• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.7
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• pp.261-268
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• 2019

Purpose: This study aimed to evaluate the time trends of waist circumference (WC) and waist-height ratio (WHR), and to present WC and WHR distributions with optimal WHR cutoff for abdominal obesity in Korean children and adolescents. Methods: We performed a retrospective cross-sectional analysis of data from 13,257 children and adolescents (6,987 boys and 6,270 girls) aged 6-18 years who were included in the third to sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2005-2015). Linear regression analyses were used to identify secular changes in WC and WHR by age, sex, and KNHANES waves. A receiver operating characteristic curve analysis was used to determine the optimal WHR cutoff values for abdominal obesity and cardiometabolic risk factors. Results: The mean WC and WHR distributions from 2005 to 2015 showed no significant secular changes between the KNHANES 4 waves (P for trend ${\geq}0.05$ in all ages and both sexes). The mean WCs in the present study were lower than those in the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. The mean WHR at ages <13 years was statistically higher in the boys than in the girls, but did not significantly differ between the sexes among those aged 13 to 18 years. The optimal WHR cutoff for abdominal obesity was 0.48 (area under the curve, 0.985; 95% confidence interval, 0.985-0.985) in the 13- to 18-year-old adolescents. Conclusion: WC and WHR showed no secular changes over 10 years. The optimal WHR cutoff for abdominal obesity of 0.48 is useful for diagnosing and managing obesity and thus preventing obesity-related cardiometabolic complications in 13- to 18-year-old Korean adolescents.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.251-260
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• 2006

To study the correlation between body composition values and practice of the Standard Guideline for Korean Dietary Life, a nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted with 378 female college students living in four Korean cities in December 2005. Among the student subjects, 98 were analyzed for body fat mass, percent body fat, waist-hip ratio(WHR), body mass index(BMI) and obesity degree using Inbody 3.0(Biospace Co, Seoul, Korea). Percent body fat was at a high level of 54.1 %, WHR was at a high level of 58.2% and BMI was at a high level of 41.8%. However, both weight and body fat were below normal at 79.5% and 77.6%, respectively. Percent body fat, WHR, and BMI were slightly negatively correlated with vegetable consumption, but slightly positively correlated with beer intake. WHR > 0.8 was significantly negatively correlated with exercise. Standard Guideline for Korean Dietary Life was practiced to and above normal level by 64.6% of the female college students. However, female college students who are within the normal range of body composition value should notice that obesity will relate to abdominal or visceral fat on their body.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.476-486
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of eating habits and control of overeating of obese children on the body weight control program. The program included nutritional education, psychotherapy and physical exercise on weekly session for 9 months. The results of this study were as follows. Participants of the study involved 30 obese children attending elementary school. The average age of the children was 11.78 years, mean height and weight were 146.22cm and 50.61kg. The average BMI and body fat contents were 24.06 and 30.49% respectively and WHR of the children was 0.87. There was a significant difference between boys and girls' BMI(25.18, 23.31, p<0.01). As a result of the eating habits test, 50% of the subjects showed low level of regularity of diet, and 76.7% of the subjects showed high level of balanced diet score. Large portion(83.3%) of the subjects had high level of healthy behavior score. WHR of girls significantly decreased from 0.86 to 0.82(p<0.01) after the body weight control program. There were no significant differences in serum components of the obese children after the program. When regarding the score of eating habits in relation to obesity indices, the WHR significantly decreased(p<0.05) in a group of children with high eating habits score. Also in the group of overeating controls, significantly decreased WHR(p<0.05). In the results of correlation analysis, body weight was positively correlated with BMI(r=0.624), the level of total cholesterol(r=0.5109) and HDL cholesterol(r=0.5088). The score of healthy behavior was positively correlated with height(r=0.5286) and negatively correlated with the level of LDL cholesterol(r=0.3555) and WHR(r=0.4028) These results suggest that the body weight control program must be considerate of the different groups of children with different scores in the eating habits and overeating controls test.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.38 no.4
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• pp.415-419
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• 2005

Objectives : We wanted to evaluate the relationship between obesity and left colonic adenomatous polyps in Korean adult men. Methods : This study was conducted among 575 adults men (aged between 40 and 69), who had colonoscopy done from January to December 2002 during a routine health examination at Health Promotion Center, Ulsan University Hospital. The patients' colons were examined up to splenic flexure by using fiberoptic colonoscopy. A questionnaire survey on behavioral factors and physical measurements were also done. The body mass index (BMI) and waist-hip ratio (WHR) were used as the indices of obesity. The BMI was categorized into three levels: normal ($BMI{\leq}22.9$), overweight ($23{\leq}BMI{\leq}24.9$), and obese ($BMI{\geq}25.0$). The WHR was categorized into four levels with cutoff points at the 30th, 60th, and 90th percentile of the control group. Age, education, smoking, alcohol use and exercise were controlled for by performing multiple logistic regression analysis. Results : There were 99 cases of colonic adenomatous polyps. Four hundred seventy six subjects with normal colonoscopy findings served as the control. The BMI and WHR were associated with the adenomatous polyps (odds ratio, 1.81 [95% CI=1.02-3.19] for a $BMI{\geq}25.0$ as compared with a $BMI{\leq}22.9$, odds ratio, 3.94 [95% CI=1.77-8.77] for a $WHR{\geq}0.95$ as compared with a $WHR{\leq}0.86$). The BMI was not associated with the risk of adenomatous polyps after additional adjustment was made for the WHR, but the association between the WHR and adenomatous polyps was still positive and independent of the BMI (odds ratio, 4.15 [95% CI=1.63-10.59]). Conclusions : The results support that obesity, and particularly abdominal obesity, can be associated with an increased risk of incurring colonic adenomatous polyps.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.365-374
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• 2005

This study was conducted to compare the validity of obese index among body mass index(BMI), waist to hip ratio(WHR), and waist circumference(WC) and to determine which is the best in relation to cardiovascular risk factors of middle aged Korean(40-64yr).Data from the 1998 Korean Health and Nutrition Survey were used(N=3380). Anthropometric indices and cardiovascular risk factors were measured. Chi-square test, analysis of variance following duncan's multiple range test, partial correlation analysis, and Receiver Operator characteristic(ROC) curves were used in the analysis. There was a significant increasing trend in WHR, systolic blood pressure(SBP), high density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL), and fasting blood sugar(FBS) with age categories of male and in BMI, WC, WHR, diastolic blood pressure(DBP), SBP, total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL), triglycerol(TG), and FBS with those of female. Specially female had the characteristics of upper body fat and systolic blood pressure risk(p<0.05). Proportions of subjects with lifestyle factors related to cardiovascular risk in overweight or upper body fat group were higher than that of normal group. Higher proportions of subjects were practiced exercise in upper body fat group of male than in other groups. Among 7 cardiovascular risk factors in partial correlation analysis, BMI had the highest correlation coefficient in 6 risk factors in male, whereas WC in 4 risk factors in female. Mean of each obese index according to cardiovascular risk groups except smoker was higher than that of normal(p<0.05). These trends were shown in upper body fat group and female. In ROC analysis of 12 risk factors and health conditions, the largest area under curve among obese indices for risk factors were BMI in male and WHR in female. The optimal cutoff values of each index(BMI: WHR: WC) for one or more cardiovascular risk factors were 23.13: 0.89: 85.35 in male and 23.57: 0.84: 78.35 in female. The results showed that cardiovascular risk factors were prevalent in middle aged Koreans within normal limits of obese indices like another Asians. For the identification of cardiovascular risk factors of middle aged Koreans, BMI for men and WHR for women are appropriate indices. But it is recommended that BMI, WHR, and WC, all three indices should be considered, when using these indices.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.261-271
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• 2006

To study the correlation with increasing body fat mass for the Standard Guideline for Korean Dietary Life, a nationwide, cross-sectional survey was performed with 178 male college students in december 2005. Among the student subjects, 76 were analyzed for body protein mass, body mineral mass, body fat mass, percent body fat, waist-hip ratio(WHR), body mass index(BMI) and obesity degree using Inbody 3.0(Biospace Co, Seoul, Korea). Body protein mass was at a high level of 92.1%, body mineral mass was at a low level of 94.7%. Body fat mass was at a high level of 28.9%, percent body fat was at a high level of 37.3%, WHR was at a high level of 31.6%, and obesity degree was at a high level of 38.2%, BMI was at a high level of 24.3% and BMR was observed at a high level of 41.8%. WHR was correlated with '7. Prepare food proper amount sanitarily.' and obesity degree, while BMl was were correlated with '4. Increase movement and eat proper amount.' positively. BMR was correlated with '6. Enjoy 3 meal a day regularly.' ArmCircle was correlated with '4. Increase movement and eat proper amount.' and fitness score was corrected with '4. Increase movement and eat proper amount', and '8. Enjoy Korean rice food style.' positively. Body protein mass and body mineral mass were negatively correlated with fruit, ArmCircle was positively correlated with fish, obesity degree was positively correlated with soup and BMI and ArmCircle were positively correlated with sweet. '8. Enjoy Korean rice food style.' was negatively significantly correlated with overweight, over percentage body fat, obesity degree > 120 and BMI. Male students were not practicing the Standard Guideline for Korean Dietary Life well with an average score of 37.7%. However, male students who are within the normal range of body composition analysis value have to notice that over range of weight, protein, percentage body fat, WHI and obesity degree was observed above average score of 30%.

• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.15 no.6
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• pp.675-686
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• 2005

It is known that appropriate exercise changes body composition and improves coronary artery disease. This study was undertaken to evaluate the relationships between aerobic exercise, body composition, and the blood lipid levels in the middle-aged women(33 to 54 years old). The 57 subjects were divided into two groups based on their exercise: the aerobic exercise group(A group: 44) which performed at about $60\%$ of $VO_2max$ during over 6 months and the sedentary one(S group: 13). The percentages of body fat waist/hip ratio(WHR), body mass, and lean body mass of two groups were measured and compared in serum HDLC level and oxidized LDL level, the two most effective factors of coronary artery disease. The subjects in A group showed the lower percentages of body fat and WHR, when compared with the ones in S group. The body mass and lean body mass of A group subjects were higher than those of S group subjects. The serum HDL-C level$(58.6\pm12.7mg/mL)$ was significantly higher for A than S group subjects.(p<0.05) The sem ox-LDL level $(6.64\pm4.11Eu/mL)$ for A group subjects was lower than S group ones. The fat mass showed significantly positive correlations with atherogenic index(AI)(r=0.301, p<0.05), and with blood glucose levels(r=0.334, p<0.05). Also the WHR whowed significantly positive correlations with LDL-C levels(r=0.277, p<0.05), and with AI(r=0.466, p<0.01). In summary, the subjects in A group have the lower percentages of body fat and WHR, when compared with the ones in S group. Also, A group subject showed a tendency that exercise enhances serum HDL-C levels and decreases oxidized LDL levels. And aerobic exercise showed positive results which change body composition and improve blood lipid levels. There were significantly positive correlations among the percentages of body fat At and blood glucose level. These results suggest that moderately intensive exercise is a significant factor in reducing coronary artery disease.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.527-533
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• 2005

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to validate waist circumference (WC) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) corresponding to body mass index (BMI) of $25kg/m^2$ and to survey the prevalence of hypertension according to obesity in female college students. Method: Weight, height, waist and hip circumferences and blood pressure were measured for each of 286 female college students in J City, Chungbuk. Results: The subjects' mean BMI was $21.4kg/m^2$, and the estimated prevalence of obesity was 11.2%. The subjects, the 80th-90th percentile of whom had BMI exceeding $25kg/m^2$, were found to have WC of 75-78.1 cm and WHR of 0.79-0.80, respectively. Of the subjects with obesity($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$), 53.1% exhibited abdominal obesity ($WC{\geq}80cm$) and 40.6% had WHR over 0.80. Systolic and diastolic blood pressure were correlated with BMI, WC, and WHR. The prevalence rate of hypertension in subjects with obesity($BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$) was 25%. Additionally, the prevalence rate of hypertension in subjects with abdominal obesity ($WC{\geq}80cm$) was 39.1%. Conclusions: Our study indicates that WC corresponding to BMI of $25kg/m^2$ in female subjects in their twenties is different from that of adult women. We also found that the prevalence rate of hypertension in subjects with abdominal obesity was high. Therefore. we suggest further studies to determine the cutoff value of WC for evaluating abdominal obesity and to investigate the long-term effects of obesity on women in their twenties.

• Korean Journal of Oriental Medicine
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• v.13 no.2 s.20
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• pp.65-69
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• 2007

Background and Purpose : The purpose of this case-control study was to show the relationship between risk factors(past medical history, BMI, WHR, smoking, drinking), warning signs(dyscinesia, sightless, dysarthria, sensory disorder, numbness, blephalospasm, facial spasm, tension) and the incidence of stroke in korean adults. Methods : 455 stroke patients were enrolled as the case group and 180 non-stroke patients as control group from Oct. 2005 to Feb. 2006. Patients were hospitalized within 2 weeks after the onset of stroke. Obesity were defined as $BMI{\geq}25kg/m2$, $WHR{\geq}0.9$ in male and $WHR{\geq}0.8$ in female. Risk factors and warning signs were obtained from personal interview. The analysis of the data was done by chi-square test. Fisher's exact test and test-sample t-test. Results : The percentage of current smokers(or current drinkers) of case group is higher significantly than that of control group. The past medical history of risk factors were found to be transient ischemic attack(p=0.0698), facial palsy(p=0.4061), hypertension(p<0.0001), hyperlipidemia(p=0.1484), DM(p<0.0001), ischemic heart disease(p=0.0093), migraine(p=0.0014) and hypochondria(p=0.2370). $WHR{\geq}0.9$ in male had a 6.696 (3.711-12.082) odds ratio, $WHR{\geq}0.8$ in female had a 1.567 (0.659-3.726) odds ratio. $BMI{\geq}25kg/m2$ had a 2.017(1.263-3.222). The dyscinesia and sensory disorder of warning signs were found to be statistical difference between case and control group. Conclusions : According to the above results, it was found that smoking, drinking, BMI, WHR, hypertension, DM, ischemic heart disease, migraine affected to the incidence of stroke.

• Journal of agricultural medicine and community health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.375-385
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• 2009

Objectives: The objective of this study was to identify the association of food intake with bio-physiological indicators: blood pressure, body mass index (BMI), waist/hip ratio (WHR), cholesterol and urine sugar among rural people. Methods: The subjects were 890 inhabitants from 14 towns of G County in Honam province. Data were collected by interview and self-reported with structured questionnaires from April 6th to 30th 2005. Data were analyzed with the frequency, percentage, t-test, $x^2$-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test and ANCOVA using SPSS 12.0 program. Results: Pre-hypertensive and hypertensive group was 27.0%, overweight and obese 27.1%, more than 0.90 in WHR 42.0%, more than 201 mg/dl of cholesterol 23.9%, and positive urine sugar was 8.7% in general. Among eleven food groups, fruit intakes were more effective in normotensive group than in the others. Vegetables, liquors, and milk products were 0.90 WHR more effective than the others. Milk products and liquors in BMI, and grains, beans and seaweed in low cholesterol group were more effective than the others. Conclusions: Bio-physiological indicators are related significantly only with fruits, milk products, meats, cereal and liquors among eleven food categories. Further study on the relationship between food intake, physical activities, smoking, drinking and lifestyle with bio-physiological indicators are suggested.