• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.62 no.8
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• pp.317-323
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• 2019

Purpose: Investigating the prevalence of hyperuricemia and its association with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and cardiometabolic risk factors (CMRFs) in Korean children and adolescents. Methods: This cross-sectional survey used data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2017); 1,256 males and females aged 10-18 years were included. Hyperuricemia was defined as serum uric acid levels were >6.6 mg/dL at 10-11 years of age (both sexes), >7.7 mg/dL for males at 12-18 years of age and >5.7 mg/dL for females at 12-18 years of age. MetS was defined by the International Diabetes Federation criteria. Logistic regression analysis was used to analyze hyperuricemia-associated risk factors. Results: The prevalence of hyperuricemia was 9.4% (male, 8.4%; female, 10.5%) (P<0.281). After adjusting for sociodemographic factors and health behaviors in multivariate analysis (model 1), the odds ratio (OR) for hyperuricemia of MetS was 3.05 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.17-7.92; P=0.022). After adjusting for the same variables in model 1 plus obesity and all MetS components (model 2), only abdominal obesity was significant, and the OR for hyperuricemia was 3.38 (95% CI, 1.72-6.63; P<0.001) After adjusting for the same variables in model 1 plus body mass index (BMI) z scores and all MetS components except abdominal obesity (model 3), only BMI z scores was significant, and the OR for hyperuricemia was 1.59 (95% CI, 1.34-1.89; P<0.001). Conclusion: MetS, abdominal obesity, and BMI z scores were CMRFs significantly associated with hyperuricemia in Korean children and adolescents. Therefore, attention should be paid to hyperuricemia in patients with obesity or MetS.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.3
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• pp.147-153
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• 2019

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between body mass index (BMI) and severe lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) in Korean males. Methods: This study was conducted on males aged ${\geq}50years$ who participated in the 2011 Korean Community Health Survey. LUTS severity was assessed using the Korean version of the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS) questionnaire, and was dichotomized as severe (IPSS >19) and non-severe ($IPSS{\leq}19$). BMI was divided into 6 categories: <18.5, 18.5-22.9, 23.0-24.9, 25.0-27.4, 27.5-29.9, and ${\geq}30.0kg/m^2$. To evaluate the relationship between BMI and LUTS, a survey-weighted multivariate Poisson regression analysis was performed to estimate prevalence rate ratios (PRRs). Age, smoking status, alcohol intake, physical activity, educational level, household income, and comorbidities were adjusted for in the multivariate model. Results: A U-shaped relationship was detected between BMI and severe LUTS. Compared with a BMI of $23.0-24.9kg/m^2$, the PRR for a BMI < $18.5kg/m^2$ was 1.65 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.35 to 2.02), that for a BMI of $18.5-22.9kg/m^2$ was 1.25 (95% CI, 1.09 to 1.44), that for a BMI of $25.0-27.4kg/m^2$ was 1.20 (95% CI, 1.00 to 1.45), that for a BMI of $27.5-29.9kg/m^2$ was 1.11 (95% CI, 0.83 to 1.47), and that for a BMI ${\geq}30.0kg/m^2$ was 1.85 (95% CI, 1.18 to 2.88). Conclusions: This study showed that both high and low BMI were associated with severe LUTS.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.1
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• pp.73-84
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• 2019

Purpose: This study was conducted to differentiate the factors associated with the BMI group of adolescents between rural and urban areas, and provide baseline data in the development of health education programs considering their personal and environmental characteristics. Methods: Secondary data analysis was performed using the data from an on-line survey of the 9th adolescence behavioral health in 2013. The instruments included general, behavioral, and psychosocial characteristics. This study was a cross-sectional survey conducted with 26,513 adolescents. The data were analyzed using a t-test, two-way ANOVA, and multinomial logistic regression analysis. Results: Significant differences in the prevalence of obesity between urban and rural areas were nated and rural areas exhibited a higher prevalence of obese adolescents (p<0.05). The factors associated with the BMI group were the mothers' education level (low) and lower age of adolescents (middle school) in rural areas, wherase those for urban areas were gender (boys) and the fathers' education level (low) (p<0.05). Conclusion: Because there was a significant difference in the prevalence of obesity between rural and urban areas, it is necessary to develop a tailored education program considering the regional and environmental characteristics that the adolescents belonged to in order to prevent and control adolescent obesity.

• Health Communication
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.159-166
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• 2018

Background: It is important to investigate patient satisfaction to improve the quality of healthcare. Among the many factors that affect patient satisfaction, perceived health status has been considered as one of the major factors. Therefore, we investigated patient satisfaction through patient experience in outpatient settings according to perceived health status. Methods: This cross-sectional study using questionnaires of patient experience and perceived health status from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015 included 4267 people aged over 19 years who met the inclusion criteria. Perceived health status was classified into three: good, fair, and poor. Questions about patient experience consisted of four items: doctor spending enough time with patients, doctor providing easy-to-understand explanation, doctor giving opportunity to ask questions or raise concerns, and doctor involving patient in decisions about care or treatment. Patient experience was classified into two: satisfied and non-satisfied. A multivariate regression model was used to analyze the data. Results: In the good perceived health status group, level of satisfaction was 79.2%, 88.5%, 83.3% and 87.2%, respectively for the four items targeting patient experience. In the poor group, level of satisfaction was 76%, 84.9%, 79.5%, and 83.1%, respectively for the four items. In multivariate logistic regression analyses, the odds ratios of good perceived health status group were 1.775 (1.347-2.338), 1.946 (1.356-2.793), 1.652 (1.218-2.240), and 1.665 (1.193-2.323) compared with the poor group. Conclusion: Perceived health status is associated with patient satisfaction. In particular, the better the perceived health status, the better the patient satisfaction through patient experience.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.528-540
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In a healthy person, from 35 years of age, there is an annual loss of muscle mass at the rate of 1-2% and is associated with a decline in the quality of life. This study aimed to identify the particular dietary patterns associated with the risk of lower lean muscle mass in Korean postmenopausal women. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) is a population-based, continuous cross-sectional annual survey. The participants of the KNHANES IV (2008-2009) and V (2010-2011) were considered for this study. The study sample consisted of 1548 postmenopausal women, aged 45-86 years. Lower lean muscle mass was defined as having appendicular skeletal muscle mass corrected for body weight less than 1 standard deviation of the young reference group aged 20 to 39 years in KNHANES IV and V. To identify the dietary pattern using factor analysis, 24-h recall data was used. RESULTS: The prevalence of lower lean muscle mass was 31.3% in this study population. Four dietary patterns were identified by factor analysis; 'Diverse', 'Western', 'Traditional', and 'Snacks and beverages'. The 'Western' pattern, highest factor loadings for flour and bread, potatoes, red meat, processed meat, eggs, and cheese, was significantly associated with a high (60%) risk of lower lean muscle mass (odds ratio [95% confidence interval] = 1.60 [1.07-2.39], P for trend = 0.01) after adjustments for potential covariates. The other 3 dietary patterns were not associated with lower lean muscle mass. CONCLUSIONS: The study findings suggest that the 'Western' dietary pattern that includes flour and bread, potatoes, red meat, processed meat, eggs, and cheese, may be associated with a higher risk of lower lean muscle mass in Korean postmenopausal women.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.1
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• pp.65-74
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• 2021

Purpose: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has influenced the lives of people worldwide. Little is known about the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on the behavior and fears of pediatric patients with inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) and their families. We conducted a survey to determine the COVID-19 exposure, related perceptions, and information sources; medication compliance; and patients' and parents' behaviors, fears, and physician contact. Methods: An anonymous cross-sectional survey of pediatric patients with IBD and their parents at one pediatric gastroenterology unit of a university medical center was performed. Results: A total of 46 pediatric patients with IBD and 44 parents completed the survey. Parents of pediatric patients with IBD had high fear of their children becoming infected with severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2. They perceived schools as the most hazardous environment, whereas the children did not. Half the pediatric patients with IBD feared infection. Patients and parents felt sufficiently informed about COVID-19. The primary source of guidance for pediatric patients was their parents (43%), followed by television and social media, whereas the parents mainly consulted internet news websites (52.2%), television, and public health institutes. Pediatric patients with IBD adhered to their prescribed medication. They also showed cautious behavior by enhancing hand hygiene (84%) and leaving the house less frequently than before. However, in-person medical visits remained favored over video consultations. Conclusion: Although parents expressed overprotective concerns, both parents and pediatric patients with IBD are coping well with the COVID-19 pandemic. IBD-relevant information should be actively conveyed.

• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.113-124
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• 2022

This study was conducted to analyze the relationship between the levels of lead (Pb) exposure and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in Korean adult women. We used cross-sectional data on blood lead and self-reported diagnoses of ischemic heart disease (IHD), stroke and hypertension in a subsample of 1.821 adults 19 years and older who participated in the 2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). CVD and blood Pb concentrations were analyzed through logistic regression analysis, and correlations between factors were confirmed using the pearson correlation coefficient. An increase of blood Pb was associated with an increased risk of IHD (OR 5.68, 95% CI 1.01-17.51) and hypertension (OR 3.37, 95% CI 2.24-5.07) only in women. Additionally, there was a correlation between blood Pb and nutrient intake. This suggest that blood Pb levels may be used as a key predictor of CVD development, and that women are more susceptable to IHD and hypertension associated with Pb exposure.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.330-338
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• 2021

Purpose: This cross-sectional study aimed to identify factors affecting coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination intention. Methods: For an anonymous online survey, recruitment notices were posted on an anonymous community by each university, and an online survey was conducted through online form from June to July 2021. COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were measured using a questionnaire based on previous literature and reflecting the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's COVID-19 Response Guidelines. The psychological antecedents of vaccination were measured by 5C scale. Results: Two-hundred and ninety-four college students (women 67.3%) answered the survey; 179 (60.9%) reported that they would accept a COVID-19 vaccine. The mean scores for COVID-19 knowledge and health-protective behavior were 22.97±5.33 (out of 35) and 9.92±2.22 (out of 12), respectively. For the psychological antecedents of vaccination, the mean scores for confidence, collective responsibility, calculation, complacency, and constraints were 4.45 (± 1.24), 5.61 (± 1.09), 5.09 (± 1.18), 2.42 (± 1.11), and 2.37 (± 1.19) out of 5 points, respectively. The confidence, calculation, and collective responsibility were associated with vaccination intention. Additionally, the top reason for those who were less prone to accept vaccination against COVID-19 was concern about vaccine safety. Conclusion: The higher the confidence in the vaccine and the higher the collective responsibility, the higher the vaccination intention. As it is a factor related to an individual's perception of COVID-19 information, it is necessary to increase confidence in the vaccines through obtaining accurate information on the safety, effectiveness, and side effects of the COVID-19 vaccines and vaccination.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.167-177
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• 2022

The purpose of study was to examine the factors influencing fast food consumption in Korean adolescents. The analysis was conducted using cross sectional study data from the 16^th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey in 2020. A total 54,948 middle and high school students participated in this study. The subjects in the analysis were 28,353 males and 26,595 females, 28,961 middle school and 25,987 high school students. In total, 56.6% Korean adolescents consumed fast food once or twice weekly and 25.4% consumed fast food more than three times weekly. Logistic regression analysis revealed that fast food consumption was significantly associated with dietary behavior such as lower breakfast intake (OR: 0.930, 95%CI: 0.891~0.970, p<0.001), higher soda drinks consumption (OR: 2.563, 95%CI: 2.452~2.678, p<0.001), and higher sweet drinks consumption (OR: 1.898, 95%CI: 1.818~1.982, p<0.001). For psychological and health behavior factors, fast food consumption was also significantly associated with higher perceived stress (OR: 1.239, 95%CI: 1.163-1.321, p<0.001), higher smoking (OR: 1.300, 95%CI: 1.164~1.453, p<0.001), higher drinking (OR: 1.193, 95%CI: 1.112~1.280, p<0.001), higher depression experience, higher loneliness experience, and lower subjective health, In conclusion, fast food consumption in Korean adolescents was associated with undesirable dietary habits and psychological and health behavior, suggesting that appropriate education programs are necessary to reduce such behavior.

• Journal of Periodontal and Implant Science
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• v.53 no.4
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• pp.283-294
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• 2023

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationship between serum uric acid (SUA) levels and the risk of periodontitis in Korean adults using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Methods: This cross-sectional study used data from the KNHANES 2016-2018 and analysed 12,735 Korean adults aged ≥19 years who underwent oral examinations. Hypouricemia was defined as SUA <3 mg/dL in men and <2 mg/dL in women, and hyperuricemia was defined as SUA ≥7 mg/dL in men and ≥6 mg/dL in women. Results: The weighted prevalence of hypouricemia and hyperuricemia was 0.6% and 12.9%, respectively. The overall weighted periodontitis rate was 30.5%. The frequency of periodontitis in subjects with hypouricemia, normouricemia, and hyperuricemia were 51.1%, 30.3%, and 30.6%, respectively. Study participants with hypouricemia were significantly older, had significantly fasting blood glucose levels, and had better kidney function than non-hypouricemic participants. In univariate logistic regression analyses, hypouricemia was associated with periodontitis, but hyperuricemia was not. The fully adjusted model revealed that the adjusted odds ratio of hypouricemia for periodontitis was 1.62 (95% confidence interval, 1.13-2.33), while the relationship between hyperuricemia and periodontitis in the multivariable logistic regression model was not significant. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that hypouricemia is associated with an increased risk of periodontitis.