• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.7 no.6
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• pp.151-160
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to identify the factors that affect the level of physical activity targeted elderly and thereby propose a basis for physical activity promotion strategies. Methods : The study subjects were 164 older who agreed to participate and understand the purpose of the study. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS WIN 18.0 program multiple logistic regression. Results : Factors showing significant associations with physical activity are gender, spouse, education, job, chronic disease, BMI, subjective health status, perceived barriers, and social supports. In the logistic regression analysis, BMI and perceived barriers were significant factors related to minimal physical activity while chronic disease, BMI, subjective health status, and perceived barriers appeared to be significantly associated with health enhancing physical activity. The result suggest that policy should be established to increasing the level of physical activity.

• Land and Housing Review
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.1-10
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• 2014

Health care services in a residential area would accelerate the aging in place. In addition, these changes would play a key role in terms of reducing healthcare costs and leading a healthy lifestyle. The purpose of this study draws the design methodology of community facilities and each dwelling with healthcare services in apartment complex, which the elderly people will enjoy a better health status. This paper presents the result focused on the welfare building in Gayang 7th apartment complex. The intention to receive healthcare services was investigated by occupants. Moreover, design requirements were drawn through in-depth interviews and the state observation to use the service. In the complex, stronger intention to serve the u-Healthcare services was shown to the pre elderly group than the elderly. Both of them had a problem to use and keep the health equipment due to the fact there is not enough space in the unit. Reporting the observation results, the upright-posture furniture attaching the healthcare equipment and the equipment storage should be prepared in the unit. In the public space, the program for these healthcare services can be divided into three parts, i.e. the health status measurement, the healthcare, and the service connected to the surrounding facilities. The health status measurement can be the basic to the health services and its function should be gradually extended. In the complex, the hybrid type with various functions could be applied owing to a new building for welfare; moreover, semi-independent user should be able to receive the home healthcare service.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.43 no.9
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• pp.1431-1438
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• 2014

This study assessed the risk and prevalence of anorexia as well as associated factors among home-dwelling elderly adults. The subjects were 419 elderly men (116) and women (303) aged 65 years and older ($76{\pm}5.6yr$) living in Korea. Data were collected by personal interviews using questionnaires. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and Pearson's correlation. The prevalence of anorexia was 35.1% among participants. Male elders (74.1%) had higher proportions of anorexia than female elders (20.1%) (P<0.001). Significant differences in the appetite were observed according to type of disease, depression, and activities of daily living (ADL) index. In the poor appetite group, central nervous system diseases were the primary illness in male elders (P<0.01), whereas endocrine diseases were the primary illness in female elders (P<0.01). Elders with good appetites had less symptoms of depression (P<0.001) and greater independence in ADL (P<0.001). These results explored the high prevalence of anorexia in geriatric populations in Korea and its impact on elderly nutritional status and health. Further research should be performed to identify the causes of anorexia and establish an intervention protocol allowing the early diagnosis of anorexia.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.29 no.3
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• pp.392-403
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relations between HbA1c level and health risk factor. For analysis, 330 elderly women aged 65 years and over were recruited in Jeonla province, Korea. The subjects were classified into two groups according to their HbA1c level; the diabetic group (HbA1c level${\geq}6.5%$, n=68, 20.6%) and control group (HbA1c level<6.5%, n=262, 79.4%). Demographic characteristics were collected, as well as information on physical measurements, blood tests for biochemical indicators, a health status and health-related life style, dietary behavior, favorite food groups, consumption frequency of food groups and nutrient intake. Educational level of the diabetic group was significantly lower than that of the control group. The height of the diabetic group was shorter, and percentage fat of the diabetic group was higher than those of the control group. In the diabetic group, the higher concentrations of creatinine and activity of alkaline phosphatase were found to be significantly unfavorable factors. Therefore, the diabetic group was assumed to be at risk of decreased liver and renal function. The self-rated health level of the diabetic group has a declining tendency, while the medicine intake was significantly higher than that of the control group, but there are no significant differences in visiting frequency of hospital and community health center. The distribution of physical activity showed a significant difference between the groups. Although there are no significant differences in nutrient intake, the diabetic group had relatively inferior nutrient intake of diet, especially vitamin C, as contrasted with the control group. In conclusion, the weight control and increasing physical activity may be effective in the prevention of the diabetes and continuous education and intervention by specialized nutritionists will be needed for diabetic patients. These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase the health-life expectancy and the prevention of the diabetes of Korean elderly people living in rural areas.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.50 no.3
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• pp.474-486
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• 2020

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Korean version of the Self-Care for Aspiration Pneumonia Prevention (SCAPP-K) scale in older adults at risk of dysphasia. Methods: The Hertz and Baas model of scale development and validation was used. In the development stage, items were generated via literature review and interviews with medical experts, older adults, and caregivers. Ten experts assessed the items for content validity. Subsequently, 12 older adults participated in a pilot test to determine the comprehensibility and appropriateness of the SCAPP-K scale. The validation stage involved a cross-sectional survey with 203 older adults for exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and 200 older adults for confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) and to determine convergent and discriminant validity. To test the validity and reliability of the scale, EFA using principal component analysis with varimax rotation and CFA were conducted, and convergent and discriminant validity as well as internal consistency reliability were determined. Results: As a result of EFA, three self-care factors (knowledge, resources, behaviors) with 21 items were validated. The CFA and convergent and discriminant validity indicated the applicability of the three-factor self-care scale. The reliability of the SCAPP-K scale was acceptable, with Cronbach's α=.87~.91. Conclusion: The SCAPP-K scale has acceptable validity and reliability and can contribute to clinical practice, research, and education to improve self-care for the prevention of aspiration pneumonia in older adults at risk of dysphasia.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.139-148
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• 2012

Purpose: A study was designed to compare heart rate variability (HVR) of older adults with postprandial hypotension (PPH) with older adults with no PPH. Methods: The samples were community-dwelling older adults (${\geq}$ 60 years old) with PPH (n=35) and without PPH (n=35). HRV was measured by 10 minutes of electrocardiography using Physiolab 400 and analyzed in time domain (SDNN) and with power spectral analysis in frequency domain (TP, LF, HF, LF/HF). Blood pressure was measured every 15 minutes before and until 120 minutes after the meal. Results: All HRV parameters were lower in the PPH group compared to those with no PPH. Specifically the measures of SDNN, TP, LF, and LF/HF of the PPH group were significantly lower (U=385.0, $p$=.008; U=361.0, $p$=.003; U=375.0, $p$=.005; U=368.0, $p$=.004, respectively). Further, the LF and LF/HF of SBP (${\geq}140$ mmHg) group and the LF/HF of DBP (${\geq}$ 90 mmHg) group were significantly lower ($x^2$=6.33, $p$=.042; $x^2$=33.10, $p$ <.001; $x^2$=11.03, $p$=.004, respectively). Conclusion: These findings indicate that the autonomic nervous functions in persons with PPH are less activated than those persons with no PPH. The findings contribute to an understanding of HRV and the association of autonomic nervous function with the mechanism of PPH.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.40 no.3
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• pp.249-258
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• 2007

Benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) is one the most common prostate diseases in middle aged and elderly men. This study was conducted to investigate diet and lifestyle risk factors for benign prostatic hyperplasia in a community-dwelling free-living population group. The dietary data were collected from the 601 male subjects aged 50-79 years using the 24-hour recall method. The mean age of the BPH group ($63.0{\pm}7.9$ years) was significantly higher than that of the non-BPH ($58.8{\pm}7.4$ years). Among many nutrients, the amount of animal fat intake was increased while that of carbohydrate intake decreased in subjects with BPH compared to those with non-BPH. In BPH subjects, the proportion of energy from fat was also greater than in subjects with non-BPH. The logistic regression analysis on the food consumption data showed that the consumption of total animal food was increased while that of mushrooms was decreased in patients with BPH compared to the subjects with non-BPH. The age-adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidences limits for BPH incidence in subjects whose milk and milk products, beverages and alcoholic liquors intake was greater than the median were 1.796 (1.167-2.782) and 1.738 (1.129-2.676) respectively, compared to those in subjects whose intakes were below the median. These results may be applicable in the development of a nutrition intervention and education program toward a reduction in the risk for benign prostatic hyperplasia.

• Journal of Digital Convergence
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• v.18 no.8
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• pp.343-351
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• 2020

The purpose of this study was to investigate social networks, loneliness, and sleep quality related to health-related quality of life in older adults living alone. Data were collected from 111 community-dwelling elderly. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, independent t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple linear regressions with IBM SPSS 26.0 program. In multiple regression analysis, physical component summary (PCS) was predicted by the level of education (β=.20, p=.020), social networks (β=.31, p=.012), and sleep quality (β=-.23, p=.011). The model including these variables accounted for 25.7% of the variance in the PCS. Mental component summary (MCS) was predicted by loneliness (β=-.37, p=.004). Loneliness accounted for 31.7% of the variance in the MCS. In order to enhance the health-related quality of life of the older adults living alone, the intervention program to resolve social isolation should be provided for them.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.1-11
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• 2002

Purpose: This study was done to describe the correlation among the older Korean American adults's health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Method: The subjects consisted of 183 community-dwelling Korean immigrant elderly living in the state of Washington, USA. The instruments for this study were Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile(47 items), Life Satisfaction Scale(20 items) and Self-Esteem Scale(l0 items). Frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Duncan test and Pearson's correlation coefficient with SAS program were used to analyze the data. Result: 1) The average item score for the health-promoting behavior was 3.51; the highest score on the subscale was nutrition(M=3.63) with the lowest being exercise(M=3.07). 2) The average item score for the life satisfaction was 3.11. 3) The average item score for the self-esteem was 3.12. 4) Health-promoting behavior was significantly different according to educational level and participation in society circles. 5) Life satisfaction was significantly different according to age, religion and participation in society circles. 6) Self-esteem was significantly different according to age, marital status, religion and participation in society circles. 7) Health-promoting behavior was positively related to life satisfaction and self-esteem. The life satisfaction was positively related to self-esteem. Conclusion: It follows from this study that there is a very correlation among the older Korean American adults's health-promoting behavior, life satisfaction and self-esteem. Therefore health promoting programs that increase life satisfaction and self-esteem should be developed to promote a healthy lifestyle of the older Korean American adults.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.5
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• pp.883-898
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Probiotics have been suggested as potent modulators of age-related disorders in immunological functions, yet little is known about sex-dependent effects of probiotic supplements. Therefore, we aimed to investigate sex-dependent effects of probiotics on profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy older adults. SUBJECTS/METHODS: In a randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled, multicenter trial, healthy elderly individuals ≥ 65 yrs old were administered probiotic capsules (or placebo) for 12 wk. Gut microbiota was analyzed using 16S rRNA gene sequencing and bioinformatic analyses. Peripheral immune cells were profiled using flow cytometry for lymphocytes (natural killer, B, CD4⁺ T, and CD8⁺ T cells), dendritic cells, monocytes, and their subpopulations. RESULTS: Compared with placebo, phylum Firmicutes was significantly reduced in the probiotic group in women, but not in men. At the genus level, sex-specific responses included reductions in the relative abundances of pro-inflammatory gut microbes, including Catabacter and unclassified_Coriobacteriales, and Burkholderia and unclassified Enterobacteriaceae, in men and women, respectively. Peripheral immune cell profiling analysis revealed that in men, probiotics significantly reduced the proportions of dendritic cells and CD14⁺ CD16^- monocytes; however, these effects were not observed in women. In contrast, the proportion of total CD4⁺ T cells was significantly reduced in women in the probiotic group. Additionally, serum lipopolysaccharide-binding protein levels showed a decreasing tendency that were positively associated with changes in gut bacteria, including Catabacter (ρ = 0.678, P < 0.05) and Burkholderia (ρ = 0.673, P < 0.05) in men and women, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that probiotic supplementation may reduce the incidence of inflammation-related diseases by regulating the profiles of the gut microbiota and peripheral immune cells in healthy elders in a sex-specific manner.