• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.24 no.5
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• pp.103-118
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• 2007

Housewives' perception on obesity related variables to their family members according to the composition of children in the family was explored. Ninety housewives responded to a questionnaire consisted of sociodemographic informations, body weight perception, eating behaviors perception, and physical activity level for herself as well as her family. They were categorized into three groups based on child composition of the family; boys only (BO), girls only (GO), and boys and girls (BG) families. Boys in BO showed higher value of height, weight, and WHR than girls in GO (p <.05), while no differences were noticed in BMI and the waist girth between the groups. Mothers of BO perceived boys were active while mother of GO did girls were inactive (p <.05). Girls in GO ate meals less regularly than boys in BO and girls in BG. In general, housewives' perception on body weight of family members was relied on BMI and waist girth. As mother's BMI increased, the boy's BMI in BO was also elevated (p <.05), but not in others. Mothers' perception on caloric intake and activity encouragement were not accounted for morphological characteristics. Results suggest that housewives perceived obesity related variables differently based on the composition of children of the family.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.95-106
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• 2001

Since many adolescents start and continue Smoking to cope with stress from school and home environments, peer pressure, and to compensate for lowered self-esteem The smoking prevention program should consist of the knowledge, attitudes, and behaviors regarding smoking and how to cope with these stresses. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of a smoking prevention program on smoking related knowledge, attitudes, and self-esteem and stress in first year middle school students. The study was performed on a non-equivalent control group pretest-posttest. 151 subjects(76 experimental group, 75 control group) were selected by a convenience sampling method. The study was carried out in two middle schools in Kwang-ju city, Korea, from the 1st of May to the 23rd of June, 2000. The experimental group attended the smoking prevention program which was held for 45 minutes a week for 4 weeks. The questionnaire was administered to measure the degree of knowledge, attitudes, self-esteem and stress of the subjects. The SAS-PC program was used to analyze the data along with peroentages, $x^2$-test. t-test, and paired t-test. The results of this study were as follows: 1. The first hypothesis, 'The experimental group who receives a smoking prevention program would have higher scores of smoking related knowledge than the control group', was supported(t=3.68, p=0.0003). 2. The second hypothesis, 'The experimental group who receives a Smoking prevention program would have more positive attitudes regarding smoking than the control group', was supported(t=3.42, p=0.0008). 3. The third hypothesis, 'The experimental group who receives a smoking prevention program would have higher scores of self-esteem than the control group', was supported(t=2.24, p=0.0270). 4. The forth hypothesis, "The experimental group who receives a smoking prevention program would have lower scores of stress than the control group', was supported(t=-2.07, p=0.0407). The smoking prevention program in this study was effective in increasing the knowledge regarding smoking, enhancing more positive attitudes regarding smoking, and also increasing the scores of self-esteem and lowering the scores of stress. The results of this study will be applicable in smoking prevention education for early adolescents in middle schools.

• Korean Journal of Psychosomatic Medicine
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.40-47
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• 2010

Objectives：Body image is closely related to self-esteem and weight-control related behaviors. In particular, relationship between two factors would be stronger in female adolescents. False recognition on body image and weight can be a risk factor of eating disorder, depression, and suicidal ideation. This study aimed to examine the effects of body image and eating disorders on developing depressive symptoms and suicidal ideation in female adolescents. Methods：Two hundred thirty nine students of a Girls' Commercial High School in Seoul were recruited. Eating Attitude Test for Korean Adolescents, Self-Esteem Scales, Impulsiveness Scale, Beck's Depression Inventory and Beck's Suicidal Ideation Scale were used to measure eating attitude and severity of psychiatric symptoms. Results：Among 239 subjects, the estimated risk group of eating disorders was 10%(n=24). They experienced more depressive symptoms than the control group. The bigger discrepancy in current and ideal body mass index was significantly related with higher depressive mood, suicidal idea, abnormal eating habits and lower self-esteem. Discrepancy between current and idea BMI was the most meaningful predictive factor about depression and suicidal thoughts by linear regression analysis. Conclusion：In spite of normal weight range of enrolled subjects, they experienced significant depressive mood, suicide thoughts and lower self-esteem associated with the discrepancy of their own subjective body image and current body mass index. Hence educational approach regarding normal body image and healthy weight control is needed for their mental health and preventing eating disorder.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.20
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• pp.8657-8660
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• 2014

Background: Yanting is one of high risk areas for esophageal cancer and the screening program was therefore initiated there. This study was aimed to investigate the dietary behaviors on the risk of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma (ESCC), among the individuals with normal and abnormal esophagus mucosa. Materials and Methods: A frequency matched case-controls study was proposed to estimate the different distribution of dietary behavior between individuals of control, esophagitis and cancer groups. Cancer cases were selected from hospitals. Esophagitis cases and controls were selected from screening population for ESCC. Health workers collected data for 1 year prior to interview, in terms of length of finishing a meal, temperature of eaten food and interval between water boiling and drinking. Chi-square, Kruskal-Wallis tests and unconditional logistic regression model were used to estimate differences and associations between groups. Results: Compared with controls, length of finishing a meal ${\geq}15mins$ was related to a reduced OR for cancer (OR=0.46, 95%CI, 0.22-0.97) and even compared with cases of esophagitis, the OR of cancer was reduced to 0.30 (95%CI, 0.13-0.72). The OR for often eating food at a high temperature was 2.48 (95%CI 1.06, 5.82) for ESCC as compared with controls. Interval between water boiling and drinking of ${\geq}10mins$ was associated with lower risk of cancer: the OR was 0.18 compared with controls and 0.49 with esophagitis cases (p<0.05). Conclusions: Length of eating food ${\geq}15mins$ and interval between water boiling and drinking ${\geq}10mins$ are potentially related to reduced risk of esophageal SCC, compared with individuals with normal and abnormal esophageal mucosa. Recommendations to Yanting residents to change their dietary behaviors should be made in order to reduce cancer risk.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.705-712
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• 2013

Epidemiologic research has suggested that frequent eating out may be associated with poor dietary habits, including high-calorie and inadequate nutrient intakes. Limited studies, however, have evaluated dietary behaviors with patterns of eating out in South Korea. The aims of this study were to examine the associations between nutrient intakes, adherence to dietary guidelines, and frequencies of eating out among Korean adults. Data were analyzed from adult (30 to 64 years old) participants of the 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=10,223). Nutrient intake levels were assessed by the 24-hour recall method. The dietary score (DS-ADGK) was calculated based on the adherence to dietary guidelines for Koreans. Subjects who frequently consumed meals outside the home tended to be younger, male, urban-dwelling, highly educated, and receiving a higher income. The frequency of eating out was positively associated with the higher intake of most nutrients, except carbohydrates and crude fiber. Regular breakfast habits seem to be associated with the frequency of meals outside the home for women; younger women who frequently eat out tended to have irregular breakfast eating habits, but this association is attenuated with increasing age. The mean DS-ADGK differed by sex, age, and the frequency of eating out; older participants scored higher than the younger ones, women had higher scores than men, and those who frequently eat out had lower scores than their counterparts. In addition, the adherence score for each component of the dietary guidelines was also significantly different by age and sex. The consideration of demographic characteristics related to frequent eating out and other barriers to healthful eating, as well as essential and practical interventions, are needed to promote positive dietary behavioral changes in Korea.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.247-256
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Easy access to intervention and support for certain behaviors is important for obesity prevention and management. The available technology such as smartphone applications can be used for intervention regarding healthy food choices for obesity prevention and management in elementary-school students. The transtheoretical model (TTM) is comprised of stages and processes of change and can be adopted to tailored education for behavioral change. This study aims to develop TTM-based nutrition contents for mobile applications intended to change eating behaviors related to weight gain in young children. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A synthesized algorithm for tailored nutrition messages was developed according to the intake status of six food groups (vegetables, fruits, sugar-sweetened beverages, fast food and instant food, snacks, and late-night snacks), decision to make dietary behavioral changes, and self-confidence in dietary behavioral changes. The messages in this study were developed from December 2014 to April 2015. After the validity evaluation of the contents through expert consultation, tailored nutrition information messages and educational contents were developed based on the TTM. RESULTS: Based on the TTM, stages of subjects are determined by their current intake status, decision to make dietary behavioral changes, and self-confidence in dietary behavioral changes. Three versions of tailored nutrition messages at each TTM stage were developed so as to not send the same messages for three weeks at most, and visual materials such as figures and tables were developed to provide additional nutritional information. Finally, 3,276 tailored nutrition messages and 60 nutrition contents for applications were developed. CONCLUSIONS: Smartphone applications may be an innovative medium to deliver interventions for eating behavior changes directly to individuals with favorable cost-effectiveness. In addition, using the TTM for tailored nutrition education for healthy eating is an effective approach.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.232-239
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Increased consumption of instant noodles has recently been reported to be positively associated with obesity and cardiometabolic syndrome in South Korea, which has the highest per capita instant noodle consumption worldwide. This study aimed to investigate the association between instant noodle consumption and cardiometabolic risk factors among college students in Seoul. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The study subjects consisted of 3,397 college students (1,782 male; 1,615 female) aged 18-29 years who participated in a health checkup. Information on instant noodle consumption was obtained from the participants' answers to a question about their average frequency of instant noodle intake over the 1 year period prior to the survey. RESULTS: Statistical analysis using a general linear model that adjusted for age, body mass index, gender, family income, health-related behaviors, and other dietary factors important for cardiometabolic risk, showed a positive association between the frequency of instant noodle consumption and plasma triglyceride levels, diastolic blood pressure, and fasting blood glucose levels in all subjects. Compared to the group with the lowest frequency of instant noodle intake (${\leq}1/month$), the odds ratio for hypertriglyceridemia in the group with an intake of ${\geq}3/week$ was 2.639 [95% confidence interval (CI), 1.393-5.000] for all subjects, while it was 2.149 (95% CI, 1.045-4.419) and 5.992 (95% CI, 1.859-21.824) for male and female students, respectively. In female students, diastolic blood pressure was also higher among more frequent consumers of instant noodles. CONCLUSIONS: Our results suggest that frequent consumption of instant noodles may be associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors among apparently healthy college students aged 18-29 years.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.8
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• pp.3809-3816
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• 2016

Background: Increasing knowledge and awareness of cancer screening significantly influence health promotion behavior which could markedly reduce incidence rates. In many countries, health care providers are the principal source of information concerning cancer screening. This study was carried out to assess the level of knowledge concerning cancer screening among medical students, house officers and residents and to explore their attitude towards cancer screening practices. Materials and Methods: This cross-sectional study was conducted in Kasr Al Ainy Medical School at Cairo University in Egypt, with 300 undergraduate medical students and 150 postgraduates (interns and residents) enrolled. A pre-tested self-administered questionnaire was used to collect data from the study participants regarding personal and education-related information, knowledge about cancer screening and its sources, and attitude towards cancer screening. Results: More than 64% of participants had knowledge scores of ${\leq}10$ points (out of 24). The total knowledge score (out of 6 points) for breast cancer screening increased from $1.9{\pm}1.0$ to $2.3{\pm}1.2$ and $2.4{\pm}1.1$ for $4^{th}$, $5^{th}$ and $6^{th}$ year respectively, interns showed the highest score of $2.6{\pm}1.1$, P= 0.001. Year of enrollment at medical school was a significant positive predictor of acquiring knowledge about cancer screening (post graduate vs. undergraduate students) (OR= 1.30, C.I =1.01-1.63), lack of or none receiving of orientation/training about cancer screening was the sole negative significant predictor for proper knowledge about cancer screening (OR=0.50, C.I=0.31-0.82). Over 92% of students agreed that they had insufficient knowledge about cancer screening, 88.2% appraised the need to have enough knowledge in order to direct/advice patients, relatives and friends, and 93.7% required that the faculty should emphasize the importance of cancer screening in the delivered curricula at medical school. Conclusions: A relatively low to moderate level of knowledge about cancer screening was detected among the selected medical students regardless of their year of enrollment at medical school or their graduation status, which may implicate a negative impact on early cancer detection especially in a low resource country like Egypt.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7967-7973
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• 2015

Background: The abrupt rise of colorectal cancer in developing countries is raising concern in healthcare settings. Studies on assessing relationships with modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors in the Pakistani population have been limited. The present investigation was designed to examine associations of dietary practices, addictive behavior and bowel habits in developing colorectal cancer (CRC) among patients in a low-resource setup. Materials and Methods: An age-gender matched case control study was conducted from October 2011 to July 2015 in Karachi, Pakistan. Cases were from the surgical oncology department of a public sector tertiary care hospital, while their two pair-matched controls were recruited from the general population. A structured questionnaire was used which included questions related to demographic characteristics, family history, dietary patterns, addictive behavior and bowel habits. Results: A family history of cancer was associated with a 2.2 fold higher chance of developing CRC. Weight loss reduced the likelihood 7.6 times. Refraining from a high fat diet and consuming more vegetables showed protective effects for CRC. The risk of CRC was more than twice among smokers and those who consumed Asian specific addictive products as compared to those who avoid using these addictions (ORsmoking: 2.12, 95% CI: 1.08 - 4.17, ORpan: 2.92, 95% CI: 1.6 - 5.33, ORgutka: 2.13, 95% CI: 1.14 - 3.97). Use of NSAID attenuated risk of CRC up to 86% (OR: 0.14, 95% CI: 0.07 - 0.31). Conclusions: Most of the findings showed concordance with the literature elucidating protective effects of consuming vegetables and low fat diet while documenting adverse associations with family history, weight loss, constipation and hematochezia. Moreover, this study highlighted Asian specific indigenous addictive products as important factors. Further studies are needed to validate the findings produced by this research.

• Korea Journal of Hospital Management
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• v.25 no.3
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• pp.67-77
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• 2020

Background: As of 2016, average Koreans sleep 7 hours and 42 minutes, the lowest figure among Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development(OECD) countries, and the number of people with sleep disorders reached 561,000. Accordingly, the government has promoted the provision of 'Multiple Sleep Test' to strengthen the diagnosis service for patients with 'sleep disorder' in july 2018. As a result, healthcare costs for patients with sleep disorder is on the rise every year. In this study, we utilized 'Appropriate Sleep' criteria of United States's National Sleep Foundation(NSF) then investigated Korean's sleep pertinence using ｢7th National Health and Nutrition Survey for 2016-2018」 by different occupational type, demographic characteristics, socio-economic characteristics, and health behaviors. Methods: We performed descriptive analysis to examine differences of sleep appropriateness by various sample characteristics. Multivariate logistic regression models were used to examine sleep appropriateness by occupational type and other variables. We also analyzed subgroup models to investigate. Results: As a result, a total of 1,948 (18.37%) study subjects experienced in-appropriate sleep. Results of the Multivariate logistic regression analysis revealed that blue color group had a higher odds ratio (OR) for experiencing in-appropriate sleep (OR=1.179). In addition, the odds ratio of experienced in-appropriate sleep among the elderly aged 70 and over was 2.698, and the odds ratio of the overstressed group was 1.299. Furthermore, sub-group analysis showed that blue color job of female(Or=1.334), high school or below(OR=1.404), divorce/death/separation(OR=2.039), 25%ile-50%lie income group(OR=1.411) more likely experienced in-appropriate sleep. Conclusion: Growing sleep disorder patients and related health care costs are expected. Government should apply detailed 'total periodic sleep disorder management policy' including pre-consultation, examination, diagnosis, treatment, post-consultation, self-management especially to vulnerable population that this study found.