• Journal of Audiology & Otology
• /
• v.25 no.3
• /
• pp.138-145
• /
• 2021

Background and Objectives: This study aimed to evaluate the audiologic results after cochlear implantation (CI) in older patients and the degree of improvement in their quality of life (QoL). Subjects and Methods: Patients over 65 years old who underwent CI at implant center in Bozyaka Training and Research Hospital were included in this study (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). The control group was patient over 65 years old with normal hearing (n=54; 34 males and 20 females). We administered three questionnaires [World Health Organization Quality of Life-BREF (WHOQOL-BREF), World Health Organization Quality of Life-OLD (WHOQOL-OLD)], and Geriatric Depression Scale (GDS) to evaluate the QoL, CIrelated effects on activities of daily life, and social activities in all the subjects. Moreover, correlations between speech recognition and the QoL scores were evaluated. The duration of implant use and comorbidities were also examined as potential factors affecting QoL. Results: The patients had remarkable improvements (the mean score of postoperative speech perception 75.7%) in speech perception after CI. The scores for the WHOQOL-OLD and WHOQOL-BREF questionnaire responses were similar in both the study and control groups, except those for a two subdomains (social relations and social participation). The patients with longer-term CI had higher scores than those with short-term CI use. In general, the changes in GDS scores were not significant (p<0.05). Conclusions: The treatment of hearing loss with CI conferred significant improvement in patient's QoL (p<0.01). The evaluation of QoL can provide multidimensional insights into a geriatric patient's progress and, therefore, should be considered by audiologists.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Oral and Maxillofacial Radiology
• /
• v.29 no.1
• /
• pp.203-208
• /
• 1999

Purpose: This study was to investigate the age and sex differences of the fractal dimension of the normal parotid glands in the digitized CT images. Materials and methods: The six groups. which were composed of 42 men and women from 20 s. 40' sand 60' s and over were picked. Each group contained seven people of the same sex. The normal parotid CT images were digitized. and their fractal dimensions were calculated using Scion Image PC program. Results: The mean of fractal dimensions in males was 1.7292(±0.0588) and 1.6329(±0.0425) in females. The mean of fractal dimensions was 1.7617. in young males 1.7328 in middle males, and 1.6933 in old males. The mean of fractal dimensions was 1.6318. in young females 1.6365 in middle females. and 1.6303 in old females. There was no statistical difference in fractal dimension between left and right parotid gland of the same subject(P>0.05). Fractal dimensions in male were decreased in older group(P<0.05) and larger than female in same age group(P<0.05). But fractal dimensions in female had a tendency to decrease in older group but no statistical difference between ages(P>0.05). Conclusions: The fractal dimension of parotid glands in the digitized CT images will be useful to evaluate the age and sex differences.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.11 no.6
• /
• pp.725-739
• /
• 2006

This study was performed to assess socioeconomic status and physical health status of middle-aged men ($40's{\sim}60's$) in Ganghwa country. We interviewed 1,267 middle-aged men (602 male, 665 female) by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires including demographic information, general health status, and anthro-pometric measurements. And all the data were analyzed by chi-square test, Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 12.0 version at p<0.05. These results were that males were higher than females in educational levels (p = 0.000) and most of them decreased according to age in educational levels (p =0.000) and family income (p =0.000), and prevalence of chronic diseases (p =0.000): stomach-duodenum disease, fracture, arthritis, or hypertension. They took to the health information on TV and radio and their health managing methods were exercise and walking and resting and diet regulation. Body Mass Index (BMI) was decreased in oder males (p =0.024) but increased in older females (p=0.001). In females, obesity prevalence of 40's, 50's and 60's was 31.3%. 49.7% and 48.0%, respectively. Waist circumference was the highest in 50's males (p=0.015), but hip circumference was the highest in 50's females (p =0.015). Waist-hip ratio (WHR) increased in older males (p = 0.028) and females (p= 0.000). In spite of the subjects were engaged in agriculture and fishery and had desirable lifestyles obesity rate especially abdominal obesity, was the serious problem. Socioeconomic status, especially education and income were related to SRH (p=0.006, p=0.000), chronic disease (p=0.000) and BMI (p=0.028, p=0.000). Therefore, it is necessary that the public health policy and nutrition education programs to alter lifestyles and to improve health preservation and health promotion in the farming and fishing communities.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
• /
• v.15 no.3
• /
• pp.308-328
• /
• 2010

As the older adult period $({\geq}65y)$ is increasing, it is needed to investigate the trend of aging-dependent anthropomeric index and nutrient intake, and establish the more specific dietary guide for the different stages of aging period. To find the difference in nutrient intake among the Koreans aged 50-64, 65-74 and 75 years and older, and also any characteristics of dwellers in longevity area, we recruited 1,083 subjects (385 male and 698 female) aged 50-95 years (mean age, 71.3 yrs) living in Kugoksoondam area (Kurye, Goksung, Soonchang and Damyang counties), known as a longevity-belt region in Jeonlaprovince, Korea. We measured some anthropometric index and collected 2 day-dietary record. Nutrient intakes were analyzed by using DW24 program. The mean height and weight of subjects aged 75 years and older were lower than Korean national reference. BMI and obesity $({\geq}25kg/m^2)$ prevalence were significantly decreasing with aging. Underweight $(BMI<18.5kg/m^2)$ prevalence was also increasing with aging, especially in males, and it was slightly higher than national average, but similar to that in some other rural area. Obesity prevalence of male subjects was lower compared to national prevalence, but abdominal obesity prevalence $(waist{\geq}80cm)$ was very high in females (about 89%). In both genders, the average proportional contribution of carbohydrate, protein and fat to energy intake was not different between 65-74 years and 75 years and older. On overall, nutrient intake and quality of diet of females were inferior to those of males so that many of females aged 75 years and older assumed to be at risk of malnourished status. Fiber, folate and vitamin E intakes were substantially higher compared to those in 2007 KNHNES and other some studies in rural area. While almost nutrient %EAR was significantly decreased with aging in females, there was no significant difference in %EAR for protein, vitamin A, $B_1$, $B_6$, $B_{12}$, niacin, Ca and Zn between 65-74 years and 75 years and older in males. Vitamin $B_2$ for male aged 50-64 years, vitamin $B_2$ and Ca for male aged 65 years and over and female aged 50-74 years, and vitamin $B_2$, vitamin C, Ca and folate intake for female aged 75 years and older were assessed to be at risk to undernutrition based on the prevalence of intake below EAR. MAR of 13 nutrients and the number of nutrients consuming below EAR were significantly decreasing with aging in both genders, however, the number of nutrients of INQ < 1 and the average mini-nutritional assessment score were not significantly different between 65-74 years and 75 years and older. Taken together, decreasing tendency of nutrients intake and the quality of diet with aging was more evident in females than in males, and it is unique that our subjects consumed substantially higher fiber, folate and vitamin E compared to not only urban but also some other rural areas.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
• /
• v.23 no.2
• /
• pp.93-107
• /
• 1990

The purposes of this investigation were to determine the validity of various methods (available anthropometric equations and near-infrared light interactance) for estimating body fat and to develop multiple regression equations for the prediction of body fat. Thirty-eight healthy males(age: 20.87$\pm$7.17 yrs) and 12 females(19.58$\pm$2.19 yrs) underwent hydrostatic weighing to determine body fat. Anthropometric measurements were taken of height, weight, nin skinfolds and thirteen circumferences. The results obtained are summarized as follows: 1) Relative body fat determined by underwater weighing was 12.08$\pm$5.21% for the males and 17.97$\pm$5.75% for the females. 2) Circumference and skin fold that had the highest correlation with the body fat were waist girth in males and females(r=0.60, r=0.96, respectively), and subscapular in males(r=0.68) and triceps in females(r=0.96). 3) Corss-validation of 18 selected equations on males revealed total errors ranging from 3.76% to 5.06%. Among these equations, M3(Pollock et al.) demonstrated the least total error. Total error of estimation by near-infrared(NIR) was less than that of available anthropometric measurement equations. The results of the cross-validation of 12 equations on females revealed that F3(Sloan et al.) was clearly superior in accuracy of prediction. 4) Correlational analyses showed that estimation of body fat by NIR measurement seemed to be more closely associated with body fat determined by underwater weighing in women than men, in older subjects than younger ones, and in fatter subjects than leaner ones.

• Journal of Korean Society of Industrial and Systems Engineering
• /
• v.27 no.1
• /
• pp.51-56
• /
• 2004

The performance decreases as the workers get older and the degree of decrease in the performance shows a marked difference depending on each individuals. On the other hand, the older workers tend to have better ability to adapt to the new working environments and expert skills. Our purpose in this paper is to focus on the analysis about this conflicting situation, thereby important informations are applied in designing working conditions of older workers. Experimental results show that the expert skill of the aged workers can be improved through the effective use of their experiences, therefore some operation can not be influenced by age.

• Journal of Labour Economics
• /
• v.38 no.3
• /
• pp.1-22
• /
• 2015

We analyze the effect of the minimum wage on employment using time series data forr groups of individuals most affected by the minimum wage: young males (18 to 24 years old), young females (18 to 22 years old), old males (60 years and older) and old females (60 years and older). Our findings are as follows. First, a unit root test says that the variables like minimum wages and employments are non-stationary variables and they have cointegrational relations each other. It says that in this case, VEC is more suitable than OLS or VAR. Second, an increase of the minimum wage is found to have a weak but persistently negative effect on employment.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
• /
• v.10 no.2
• /
• pp.179-186
• /
• 2005

This study was conducted to find the gender and age differences in dietary behaviors and food consumption pattern of Korean American adults living in western parts of USA. The structured survey forms and self-administered food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary behavior and nutrient intakes. It was found that younger subjects kept their meal time more irregularly and skipped breakfast more often than older subjects due to lack of time. There were significant age differences in skipping meals, kind of skipping meals, and the reasons for skipping meals. Young subjects consumed more American type food while older subjects consumed more traditional Korean food. Nutrient intakes of males' except for the elderly were significantly higher in energy, protein, Fe and P than those of females'. Vitamin A and vitamin C intake were significantly higher in females. Energy ratio of carbohydrate: protein: fat was 56.2 : 16.8 : 27.0. Females consumed more plant food as their dietary sources of protein, fat, Ca and Fe, compared to males. Ca intakes of participants' were below $75\%$ of RDA except for the youngest male and $30\~49$ aged male and females. Futhermore, Ca intake was below $70\%$ after age 50 in both genders. Effective nutrition education program targeting Korean Americans in the community should be developed and implemented to increase Ca consumption.

• Journal of Fashion Business
• /
• v.28 no.2
• /
• pp.15-32
• /
• 2024

This study aimed to investigate the perceptions and preferences of foreigners residing in Korea towards K-fashion. It sought to provide suggestions for the future development of K-fashion targeting this growing demographic. The results revealed that the longer foreigners had lived in Korea, the more positively they rated Korean fashion, shopping, and culture. The majority of foreigners purchased K-fashion items online, with popular choices including T-shirts, jackets, shirts, and jeans. Both men and women identified shoulders as a common problematic area when wearing clothing, with some issues also reported in the lumbar region. In terms of preferences, younger males (teens and twenties) were more inclined towards fads and celebrity wear compared to older males (thirties and forties). Similarly, younger females (teens and twenties) showed a higher preference for functionality and celebrity wear compared to older females (thirties and forties). These findings suggest that men tend to prioritize aesthetic factors when choosing K-fashion, while women prioritize practical considerations. To better cater to foreign consumers, suggestions for the development of K-fashion include promoting it through K-pop stars, considering dimensions related to foreigners' shoulders when designing top items, diversifying colors, sizes, and patterns, and providing English versions of online shopping platforms.

• Journal of Labour Economics
• /
• v.38 no.1
• /
• pp.31-65
• /
• 2015

This paper examines why older wage workers leave their jobs and what determine the hazard of retirement. Major results are as follows. First, aged workers leaving their jobs because of formal mandatory retirement are relatively few in number and largely males employed in large establishments. Second, a higher hourly wage is associated with a greater retirement hazard, especially among male employees of large firms. Third, informal mandatory retirement puts a strong pressure towards retirement among older female workers. Fourth, poor health is the primary reason for retirement among older workers, especially for females and small-firm employees. Finally, reasonable hours and greater flexibility of work tend to lower retirement hazard. We discuss some implications of the results for old-age labor market policies.