• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.253-263
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• 2005

This study was conducted to investigate health status of preschool children utilizing anthropometric values and serum biochemical indices. The subjects were 1,159 boys and 1,019 girls in Gumi day-care centers aged 4 to 6 years. The mean height and weight of 4, 5 and 6 year old children were 103.0 cm and 17.1 kg, 107.2 cm and 18.3 kg and 113.4 cm and 20.6 kg, respectively. By the obesity index criteria, $5\%$ of boys and $4\%$ of girls were obese whereas $10\%$ of boys and $9\%$ of girls were underweight. By the Kaup index criteria, $7\%$ of boys and $4\%$ of girls were obese. By the percentage of body fat criteria, $5\%$ of boys and girls were obese. The mean concentrations of serum total cholesterol, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, Atherogenic Index and serum glucose were 154.1-156.5 mg/dL, 80.1-81.9 mg/dL, 46.8-47.4 mg/dL, 90.9-92.8 mg/dL, 2.34-2.39 and 76.4-77.8 mg/dL, respectively. Serum triglyceride level, AI and body fat percentage of obese children were significantly higher than other children and were significantly lower in HDL-cholesterol level (p < 0.05). In addition there were significant correlation between anthropometric values and serum biochemical indices : Kaup index and obesity index were positively correlated to the systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure in boys and girls (p < 0.01) and to the triglyceride concentration in boys (p < 0.05). These results indicate the need of developing and implementation of nutrition education program for preschool children to prevent further development of childhood obesity and to maintain normal serum lipid profiles.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.287-297
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• 2003

This intervention study was performed to assess the effect of spirulina on lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in elderly Koreans. The subjects were 6 male and 6 female people between the ages of 60 and 75, who were given spirulina supplements of 7.5 g/day for 24 weeks. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessment for plasma lipid levels, antioxidant status and immune function were measured before and throughout the intervention period. Before entering the study, the subjects were in relatively good health. Their nutrient intake was satisfactory, and anthropometric indices and plasma nutrient levels were within the normal range. Spirulina supplementation for 24 weeks did not affect dietary intake and anthropometric parameters. However, considerable changes were observed in blood lipid profiles, antioxidant capacity, and immune indices. The plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol decreased from 4 weeks of the supplementation period. The antioxidant capacity improved, as shown in increasing TAS and decreasing TBARS after supplementation. Improved immune function was also observed as the PBL lymphocyte proliferation rate and plasma C3 levels increased. The above effects of spirulina supplementation did not differ between mild hypercholesterolemic (cholesterol $\geq$ 200mg/d1) and normochole-sterolemic (cholesterol < 200 mg/dl) subjects. This study provided evidence that spirulina could be used as dietary supplementation in nutritionally vulnerable groups to improve nutritional and health status and to prevent chronic disease such as hyperlipidemia or oxidation-prone diseases. further studies in this area with various population groups are warranted.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.7
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• pp.737-742
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• 2002

To evaluate the effect of obesity on serum leptin and insulin levels in 80 elementary school children (aged 10.8 yr, 47 boys, 33 girls), we collected the anthropometric data and measured serum leptin and insulin levels. Serum leptin level and insulin resistance are known as factors which are associated with obesity and obesity related diseases such as diabetes, cardiovascular disease, hypertension. The results were as follows. The serum levels of insulin (p＜0.001), leptin (p＜0.001) and HOM $A_{IR}$ (p＜0.001) in obese group were significantly higher than those of other groups. The obesity indices correlated significantly to serum levels of insulin and leptin, but not to fasting glucose level. These results suggested that circulating leptin and insulin concentrations may act as a humoral signal indicator to adiposity-associated metabolic disorder in elementary school children.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.356-367
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• 2004

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of a nutritional education program conducted by public health center in Jinju city for obese women. The subjects of this study consisted of 27 obese women(BMI $\geq$ 25) aged 35∼55 years in Jinju area, and the educational period was 6 weeks. We evaluated the anthropometric parameters and biochemical indices, dietary habits, dietary behaviors, nutritional attitude of obese women before and after the nutritional education. And also daily intake during the educational period were measured. Weight, obesity index, BMT, waist circumferences and hip circumferences of obese women were significantly decreased(p<0.001) after nutritional education, but changes of WHR, systolic blood pressure and diastolic blood pressure were not significant. There were no significant difference in total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, LDH and blood glucose level in serum before and after the nutritional education, but the indices tend to decrease after the nutritional education. There was significantly different change of dietary behaviors in 3 items among the dietary behavior after the nutritional education. Their dietary habit, dietary behavior and nutritional attitude scores were significantly improved after the nutritional education. Mean daily energy intakes was low compared with the RDA as 78.88%. The average carbohydrates, protein, fat ratio on the energy intakes was 63 : 17 : 20. The proportion of energy intake from snacks the was 12.91${\pm}$6.15%.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.30 no.2 s.57
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• pp.327-341
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• 1997

It is a well known fact that obesity is an important cause of cardiovascular disease, emphasized by many studies. Recently, cardiovascular diseaase has been found to correlate not only to the extent of obesity, but also the fat distribution of the individual; especially, focusing on obesity of the abdomen. Unfortunately, the proposed indices for abdominal obesity are numerous, and the results vary according to the index chosen. Three-hundred and twelve bus drivers in November, 1995, were chosen as subjects of this study. The author chose to measure serum lipid levels, fasting blood sugar levels and blood pressure, that are thought to be important risk factors of cardiovascular diseases. Obesity indices were calculated using anthropometric measurements. We were able to evaluate the significance of obesity indices by examining correlations between these indices and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. The results obtained were as follows: 1. The abdominal obesity indices and risk factors of cardiovascular disease, the levels of total cholesterol in the serum, fasting blood sugar levels, and diastolic blood pressure, increased significantly according to age. 2. There was a significant difference in the abdominal obesity indices according to drinking and smoking habits controlled for age. Among the risk factors of cardiovascular disease, triglyceride and diastolic pressures had significant differences according to the presence or absence of a drinking history controlled for age. 3. Although all obesity indices showed significant correlations, the weakest correlation was between BMI and abdominal diameter index and the strongest correlation was between sagittal diameter and sagittal diameter matched for height. 4. There was a negative correlation between HDL-cholesterol and obesity indices. The weakest correlation was between fasting blood sugar levels and both SD and SDH showed correlations with the risk factors. 5. There was a significant correlation between SD and total cholesterol in the serum and fasting blood sugars controlled for age, drinking, and BMI. 6. After categorizing the subjects into 2 separate age groups at the 40 year mark, in the less than 40 you old age group, controlled for drinking and BMI, the results of comparitive studies have shown correlations between total cholesterol serum levels and waist-hip ratio, conicity-index, and SD. There were correlations between fasting blood sugar levels and SD, ADI, and SDH. There were no correlations between obesity indices and both total cholesterol serum levels and fasting blood sugar levels in the greater than 40 year old age group. There were significant correlations between abdominal obesity indices and total serum cholesterol or fasting blood sugar levels in the less than 40 year old age group, but no correlations in the age group over 40. These correlated factors between abdominal obesity and cardiovascular disease are assumed to exist in Korea as well. Furthermore, in this study a high correlation was found between SD, SDH and the risk factors of cardiovascular disease. Even when controlled for age, drinking, smoking, and BMI, the correlations between risk factors of cardiovascular disease and these indices exist. Therefore, the obesity indices, SD and SDH may prove to be important prognostic indicators or risk factors of cardiovascular disease.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.171-185
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• 2003

The eight hundred fourteen male and female elderly living in urban and rural area of Incheon were compared in terms of anthropometric indices and health related factors. Mean height, weight, BMI, WHR, MAC, TSF, %body fat and systolic blood pressure of male elderly were 162.7cm and 162.0cm, 61.8kg and 58.3kg, 23.2 and 22.0, 0.91 and 0.89, 24.4cm and 24.0cm, 9.9mm and 11.5mm, 23.9% and 23.2%, 152.1mmHg and 150.0mmHg in the urban and rural respectively. In female elderly, mean height, weight, BMI, WHR, MAC, TSF, %body fat and systolic blood pressure were 150.3cm and 149.2cm, 55.9kg and 53.1kg, 24.4 and 23.4, 0.87 and 0.86, 25.4cm and 24.4cm, 20.2mm and 18.9mm, 37.2% & 35.4%, 142.2mmHg and 151.7 mmHg in the urban and rural respectively. As the age increasing, most of the anthropometric indices are decreased while systolic blood pressure are increased in both gender. The proportion of the subject with normal hearing were 73.1% in the urban, 61.4% in the rural and 61.8% in the male, 73.1% in the female. Hearing and tooth status became deteriorated as increasing the age and the more elderly felt themselves unhealthy as increasing the age. Aerobic(25.7%) and walking/jogging(18.4%) in the urban, walking/jogging (22.1%) and climbing(3.5％) in the rural were the preferred exercise in the elderly. Frequency of health promoting substance intake were very low and not significantly different between the urban & the rural, and the male and the female elderly. Neuralgia, diabetes, indigestion and cerebral stroke showed relatively higher morbidity in the elderly. Neuralgia was significantly higher in the female(23.3%) than in the male(13.1%). Diabetes was significantly higher in the female(22.4%) and the urban(21.9%) elderly than in the male(16.1%) and the rural(13.5%) elderly respectively. In conclusion, as the age increasing the height and weight of the elderly decreased significantly and BMI, WHR and body fat toned to decrease. Hearing and tooth status deteriorated significantly as the age increasing, especially in female elderly.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.443-451
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• 1999

Objective: To examine the relationship between hypertension prevalence and the four commonest anthropometric measurements for obesity(body mass index(BMI), wasit-hip ratio(WHR), waist circumference(WC) and body fat in Korean adults. Methods: We studied the cross-sectional association of the anthropometric indices and blood pressure in 1,197 individuals(who were participants in the population-based cohort study). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure $\geq160/95\;mmHg$ or current use of antihypertensive medication. Informations on life-style factors were obtained from personal interview. Results: There were close associations between BMI, WHR and WC with blood pressure in both men and women. After age adjustment, BMI and WC showed significantly positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in both men and women. Odds ratio(ORs) of being hypertensive were estimated comparing the highest to the lowest quantile, adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol intake levels, education attainment. The simultaneously adjusted ORs of being hypertensive, comparing the highest vs the lowest categories, was for BMI 2.0(95% confidence interval(CI)=0.9-3.2) in men and 3.2 (95% CI=1.7-6.1) in women, for WC 2.1(95% CI=1.0-4.4) in men and 3.1 (95% CI=1.6-5.9) in women, for fat(%) 4.2(95% CI=1.9-9.5) in men and 2.1(95% CI=1.2-3.6) in women. Conclusion: In addition to measures of overall obesity(BMI) as well as central obesity(WHR, WC), body fat(%) was independently associated with prevalence of hypertension. Among obesity indices, body fat was the most predictor variable in hypertensive state in male and BMI was in female.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.8 no.5
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• pp.726-735
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• 2003

In this study, anthropometric and biochemical indicators and related factors for community dwelling elderly living alone (ELA). as well as for elderly not living alone (ENLA) were explored. The subjects were 140 elderly females (70 living alone, 70 not living alone) residing in Bucheon. Anthropometric measurements revealed significant differences between the two groups (ELA/ENLA) for height, weight, BMI, triceps skinfold thickness, suprailiac skinfold thickness, subscapular skinfold thickness, and body fat percentage. The ELA showed significantly lower data for most of the anthropometric indices, except PIBW. Biochemical indicators of iron status (hemoglobin, serum iron, transferrin saturation) were significantly lower for the ELA, whereas the total serum cholesterol, LDL-C, LDL-C/HDL-C, for the ELA were significantly higher. The prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (240 mg%) was 30%. The latter three are not in accordance with general malnutrition among the ELA. The hemoglobin of the ELA was positively correlated with energy, fat, iron and cholesterol intake, but negatively correlated with height. The serum cholesterol of the ELA was Positively associated with most of their nutrient intake.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.173-178
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• 2007

In this study we manufactured mulberry fruit tea(MFT) to be used as an anti-inflammatory agent. Here, MFT was consumed by thirty middle-aged women with symptoms of rheumatoid arthritis for 4 weeks. The anthropometric measurements and serum inflammatory factors were measured before and after consumption of the MFT. For the anthropometric measurements, BMI and body fat decreased after 4 weeks of tea consumption although there were no significant differences. The serum inflammatory factors(uric acid and homocysteine) as well as serum amino transferase activity(aspartate trans-aminase and alanine transaminase) showed a decreasing trend. In addition, serum carbon reactive protein(CRP) decreased significantly decreased after MFT consumption 4 weeks. It's concluded that this MFT is helpful to for rheumatyroid arthritis patients in order to decrease serum inflammatory factors such as CRP.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.346-360
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• 2006

This study was conducted to evaluate the effects of home-visiting nutrition education for the elderly with high fasting glucose level in an urban community. The study subjects were 40 elderly people, whose information on general characteristics, anthropometric measurement, biochemical indices, nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitude, dietary habit, food intake and nutrient intake were obtained at baseline. The education group received 6 weekly visits of home-visiting nutrition education from 15 March to 25 April 2004. In the baseline-survey, the education group and non-education group showed no differences in their general characteristics, health-related characteristics, anthropometric measurements, biochemical indices, nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitudes, dietary habits, and food and nutrient intake levels. The difference of mean change of nutrition knowledge, nutrition attitude and dietary habit after home-visiting nutrition education had been studied. The nutrition knowledge score increased by 1.4 in the education group; however, those in the non-education group which increased by 0.4, thus, the differences of mean change were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The nutrition attitude score increased by 1.2 in the education group; however, those in the non-education group decreased by 0.4, thus, the differences of mean change were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The dietary habit score increased by 1.7 in the education group; however, those in the non-education group decreased by 2.8, thus, the differences of mean change were statistically significant (p < 0.01). The difference of mean change of anthropometric indices and biochemical indices in education group and the non-education group was not significant. Looking over the zcereals and their products, vegetables, seaweeds, meats and their products, and fish than the non-education group. The MAR increased by 0.06 in the education group; however, that in the non-education group increased by 0.01, thus, the differences of mean change were statistically significant (p < 0.05). The differences of mean change of fasting blood glucose and biochemical indices after home-visiting nutrition education were studied. Fasting blood glucose decreased by 7.6 mg/dL in the education group; however, in the non-education group which increased by 0.4 mg/dL, the difference of mean change was not significant (p = 0.051). The above findings suggest that home visiting nutrition education increases the nutrition knowledge and nutrition attitude, as well as, it is effective to change dietary habits. If the education period is extended, not fasting blood glucose improvement was insignificant, but fasting blood glucose improvement ability could be found by changing dietary habits.