• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.160-166
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The obese population is rapidly increasing because of reduced physical activity and a Westernized diet; consequently, various chronic diseases are more prevalent. With the increasing interest in body shape and appearance, research on body shape perceptions and accompanying weight control behaviors are needed for healthy weight management. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted on randomly selected 536 (209 men and 327 women) aged 20 to 65 years. Body mass index (BMI), body-shape perception, weight control behavior, quality of sleep, and place of residence were collected using self-reported questionnaires. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted using complex design in each groups. Collected data were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, and the significance level was set at P < 0.05. RESULTS: When these two variables were divided into four groups, they were found to influence dieting attempts. People with abnormal weights who were dissatisfied with their body shapes attempted dieting 5.23 times more than those with healthy weights and satisfaction with their body shapes. Further, those with normal weights but dissatisfaction with their bodies attempted dieting 4.45 times more than those who were satisfied with their shapes. Subjects in their 20s attempted dieting 2.53 times more than those in their 30s and 40s, and female subjects attempted dieting 2.24 times more than male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: A correct perception of one's shape can be an important factor for dietary behavior, as body shape perceptions and dieting attempts are strongly related. Additionally, healthy weight management and nutrition education are important elements to incorporate into a weight control program aimed at preventing excessive weight control behaviors and promoting correct perceptions of body shape.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.2 no.3
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• pp.376-387
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• 1997

The elderly are the most rapidly growing segment of the population in Korea and the largest consumers of expensive medical care. It is reasonable to believe that improving the nutritional status would be beneficial to reducing morbidity and to impro- ving the quality of their lives. This study was conducted to assess the health status and the Nutritional Risk Index of the elderly, and to provide the basic data for the Elderly Nutrition Improvement Program at the Public Health Center. One hundred and forty seven(76 males. 71 females) aged 60 years and over living in Suwon, were assessed with anthropometric measurements, body fat analysis, blood pressure measurements, and a set of questionnaires about health and other related variables. Over half of them had less than a junior middle school education and were considered low income. The percentage of overweight and obese subjects was 33% by the BMI(Body Mass Index), and the prevalence of hypertension was 28$\%$(males) and 31$\%$(females). They had a lot of self-recognized health problems, the male elderly complained about more than the female elderly. In the case of psychological health status, however, the female elderly showed a higher proportions of depression than the male elderly(p$\ll$0.05). In social health status, the elderly had good relationships with friends and collegues, whereas they had poor relationships with their families. They had many nutritional risk factors, and smoking was the most prevalent risk factor for the male elderly and anemia was for the female elderly. The results of this study suggest that Elderly Nutrition Improvement Programs should be planned that can be easily followed. It would be helpful to design a program focusing on individual phychological and social health status, this would increase the efficiency of the program.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.7
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• pp.769-776
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• 2003

This study has analyzed the association of physical activity and television watching time with obesity in 30-50 aged women from middle income town in Busan city area. Data were obtained using a questionnaire, including information about physical activity, TV watching time and health habit; social data regarding educational level and monthly income; family history of chronic condition. Height and weight were measured. Outcome variable was obesity, defined as a body mass index 25 kg/m$^2$ or greater. Odds ratios (OR) for obesity were estimated by multivariate logistic regression, and interpreted as a relative risk of obesity. The prevalence of obesity was 11.8%. The mean BMI of obese women was 26.9 kg/m$^2$. The OR of obesity was higher in subject of 40s than 30s. Subjects who had higher educational level presented lower OR than those of elementary or middle school education. Family income was not associated with obesity. Women having a family history of chronic condition had higher risk of obesity than those who did not have it. The OR was lower in active people at work (OR = 0.51; 95% CI = 0.26 - 0.98) than in inactive ones, and the ORs associated with regular exercise or activity at leisure time were not statistically different. However, subjects watching TV $\geq$ 3.5 hr/day showed higher OR (OR = 2.34; 95% CI = 1.16 - 4.74), compared with those watching TV $\geq$ 1.5 hr/day. Association of the joint classification of physical activity variables with obesity was estimated. The highest relative risk of 5.99 was in women in physically inactive at work and high category of TV watching ($\geq$ 3.5 hr/day). Even in women in active at work, the watching TV $\geq$ 3.5 hr/day made them have the high OR (OR = 2.44; 95% CI = 1.03 - 5.77). And at each time level of TV watching, the increasing activity level at work was associated with lower OR for obesity. These findings suggest that both TV watching time and physical activity at work were related to obesity in adult female, each with independent effects on obesity. TV watching time seems to be a significant factor that could partly evaluate the energy expenditure.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.172-176
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• 2014

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is becoming an important public health problem as metabolic syndrome and type 2 diabetes have become epidemic. In this study we investigated the protective effect of Cordyceps militaris (C. militaris) against NAFLD in an obese mouse model. MATERIALS/METHODS: Four-week-old male ob/ob mice were fed an AIN-93G diet or a diet containing 1% C. militaris water extract for 10 weeks after 1 week of adaptation. Serum glucose, insulin, free fatty acid (FFA), alanine transaminase (ALT), and proinflammatory cytokines were measured. Hepatic levels of lipids, glutathione (GSH), and lipid peroxide were determined. RESULTS: Consumption of C. militaris significantly decreased serum glucose, as well as homeostasis model assessment for insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), in ob/ob mice. In addition to lowering serum FFA levels, C. militaris also significantly decreased hepatic total lipids and triglyceride contents. Serum ALT activities and tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$ (TNF-${\alpha}$) and interleukin-6 (IL-6) levels were reduced by C. militaris. Consumption of C. militaris increased hepatic GSH and reduced lipid peroxide levels. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that C. militaris can exert protective effects against development of NAFLD, partly by reducing inflammatory cytokines and improving hepatic antioxidant status in ob/ob mice.

• Journal of Microbiology and Biotechnology
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• v.27 no.6
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• pp.1180-1188
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• 2017

Neuronatin (NNAT) is known to regulate ion channels during brain development and plays a role in maintaining the structure of the nervous system. A previous in silico analysis showed that Nnat was overexpressed in the adipose tissue of an obese rodent model relative to the wild type. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the function of Nnat in the adipose tissue. Because obesity is known to systemically induce low-grade inflammation, the Nnat expression level was examined in the adipose tissue obtained from C57BL/6 mice administered lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Unexpectedly, the Nnat expression level decreased in the white adipose tissue after LPS administration. To determine the role of NNAT in inflammation, 3T3-L1 cells overexpressing Nnat were treated with LPS. The level of the p65 subunit of nuclear factor-kappa B ($NF-{\kappa}B$) and the activity of $NF-{\kappa}B$ luciferase decreased following LPS treatment. These results indicate that NNAT plays an anti-inflammatory role in the adipose tissue.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.729-738
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• 1998

Background and purpose : Stroke is a leading cause of death in Korea. Early measures to prevent stroke are extremely important since it has no cure. Korean might have different risk factors since their dietary habits and socio-economical status differ from most western countries. However, the risk factors for stroke in Korea have not yet been identified. Moreover, the lifestyle of healthy Korean adults has not been investigated. In this study we investigate the lifestyle of healthy adults living in Seoul and rural areas and compare the lifestyles of the two. Methods : One hundred seventy one subjects were studied. Among the subjects studied, 128 were from Seoul, the other 43 were from the country area. The age of the subjects was limited to over 40 years. Blood pressure, fast blood sugar, and cholesterol were measured. The subjects' height, weight, body mass index, total body fat, skinfolds thickness of triceps, subscapular and abdomen were measured to determine obesity. Using a structured interview, we assessed : sodium intake, physical activity and exercise, consumption of vegetables, fat, fish and fruits. The results of the two groups were compared. Results : There were no statistical differences in age and education between the two groups of subjects. The mean age of the subjects were 66 years old. The subjects residing in rural areas had a higher intake of sodium(p<0.05), lower physical activity(P<0.05), and higher BMI and body fat (p<0.05) as compared to the subjects in Seoul. Subjects with hypertension were between 24% and 33% and the prevalence of hypertension was the highest when compared to the prevalence of DM or hypercholesterolemia. However, the prevalence of hypertension, DM, hypercholesterolemia, were not significantly different in these areas. Conclusion : Our results show that subjects living in rural areas eat more salty food, exercise less, and tend to be obese. The finding of this study lead to speculation that Korean living in rural areas have less information about the effects of diet on health than city dwellers do. General health and nutrition education programs aimed at the prevention of stroke and other such conditions for rural area Koreans may close the risk factor gap between rural and urban dwellers.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.495-508
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• 2016

This study was conducted to recognize the need for diet and nutrition education to correct body-shape and eating habits that lead to eating disorders in college students. The relationship between diet and obesity was confirmed. Approximately 405 (male 46.4%, female 53.6%) students were evaluated by questionnaire in September 2014. The statistical program SAS (ver. 4.3) was used to evaluate the Chi-squared, F and T-value. The correlation between eating disorder risk and eating habits was evaluated by Pearson's correlation. Body type recognition was classified into nine steps up the body fatty (9) to skinny (1) to show their body. Eating disorder risk (KEAT-26) was composed of F1 (attachment factors for weight loss), F2 (attachment factors for binge eating, and food), and F3 (adjustment factor to eating their will. The risk of eating disorders in male 73.4% of low risk, in female 61.3% (p<0.05). According to body mass index, underweight groups recognized in the normal weight (53.7%), normal weight group was in overweight (29.1%) (p<0.001). According to body-type, the overweight group had a higher risk of eating disorders (68.2%). The KEAT-26 showed that the overweight and obese group were high-risk in F1 & F2, while the underweight group was high-risk in F3 (p<0.001). Recognized overweight showed the dangers of eating disorders, proper recognition of body-type and body mass index required. Tendency to seek a balanced diet was associated with eating disorders, no-imposed adequate diet for nutritional education would be made. Proper nutrition education for males is needed depending on the increased incidence of male eating disorders.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Costume
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• v.62 no.3
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• pp.84-95
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• 2012

The purpose of this study is to provide basic data reflecting body characteristics for production of briefs by classifying lower body types of women in their 40s, 50s and 60s. The results are as follows: First, measurements for height-related items decreased while the measurements for width and depth items increased with age. However, 'hip width' and 'hip depth' items showed no significant differences among the age groups. In addition, no visible differences appeared in the length items among the age groups but 'waist to hip' and 'outside leg' lengths showed decreasing values according to age. Second, four factors were established from the factor analysis: 'obesity level around waist and abdomen', 'vertical length of the lower body', 'thickness and obesity level of lower limbs', and, 'size and shape of buttocks'. Lastly, cluster analysis resulted in the classification of the four factors mentioned above. Type 2 appeared the most, representing women in their 40s~60s. Type 1(n=257) was referred as 'slender with a short lower body', Type 2(n=443) as 'plump with short lower body', Type 3(n=224) as 'slender with long lower body', and Type 4(n=199) as 'obese around abdomen and lower limbs'.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.248-256
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• 2018

Objectives: Several studies have investigated the effects of serum uric acid (SUA) levels on chronic kidney disease (CKD), with discrepant results. The effect of SUA levels on CKD development was studied in the Korean rural population. Methods: A total of 9695 participants aged ${\geq}40years$ were recruited from 3 rural communities in Korea between 2005 and 2009. Of those participants, 5577 who participated in the follow-up and did not have cerebrovascular disease, myocardial infarction, cancer, or CKD at baseline were studied. The participants, of whom 2133 were men and 3444 were women, were grouped into 5 categories according to their quintile of SUA levels. An estimated glomerular filtration rate of < $60mL/min/1.73m^2$ at the time of follow-up was considered to indicate newly developed CKD. The effects of SUA levels on CKD development after adjusting for potential confounders were assessed using Cox proportional hazard models. Results: Among the 5577 participants, 9.4 and 11.0% of men and women developed CKD. The hazard ratio (HR) of CKD was higher in the highest quintile of SUA levels than in the third quintile in men (adjusted HR, 1.60; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.02 to 2.51) and women (adjusted HR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.15). Furthermore, CKD development was also more common in the lowest quintile of SUA levels than in the third quintile in men (adjusted HR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.90). The effect of SUA was consistent in younger, obese, and hypertensive men. Conclusions: Both high and low SUA levels were risk factors for CKD development in rural Korean men, while only high levels were a risk factor in their women counterparts.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.10-19
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of study was to investigate the effect of herbal medicine on obesity and to define which seasonal factor could be utilized to make an obesity treatment program more effective. Methods: Three hundred and forty-four subjects were recruited and data were analyzed for weight, body fat, muscular volume, body fat ratio, body mass index (BMI) change and treatment duration. At first, age classification was performed for the comparisons. Moreover, starting season of treatment was categorized to determine it's influence over the treatment. Results: It was found the administration of herbal medicine could diminish every analyzed fields of entire patients. Compared among age groups, there were no significant differences of all fields. However, the categorization of start season showed significant differences of weight, BMI change and treatment duration. In addition, the analysis of assumed 10% weight loss elicited patients started treatment in spring and winter should spend 12 and 13 weeks and summer would be 9.5 weeks. Conclusions: It was found herbal medicine would be effective for female obesity and expected patients could achieve 5.91 kg weight loss for 65.88 days treatment. Summer group had significant shorter treatment duration and it was presumed summer group had more concentration for achievement. Days required for assumed 10% weight loss was calculated to be 84 days in spring, 67 days in summer, 96 days in winter. Hereafter, further controlled study with more numbers of patients should be needed to determine the goal of medical treatment for obesity.