• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.57-66
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• 2016

Objectives: This study investigated the relationship between smoking status and depressive symptoms among Korean adults. Methods: We used the data of 17,871 adults aged 19 years or older from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey(2010-2012). The subjects were classified as nonsmokers, former smokers, and current smokers by gender. Logistic regression analysis was used to calculate the odds ratios(ORs) and the 95% confidence intervals(CIs) for the effects of smoking status on depressive symptoms, and depression diagnosed by a doctor. Results: Compared to nonsmokers, the ORs of depressive symptoms for current smokers were 1.11(95% CI, 1.11-1.12) among males, and 1.64(95% CI, 1.63-1.64) among females. Compared to former smokers, the ORs of depressive symptoms for current smokers were 1.05(95% CI, 1.05-1.05) among males, and 1.89(95% CI 1.88-1.90) among females. Compared to nonsmokers, the ORs of depression for current smokers were 0.94(95% CI, 0.94-0.95) among males, and 1.40(95% CI, 1.39-1.41) among females. Compared to former smokers, the ORs of depression for current smokers were 1.09(95% CI, 1.09-1.10) among males, and 0.99(95% CI, 0.99-1.00) among females. Conclusions: Smoking is associated with depressive symptoms among Korean adults. Therefore, it is necessary to consider depressive symptoms with the management of tobacco control policies.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.6
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• pp.1109-1119
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study is to evaluate the relationship between socioeconomic characteristics and prevalence of periodontal disease in a representative sample of Korean adults older than age 20. Methods: Data of 3,837 adults were collected by the six Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted in 2015. Socioeconomic, demographic, and oral health-related behavior data were collected as independent variables. We determined frequencies, percentage, and determining statistical significance using multiple regression analysis. Results: Prevalence of periodontal diseases showed statistically significant difference in accordance with sex, age, socioeconomic and demographical characteristics and oral health-related behavior. It was confirmed that the prevalence of periodontal diseases was increased in the lower educational level and income (OR, 1.478 and 1.520) after adjusting for conditions such as age, sex, recent dental check-ups, visiting dental clinic, tooth brushing frequency, use of self-care devices. Conclusions: The prevalence of periodontal disease was related with socioeconomic factors in Korean adults. Therefore, differentiated oral health service policies and dental health education among adults with lower education and income is required in order to reduce the prevalence of periodontal disease.

• Preventive Nutrition and Food Science
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.179-186
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• 2005

This study was conducted to find the gender and age differences in dietary behaviors and food consumption pattern of Korean American adults living in western parts of USA. The structured survey forms and self-administered food frequency questionnaire were used to assess dietary behavior and nutrient intakes. It was found that younger subjects kept their meal time more irregularly and skipped breakfast more often than older subjects due to lack of time. There were significant age differences in skipping meals, kind of skipping meals, and the reasons for skipping meals. Young subjects consumed more American type food while older subjects consumed more traditional Korean food. Nutrient intakes of males' except for the elderly were significantly higher in energy, protein, Fe and P than those of females'. Vitamin A and vitamin C intake were significantly higher in females. Energy ratio of carbohydrate: protein: fat was 56.2 : 16.8 : 27.0. Females consumed more plant food as their dietary sources of protein, fat, Ca and Fe, compared to males. Ca intakes of participants' were below $75\%$ of RDA except for the youngest male and $30\~49$ aged male and females. Futhermore, Ca intake was below $70\%$ after age 50 in both genders. Effective nutrition education program targeting Korean Americans in the community should be developed and implemented to increase Ca consumption.

• Proceedings of the National Institute of Ecology of the Republic of Korea
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.26-31
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• 2021

Reproduction and molt are costly processes in avian life histories. These two fitness-related traits are expected to be under one of physiological trade-offs. Age-related molt is known to be higher in young birds than that in adults presumably due to the cost of reproduction in adults. The present study partially replicated a previous study using a non-invasive method of seasonal wing feather loss instead of capture-inspection for molting progress in oriental storks (Ciconia boyciana). We first examined characteristics of the known six wing feather types (i.e., primaries [P], primary coverts [PC], secondaries [S], secondary coverts [SC], and tertials [T]) from two specimens with four wings. Results were utilized as references for further investigation. We then collected a total of 3,807 wing feathers shedded by 61 captive storks for one year and classified them into six wing feather types based on the reference with structures of vane (i.e., how asymmetrical) and calamus (i.e., how rigidly attached to skin) of wing feathers. Our results indicated that annual losses of all six-type wing feathers decreased with increasing ages, ranging from 29% to 58% for PC, alula, SC, P, S, and T in order. Our results were also comparable to those of a former study, suggesting that the pattern of age-specific molt might be associated with the cost of reproduction in adults. However, juveniles might shed more wing feathers with low quality formed during the previous development stage than older birds.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.261-268
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• 2023

Objectives: In this study, we aimed to examine the dysphagia knowledge, preventive attitudes toward dysphagia, and educational needs concerning geriatric oral health, of dental hygienists, and to provide fundamental information for recognizing the necessity of knowledge and education concerning geriatric oral health and for increasing educational needs. Methods: From April 1 to June 30, 2022, a questionnaire survey was administered to 198 dental hygienists via an online link. SPSS Statistics ver. 22.0 was used to conduct the frequency analysis, t-test, one-way ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression analysis. Results: Regarding the difference in knowledge of dysphagia depending on general characteristics, the study participants had more knowledge of dysphagia when they were more interested in dysphagia and had a higher geriatric treatment frequency. The preventive attitudes toward dysphagia were strong in those who graduated from graduate school or higher, had more prevention and education at work, became more interested in dysphagia, received more education about dysphagia, had intention to receive additional education on dysphagia, and had a higher geriatric treatment frequency. Positive correlations were observed between knowledge of dysphagia, preventive attitudes toward dysphagia, and educational needs related to geriatric oral health. The educational needs related to geriatric oral health were found to be, significantly and positively influenced by preventive attitudes toward dysphagia, having master's degree or higher, knowledge of dysphagia, and intention to receive additional education on dysphagia. Conclusions: It is necessary to improve the quality of oral health services offered to older patients by having accurate knowledge of dysphagia implementing appropriate prevention practices for dysphagia, and understanding the educational content needed by the oral hygienists and developing an effective education program to enhance their professionalism.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.236-248
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of human, social and cultural capital and ecological variables on volunteering among older adults. In this study, three variables of education, income and physical health were examined as human capital factors, two variables of formal and informal interaction as social capital factors, three variables of religion, cultural organization participation and quality of life as cultural capital factors, and three variables of existence of spouse, housing tenure and residence area as ecological factors. In addition, two variables of volunteering participation and continuous volunteering participation intention were considered as dependent variables. For this study, "Senior Job Replacement Project Participants" data collected by the Korea Labor Force Development Institute for the Aged were used and analyzed employing logistic regression analysis technique. This study found that three human capital variables(education, income, physical health) had positive effects on volunteering participation and continuous participation intention among older adults; of the two social capital variables, informal interaction had a positive effect on both volunteering participation and continuous participation intention, whereas formal interaction had a positive effect only on continuous participation intention; three cultural capital variables(religion, cultural organization participation, quality of life) had positive effects on both volunteering participation and continuous participation intention; and of three ecological variables, housing tenure and residence area had positive effects on volunteering participation and continuous participation intention, whereas existence of spouse had no significant effects on dependent variables.

• Journal of dental hygiene science
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• v.24 no.2
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• pp.115-123
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• 2024

Background: The population of Gangneung City in South Korea has shown a gradual increase in the proportion of individuals aged 65 years and older, and the most frequently reported diseases for several years have consistently been periodontal diseases, including gingivitis and periodontitis. The regional imbalance in the distribution of dental personnel and resources has emerged as a problem of inequality in the use of dental care. It has been advocated to identify areas with disadvantages in dental care and develop public dental policies based on that. This study aimed to develop a customized oral healthcare program for local seniors based on a Public-Private-Academic Partnership, and to evaluate the oral health status of older adults in Gangneung City. Methods: The participants were residents aged 60 years and above in Gangneung City. A questionnaire including general information, systemic health status, and oral health status was administered to the participants. In addition, oral healthcare and education tailored to each individual's health status were provided once or twice based on their oral health status. The collected data were analyzed using IBM SPSS Statistics 25 for descriptive statistical analysis. Results: Among the older adults in Gangneung City, 75% had at least one prosthesis and exhibited symptoms of gingivitis or periodontitis. Additionally, the modified sulcus bleeding index decreased among participants who underwent the program twice. Over 90% of the participants expressed satisfaction with the program. Conclusion: The program appeared to contribute positively to the oral health promotion among local seniors. Further oral healthcare programs should focus on seniors in rural and old urban areas to reduce disparities in oral health across regions.

• Therapeutic Science for Rehabilitation
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.43-53
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• 2019

Objective : This study aimed to identify the characteristics of hand function according to age and sex in older adults. Methods : This study included 103 healthy adults aged ${\geq}60$ years. The Korean version of TEMPA was used to assess hand function and a Jamar dynamometer and pinch gauge were used to assess hand and pinch strength in all participants. Results : The results of hand function assessment showed that speed of task execution (mean = 121.32 s, SD = 18.07 s in subjects aged 60-69; mean = 144.97 s, SD = 28.43 s in subjects aged 70-79; and mean = 160.93 s, SD = 38.33 s in subjects aged ${\geq}80$, p < .001) and fine movement (mean score = -.14, SD = .40 in subjects aged 60-69; mean score = -.63, SD = 1.07 in subjects aged 70-79; and mean score = -.57, SD = .65 in subjects aged ${\geq}80$, p = .01) decreased significantly with age. The male group showed better speed of task execution (mean = 133.54, SD = 22.83 in males vs. mean = 150.55, SD = 39.89 in females, p < .01) and fine movement (mean score = -.16, SD = .37 in males vs. mean score = -.46, SD = .58 in females, p < .01) than the female group. Hand strength also decreased significantly with age (p < .05, to p < .001). Conclusion : Occupational therapists should be aware of the decline in hand function (especially speed of task execution and fine movement) and strength in older adults, as well as the need to provide interventions to treat this decline.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.32 no.2
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• pp.27-37
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• 2015

Objectives: As the increasing of the length of the lifespan, more recent policy interest are concerned with how many years of life are lived without functional disability or activity limitation. We investigated the relationship between deprivation and activity limitation at the 251 local authority level. Methods: The data were derived from the 2010 Census 10% sample data. Crude and age-standardized activity limitation rates by gender at the ages of 50 or over and deprivation index were calculated. Mapping and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to explore relationship between area activity limitation and area deprivation. Results: There were considerable differences in activity limitation rate across the 251 local authorities. Age-standardized activity limitation rate in both male and female were strongly associated with the level of area deprivation. Especially, low social class, male unemployment, or non-apartment residents at the local level were strong positive association with local authorities' age-standardized activity limitation. Conclusion: More policy attention is needed for tackling regional inequality in activity limitation among older adults.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.235-245
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• 2017

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate how wisdom tooth extraction is perceived, and to correct erroneous perceptions thereby establishing proper awareness. Methods: We conducted a survey on how wisdom tooth extraction was perceived among adults in 20 households in Seoul and Gyeonggi province starting in December, 2016. Results: A review of the factors influencing the perception of wisdom tooth extraction showed that the regression model was statistically significant and the model had an explanatory power of 8.3%. It was also found that those in their 20s or younger had saw a lower level of perceived oral health, and a higher level in perception in wisdom tooth extraction. Moreover, students, housewives, and professions showed a lower perception of wisdom tooth extraction. Conclusions: It is necessary to have an education program for adults aged 60 or older who have few opportunities for oral health education.