• Health Policy and Management
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.119-127
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• 2018

Background: This study aimed to examine (1) the patterns of online health information search with respect to seeking and scanning, and (2) how online search, along with eHealth literacy, predicts perceived information usefulness in the context of diet and weight control. Methods: Online survey was conducted with 299 adults from the consumer panel recruited for the purpose of quality assessment of the Korean National Health Information Portal in 2016. We conducted paired sample t-test and multiple logistic regression to address the research questions. Data analysis was performed using IBM SPSS Statistics ver. 24.0 (IBM Corp., Armonk, NY, USA) and SAS ver. 9.3 (SAS Institute Inc., Cary, NC, USA). Results: Of the respondents, 38.8% were 'high seek-high scanners,' 35.8% were 'low seek-low scanners,' 13.0% were 'high seek-low scanners,' and 12.4% were 'low seek-high scanners.' eHealth literacy was a significant, positive predictor of online information scanning (odds ratio [OR], 2.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.41-4.29), but not for online information seeking (OR, 1.75; 95% CI, 1.00-3.05). With respect to perceived usefulness of online information seeking, online seeking (OR, 4.90; 95% CI, 2.19-11.00) and eHealth literacy (OR, 2.30; 95% CI, 1.11-4.75) were significant predictors. Perceived usefulness of online scanning had a significant association with online scanning (OR, 2.38; 95% CI, 1.08-5.22), but not with eHealth literacy. Conclusion: To increase the effectiveness of the health policy for online information search and related outcomes in the context of diet and weight control, it is important to develop education programs promoting eHealth literacy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.8
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• pp.773-785
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• 2006

Vitamin E in the body system plays an important role in preventing chronic diseases by decreasing the oxidative stress by free-radicals. However, there are not enough researches on analyzing the primary factors affecting vitamin E levels in the blood in Korean adults. Therefore, the purpose of this research was to examine blood tocopherol levels and the primary factors affecting the status. A complete lifestyle survey was performed on 314 Korean adult men and surveyed their smoking, drinking and exercising habits. The average plasma level of ${\alpha}-\;and\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed similar mutual relations with plasma total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), or low density lipoprotein cholesterol (LDL-C) levels (p<0.001). Plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level of the subjects did not show any difference as smoking, drinking and exercising habits changed. However, ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ per TG showed much lower figure in smokers than non smokers (p < 0.05). Amongst diet factors, plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level showed negative correlations with Vitamin E intake, while ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level showed positive correlations with Vitamin E intake. Erythrocyte superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and plasma tocopherol showed negative correlations, and catalase activity and plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ showed positive correlationship. The level of cell DNA damage of Iymphocyte and plasma ${\alpha}-\;or\;{\gamma}-tocopherol$ showed negative correlations. As a result of this research, the factors that affect Korean adult men's plasma ${\alpha}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and cell DNA damage in Iymphocyte, while the factors that affect ${\gamma}-tocopherol$ level are plasma TG, LDL-C and vitamin E intake based on multiple regression analysis. These findings implies that the level of different types of tocopherol depends on slightly different factors. A further research is needed on the factors involved in the differentiation of the types of tocopherol.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.4 no.1
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• pp.11-19
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• 1999

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effect of a nutrition education program on 42 obese young adolescent girls. Nutrition education was performed for six months including both group and individual programs, and was focused on improving their eating habits and food composition. The topics discussed once a week included : eating habits, lifestyle management, 5 basic food groups, snack and fast-food, how to eliminate empty calories, fat and hyperlipidemia, food diary, benefits and methods of exercise, vitamin and minerals, evaluation of fad diets, yo-yo effects and so on. The effects of the nutrition education program were evaluated for nutrition education and exercise regimen group (NE＋E), nutrition education only group(NE), and control group(C). NE＋E group had additional exercise programs 3times each week, while NE group was educated about exercise only by a nutrition education program. In both NE＋E and NE groups, there was a significant decrease in bodyfat compared to C group, but NE＋E group had a greater change than NE group(5.5% vs 3.1%). In addition, serum triglycerides decreased about 40mg/dl and total cholesterol 20mg/dl in both NE＋E and NE groups. But HDL-C level was increased only in NE＋E group. The greater changes in body fat and blood lipid levels occurred between the pre- and mid terms fo the education regimen. They kept their changed measurement throughout the 6 months follow-up studies. The results of this study show that this nutrition education program is helpful for obese adolescent girls in decreasing body fat and serum lipid levels. Also, the combination of an exercise regimen with the nutrition education proved to be more effective.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.2
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• pp.154-163
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• 2023

Objectives: Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) or lupus patients usually experience various physical and psychological challenges. Since the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, these challenges have become even harsher. Using the participatory action research approach, this study evaluated how an e-wellness program (eWP) impacted SLE-related knowledge and health behaviors, mental health, and quality of life among lupus patients in Thailand. Methods: A 1-group, pretest-posttest design study was conducted among a purposive sample of lupus patients who were members of Thai SLE Foundation. The 2 main intervention components were: (1) online social support, and (2) lifestyle and stress management workshops. Sixty-eight participants completed all the study requirements, including the Physical and Psychosocial Health Assessment questionnaire. Results: After being in the eWP for 3 months, participants' mean score for SLE-related knowledge increased significantly (t=5.3, p<0.001). The increase in sleep hours was statistically significant (Z=-3.1, p<0.01), with the percentage of participants who slept less than 7 hours decreasing from 52.9% to 29.0%. The percentage of participants reporting sun exposure decreased from 17.7% to 8.8%. The participants also reported significantly lower stress (t(66)=-4.4, p<0.001) and anxiety (t(67)=-2.9, p=0.005). The post-eWP quality of life scores for the pain, planning, intimate relationship, burden to others, emotional health, and fatigue domains also improved significantly (p<0.05). Conclusions: The overall outcomes showed promising results of improved self-care knowledge, health behaviors, mental health status, and quality of life. It is recommended that the SLE Foundation continues to use the eWP model to help the lupus patient community.

• The Journal of Industrial Distribution & Business
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.29-38
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• 2020

Purpose: Understanding which product types of overseas travel (free independent travel vs. package travel) consumers will choose is one of the key issues of marketing and consumer behavior in travel agency management. Prior studies on overseas travel type preferences mainly focused on comparing regional differences (e.g., Asian vs. Westerner, or Korean vs. Australian, or Korean vs. Japanese, or American, French, Italian vs. Japanese) influencing the choice of overseas travel type. Another researchers focused on comparing cultural differences (e.g., individualism vs. collectivism, or individualistic culture vs. collectivistic culture), subcultural difference (e.g., acculturation; Koreans living in Republic of Korea vs. Koreans living in Australia), travel lifestyle, and socio-demographics (e.g., age, gender, income level, education level, marital status, occupation etc.). However, there are few studies that identify individual psychological differences (i.e., individual psychological differences within the same culture) influencing the choice of overseas travel type. Self-construal is a psychological factors that greatly influences choice behavior. The purpose of this study was to examine the role of self-construal as an antecedent variable influencing choice of overseas travel product type. Research design, data and methodology: To achieve the purpose of this study, the questionnaire survey method was used. Self-construal items composed of independent self-construal items and interdependent self-construal items. Product types of overseas travel were free independent travel (FIT) type versus package travel type. In this study, the correlation coefficient between independent self-construal and interdependent self-construal was nonsignificant. It meant that the relationship between independent self-construal and interdependent self-construal was orthogonal. Therefore it was analyzed that independent self-construal and interdependent self-construal separately. Reliability analysis, factor analysis, and logistic regression analysis (controlling gender and age) was used as the data analysis method. Results: According to the results of this study, the stronger independent self-construal, the more preference for the free independent travel type rather than package travel, and the stronger interdependent self-construal, the more preference for the package travel type rather than free independent travel. Conclusions: Self-construal is an antecedent variable influencing the choice of travel type. Travel agencies must consider the consumer's self-construal (independent self-construal vs. interdependent self-construal) before planning and designing overseas travel products.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.5 no.4
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• pp.357-364
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• 2011

Selenium is an antioxidant trace element linked to cardiovascular disease and cancer. Although diet is a major source, relatively little else is known about independent determinants of selenium levels in free-living humans. In this study, we aimed to investigate the independent demographic. lifestyle, and dietary determinants of selenium levels in 1,997 men and 1,905 women in two large prospective U.S. cohorts. Toenail selenium levels were quantified using neutron activation analysis. Diet, geographic residence, demographic, and environmental factors were assessed by validated self-administered questionnaires. Multivariate generalized linear models were conducted to assess the independent relations of these factors with toenail selenium levels, correcting for measurement error in the diet. In multi variable-adjusted analyses, independent predictors of higher selenium were male gender (6.3% higher levels); living in West and Northern-Midwest U.S. regions (8.9% and 7.4% higher than Southern-Midwest regions, respectively); consumption of beef and bread products (between 0.7 - 2.5% higher per daily serving); and selenium supplement use (6.9% higher than non-users); whereas cigarette smoking (5-10% lower than never smokers), older age (0.6% lower per 5 years), and consumption of eggs, white rice, dairy products, coffee, and alcohol (between 0.1 to 2.0% lower per daily serving) were associated with lower selenium. Multiple dietary and non-dietary factors independently predicted selenium levels, suggesting that both consumption and non-dietary processes (e.g.. related to oxidant status) may affect levels. Significant geographic variation in selenium levels exists in the US.

• Journal of Global Scholars of Marketing Science
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.123-140
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• 2005

Recently, one of the issues that are significantly considered is to keep Changwon F3 car racing. In most existing studies, however, there is shortage of opinions for understanding the reactions of the host community. The question addressed in this paper is what are the underlying factors that affect which inhibitors are likely to be discussed by the host community for car racing. Survey collected from 299 participants in Changwon city were analyzed to test their reactions. Through the empirical study, several research findings emerged. The results indicate that (1) the event seeker, the drive seeker, and the hard internal seeker were significant discriminant factors to separate inhibitors from the host community, (2) the significant differences between the recognition of demographic characteristics and that of negative effects, (3) the significant level between cluster groups(overcontrolled, resilient, undercontrolled) and negative effects is found. The findings also provide implications for practice on several fronts, which is to understand the reaction of the host community to F3 car racing, and for the event planner to reduce complaints.

• Science of Emotion and Sensibility
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.419-426
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• 2008

In order to develop "textile electrode - sensing clothing" which is a sort of smart clothing to measure electric activities of heart, we propose possible ways to develop textile electrode and design of sensing clothing, ultimately aiming to develop "ECG sensing clothing for lifestyle monitoring". Conventional sensors for measuring typical electric activities of heart keep certain distance between measuring electrodes to measure signals for electric activities of heart, but these sensors often cause inappropriate factors (e.g. motional artifacts, inconvenience of use, etc) for monitoring natural cardiac activities in our daily life. In addition, most of textile electrodes have made it difficult to collect data due to high impedance and unstable contact between skin and electrodes. To overcome these questions, we minimized distance between electrodes and skin to maximize convenience of use. And in order to complement contact between skin electrodes, we modified textile electrode's form and developed ways to design clothing. As a result, we could find out clinical significance by investigating possible associations of clinical electrocardiogram (ECG) with variation of distance between electrodes, and could also demonstrate clinically significant associations between textile electrode developed herein and clothing.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.125-132
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• 2005

According to Sa-Sang constitution, people can be classified into 4 types, Tae-Yang-In, Tae-Eum-In, So-Yang-In, and So-Eum-In. 1he purpose of this study was to examine any significance between types of Sa-Sang constitution and dietary factors. Physical and constitutional examinations as well as a questionnaire survey were conducted on a group of 483 college students. Among the group of 483 college students, only 428 subjects were determined to have identical constitution through both the questionnaire survey and Korean traditional medical doctors' inquiries. Of 428 subjects, $29.7\%$ were determined to be Tae-Eum-Ins; $35.5\%$ were identified as So-Yang-Ins; $34.8\%$ were classified as So-Eum-Ins. Tae-Eum-Ins showed a statistically significant difference in BMI and higher smoking rate in comparison with groups of So-Yang-Ins and So-Eum-Ins. So-Eum-Ins had a tendency to take vegetables and fruits more often but they had lower preferences for balanced diets. Tae-Eum-Ins showed higher propensity to eat a visible fat protein. In terms of degrees of doneness of meat, So-Yang-Ins showed a higher tendency to prefer well-broiled meat Tae-Eum-Ins also tended to have significantly higher iron, potassium, sodium, vitamin $B_1$, niacin, $\beta$-carotene and vitamin E in their diet So-Eum-Ins had significantly lower intakes of protein, phosphorous, and folate. Considering the fact that most chronic degenerative diseases could be developed by any lifestyle factors, it is necessary to conduct educational programs about lifestyles including dietary habits for maintaining good health; On the basis of the results of this study, it is expected that the scientific, objective and accurate diet information depending upon individual's type of constitution will be provided.

• Journal of Families and Better Life
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• v.22 no.6 s.72
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• pp.111-119
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• 2004

A rapid increase of the elderly population and changes in the social structure, family type and lifestyle bring us to the moment for considering the various aspects of supporting the elderly including the elderly housing facilities. Traditionally it is considered as a merit for a son to support parents in his own house. Hut recently the elderly increasingly want to live independently without support from their children. To satisfy these needs, new housing facilities for the elderly were developed by private non-profit foundations. A number of outstanding housing facilities for the elderly have been built in the last five years. These facilities show significant progress in housing for the elderly. Unfortunately, there u e no standard design checklists or guidelines for housing for the elderly available in Korea. The housing facilities were built based on foreign design guidelines or architect's experience. This research aims to develop an affordable design checklist that can meet the needs of the Korean elderly lifestyle. This study evaluated the senior residential facilities using Woo's checklist which consolidated the guidelines available here and abroad. As the result of this study, we presented the checklist subject in upper group $25\%, middle group, lower group $25\% distribution and 6, 5, 4, categories in order to importance. When designing the future senior residential facilities, a constraint can be made based on the scope and financial factors of the facility first and the determine how extensive the application of the checklist should be.