• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.463-476
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• 2016

Objectives: Environmental, social and personal factors influence eating patterns. This study aimed to investigate the relationship between unhealthy food outlets within a residential area and obesity using nationally representative Korean survey data and data from the Census on Establishments. Methods: Data on the food intakes and socioeconomic variables of a total of 9,978 adults aged ${\geq}19$ years were obtained from the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Geographic locations of restaurants were obtained from the 2013 Census on Establishments in Korea. Administrative area was categorized into tertiles of count of unhealthy food outlets based on the distribution of number of unhealthy food outlets among all urban (Dong) and rural (Eup or Myun) administrative districts in Korea. Multilevel logistic regressions model were used to assess the association between the number of unhealthy food outlets and obesity. Results: People living in the district with the highest count of unhealthy food outlets had higher intakes of fat (45.8 vs. 44.4 g/day), sodium (4,142.6 vs. 3,949.8 mg/day), and vitamin A (753.7 vs. $631.6 {\mu}gRE/day$) compared to those living in the district with the lowest count of unhealthy food outlets. A higher count of unhealthy food outlets was positively associated with frequent consumption of instant noodles, pizza, hamburgers and sandwiches, sweets and sour pork or pork cutlets, fried chicken, snacks, and cookies. Higher exposure to unhealthy food outlets was associated with increased odds of obesity (1st vs. 3rd tertile; OR 1.689; 95% CI 1.098-2.599). Conclusions: A high count of unhealthy food outlets within a residential area is positively associated with the prevalence of obesity in Korea. The results suggest that food environmental factors affects the health outcomes and interventions aiming to restrict the availability of unhealthy food outlets in local neighborhoods may be a useful obesity prevention strategy.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.16 no.1
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• pp.36-49
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• 2016

Objectives: Two historical evidence supported the concept of Gamrosu. The first one was Jeho-tang, a selected thirst quencher in Chosun Dynasty and the second one was Saeng-Maek-san, Dongeuibogam's recommendation as one of the qi-vigorating summer beverages. Gamrosu is a modified fasting therapy beverage which is manufactured from those two prescriptions and the carbohydrates (420.6 kcal/d). A retrospective observational study was conducted to evaluate the clinical outcomes. Methods: Thirty-three cases were reviewed at three local Korean Medical clinics that each site's participant has finished the modified fasting for 10 consecutive days. Clinical outcomes were reviewed at pre- and post-fasting sessions by retrieving the changes of body composition, blood pressure, blood chemistries & urine tests, and subjective symptoms & fatigue scores. Results: Demographics of the observed participants were 17 of male and 16 of female. Post-Gamrosu session, -6.89% of body weight, -8.97% of body fat mass were reduced with the nutrition indices being improved (P<0.001). -8.72% of systolic blood pressure, -39.86% of serum triglyceride, -6.75% of fast blood sugar and -8.12% of waist circumference were improved (P<0.05). The levels of high sensitivity C-reactive protein (-58.34%), CRP (-43.55%) and eosinophil (-21.30%) showed the significant diminished profiles (P<0.05). Liver/kidney functions and the standard of electrolytes were maintained within normal range in stable manners. The fatigue scale scores indicated significant lower scores. Conclusions: Taken together, obesity-related clinical outcomes after a modified fasting therapy with Gamrosu were sufficiently feasible and the observed findings should be considered for further prospective clinical studies.

• The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology
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• v.22 no.1
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• pp.191-202
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• 2009

Purpose: This research is to investigate the needling Depth for Deqi based onone's age, weight, and the level of obesity and the different Deqi sensation in Chung-wan and Kwan-wan. Methods: We took a research on Deqi for the 123 patients who visited a local Korean Medicine clinic at random. The variants were the age, the weight, thetotal fat rate, the waist-hip rate, BMI, the weight size, and the Sasang constitution. Result: Older patients need more depth of Deqi in Chung-wan and Kwan-wan compared to the younger ones. The higher the level of obesity(weight, total body fat rate, the waist-hip rate, BMI) goes up, the more Deqi in Chung-wan and Kwan-wan goes deeply. As the level of obesity goes down in the order of Taeeum-in, Soyang-in, Soeum-in, the depth of Deqi also decreases in Chung-wan and Kwan-wan. Deqi in Chung-wan is the feeling of pressure around the acu-point, and Deqi in Kwan-wan is the feeling that it spreads out to the upper, lower, the right, and the left side of the acu-point. Conclusion: In case of Needling Depth for Deqi on Chung-wan and Kwan-wan, that increases or decreases as the age, the level of obesity(the physique), and the Sasang constitution changes.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.26 no.1
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• pp.12-23
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• 2016

Background: Many studies have explained regional disparities in health by socioeconomic status and healthcare resources, focusing on differences between urban and rural area. However some cities in Korea have the highest cardiovascular mortality, even though they have sufficient healthcare resources. So this study aims to confirm three hypotheses. (1) There are also regional health disparities between cities not only between urban and rural area. (2) It has different regional risk factors affecting cardiovascular mortality whether it is urban or rural area. (3) Besides socioeconomic and healthcare resources factors, there are remnant factors that affect regional cardiovascular mortality such as health behavior and physical environment. Methods: The subject of this study is 227 local authorities (si, gun, and gu). They were categorized into city (gu and si consisting of urban area) and non-city (gun consisting of rural area), and the city group was subdivided into 3 parts to reflect relative different city status: city 1 (Seoul, Gyeonggi cities), city 2 (Gwangyeoksi cities), and city 3 (other cities). We compared their mortalities among four groups by using analysis of variance analysis. And we explored what had contributed to it in whole authorities, city and non-city group by using multiple regression analysis. Results: Cardiovascular mortality is highest in city 2 group, lowest in city 1 group and middle in non-city group. Socioeconomic status and current smoking significantly increase mortality regardless of group. Other than those things, in city, there are some factors associated with cardiovascular mortality: walking practice(-), weight control attempt(-), deficiency of sports facilities(+), and high rate of factory lot(+). In non-city, there are other factors different from those of city: obesity prevalence(+), self-perceiving obesity(-), number of public health institutions(-), and road ratio(-). Conclusion: To reduce cardiovascular mortality and it's regional disparities, we need to consider differentiated approach, respecting regional character and different risk factors. Also, it is crucial to strengthen local government's capacity for practicing community health policy.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.171-182
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• 2009

This study was performed to investigate socioeconomic factors relating to obesity and inadequate nutrient intake in women in low income families residing in Seoul. The subjects were 125 women (aged 41-87 y) recruited from the local health center for free health examination for low income families. The socioeconomic status such as educational level, income level, and housing condition were poor. For subjects aged less than 65 years, the prevalence of obesity was 44% based on BMI (${\geq}\;25\;kg/m^2$), 48% based on WHR (${\geq}\;0.85$), and 50% based on waist circumference (${\geq}\;80\;cm$) and for those more than 65 years, these were greater and 57%, 81%, and 79%, respectively. The main food sources of daily diet were vegetables, grains, and fruits. Energy and other nutrient intake was not adequate for all subjects and the inadequacy was more profound in the elderly, showing percentages of subjects whose intake was less than EAR were greater than 50% for all nutrients except for iron and below RI were also greater than 50% for all nutrients. The prevalence of obesity and nutrient inadequacy were not associated with socioeconomic status in subjects aged less than 65 years, however, obesity was associated with household income and nutrient inadequacy was related to education (vitamin A) and housing status (protein, phosphate, and iron) in the elderly. After adjustment for ages, in the elderly, OR for obesity (BMI ${\geq}$ 25, OR = 12.601; 95% CI = 2.338-67.911) and central obesity (WC ${\geq}$ 80 cm, OR = 4.778; 95% CI = 1.103-20.696) were greater in subjects who earned less than 500 thousand Won per month than who earned more. For inadequate nutrient intake, the OR for inadequate intake of Vitamin A (OR = 4.555; 95% CI = 1.491-13.914) was greater in subjects with no education than those educated. Subjects without her own house had greater risk for inadequate intake for protein (OR = 3.660; 95% CI = 1.118-11.981), phosphate (OR = 3.428; 95% CI = 1.157-10.158), and iron (OR = 3.765; 95% CI = 1.205-11.766) than subjects possessing her house. In elderly females in low income families, the socioeconomic status was associated with the risk for obesity (income level) and inadequate nutrient intake (education level and housing status). More attention on these groups should be given for prevention of obesity and inadequate nutrient intake.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.23 no.1
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• pp.31-39
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this paper was to compare community health status by region and to investigate related factors using community health and social indicators. Methods: Data were collected from statistics of local districts that were provided by KNSO and KCDC. ANOVA and correlation were analyzed using PASW 18.0. Results: The standardized cancer mortality rate was higher in metropolitan areas than in other areas. On the contrary, the mortality of respiratory disease, traffic accident, and suicide were higher in rural areas. Small cities and county districts showed higher prevalence in obesity prevalence than metropolitan areas. Metropolitan areas presented higher prevalence in alcohol drinking during the previous month, perceived stress, and seat belt use. The age-adjusted standardized mortality rate was correlated with higher prevalence of smoking, obesity, percentage of the elderly, number of beds, number of social welfare facilities, number of registered cars, lower percentage of financial independence, number of doctors, and percentage of water supply service & sewage. Conclusion: Since significant differences in mortality rate and prevalence of health risk behaviors exist between regional areas and the mortality rate was correlated with other social indicators and health indicators, health policies and social policies considering these differences should be develop and implemented to the communities.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.260-271
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• 2002

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to identify basic health needs of adult clients to develop a community nursing center model in Seoul. Methods: Data were collected using a questionnaire survey from 894 adults registered at a public health center who were health management members, and visiting 4 community nursing centers, University of Wisconsin, Milwaukee during the period from July 1999 to January 2000. The data were analyzed using frequency, percentile, t-test, and ANOVA. Results: 1) The University of Wisconsin- Milwaukee School of Nursing has a long tradition of developing 4 community nursing centers with innovative health care programs. CNCs integrate the ability to implement and test effective intervention strategies with education, research, and practices of nursing students and faculty. They were designed to enhance the health status and quality of life for urban communities through the development of productive, outcome focused, collaborative partnerships among UWM-Nursing faculties and staff, other health and human service providers, consumers, and policy makers. It links the financial resources between UWM and 9 voluntary agencies and 12 public funding organizations including federal. state, and local governments. 2) Of the total health management members, 37.4% were reported to have at least one type of chronic disease such as hypertension, diabetes, and arthritis. Ten percent of them reported having obesity, and 44.2% reported lack of exercise. The health status of the subjects was within normal range in laboratory tests. However, female subjects showed more significant differences in obesity and cholesterol levels than male subjects. The subjects, who were in their 50s, showed more significant differences in obesity, SGOT, SGPT, and cholesterol levels than the subjects in other age groups. Conclusion: A community nursing center needs to be developed, that has a link between the nursing college and the public health center, with partnerships and a multidisciplinary approach. Based on the study results, exercise programs for middle aged adults are considered necessary. In particular, specific exercise programs for pre-menopausal women needs to be implemented in the future to prevent them from developing osteoporosis.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.13 no.3
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• pp.386-395
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• 2008

Since obesity has been a crucial issue regarding children's health in Korea, numerous studies have been conducted. However, it is difficult to locate studies that can help researchers and/or medical professionals who want to study behavioral differences between obese and normal weight (non-obese) children. The collected literature about obese childrens behaviors were accumulated by performing 'key word' searches from several web engines: 'obesity' 'children obesity' 'behavior' 'habit' 'eating behavior or habit' 'exercise' 'physical activity' and 'daily behavior'. The information was extracted and the behaviors were reviewed utilizing 30 papers that revealed any differences from normal weight children with at least p .05 level of significance. According to those studies, the obese children tended to skip meals more often as a method of losing weight. They also have an increased appetite, eat larger portions and rarely leave food on their plates. The obese children prefer to eat high fat, high calorie foods and eat faster than their normal weight counterparts. Also, the children usually eat alone and eat at irregular meal times. Beside the behaviors related to the standard three meals a day, obese children have high preferences for snacking. The children reported that with pocket money they usually eat certain types of snacks without parent approval. The children stated that they exercise more on a regular basis. However, when asked about their participation they were not likely to engage actively. Meanwhile, they tend to spend free time doing sedentary activities such as watching TV or playing on the computer. Since these studies used self -reported questionnaires with a small sample, size there may be difficulty in forming a basis about obese children's behaviors. Nevertheless, these findings are in accordance with other studies conducted in local as well as western countries. In conclusion, obese children have different daily behaviors or routines from normal weight children. It is recommended that altering these behavioral patterns to match those of normal weight children should be encouraged.

• Journal of Korean Physical Therapy Science
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• v.9 no.3
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• pp.19-29
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• 2002

This study questionnaires 166 inpatients and outpatients with stroke in 8 hospitals, including Wonkwang University Gwangju Korean Hospital from July 2 to 31, 2001 in order to find out the influence of general nature, smoking, drinking, obesity, and perception of saltness of patients with stork on the outbreak of stroke and to examine important factors by dividing into hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke. Finally, collected data is analyzed statistically, using SPSS 7.5 statistics package. This study reaches a conclusion as follows. 1. For general nature, 86(51.8%) patients have hemorrhagic stroke and 80(48.2%), ischemic stroke in the rate of 1.59:1(male:female), suggesting that male's outbreak is more than female's. Outbreak age is ranged from 20 years to 90 years in order of 60's, 50's, and 40's. 50's-60's accounts for more than half percentage. 2. For smoking, 73(71.6%) of male patients has smoking experience and their 562% has ischemic stroke. Their cross-analysis for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke shows significant difference with $x^2=3.90$(p<0.05). 48.6% of patients with smoking experience is ranged from 1 to 10 a day in smoking quantity. 3. For drinking, 90(88.2%) of male patients has drinking experience and their 53.3% has hemorrhagicstroke. Their cross-analysis for hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke shows no significant difference with x2=3.40(p<0.1). 59.3% of patients with drinking experience is classified as a overdrinking group. 4. For obesity, low weight is 8(4.8%): normal, 111(66.9%): excessive, 40(24.1%), and obesity, 7(4.2%). In patients with hemorrhagic stroke, excessive weight and obesity are somewhat high(33.7%). The cross-analysis for male's hemorrhagic and ischemic stork by dividing BMI into more and less than 25 shows no significant difference with x=3.52(p<0.1). 5. For perception of saltness, 21(12.7%) patients eat flat: 76(45.8%) normally, and 69(41.5%), saltily. Many patients with ischemic stroke are classified as a group who eat saltily. The cross-analysis for male's hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke shows signifiant difference with x2=10.99(p<0.05). As this study has small sample and selects inpatient and outpatient in certain local hospital, it is difficult to generalize. But the cross-analysis of male's hemorrhagic and ischemic stroke shows signifiant difference in smoking and perception of saltness. Drinking and obesity are more important factors in hemorrhagic stroke and smoking and perception of saltness in ischemic stroke.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.22 no.2
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• pp.125-135
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• 2022

Objectives: A restrospective chart review were conducted to investigate the overall weight loss effect of the integrated Korean medicine treatment on obese patients (body mass index [BMI] ≥25 kg/m²) in Korean medicine clinic and analyze the difference in the effect according to lifestyle behaviors. Methods: The medical records of 43 obese patients were retrospectively analyzed including body weight, BMI, waist circumference, hip circumference, and body composition who received integrated Korean medicine treatment for 4 weeks at 24 Korean medicine clinics in Daejeon metropolitan city. All outcome measures were evaluated again 8 weeks after the end of treatment at week 12 for follow-up. EuroQol-5D (EQ-5D), the Korean version of the obesity-related quality of life scale (KOQOL) and patient's satisfaction were also evaluated. The analysis was divided according to the treatment period and observation period, and subgroup analysis was performed according to drinking and exercise habits. Results: Body weight, body fat, waist circumference, hip circumference, body fat were significantly reduced at week 4 and week 12. Theses weight reduction effects were significantly greater within treatment period (0 to 4 week) than observation period (4 to 12 week). Especially in the non-exercise group, the changes in body fat mass and body fat percent showed a significant difference between the treatment period and the observation period. KOQOL were also significantly improved at 12 week, but not in EQ-5D. No severe adverse events were observed. Conclusions: The integrated Korean medicine treatment could be effective to treat obesity including weight loss. It is necessary to prevent additional weight regain through regular exercise even after Korean medicine treatment.