Obesity is a global pandemic that is increasing throughout most of the world. Increases in obesity are not restricted to highly industrialized countries, but have been observed in newly developed and developing countries as well. Obesity is associated with increased risk for non-insulin dependent diabetes mellitus, coronary artery disease, and some types of cancer. Tragically, eliminating food shortages in developing countries may result in substituting heart disease, diabetes, and cancer for malnutrition. There are many approaches to reducing obesity, including dietary modification, surgical interventions, and drug therapies. However, only dietary modification has the potential to be effective on a global scale. Public health measures in the United States have sought to reduce obesity by reducing the intake of dietary fat. While these efforts have succeeded in reducing dietary fat, obesity has continued to increase, suggesting that moderate fat reduction may not be effective. Other proposed diets include low-carbohydrate diets, low glycemic index diets, and very low fat diets. While all of these diets may be effective for some people, they are not satisfactory for public health policy. In fact, the ratio of fat to carbohydrate may not be as important as previously believed. Humans may be well suited to adapt to diets as varied as a high carbohydrate tropical diet consisting mostly of fruits to the high fat Eskimo diet consisting largely of animal foods. Either extreme may be healthful if providing adequate, but not excessive, energy and adequate amounts of micronutrients. Public health measures may need to focuss on reducing the overconsumption of inexpensive and convenient foods.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• 제23권2호
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• pp.273-284
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• 2009

Purpose: The study examined obesity conditions and related factors in middle aged Korean women who had been diagnosed as obese based body mass index (BMI) or waist circumference (WC) measurement. Presently, BMI alone, WC alone, or BMI + WC were used as obesity measures. Methods: Subjects were 488 women 40~64 years of age living in one city, Korea. Structured questionnaires concerning general characteristics, health behavior practices, and chronic disease history were completed by each subject. Results: The proportions of obesity were 42.4% by BMI, 39.3% by WC, and 51.3% by the combination of both measurements. Chi-square test revealed significant associations of obesity with age, education level, menopausal status, frequency of excessive eating, and history of diabetes mellitus or hypertension. These associations were similar for the three measurement schemes. There was significant positive relationship between BMI and WC, whereas the relationship between BMI and WHR (waist-hip ratio) was not significant. Conclusions: The combination of BMI and WC measurement may be a valid way to evaluate the obesity status in middle-aged women. Developing an obesity management program that includes control of excessive eating, and consideration of menopausal status and history of chronic diseases would be prudent.

• The Journal of the Korea institute of electronic communication sciences
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• 제19권1호
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• pp.275-282
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• 2024

This paper proposes an app-based feeder that performs functions such as distributing food and measuring exercise amount and a wearable collar that measures activity level to manage pet obesity in modern society where the obesity rate of pets is increasing. The wearable collar measures the pet's activity level and suggests the appropriate amount of food based on the average daily activity level. We studied an app-based pet feeding system that can provide the appropriate amount of feed per day through an app to enable obesity management even in unexpected situations.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• 제14권4호
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• pp.231-238
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate body composition, blood pressure, blood lipids, and glucose according to obesity degree by body fat percentage in female university students. Methods: A total of 231 subjects were participated between July and December 2010. The anthropometric measures and blood analyzer were used. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SPSS 18.0. Results: Percentage of body fat (PBF)-defined obesity had higher prevalence than body mass index (BMI)-defined obesity. Weight, BMI, PBF, fat mass, Waist to hip ratio (WHR), Systolic blood pressure (SBP), Diastolic blood pressure (DBP) in obesity group were higher than normal group and Soft lean mass and Low density lipoprotein (LDL) in obesity group were lower than normal group. There were significant correlations between PFB, SBP, DBP, Triglyceride (TC), High density lipoprotein (HDL), and LDL. Conclusion: In conclusion, when screening for obesity in female university students, body fat should be considered. It is needed to develop obesity management program according to obesity degree and to identify the effectiveness.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• 제63권12호
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• pp.477-482
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• 2020

The childhood obesity pandemic has emerged as an important public health problem in many countries. Obese children are likely to become obese adults, and adult obesity is associated with an increased risk of morbidity. Therefore, controlling the childhood obesity epidemic has become a top public health priority worldwide. The current coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic may significantly impede this important mission and constitute an unprecedented tragedy in the global battle against childhood obesity. This manuscript presents evidence that the COVID-19 pandemic will aggravate the childhood obesity epidemic and lead to significant weight gain in school children by creating an unprecedented obesogenic environment. Within the last few months, many countries took uncompromising measures in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including school closures and quarantine. While these steps are often necessary to ensure infection control, they may have a significant negative effect on children's mental and physical health. Physical, nutritional, and psychosocial factors that promote obesity in children during this special situation complementarily contribute to an unprecedented obesogenic environment. Large-scale quarantine and home confinement will impose new and unfamiliar stressors on children, thereby worsening the childhood obesity epidemic. Most importantly, adverse childhood events resulting from a predicted increase in domestic violence within the next few months will significantly contribute to this concern. The scenario presented in this review is of paramount public health importance and must be considered during future pandemic planning. Involved stakeholders, including governments, schools, and families, must make all possible efforts to minimize the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic on childhood obesity.

• Korean journal of aerospace and environmental medicine
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• 제31권2호
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• pp.45-50
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• 2021

Background: Obesity is a major public health problem that is causally related to serious medical conditions. In this study, the public health implications of obesity based on body mass index (BMI) with anthropometric measures among adults in the Republic of Korea and Japan in 2019 were compared. Methods: A simple cross-section, nationally representative of the raw data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2019 between Korea and Japan were used. We analyzed the data of those categorized as obese with a BMI of ≥25 kg/m² according to the World Health Organization Expert Consultation. Results: The average values of BMI based on body height and body weight among males and females in Korea were 24.6±0.08 and 23.3±0.09, respectively; those in Japan were 23.9±0.08 and 22.6±0.08, respectively. The measured anthropometric values were obviously higher in Korean than in Japan (P<0.01). The prevalence rates (PRs) of obesity by sex in Korea were 41.4% among males and 27.3% females; those in Japan were 32.5% among males and 22.0% among females. The statistically significant results showed that the total obesity rate was higher in males than in females in both countries (P<0.01). The PRs of obesity in Korea were 41.4% in males and 27.3% in females; those in Japan were 32.5% in males and 22.0% in females. The statistically significantly PR of total obesity among Korean adults was greater than that among Japanese adults (P<0.01). Conclusion: The PR of obesity in Korea relative to that in Japan showed a gradually increasing trend. Obesity is a major problem, especially in the pilot group. Reducing the prevalence of obesity among pilots is important for reducing in-flight medical incapacitation and ensuring flight safety. Obesity management is necessary to prevent obesity-related diseases and promote pilot health.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• 제20권4호
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• pp.281-290
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• 2015

Objectives: Obesity is known to influence physical and mental health as well as the general quality of life. The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of obesity related quality of life on selecting a goal for weight management in overweight and obese female patients. Methods: A total of 140 overweight or obese (Body mass index $23kg/m^2$) female outpatients aged ${\geq}20$ and ${\leq}60$ years from one clinic participated in this study. Patients' desired weight (goal weight, ideal weight, satisfactory weight, acceptable weight and disappointed weight) and obesity related quality of life measures were evaluated. Univariate and multivariate analysis were performed to evaluate the effect of obesity related quality of life on goal weight reduction (%) and goal body mass index (BMI). Results: Mean BMI of overweight group, mild obesity group and severe obesity group were $62.0{\pm}4.8kg$, $68.5{\pm}5.5kg$ and $83.5{\pm}9.6kg$, respectively. Mean weight loss expectations of the three groups were $16.4{\pm}4.7%$, $19.5{\pm}5.3%$ and $30.2{\pm}6.8%$, respectively and goal weight was significantly different among the three groups. Severe obesity group had a lower total quality of life score including physical, work-related, daily living domains than overweight or mild obesity groups. In univariate and multivariate regression analysis, psychosocial domain of quality of life had an effect on goal weight reduction (%) and goal BMI. Conclusions: The results of this study demonstrated that the obese patients with poorer quality of life and psychosocial health tended to choose higher goal weight reduction and lower goal BMI.

• Korean Journal of Exercise Nutrition
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• 제25권3호
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• pp.36-43
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• 2021

[Purpose] Exercise is a key factor in preventing obesity and metabolic syndrome. Sumo wrestlers increase their body size from childhood for athletic advantage; however, the risk of metabolic syndrome in junior sumo wrestlers is undetermined. Preventive measures against pediatric obesity should be initiated during childhood to prevent obesity in adulthood, considering its high global incidence. We comparatively evaluated the risk factors for metabolic syndrome in junior sumo wrestlers and children with obesity. [Methods] We enrolled 70 male children (age 9-17 years [sumo group, n = 14] and 9-14 years [other sports and non-exercise groups, n = 28 each]) and evaluated their anthropometric parameters (height, weight, body mass index z-score, obesity rate, waist circumference, waist to height ratio) and hematological parameters (total, low-density, high-density, and non-high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol; triglycerides; plasma glucose, and glycated hemoglobin levels). [Results] The BMI z-score, obesity rate, waist circumference (p < 0.05, along with the non-exercise group), and systolic blood pressure were significantly higher and the high-density cholesterol level was lower in the sumo group than in the other sports group (p < 0.05). The waist to height ratio was significantly higher in the non-exercise group than in the other sports group (p < 0.05). No significant difference was found in other blood lipid, plasma glucose (significantly lower level than the reference range in the sumo group, p < 0.05), and glycated hemoglobin (within the reference range in all groups) levels among the three groups. [Conclusion] Junior sumo wrestlers had a larger body size and higher blood pressure than children with obesity who exercised regularly. This provides direction for future research into targeted preventive interventions against metabolic syndrome for junior sumo wrestlers with large body size.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• 제40권3호
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• pp.155-164
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• 2002

This study was conducted to investigate the differences in environmental and psychological factors in children with obesity and to offer useful information for obesity treatment and prevention. 123 children of 5-6th grade in elementary school and their mothers were included in this study and divided into either the obese group and normal group(obese group: 61, normal group: 62) according to the Weight-Length Index(WLI). Results showed that between the two groups there no significant differences in family income, mother's occupation status, educational level, and anthropometric measurement. Nutritional knowledge in the obese group was significantly higher than that of the normal group(p<0.05). The mothers of children with obesity had a higher level of nutritional knowledge than the mothers of normal children(p<0.05). There were no significant differences in food behavior between the obese and normal groups. There were no significant differences in maternal child-rearing practices and in maternal attitude on flood behavior of children. Considering psychological factors ; 72.1% of the children with obesity appraised their body image as obese(p<0.05), and 54.1% of the mothers in obese group perceived their child's body shape as obese(p<0.05). The level of self-esteem were not significantly different when compared between the obese and normal groups. From these results, it was suggested that effective measures for obesity treatment and prevention should include nutritional monitoring, and such efforts need to be maintained in order to help the obese children and their mothers.