• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.10 no.4
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• pp.418-423
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• 2016

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Spirulina, a blue-green alga, is widely produced and commercialized as a dietary supplement with bio- and immune-modulatory functions. We have previously shown that spirulina had favorable effects on lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity in healthy Korean elderly. Despite favorable effect of spirulina supplementation, some sub-populations have shown a poor response to supplementation. Obesity is a factor related to poor-response. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to determine the immuno-modulation, antioxidant capacity, and lipid-lowering effect of spirulina in obese and non-obese Korean elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The subjects were 78 elderly aged 60-87 years. In a randomized double blind, placebo-controlled study, subjects were fed either placebo or spirulina daily, at 8 g for 12 weeks. Subjects were divided into the non-obese group and the obese group based on body mass index (BMI) criteria for Asians suggested by the International Obesity Task Force: $BMI<25kg/m^2$ (non-obese) and $BMI{\geq}25kg/m^2$ (obese). RESULTS: In the non-obese group, spirulina supplementation showed a significant lowering effect on plasma concentration of total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol, a significant increase in interleukin (IL)-2 concentration (P < 0.01) and a significant increment (P < 0.05) in IL-2/IL-6 ratio, and a significant increase in total antioxidant status level and a significant decrease in thiobarbituric acid reactive substances level. However, these effects were not observed in the obese group. CONCLUSION: These results demonstrated that blood lipid lowering and immune and antioxidant improving response for spirulina supplement was affected by obesity in Korean elderly.

• Genomics & Informatics
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.28-37
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• 2017

Obesity is a highly prevalent, chronic disorder that has been increasing in incidence in young patients. Both epigenetic and genetic aberrations may play a role in the pathogenesis of obesity. Therefore, in-depth epigenomic and genomic analyses will advance our understanding of the detailed molecular mechanisms underlying obesity and aid in the selection of potential biomarkers for obesity in youth. Here, we performed microarray-based DNA methylation and gene expression profiling of peripheral white blood cells obtained from six young, obese individuals and six healthy controls. We observed that the hierarchical clustering of DNA methylation, but not gene expression, clearly segregates the obese individuals from the controls, suggesting that the metabolic disturbance that occurs as a result of obesity at a young age may affect the DNA methylation of peripheral blood cells without accompanying transcriptional changes. To examine the genome-wide differences in the DNA methylation profiles of young obese and control individuals, we identified differentially methylated CpG sites and investigated their genomic and epigenomic contexts. The aberrant DNA methylation patterns in obese individuals can be summarized as relative gains and losses of DNA methylation in gene promoters and gene bodies, respectively. We also observed that the CpG islands of obese individuals are more susceptible to DNA methylation compared to controls. Our pilot study suggests that the genome-wide aberrant DNA methylation patterns of obese individuals may advance not only our understanding of the epigenomic pathogenesis but also early screening of obesity in youth.

• Clinical Nutrition Research
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.218-228
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• 2023

Recent studies have evaluated the association between specific beverage intake and metabolic risks in adults. However, more evidence is needed to examine the association between the Healthy Beverage Index (HBI) and metabolic factors. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between HBI and metabolic factors in adults. In this cross-sectional study, 338 overweight and obese individuals living in Tabriz, Iran were selected. Data on beverage consumption, demographics, physical activity, and anthropometric characteristics were evaluated using validated standard protocols. The predefined HBI was calculated based on previous studies. The mean value of HBI index among all of the participants was 59.76 ± 6.51. Those at the higher HBI scores had significantly lower waist circumference, waist-to-hip ratio, fat mass, and weight (p < 0.05). HBI and triglyceride scores also had a significant relationship. It has been shown that at higher HBI scores compared to lower scores, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels increase while homeostatic model assessment for insulin resistance, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, total cholesterol, and blood pressure decrease. HBI scores higher among Iranian adults were associated with a better chance of losing weight and weight loss and a better lipid profile, and lower blood pressure. Therefore, HBI can be a useful and helpful tool for assessing the overall quality of beverages adults consume. However, further studies are warranted to confirm the possible health effects of healthy beverage index.

• Proceedings of the ESK Conference
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• 1997.10a
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• pp.72-96
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• 1997

To investigate the difference of sweating reaction on somato types. We measured total sweat rate, locl sweat rate, skin temperature, physiological reactions and psyschological reactions at $25{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ and $25{\pm}1^{\circ}C$ under laboratory conditions. Nine healthy adult females were divided into three somato types (slender(3), normal(3) and obese type(3)). The results were as follows; Total sweat rate was highest in obese type, and then comes normal type and slender type in order. Local sweat rate was highest in infrascapular area, and then breast, the back of the hand, upperarm, ant. leg, and ant. thigh in order in all somato types. Mean skin temperature was highest in slender type, and then normal type and obese type in order. Rectal temperature, blood pressure and pulse rate were highest in boese type. Psychological reactions were appeared 'hot' 'humid' 'sweat' as ambient temperature go up. And somato types make little difference in psychological reactions.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.45 no.6
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• pp.511-521
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• 2012

The purposes of this study were to assess the physical activity level (PAL) and the total daily energy expenditure (TEE) as well as to evaluate the validity of prediction equation for the estimated energy requirement (EER) in normal weight and overweight or obese children and adolescents. The subjects comprised of 100 healthy Korean students aged between 7-18. The anthropometric data was collected. PAL was calculated from the physical activity diary by the 24-hour recall method, and the resting metabolic rate (RMR) was measured by an open-circuit indirect calorimetry using a ventilated hood system. Daily energy expenditure was PAL multiplied by RMR. EER was calculated by using the prediction equation published in KDRIs. There was no significant difference in the means of age and height between the 46 obese subjects and 54 nonobese subjects. The weight and BMI of the obese group (60.2 kg, $25.3kg/m^2$) were significantly higher than those of the nonobese group (42.4 kg, $18.4kg/m^2$). However, PAL was not significantly different between the two groups (nonobese 1.45, obese 1.46). TEE of the obese group (2,212 kcal/day) was significantly higher than that of the nonobese group (1,774 kcal/day). EER (individual PA) and EER (light PA) were significantly higher than TEE (p < 0,001); however, EER (sedentary PA) was not significantly different with TEE in the two groups. These results showed that the levels of physical activity were the same as the sedentary activity both in the nonobese and obese Korean students; moreover, the predictive equation for EER published in KDRI overestimated the TEE of Korean children and adolescents. Therefore, in further research, a new predictive equation for EER should be developed for Korean children and adolescents through the doubly labeled water method.

• International Journal of Contents
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.49-58
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• 2017

This is a descriptive research study that classified Korean adults with obesity into those with Metabolically Healthy Obesity and those with Metabolically Unhealthy Obesity based on the data from the fifth and sixth South Korea's National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys, designed due to the development of information and communication technology, to examine the impacts of obese adults' health behavior factors and mental health factors on their metabolic state. With respect to data analysis, the collected data were analyzed by complex sample statistics. The results of this study can be summarized as follows: Men who were smoking at the time of the survey had a 1.29 times higher probability of inclusion in the MUO group than in the MHO group. Women who had a high stress cognition rate had a 1.02 times higher probability of inclusion in the MUO group than in the MHO group. This study is significant as it provides the basic data for establishing strategies of nursing intervention for the promotion of obese adults' health, and it suggests that it is necessary to develop a program for the promotion of obese adults' health based on these results.

• Korean Journal of Veterinary Research
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• v.56 no.4
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• pp.205-208
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• 2016

The aim of the present study is to investigate the potential influence of obesity as a factor in 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) concentration in myxomatous mitral valve disease (MMVD) dogs. Fifty-five client-owned dogs were enrolled in a randomized trial. Dogs were classified by echocardiography into healthy (control), mild, and moderate to severe MMVD groups. Each group was subclassified by using a 9-point body condition score (BCS); lean (BCS 5-6/9) and obese groups (BCS 7.5-9/9). Dogs with moderate to severe MMVD had lower serotonin (5-HT) concentrations than the control group (p = 0.03). Dogs with moderate to severe MMVD (p = 0.017) had lower serum 5-HT concentrations than the control group in the obese group (BCS 7.5-9/9). Significant difference was found between the lean and obese groups (p = 0.015) which are not consider severe in the MMVD group. These results suggested that 5-HT concentration was decreased with the increasing severity of MMVD, and obesity might be taken into consideration when interpreting the serotonin concentration in MMVD dogs.

• The Journal of Pediatrics of Korean Medicine
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.11-26
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• 2007

Objectives : The purpose of this study is to investigate the recent tendency of clinical researches of obese children for finding better oriental medicine treatments. Methods : This study was focused on diagnoses, treatments, prognoses and cures of obese children based on 37 of other papers which are J Korean Oriental Med, J Korean Oriental Pediatrics, J Korean Acd Fam Med, J Korean society for the study of obesity, Korea Sport Research, J Korean Academy of Pediatric Allergy and Respiratory Disease, J Korean Society for Health Education and Promotion, Korean J Pediatric, and Korean J Oriental Physiology and Pathology. Results : The rate of obese children has been increased continuously. There are several reasons for increased rate : For example, inadequate eating habit, lack of exercise, and genetic factors such as inherited diseases, and the disorder of the endocrine system. The obesity in childhood or adolescent can cause not only the physical problems but also the mental problems. It is necessary for children to diet, change life style, exercise continuously, and being active in order to prevent child obesity and keep healthy. Obesity can be treated through therapy diet, exercise, behavior modification, drug therapy and operation. Conclusion : It is important to recognize the children obesity, and make better treatments for that in the way of oriental cure. Moreover, additional reports should be keeping up based on continuing clinical researches.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.13-23
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• 2021

Purpose: This study aimed to develop a mobile-based self-management health alarm (MSHA) program for modifying obese children's lifestyle based on the information-motivation-behavioral skills (IMB) model and to test its feasibility. Methods: A methodological study for the development of the MSHA program and pilot study with a one-group pretest-posttest design for feasibility testing was conducted. The MSHA program was designed to provide obesity-related information (I), monitor daily diet and exercise, provide motivational text messages (M), and enhance healthy diet and exercise skills (B) via a mobile-based web platform. In the feasibility test, six obese children participated in the 4-week program, and the number of days per week that they achieved their goals and differences in metabolic components were assessed. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Results: Participants successfully achieved their diet and exercise goals≥5 days per week. Body mass index (z=-1.99, p=.046), waist circumference (z=-2.20, p=.028), and triglyceride levels (z=-2.21, p=.027) significantly decreased. Conclusion: The MSHA program showed positive effects on health behaviors and metabolic syndrome risk. The program may be effective in improving metabolic syndrome in obese children by promoting self-health management behaviors.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.683-694
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to determine the body weight control, food habits and nutrient intakes according to the obese index in male middle school students. This study was carried out through questionnaires and measurement by body fat analyzer (Inbody 4.0). The subjects were 275 male middle school students in Iksan. Chonbuk province. The average age, height, weight, and BMI of the subjects were 14.4 years old, 167.8 cm, 60.2 kg and $21.3kg/m^2$, respectively. Seventeen point one percent of the subjects were the underweight group, 47.6% were the normalweight group, and 35.3% were the overweight group by the classification of the Korean Pediatrics Society standard. Body fat of underweight, normalweight, and overweight were 16.1%, 19.0%, and 26.6%, respectively. Thirty one point nine percent of underweight, 39.7% of normalweight. and 31.9% of overweight had misperceptions of their weight (p<0.001). Sixty two point two percent of the males were dissatisfied with their body weight, and 55.3% of the whole tried to reduce their body weights. Even though they were normalweight, half of them dissatisfied with their weight. The source of weight control method was friends and family, TV radio, Internet, and school nutrition education, in order. The subjects exercised 3.4 days per week, 70.2 minutes per day, but it was not different significantly by the obese index. Forty percent of the subjects had meals fast, 58.5% of them have biased food habits even if they didn't differ by the obese index. Activity rate was different by the obese index significantly (p < 0.05), the number of severe activity was most in underweight. In conclusion, nutrition education programs should contain the necessity of normalweight, and regularity of lift habits and activities for energy expenditure in overweight students. It made them to recognize their weight correctly, establish healthy body images, and raise the ability to promote health and improve nutritional status.