• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.31 no.1
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• pp.96-101
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• 1998

The prevalence of iron deficiency in later infancy and the toddler years(25% to 40% at 1 year of age) has not decreased remarkably , except in Western countries. The purpose of this study was to 1) determine the relationship between current feeding practices and iron status, and 2) assess compliance to infant feeding instructions. Two groupsof infants were examined. The first group of 302 infants aged 6 to 24months was seen at a well baby clinic while the second group of 135 infants of the same age group was assessed by venipuncture. Cutoff values for laboratory tests were as follows ; hemoglobin<11g/dL, mean corpuscular volume (MCV) <72fl ; red cell distribution width(RDW)>15% ; serum ferritin level<10ng/ml ; and transferrin saturation (serum iron(TIBC)<10%. The diagnosis of iron deficiency anemia (IDA) was made when a low hemoglobin level was associated with either low ferritin orlow transferrin saturation . Of the 302 children brought to the well baby clinic , 12.3%(n=37) were found to have anemia (hemoglobin<11.0/dL). In terms of children grouped according to feeding practices, it was found that children with anemial comprised 32.0% (24/75) of the prolonged breast-fed group (Group A), significantly more than the 4.0%(7/176) of the artificial milk feeding group(Group B). and 3.9%(2/51) of the switched from breast milk to iron -fortified weaning foods group(Group C).Among the 107 children with IDA , iron deficiency in 105 children(98.1%) was suggested by their dietary histories ; exclusive or prolonged breast-feeding for more than 6 months without iron fortification in 98 infants ; cow's milk consumption> 500ml/day without iron fortification during infancy(n=12), or >800ml without iron-fortified foods after infancy(n=15) ; and the use of unfortified forumula or unbalanced diets, mainly limited to rice gruel. Despite the relatively high (79.6%) motivation on the part of the infants mothers and supervison by professional personnel, the poor results in the infants receiving iron fortified foods were due to poor compliance(85.75). Among the mothers of 98 IDA patients who were contacted by telephone , it was revealed that 29% did not give the oral iron preparation for more than 2 months. Furthermore, negligence or disregard by the parents occurred in 14% of the case , discontinuance of the oral iron preparation by the parents due to side effects occurred in 6%, and the children's refusal or poor oral intake and no further trial occurred in 6%. The dietary history of a large group of infants was highly predictive of their risk for anemia . Continued consumption of breast milk until the age of 1 year is not warranted unless iron-fortified foods are given concomitantly. Because there is a problem with compliance, more successful and safe strategies for preventing iron deficiency woold included dual coverage in the from of therapeutic iron supplementation as well use of iron-fortified foods for teddlers who are at risk of iron deficiency.

• Korean Journal of Clinical Laboratory Science
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.196-207
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• 2009

For the estimation of prevalence state of major chronic adult disease and their relationships with drinking and smoking habits in the Korean employees, we analyzed a medical check-up data of 155,799 subjects that was accumulated during the year of 2008. In age and sex distribution of the sample, male subjects were 106,229 and female 51,827 showing the ratio of 2:1 and the majorities were 30s and 40s covering 70.7% of the total. The prevalence rates of major chronic diseases were obesity 29.8% (male 38.3%, female 12.3%), hypertension 4.1%, HBV carrier inactive 3.3%, diabetes mellitus 2.9%, hypothyroidism 1.7% (male 1.3%, female 2.4%), hyperlipidemia 1.1%, hyperthyroidism 1.4% (male 1.1%, female 2.1%), osteoporosis 1.4% (male 1.4%, female 1.4%), anemia 0.9% (male 0.3%, female 2.0%) and renal disease 0.9%. The frequency of and volume of drinking in male group were 4.6 times and 7.5 times higher than female group respectively. The 33.8% of the workers were smoking currently. In the serological tests, all the items such as AST, ALT, ${\gamma}-GTP$, LDH for liver function, Cholesterol, TG, uric acid for hyperlipidemia and BP systolic, Fasting blood sugar, BMI for metabolic syndrome were significantly higher in the more drinking and more smoking groups than other groups (p<0.001). The higher prevalence rates in male group in the liver disease seems to be strongly related with the drinking and smoking habits in male employees. We suggest that employees should rather relying on leisure or hobbies than drinking and smoking for the stress relief.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.49 no.4
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• pp.248-257
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• 2019

Purpose: The purpose of this retrospective study was to investigate the relationships of types of dental insurance coverage in Korea with sociodemographic characteristics and the prevalence of systemic and oral diseases, as well as to evaluate the socioeconomic impact of Korean dental insurance policies. Methods: Sample cohort data from 2006 to 2015 were obtained from the National Health Insurance Service. Patients were divided into 2 groups. The exposed group comprised patients who received insurance benefits for complete dentures, removable partial dentures, and implant care, while the control group comprised patients who did not receive these benefits. The type of insurance coverage and the prevalence of systemic and oral diseases were compared between the 2 groups. Results: Patients who received benefits in the form of complete dentures, removable partial dentures, and implants had similar sociodemographic characteristics in terms of sex, age, income quintile, and type of insurance coverage to the control group. The prevalence of hypertension, anemia, renal disease, rheumatoid arthritis, osteoporosis, asthma, and cerebral infarction was higher in the exposed group than in the control group (P<0.05). The prevalence of periodontal diseases and dental caries was also higher in the exposed group. Conclusions: Korean dental health insurance policy has been beneficial for the medical expenses of low-income and elderly people suffering from a cost burden due to systemic diseases. However, since there is a tendency to avoid invasive interventions in older patients due to the high risk of systemic diseases, insurance coverage of dentures may be more helpful from a socioeconomic perspective than coverage of dental implant treatments.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.8
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• pp.875-880
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• 2009

Purpose : Iron-deficiency anemia remains the most common nutritional deficiency in young infants. This study aimed to survey the actual condition of feeding patterns and weaning diet and to study the association between these factors and the prevalence of anemia in infants aged over 9 months. Methods : We studied 171 infants aged 9-24 months who were hospitalized in the general ward with mild to moderate acute illnesses. The mothers answered a questionnaire about the feeding patterns and the status of the weaning diet of their infants. The infants were divided into three groups: infants who were exclusively breast-fed, those who had been given mixed feeding, and artificial milk feeders. Results : The incidence of anemia was significantly higher in exclusively breast-fed infants (23/68, 33.8%) than in the infants with mixed feeding (11/62, 17.7%) and artificial milk feeders (5/41, 12.1%). The mothers' awareness about the state of their infants󰡑 weaning diet was not related to the presence of anemia in the exclusively breast-fed infants. About 70% of the infants had started the weaning diet before age 6 months in all three groups, without any difference according to feeding patterns. Conclusion : The incidence of anemia was significantly higher in the breast-fed group than in the other infants. Many mothers of breast-fed infants with anemia also believed that their infants were taking sufficient weaning foods. Therefore, further education of the mothers about iron-rich weaning foods and the importance of iron intake during infancy is needed to prevent anemia, especially in breast-fed infants.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.308-319
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to assess risk factors associated with food insecurity in the Korean elderly aged over 65 years using data from the Korea National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey 2013 (KNHANES VI). A total of 1,200 subjects were analyzed among the participants of the KNHANES 2013 by using SPSS statistics complex samples (ver. 21.0). Food insecurity was measured by using the modified US Household Food Security/Hunger Survey Module. Thirteen percent of subjects lived in food insecure households. There were differences in the prevalence of food insecurity according to sex, educational level, income level, and household structure. Mean age of the food insecurity group was significantly higher than that of the food security group. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that food insecurity was significantly associated with alcohol intake (OR: 1.82), prevalence of melancholy (OR: 2.07) and suicidal thoughts (OR: 2.67), and intake deficiency of energy (OR: 1.60), calcium (OR: 1.97), iron (OR: 1.97), potassium (OR: 1.96), riboflavin (OR: 1.76), and niacin (OR: 1.64), while not with smoking, physical activity, chronic diseases including obesity, anemia, diabetes, and osteoarthritis, and deficiency of protein, vitamin A, thiamin and vitamin C. These findings suggest that food insecurity is strongly related to mental health and certain nutrient intakes. Prospective research is needed to establish the effects of food insecurity on chronic diseases.

• Parasites, Hosts and Diseases
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• v.52 no.6
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• pp.621-629
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• 2014

Malaria is one of the most widespread infectious diseases of tropical countries with an estimated 207 million cases globally. In India, there are endemic pockets of this disease, including Aligarh. Hundreds of Plasmodium falciparum and P. vivax cases with severe pathological conditions are recorded every year in this district. The aim of this study is to find out changes in liver enzymes and kidney markers. Specific diagnosis for P. falciparum and P. vivax was made by microscopic examination of Giemsa stained slides. Clinical symptoms were observed in both of these infections. Liver enzymes, such as AST, ALT, and ALP, and kidney function markers, such as creatinine and urea, were estimated by standard biochemical techniques. In Aligarh district, P. vivax, P. falciparum, and mixed infections were 64%, 34%, and 2%, respectively. In case of P. falciparum infection, the incidences of anemia, splenomegaly, renal failure, jaundice, and neurological sequelae were higher compared to those in P. vivax infection. Recrudescence and relapse rates were 18% and 20% in P. falciparum and P. vivax infections, respectively. Liver dysfunctions and renal failures were more common in P. falciparum patients, particularly in elderly patients. Artesunate derivatives must, therefore, be introduced for the treatment of P. falciparum as they resist to chloroquine as well as sulfadoxine-pyrimethamine combinations.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.46 no.6
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• pp.540-551
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• 2013

Vitamin D deficiency (VDD) is becoming an epidemic and thereby a global health problem. Further, VDD adversely affects calcium metabolism and skeletal health, and is associated with increased risk of several diseases, e.g., autoimmune diseases, several types of cancers, type 2 diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, infectious diseases, asthma, psoriatic arthritis, and etc. To evaluate the prevalence of VDD in Korea, and then to evaluate the association of several factors with serum 25(OH)D level, the author analyzed the data of 14,456 individuals who were 10 years of age and over from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1 & 2 (KNHANES V-1 & 2) conducted by the Korean Centers for Disease Control & Prevention. As a result, among Koreans (age $${\geq_-}$$ 10years), 65.9% of males and 77.7% of females were below optimum blood serum 25(OH)D (20 ng/mL). VDD is more severe in female than in male at all age groups. In addition, the younger generations had less 25(OH)D level than older generations in Korea. The analysis by complex sample general linear model (CSGLM) suggested that blood 25(OH)D concentration was related with gender (p < .001), residence (p = .030), occupation (p < .001), anemia (p < .001) and physical activity (p < .001). In conclusion, VDD is pandemic and it is more severe in younger generations in Korea. Further, from the results by CSGLM, serum 25(OH)D status is closely related with the life style of Koreans.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.28-35
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• 2001

This study was designed to assess the iron nutritional status and anemia of high school students. 383 female subjects in Ulsan Metropolitan city were evaluated using a questionnaire, and a measurement of hematological indices. The average height and weight of the respondents were 161.24$\pm$4.90 cm and 53.12$\pm$6.37kg, repectively. The average BMI(body mass index) was 20.43$\pm$2.26 which was in the normal ramge. The average hemoglobin(Hb) concentration of the subjects was 13.14$\pm$0.97g/dl, and the average hematocrit(Hct) level was 40.84$\pm$17.40%. Transferrin saturation{TS(%)} was 20.86$\pm$10.32%, and the ferritin by Hct(＜36%), 27.2%by TS(＜14%),26.6% by ferritin(＜12 ng/ml). As for clinical symptoms, the greatest number of respondents reported that they experienced ‘decreased ability to concectrate’. Mean daily intakes of iron were 14.89$\pm$4.48 mg and heme iron intakes were 5.04$\pm$2.13 mg, which was 29.6% of total iron intake. The total iron binding capacity(TIBC) was negatively correlated with Hb concentration(r= -0.222, p＜0.01). Serum ferritin was positively correlated with Hb concentration(r= - 0.323, p＜0.05) and negatively correlated with TIBC(r= -0.367, p＜0.01). TS(%) was positively correlated with Hb concentration(r= 0.402, p＜0.01) and positively correlated with serum ferritin(r=0.413, p＜0.01). As for the correlation between blood biochemistry and clinical symptoms related to anemia, the Hb concentration was negatively correlated with ‘shortening of breath when going upstairs(p＞0.05)’ and ‘cold hands and feet’ significantly(r= -0.109, p＜0.05). The level of Mean corpuscular volume(MCV) was negatively correlated with ‘feel dizzy when standing up’,‘tired out easily’, and ‘decrease ability to concentrate’ significantly(p＜0.05). In particular, the level of Fe was negatively correlated with ‘shortening of breath when going upstairs’ and ‘feeling blue’ significantly(p＜0.01). These results suggest That the prevalence of iron deficiency of female high school students is very high, therefore guidelines for diet supports and nutrition education to improve their iron status should be provided.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.995-1006
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• 2017

This study was performed to determine the prevalence and associated risk factors of osteoarthritis in the elderly using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013~2014 KNHANES VI). A total of 2,148 (936 males, 1212 females) elderly participants aged 65 years or older were selected. Prevalence of osteoarthritis was higher in 460 female (80.7%) and 167 rural (29.1%) groups, than in 110 male (19.3%) and 404 urban (70.9%) groups. While the mean values of LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride level, and waist circumference were significantly higher in the osteoarthritis group than the normal group, other parameters including height, HDL-cholesterol, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin and hematocrit values were not. Quality of life (EQ-5D) was also significantly lower in the osteoarthritis group. The results of logistic regression analysis showed that smoking, alcohol intake, obesity, hypercholesterolemia and energy intakes were significantly different in regards to the prevalence of osteoarthritis. This study suggests that obesity and energy intakes were associated with osteoarthritis, whereas risk factors of chronic disease, such as hypertension, Hypo-high density lipoprotein, hypertrigly-ceridemia, anemia, diabetes, vigorous physical activity, moderate physical activity and walking were not. Long-term prospective study is necessary to investigate the effects of these factors on osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.7 no.3
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• pp.1-13
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• 1974

The relative state of human iron storage may be ascertained more reliably through determination of the serum iron, iron binding capacity, transferrin saturation and absorption of radioactive iron in conjunction with studies of red cell morphology than from the study of red cell morphology alone. Recent investigations have shown that there is an increase in red cell protoporphyrin concentration in iron deficiency anemia. The significance of the red cell protoporphyrin has been discussed greatly during the years since its discovery. Two of the main factors which appear to influence the amaunt of protoporphyrin are increased erythropoiesis and factors interfering with the utilization of iron in the synthesis of hemoglobin, and iron deficiency. Recently Heller et al. have described a simplified method for blood protoporphyrin assay and this technique could be used assess nutritional iron status, wherein even minor insufficiencies are detectable as increased protoporphyrin concentrations. Based on the evaluation of the relationship between nutritional iron status and red cell protoporphyrin as an index suitable for the detection of the iron deficiency is described in this paper. RESULTS 1. Hemoglobin Concentrations and Anthropometric Measurements. The mean and standard deviations of the various anthropometric measurements of different age and sex groups are shown in table 1. There measurements have been compared with the Korean Standard. In the absence of local standards for arm circumference and skin-fold thickness over triceps, they have been compared with the standard from Jelliffe. Table 2,3, and 4 give anthropometric measurements and frequency (%) of anemia in children surveyed. The mean height of the children studid was 10 to 20 percent; below the Korean Standard. The distribution of height below 80 percent of the Standard was 21.2 percent, however, among anemic group this percentage was 27.7 percent. In general, the mean weight of the children was 10 to 15 percent below the Korean Standard. The percentage of children with weight less than 80 percent of the Standard was about 35 percent. But in the anemic group of the children, this percentage was 44 percent. The mean arm circumference was about 15 percent lower than the Jelliffe's standard. 61.2 percent of the children had values of arm circumference below 80 percent of the standard. Children with low hemoglobin levels, this percentage was 80 percent. The mean skinfold thickness over the triceps of the children studied was about 25 Percent lower than the Jelliffe's standard and 61.2 percent of the children had the value less than 80 percent of the standard. Among anemic children, this percentage was 70.8%. As may be seen from table 5, the mean hemoglobin concentration of the total group was 11.3g/100ml. Hemoglobin concentration was less than 11.0g/100ml. in 65(36.5%) of the 178 children. The degree of anemia in most of these children was mild with a hemoglobin level of less than 8.0g/100ml. found in only one child. In general, the prevalence of anemia was high in female children than male and decreased its frequency with increasing age. Relatively close relationship was observed between hemoglobin level and anthrophometric measurements especially high between arm circumference and skinfold thickness and hemoglobin but very low in height and low in weight and hemoglobin level, estimated by chi-square value. II. Serum iron, Transferrin saturation (1) Serum iron, and transferrin saturation Serum iron, transferrin saturation and red cell protoporphyrin concentrations were estimated in sub-sample of 84 children from 1 to 6 years and 24 older children between 7 and 13 years of age. The findings are presented in table 6. The mean serum iron concentration of the total group was 59ug/100ml. However, the level incrased with age from 36.6ug/100ml. (1-3years) to 80.8ug/100ml. (7-13 years). 60 percent of these children had a serum iron level less than 50ug/10ml. in the 1-3 years age group and 31.4 percent for 4-6 years group. These contrast with the finding of 12.5 percent anemic children in the 7-13 years age group. The mean transferrin saturation for the total group was 18.1 percent and frequency of anemia by transferrin saturation was observed same pattern as serum iron concentration. (2) Red cell protoporphyrin concentrations. (a) Red cell protoporphrin levels of children: Red cell protoporphyrin and other biochemical data are shown in table 4. The mean concentration in red cell of all children was fround 46.3ug/100ml. RBC. and differences with age groups were observed; in the age group 1-3 years, the mean concentration was $59.5{\pm}32.14$ ug/100ml. RBC; 4-6 years $44.1{\pm}22.57$ ug/100ml. RBC. and 7-13 years, $39.0{\pm}13.56$ ug/100ml. RBC. (b) Normal protoporphyrin values in adults: It was observed that in 10 normal adult males studied here the level of protoporphyrin in red cell ranged from 18 to 54 ug/100ml. RBC. and the mean concentration was $47.5{\sim}14.47$ ug/100ml. RBC. Other biochemical determination made on the same subjects are presented in table 8. (c) Red tell protoporphyrin concentration of occupational blood donors: The results of analyses for red cell protoporphyrin as well as serum iron, transferrin saturation and hemoglobin in the 76 blood donors are presented in table 7 and 8. In this experiment, donors were selected at random, however, most of them bled repeatedly because of poor economic situation, I doubt. Table 9 shows the distribution of red cell protoporphyrin concentration and hemoglobin concentration of occupational donors. The mean hemoglobin value for the total was 11.9 g/100 ml. When iron deficiency anemia is defined as a transferrin saturation below 15%, prevalence of anemia was 47.4 percent and the mean serum iron was 27.1ug/100ml. and red cell protoporphyrin, 168.3ug/100ml. RBC. However, mean serum iron and protoporphyrin concentration of above 15% transferrin saturation were 11.6 ug/100 ml. and 58.8 ug/100 ml. RBC. respectively. The mean Protoporphyrin concentration of non-anemic (above 15% transferrin saturation) donors was slightly higher than the results of normal adult males.