• Journal of Acupuncture Research
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• v.34 no.2
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• pp.49-59
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• 2017

Objectives : This study evaluated the efficacy of electroacupuncture therapy using an insulated needle in adults with abdominal obesity. Methods : This study was a randomized, double-blind, parallel-designed pilot trial. Sixteen participants eligible according to the inclusion and exclusion criteria were randomly divided into an insulated needle group and a control group. Insulated or common needles were inserted at acupoints located on the abdomen (CV12, CV6, ST25, ST27, SP15) and were electrically stimulated for 30 minutes (16 Hz, within tolerable strength). A total of 10 sessions of treatment were performed twice per week for 5 weeks. All participants were requested to maintain their usual diet and lifestyle. The outcome measures were waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and abdominal computed tomography (CT) of the total fat area (TFA), subcutaneous fat area (SFA), and visceral fat area (VFA). Results : A total of 12 participants divided into the insulated needle group (n = 5) and the control group (n = 7; common needle) were treated for 10 sessions and analyzed per-protocol (PP). WC decreased significantly after 10 sessions in both groups. The WC, TFA, SFA, and VFA of abdominal CT in the insulated needle group decreased more than in the control group; however, there were no significant differences in any parameter between the insulated needle group and the control group. Patients in the insulated needle group were more strongly stimulated with electrical stimulation than patients in the control group. Conclusion : Electroacupuncture using insulated needles in adults with abdominal obesity might be a more effective treatment than common needles. Additional studies are required to compensate for the limitations of this pilot study and to verify the results and efficacy.

• Biomedical Science Letters
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• v.23 no.2
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• pp.57-63
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• 2017

A new body adiposity index (BAI) has been proposed that is expected to replace body mass index (BMI). We evaluated the correlations between metabolic syndrome risk factors and BAI, BMI, and other adiposity indices, such as waist circumference (WC), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), and waist-to-height ratio (WHtR), by sex in the Korean population. We also evaluated whether BAI would be useful to diagnose metabolic syndrome. A total of 20,961 Korean adults who underwent health examinations were included in this study. The metabolic syndrome diagnostic criteria used in this study were those set by the American Heart Association/National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (AHA/NHLBI). In men (12,719), BMI and WHtR were more strongly correlated to metabolic syndrome risk than BAI, and in women (8,242), WHtR showed the strongest association with metabolic syndrome risk. BAI (area under the curve [AUC] = 0.678) presented lower discriminatory capacity than that of BMI (AUC = 0.836) for diagnosing metabolic syndrome. Moreover, BAI underestimated fat levels in men and women when considering the ability to discriminate overweight and obese individuals. In conclusion, WHtR and BMI in men, and WHtR in women may be better candidates than BAI to evaluate metabolic risk factors in Korean adults.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.127-139
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• 2019

Purpose : The lipid profile is a major predictive index for cardiovascular disease, but there have only been a few studies conducted on the relationship between lipid ratio and cardiovascular disease risk factors in the Korean population. To address this research gap, we investigated the association between three lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors among Korean adults. Methods : This study used data from the seventh Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2016. Lipid ratios included triglyceride (TG)/high density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total cholesterol (TC)/HDL, and low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL)/HDL. Cardiovascular risk factors included in this research were: systolic blood pressure $(SBP){\geq}140$, diastolic blood pressure $(DBP){\geq}90$, fasting blood sugar $(FBS){\geq}126$, $HbA1c{\geq}6.5$, body mass index $(BMI){\geq}25$, waist circumference (WC) $men{\geq}90$, $women{\geq}85$, and metabolic syndrome (MetS). A complex samples logistic regression test was performed to analyze the association between lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors. Results : 1) TG/HDL ratio had statistically significant relationships with DBP, FBS, HbA1c, BMI, WC and MetS. 2) TC/HDL ratio was correlated to SBP, DBP, FBS, BMI, WC, and MetS. 3) LDL/HDL ratio had association with BMI, WC, and MetS. Conclusion : We identified significant association between lipid ratios and cardiovascular disease risk factors. The three lipid ratios were particularly strongly associated with BMI, WC, and MetS.

• The Journal of Internal Korean Medicine
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• v.22 no.3
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• pp.423-430
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• 2001

Objects: The purpose of this case-control study was done to examine the relationship between stroke prevalence and the anthropometric indices(body mass index(BMI), modified Broca's method(Broca's index), waist circumference(WC), waist-hip ratio(WHR)), dyslipidemia, past medical history(heart disease, hypertension, diabetes mellitus(DM)), life-style factors(smoking, drinking) in Korean adults. Methods : The study group consisted of neurologically confirmed 116 stroke patients as the case group and 116 non-stroke patients as control group. Obesity were defined as $BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2,\;Broca's\;index{\geq}30%$, WC >94cm in male and WC >80cm in female, $WHR{\geq}0.9$ in male and $WHR{\geq}0.8$ in female. Oyslipidemia were defined as total $cholesterol{\geq}200mg/dl,\;triglyceride{\geq}200mg/dl,\;HDL-cholesterol {\leq}35mg/dl,\;LDL-cholesterol{\geq}160mg/dl$. Information on life-style factors and past medical history was obtained from personal interview. The analysis of the data was done by means of chi-square test(Pearson's chi-square test, Fisher's exact test) and student t-test. Results: The results were as follow. In the study group: Hypertension had a 4:05 odds ratio, Broca's $index{\geq}30%$ had a 1.98 odds ratio, WC >94cm in male had a 2.17 odds ratio, WC >80cm in female had a 2.80 odds ratio, $WHR{\geq}0.9$ in male had a 4.66 odds ratio, $WHR{\geq}0.8$ in female had a 5.35 odds ratio, but heart disease, DM, life-style factors, serum lipid and 8MI had no direct relationship with odds ratio(nonsignificant). By student t-test, risk factors for stroke were found to be total cholesterol(p=0,025), LDL-cholesterol(p=0.013), WC(p=0.000) and WHR(p=0.000). Conclusions: This study suggests that people should be advised to control hyperlitension, hyperlipidemia and obesity since these carry a risk of stroke.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.12
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• pp.450-455
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• 2019

Background: Lipid accumulation product (LAP) is associated with the presence and severity of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in adults. Purpose: Here we evaluated the ability of LAP to predict NAFLD in obese children. Methods: Eighty obese children (38 girls; age 6-18 years) were included. Anthropometric measurements and biochemical values were obtained from the patients' medical records. LAP was calculated as [waist circumference (WC) (cm) - 58]×triglycerides (mmol/L) in girls; [WC (cm) - 65]×triglycerides (mmol/L) in boys. The minLAP and adjLAP were described (3% and 50% of WC values, respectively) and the total/high-density lipoprotein cholesterol index (TC/HDL-C) was calculated. NAFLD was observed on ultrasound, and patients were divided into 3 groups by steatosis grade (normal, grade 0; mild, grade 1; moderate-severe, grade 2-3). The area under the curve (AUC) and appropriate index cutoff points were calculated by receiver operator characteristic analysis. Results: LAP was positively correlated with puberty stage (rho=0.409; P<0.001), fasting insulin (rho= 0.507; P<0.001), homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (rho=0.470; P<0.001), uric acid (rho=0.522; P<0.001), and TC/HDL-C (rho=0.494; P<0.001) and negatively correlated with HDL-C (rho=-3.833; P<0.001). LAP values could be used to diagnose hepatosteatosis (AUC=0.698; P=0.002). The LAP, adjLAP, and minLAP cutoff values were 42.7 (P=0.002), 40.05 (P=0.003), and 53.47 (P= 0.08), respectively. For LAP, the differences between the normal and mild groups (P=0.035) and the normal and moderate-severe groups were statistically significant (P=0.037), whereas the difference between the mild and moderate-severe groups was not (P>0.005). There was a statistically significant difference between the normal and mild groups for adjLAP (P=0.043) but not between the other groups (P>0.005). There was no significant intergroup difference in minLAP (P>0.005). Conclusion: LAP is a powerful and easy tool to predict NAFLD in childhood. If LAP is ≥42.7, NAFLD should be suspected. This is the first study to assess LAP diagnostic accuracy for childhood obesity.

• Journal of Life Science
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.1744-1753
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• 2007

The purpose of this study was to provide obese middle school girls with walking and behavior modification program(WBMP) by investigating effects of the exercise on their body composition(BC), physical fitness(PF) and metabolic syndrome(MS). Analysis result of the difference between before and after the exercise(paired and independent t-test) was acquired by measuring BC, PF and MS for 12 weeks(60min/day, three a week). 24 Volunteers were 14 years over ${\geq}223.64kg/m^2$ and 15 years over ${\geq}24.00kg/m^2$. In the body composition, waist circumference(WC), body fat mass(BFM), %fat, arm muscle circumference(AMC), total body water(TBW), physical score(PS) were significant difference between the exercise group(EG) and the control group(CG), also including all factors in PF. The components of metabolic syndrome were significant difference between EG and CG, but HDL-C, systolic & diastolic blood pressure were no difference. The metabolic syndrome factors by separate of waist girth were no difference between EG and CG, but BMI, diastolic blood pressure were significant difference. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was 4 of 24(16.7%) before intervention, but it dropped from 2 to 1 after intervention in WBMP. The components of metabolic syndrome was distributed a big WC>low HDL-C>high TG>hypertension. The changes of AMC, We, PS, BW, 50m run and BFM effect the factors on BMI(35%), WHR(waist-hip ratio, 69%), HDL-C(42%), fasting blood glucose(65%), HOMA-IR index(34%) and systolic blood pressure(39%) respectively. There were significantly increased in breakfast frequency, walking steps, and meal eating period, but decreased in snacks and eating out in exercise group.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.20-32
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• 2012

Object The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effect of far-infrared (FIR) therapy on weight loss. Method Thirty five participants (BMI ${\geq}25kg/m^2$) were recruited. Body weight, Waist circumference (WC), Bio Impedance Analysis (BIA), abdominal fat Computer Tomography (CT) scanning were evaluated. Results of 25 women were analyzed. Result After 6 weeks of FIR therapy, there was significant efficacy on obese women in body weight, WC, Body fat mass (BFM), and Visceral fat area (VFA). But there was no efficacy in Total fat area (TFA), and Subcutaneous fat area (SFA). Conclusion This study suggests that FIR therapy might be an effective way to promote weight and abdominal visceral fat loss in Korean obese women.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.21-30
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• 2023

PURPOSE: The present study evaluated the occurrence, somatometric, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics of young Korean sarcopenic males aged between 30 to 39 years. METHODS: The study involved a total of 1,546 participants. These individuals were divided into two distinct groups based on their skeletal muscle mass index. Of these, 49 participants were categorized into the sarcopenia group, while the remaining 1,497 individuals were placed in the normal group. The researchers analyzed the occurrence of sarcopenia, somatometric, biochemical, and behavioral characteristics such as height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), skeletal muscle mass index, fasting glucose (FG), triglyceride and total cholesterol (TC) levels, systolic (SBP) and diastolic blood pressure (DBP), and the drinking and smoking status. A complex sampling data analysis was performed. RESULTS: The weighted occurrence of sarcopenia was found to be 3.24%, (95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.39% to 4.36%). The somatometric contributing factors were height, BMI, and WC (p < .05). Triglyceride and TC levels exhibited statistically significant differences in the biochemical variables (p < .05). The behavioral characteristics, including the drinking and smoking status, had no statistical significance (p > .05). CONCLUSION: This study identified specific occurrences of sarcopenia and contributing factors in young Korean men.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Physical Medicine
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.67-75
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• 2023

PURPOSE: This study aimed to identify the clinical factors that contribute to age-related loss of skeletal muscle mass (ALSMM) among young Korean male adults. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study involving 955 men aged between 20-29 years. They underwent screening to assess the ALSMM. The study examined a variety of factors, including age, height, weight, body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), skeletal muscle mass index (SMI), lifestyle-related habits such as smoking and drinking status, systolic and diastolic blood pressure (SBP/DBP), fasting blood glucose (FBG) levels, as well as the serum triglyceride and total cholesterol (TC) levels. RESULTS: The variables that displayed significant associations with ALSMM were height, weight, BMI, WC, SMI, FBG, TC, DBP, and alcohol consumption (p < .05). Serum triglyceride levels, SBP, and smoking status did not exhibit statistical significance (p > .05). CONCLUSION: The study identified the contributing factors associated with the ALSMM in community-dwelling young adult males. These findings would enrich the current body of literature on ALSMM and provide potential risk factors associated with its development in young Korean males.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.33-43
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• 2004

Background: Recently obesity has become a social problem in all over the world including Korea. It is known that obesity is closely related with cardiovascular disease. Many studies are carrying out in the relation between several obesity indices, such as body mass index(BMI), waist-circumference(WC), body fat percent and risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Objective: This study was done in order to investigate correlation of obesity and cardiovascular risk factors. Method: We gathered totally 138 subjects who have taken health screening test in university hospital. With the exception of 40 abnormal cases on current illness and laboratory study, 98 healthy cases were analysed. We divided the groups as normal, overweight, obese group according to body mass index $(22.9kg/m^2\;and\;below\;/\;23{\sim}24.9kg/m^2\;/\;25kg/m^2\;and\;above)$and investigated the relationship between obesity based on body mass index(BMI) and cardiovascular risk factors. And investigated the relationship between each cardiovascular risk factor and body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body fat percent. Results: With the exception of blood pressure, other lab data such as total cholesterol, triglycerid, glucose were significantly different between the three groups divided by body mass index$(22.9kg/m^2\;and\;below\;/\;23{\sim}24.9kg/m^2\;/\;25kg/m^2\;and\;above)$. And Correlation coefficient of cardiovascular risk factors with body mass index, waist-hip ratio, body fat precent were acquired. Conclusion: We have concluded that the body mass index and waist-hip ratio body fat precent were predictive factors cardiovascular disease.