• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.329-339
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• 2020

Objectives: This study was undertaken to evaluate the intake of vitamins and minerals from dietary supplements (DSs) in Korean adults and elderly. Methods: Data for this study was generated from the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). We analyzed 4,204 individuals aged 19 years and older (2,579 users and 1,625 non-users). The survey included 24-h recall questions on food and DS intakes, as well as questions on DS use over the past year. The nutrient DSs evaluated were calcium, phosphorus, iron, vitamin A, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin, and vitamin C. Total nutrient intakes were obtained by combining nutrient intakes of foods and DSs consumed by each subject. Results: Most micronutrient intakes from food (except for thiamin) in adult users, and the four micronutrient intakes (iron, vitamin A, vitamin B₂ and vitamin C) in elderly users, were significantly higher than values obtained in non-users. For total intake of nutrients and DSs, both adult and elderly users had a significantly higher intake than non-users. While proportions below Estimated Average Requirements for all micronutrients by adding respective DSs in users were significantly reduced in adults and elderly as compared to non-users, the proportions of above Tolerable Upper Intake Levels for calcium and vitamin A in adults, and vitamin A in elderly, were significantly increased. In the total subjects examined, consumption of DSs was associated with lower odds ratios of undernutrition of micronutrients, and with higher odds ratios of overnutrition of calcium, iron, and vitamin A, as compared to non-users of DSs. Conclusions: Although DSs consumption by adults and the elderly improves the micronutrient status, it also increases the risk of excessive intake of certain vitamins and minerals.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.276-292
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• 2021

There is a dearth of Korean studies on dehydration, one of the health risks for adult women. This study analyzed the subjects of the 2016~2018 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) to investigate the relationship between nutrient intake ratios and sedentary time in dehydrated women. Body mass index and waist circumference in the dehydrated group (DG) were significantly higher than the normal group (NG). Intake of other liquids in the DG was significantly higher than in the NG, but total water intake in the DG was significantly lower than in the NG. Compared to the 600 sedentary minutes or more per day group, the odds ratio of dehydration was significantly higher in the less than 300 sedentary minutes per day group (1.871 [95% CI: 1.579~2.215], P<0.001). Compared to the drinking over 6.0 cups of water per day group, the odds ratio of dehydration was significantly higher in the 3 cups or fewer per day (OR [95% CI] is 1.198 times [1.019 to 1.408], P<0.05), and 6.0 cups or fewer group (OR [95% CI] is 1.162 times [1.018 to 1.326], P<0.05). The results of this study showed that the total water intake was relatively lower in the ≥600 sedentary minutes per day group compared to the 300 sedentary minutes per day group, making them more vulnerable to dehydration. The nutrient intake ratios were higher in the dehydration group than in the normal group. In conclusion, emphasis should be placed on the importance of hydration and nutrition education for adult women in the workplace.

• Safety and Health at Work
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.517-521
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• 2021

Background: This study aimed to investigate whether working long hours was related to infertility among female Korean workers, while taking age into consideration. Methods: We used data from the 2018 National Survey on Fertility and Family Health and Welfare in Korea that is a cross-sectional, nationally representative, and population-based survey. Infertility was defined as women who were not pregnant after regular unprotected intercourse for a year. Working long hours was classified as ≥52 hours, and subgroups as per age were classified on the basis of being younger or older than 40 years of age. Differences in infertility risk between the long working hour group and none were estimated in crude and fully adjusted logistic regression models with age-group stratification. Results: Of 5,909 Korean female workers, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence intervals) of infertility for working long hours were 1.295 (0.948-1.737) and 1.303 (0.921-1.809), respectively. In the subgroup of patients below 40 years of age, the crude and adjusted odds ratios (95% confidence interval) were 1.957 (1.216-3.039) and 1.921 (1.144-3.120), whereas those aged 40 years or older had 0.994 (0.647-1.471) and 0.939 (0.560-1.501), respectively. The weighted prevalence of infertility increased as weekly working hours increased only for the younger than 40-year subgroup. Conclusions: Infertility is associated with working long hours, especially in young-aged workers. Thus, the working schedule must be structured to better suit young female workers.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.35 no.1
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• pp.25-34
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• 2023

Objectives The study aimed to investigate the prevalence and characteristics of headaches according to Sasang constitution among 5,764 participants residing in Ansung or Ansan in Korea. Methods The Korea Sasang Constitutional Diagnostic Questionnaire was used to classify the constitution, and a self-administered questionnaire was used to collect headache data. The presence of headache, locations and patterns between groups were analyzed using the chi-square test and logistic regression adjusted for age, marital status, education, alcohol consumption, and smoking. Results Results showed that 25.6% of participants had headaches, with a significantly higher prevalence in Soeumin (30.8%) compared to Soyangin (24.9%) and Taeeumin (24.3%). Soeumin had significantly higher odds ratios for headaches than Taeeumin in both crude (1.387) and adjusted (1.319) models. Headache sites showed high frequency in the order of occipital (8.1%), temporal (8.0%), forehead (5.4%), and global regions (5.4%), and Soeumin showed significantly higher odds ratios of forehead (crude: 1.616, adjusted: 1.543) and occipital pain (crude: 1.366 adjusted: 1.379) compared to Taeeumin. No significant differences in headache patterns were observed among the groups. Conclusions This study suggests that Soeumin has a higher prevalence of headaches, particularly in forehead and occipital regions, compared to other Sasang constitutions.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.45 no.1
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• pp.127-138
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• 2024

Objectives: Cold extremities have been suggested to correlate with sleep disturbances. This study aims to explore the relationship between thermal sensations in body, encompassing both cold and heat sensations, with sleep quality and insomnia. Methods: Self-administered questionnaires were utilized to assess thermal sensations in body, sleep quality and symptoms of insomnia in middle-aged women. A multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to ascertain the association between thermal sensations in body and both sleep quality and insomnia symptoms. Results: Among 899 participants, 255 (28.4%) were categorized in the cold sensation group, 95 (10.6%) in the heat sensation group, 70 (7.8%) in the group with both cold and heat sensations, and 479 (53.3%) in the no-sensation group. Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index and Insomnia Severity Index were notably higher in the group experiencing both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. After adjustments for covariates, the odds ratios for poor sleep quality, moderate/severe insomnia, and long sleep latency were significantly elevated in the group with both sensations when compared to the no-sensation group. The odds ratios for poor sleep quality in the cold sensation group and for moderate/severe insomnia and low sleep efficiency in the heat sensation group were significantly higher when compared to the no-sensation group. Conclusions: The risk for sleep disturbances varied depending on the presence of thermal sensations in body, with the greatest risk observed for low sleep quality and insomnia in individuals experiencing both cold and heat sensations.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.63-71
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• 2014

Objectives: This study was designed to investigate the correlation between Sasang constitution and dyslipidemia and the possibility that Sasang constitution can be a risk factor of dyslipidemia. Methods: This study was a retrospective cross-sectional study based on chart review. Seventeen thousand sixty-nine charts which were collected from May 2007 to June 2010 in International Healthcare Service Center, Kyung Hee University Medical Center, were reviewed for the study. Fifteen thousand two hundred fifty charts including Sasang constitutional diagnosis and lipid profiling were selected and we examined the correlation between Sasang constitution and dyslipidemia. Results: After adjusted for body mass index, the levels of total cholesterol and triglyceride were highest in Taeeum group, and lowest in Soeum group. High-density lipoprotein was highest in Soeum group, and lowest in Taeeum group. After adjusted for age, sex, and body mass index, the odds ratios for 'high triglyceride' were 1.716 (1.411~2.087) in Soyang group and 2.021 (1.650~2.475) in Taeeum group compared to Soeum group. The odds ratio for 'high low-density lipoprotein' was 1.229 (1.006~1.501) in Soyang group compared to Soeum group. The odds ratios for 'low high-density lipoprotein' were 1.195 (1.033~1.381) in Soyang group and 1.414 (1.212~1.649) in Taeeum group compared to Soeum group. Conclusions: The lipid profiles and dyslipidemic risk differed across constitutional types, showing constitution type-specific patterns, so that we could infer the possibility that Sasang constitutional types can be a risk factor of dyslipidemia.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.34 no.4
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• pp.309-315
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• 2001

Objective : To develop a boner understanding of the relationship between weight status and the prevalence of obesity related diseases in the Korean population. Methods : The 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey was used and 10,880 persons who had previously taken health examinations were selected for study. The Korean Society for the Study of Obesity's classification of weight status was used. Hypertension, diabetes mellitus, dyslipidemia, osteoarthritis, chronic heart disease, stroke were included as obesity related disease. A logistic regression model was developed to estimate the prevalence odds ratio by obesity class adjusted for demographic and socioeconomic factors and we converted the odds ratio to a prevalence ratio using the base line prevalence of disease to aid in the interpretation of the ratios. Results : The prevalence of obesity was 26.3% based on the KSSO classification $(BMI\geq25)$. A graded increase in the prevalence ratio was observed with increasing severity of overweight and obesity for all health outcomes with the exception of chronic heart disease in men and stroke in both men and women. With normal weight individuals as the reference, for men who were younger than 50 years, the prevalence ratios were highest for hypertension BMI<23-25: 1.70(95% CI=1.41-2.05), 25$BMI\geq30$: 4.83(95% CI=3.70-5.84). The prevalence ratios for dyslipidemia were as high as hypertension, but were lower than hypertension for diabetes mellitus and osteoarthritis. Prevalence ratios generally were greater in younger adults. The prevalence of having 2 or more obesity related diseases increased with weight status category, except in people who were older than 50 years. Conclusions : Based on results, obesity is an increasingly important health problem in Korea and the disease burden increases according to weight status. For Korean adults, the strongest relationship was seen between weight status and hypertension and dyslipidemia. In older people the impact of excess weight and obesity is stronger than that seen in younger people. Increased efforts in the study of obesity and prevention and treatment of obesity and obesity related disease are required.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.44-50
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• 2018

Objectives : Insufficient sleep could have harmful effects on mental health. We examined the mental health status of Korean adolescents according to daily sleep time and subjective sleep satisfaction using a nationwide representative sample of Korean adolescents. Methods : Data from the 2016 Korean Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey was used. Sleep duration on weekdays and subjective sleep satisfaction during the past week were asked. Participants' perceived health, happiness, stress, depressive mood, and suicidality during past 12 months were also investigated. Participants were classified by mean duration of daily sleep time and the level of sleep satisfaction, and the odds of having mental health problems were compared. Results : Compared to adolescents who slept more than 6 hours per day and satisfied with their sleep, adolescents who slept less than 6 hours per day and/or dissatisfied with their sleep were less likely to perceive themselves healthy and happy. They were also more likely to have severe stress, depressive mood, and suicidality, with highest odds ratios among adolescents with both short and dissatisfying sleep. Conclusions : Given the significant associations between sleep insufficiency and mental health problems, attention to the sleep shortage among Korean adolescents is needed. Prospective studies are warranted to elucidate the causal relationships between subjective and objective sleep insufficiency and psychiatric conditions.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2403-2407
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• 2015

Background: Very few analytical studies are available on any association between stressful life events (SLE) and colorectal cancer (CRC), at least in Iran. The aim of this case control study was to determine the association between stressful life events (SLE) and colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: This study was conducted in four hospital colonoscopy units in Tabriz city of Iran including 414 participants aged 40-75 years: 207 cases with CRC confirmed by pathology and colonoscopy findings and 207 controls free of neoplastic conditions were selected (from the same hospitals at the same period for the cases and after matching for age and sex). Stressful life events were assessed using a 43-item Holmes and Rahe Life Events Questionnaire. Multivariate logistic regression was used to estimate adjusted odds ratios for SLE and risk of CRC. Results: The stressful life event mean score in the case group was 141.3, in contrast to 63.8 in the control group (p<0.011). After adjusting for confounders, death of dear ones increased the risk of CRC (OR: 2.49; 95%CI: 1.41-5.13). Other types of stressful life events (family and husband disputes, serious occupational problems, unemployment of > 6 months, and Serious financial problems) were also associated with CRC, but without statistical significance. Conclusions: According to our findings, it seems that SLE may increase the risk of CRC.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.349-358
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• 2018

Purpose: This study was conducted to investigate the combined effects of abdominal obesity and alcohol drinking on the risk of hypertension in Korean adults (aged ${\geq}30yrs$). Methods: Data of 13,885 subjects from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed. The multiple logistic regression tests were used for the analysis, including potential covariates of the model. Results: Frequency of drinking, typical drinking quantity, and frequency of binge drinking had a positive relation to hypertension. The odds ratio of hypertension for risk drinkers with abdominal obesity was 4.81 compared to non-risk drinkers with normal waist circumstance, whereas the odds ratios of hypertension for risk drinkers with normal waist circumstance and non-risk drinkers with abdominal obesity were 1.58 and 2.37 respectively. Conclusion: Both abdominal obesity and alcohol drinking patterns were strong risk factors of hypertension in the Korean adults. Risk drinkers with abdominal obesity showed a marked high risk in hypertension compared to those with a single condition alone.