• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.34 no.1
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• pp.88-95
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• 2021

This study compared the lifestyle patterns, dietary patterns, and health care practices of Korean middle-aged people by household type, and ultimately analyzed their relationship with different risk factors for the prevalence and severity of metabolic syndrome. We analyzed the data from 4,755 subjects who were from 40 to 64 years old, and gathered our sample from participants of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2013 to 2015. Our results showed that single-person households had lower economic income levels, lower subjective health statuses, and higher levels of food instability than households with two or more individuals. The incidence of metabolic syndrome was 1.64 times higher in single-person households than in households with two or more individuals. After adjusting for potential confounding factors (sex, age, education, household income, smoking status, health status, and dietary factors), single-person households showed 1.75 times higher hypertriglyceridemia ORs than non-single-person households. In the conclusion of our study, we suggest that middle-aged people in single-person households may be at greater risk for metabolic syndrome and hypertriglyceridemia.

• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.1-17
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of family characteristics of the baby boomer generation on the level of their later life preparation. This study randomly sampled a birth cohort between 1955 and 1963 consisting of participants living in Seoul, South Korea with a spouse and a child/children. This study investigated a total of 455 subjects from March 2 to March 20, 2016. The study findings are summarized as follows. This study analyzed the characteristics of baby boomers' family relationships and their effects on their later life preparation. It was found that 55.4% of the subjects had at least 2 children, and 44.6% had 1 child. Concerning their children's marital status, 33.8% had married children and 66.2% had unmarried children. The level of their children's support was found at 2.82 points (standard deviation [SD] = .64), which is slightly higher than the mean value of 2.5. The spouse satisfaction among the subjects was found to be 3.59 (.79) which is higher than the mean value of 3. The general status of later life preparation was 2.70 (SD = .44), which is lower than the mean value of 3. In the sub-dimension, the level of social preparation was 2.98 points (SD = .61); the level of economic preparation was 2.60 (SD = .64); and the level of physical preparation was 2.53 (SD = .45). All the values were lower than the mean value of 3. The overall status of later life preparation of the subjects in this study was low. The physical preparation level was particularly low. To analyze the factors that affect baby boomers' later life preparation, a hierarchical regression analysis was implemented. As a result, a significant effect was found in specific factors, such as spouse satisfaction (${\beta}$ = .32, p < .001), age (${\beta}$ = .26, p < .001), number of children (${\beta}$ = -.18, p <.001), health status (${\beta}$ = .18, p < .001), gender (${\beta}$ = -.11, p < .05), household income (${\beta}$ = .10, p < .05), and children's marital status (${\beta}$ = .10, p < .05). That is, the higher the spousal satisfaction, the older the age, and the lower the number of children, the higher the levels of later life preparation. Further, a higher level of later life preparation was observed in women, those with higher household incomes, and those with married children.

• Journal of Korean Public Health Nursing
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.416-428
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• 2020

Purpose: This study identified socioeconomic factors affecting the health status of Korean adults. Methods: Secondary data from 12,921 adults aged 19 to 64 old in the 7th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were used. The participants' health status was measured using the indicators that included health behaviors (smoking, high-risk drinking, strength exercise, and aerobic physical activity) and health outcomes (metabolic syndrome, and subjective health status). Results: For all health behaviors and health outcomes, gender, age, educational level, and income were common affecting factors. Regarding health behaviors, the employment status was related to smoking, high-risk drinking, strength exercise, and aerobic physical activity. The marital status was related to high-risk drinking, strength exercise, and aerobic physical activity. The household type was related to smoking. The residential area was related to smoking, high-risk drinking, and aerobic physical activity. For health outcomes, the household type was related to obesity, and subjective health status; residential area was related to obesity. Conclusion: This study presented basic data for assessing the differences in health status. The characteristics of the affecting factors to health status should be considered, depending on the health behaviors and health outcomes.

• Pediatric Infection and Vaccine
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• v.21 no.3
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• pp.191-198
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• 2014

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical manifestations, contact history, and status of tuberculosis contact investigations in school-age children and adolescents with pulmonary tuberculosis (TB) at two centers. Methods: This study was conducted with 54 patients in the age ranging from 10 to 18 years, who were diagnosed with pulmonary TB at the Pusan National University Hospital and Pusan National University Children's Hospital, January 2008 to December 2012. We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of the patients. Results: The median age of the patients was 16 years old; 11 patients were aged 10 to 14 and 43 patients were aged 15 to 18. Among 54 patients, 19 had history of contact with pulmonary TB, 10 had contact with house members (household), and remaining 9 had contact with classmates (non-household). One out of 10 patients who had household contacts and 6 out of 9 patients who had non-household contacts were evaluated with contact investigation after the exposure to pulmonary TB. Among 7 patients who were evaluated with contact investigation, 3 were diagnosed with active pulmonary TB, 1 had latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI), and 3 had no evidence of TB or LTBI. The median period of diagnosis after the exposure to active pulmonary TB was 2 years in patients with household contacts and 0.23 years in patients with non-household contacts. Conclusion: This study suggested that if the contact investigation conducted properly, it would be helpful for early diagnosis and prevention of pulmonary TB.

• The Journal of Korean Society for School & Community Health Education
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.1-14
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• 2019

Objectives: There are few studies which reflects of each generation's own features, of the New Middle Age and the Elderly's hearing status and their quality of life even though the population of old age has been weighted as baby boom generation's entering into old age. This study is to identify the effects of the new middle age and the elderly's hearing status on their quality of life and to prepare the customized health policies for their health promotion and quality of life improvement as well as the base line data for hearing enhancement programs. Methods: This study was analyzed using the data of the 7th term of the National Health and Nutrition Survey of the Disease Management headquarters. Out of 8,150 adults over the age of 50 who participated in the hearing test, 3,306 were selected and analyzed. Results: At the result of identifying the correlation of hearing status and the quality of life between the New Middle Age and the Elderly, it was confirmed that hearing loss affects low quality of life. The average of quality of life between the New Middle Age and the Elderly was 0.95 and 0.85 each, resulting in higher quality of life in New Middle Age than in the Elderly. The factors affecting the quality of life of the New Middle Age were the level of the education, household income, the type of health insurance, subjective health status. The factors affecting the quality of life of the Elderly were gender, the type of health insurance, subjective health status. Conclusion: Hearing loss of the New Middle Age and the Elderly affects their low quality of life. Therefore the development and the provision of policy program is needed, so as to maintain and manage hearing through age-specific health education. It is expected that the second half of the New Middle Age's life will be much happier, if not taking the treatment-oriented approach of hearing loss only but strengthening the education needed for the maintenance and the management of healthy hearing at their work place, where 50 and 60 generations' workforce has been increased.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.20 no.1
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• pp.30-40
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• 2015

Objectives: This study was performed to investigate the associations of food security with socio-demographic characteristics, nutrient intakes and mental health status among older Korean adults. Methods: This study was conducted using data from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Subjects were 4,451 adults aged 65~98 years. Food security was measured using a self-reported question on food sufficiency of subjects' household. Based on the answers, study subjects were classified into secure, mildly insecure, moderately insecure, and severely insecure groups. Dietary intake was estimated by 24-hour dietary recall. Nutrient intake was assessed by dietary reference intakes (DRI). As for mental health status, the data on mental stress, depression, and suicide ideation were used. Results: Rate of food insecurity in older adults was 14.3%. Old age, being female, low education, low income level, living alone, and discomfort in daily living were more related to food insecurity. Means of nutrient intakes were significantly different according to food security status. Intakes of calcium, potassium, and vitamin $B_2$ were lower than recommended intakes in all groups. Consumption amounts of soy and soybean products, vegetables, mushrooms, fruits, vegetable oils, meats, eggs, seafood, and dairy products were lower in food insecure groups. Mental stress, depression, and suicide ideation were higher in food insecure groups independent of the gender and income level. Conclusions: These present findings suggested that food security is related to mental health as well as nutrition status in older Korean adults. A national system that include food and psychosocial support programs for the elderly should be considered in order to improve the overall health of older Korean adults.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
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• v.10 no.3
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• pp.113-121
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• 2021

This study was conducted on 1,174 retirees in their 50s and 60s nationwide using the 7th data of the National Pension Service's National Elderly Security Panel Survey. We were able to confirm the following results through the SPSS WIN 18.0 program.. First, men showed a higher level of education than women. From these results, it is expected that men will be better prepared for retirement. Second, men had spouses and two or more household members than women. According to previous studies showing that men are better prepared for retirement if they have a spouse, it is expected that men are better prepared for retirement. Second, 38% of men and 62% of women were voluntary retirees. Third, both men and women responded that their own and spouses should play the main role in preparing for retirement. Fourth, both men and women had very low rates of preparation for old age, economic independence, and public and private pensions. Among them, women were lower than men. Fifth, economic problem solving, health, and medical care were the priority as parts to be done for retirement in oneself and society. Based on these results, the directions for preparing retirees for retirement are as follows. First, education on wage peak system, retirement age extension and financial management for involuntary retirees is required, and guidance and management methods on health care and disease should be provided to address needs for health and health care. Women had more voluntary retirees than men, and they need to know why. Second, when both men and women are very poor at preparing for retirement, there should be job creation measures to ensure that they and their spouses are fully prepared for retirement.

• International Journal of Internet, Broadcasting and Communication
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.215-222
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• 2023

In this paper, we examine the roles, mutual relationships, and guidelines for a healthy life as exemplified by the characters Santiago and Manolin in Ernest Hemingway's novel "The Old Man and the Sea" and use this content to compare the happy home life of elderly couples in Korea. Through a metaphorical exploration of the lives of elderly husbands and wives in Korean society, the study examines their significance as the core of the family, particularly during their senior years. Ernest Hemingway's "The Old Man and the Sea" portrays Santiago as a unique embodiment of virtue and humanity. As an elderly male fisherman, he symbolizes a profound connection with the sea, as well as qualities such as courage, patience, and unwavering passion. His story underscores the importance of pursuing new goals and maintaining hope even in old age. The relationship between Santiago and Manolin provides insights into the dynamics of elderly husbands and wives in their domestic lives. Manolin's unwavering support for Santiago and his understanding of Santiago's dreams exemplify the significance of mutual support and the establishment of common goals for elderly couples. These characters serve as exemplary models for understanding and supporting one another within a family setting. Within the context of family life, applying these exemplary models and relationship dynamics fosters mutual respect, collaboration, emotional expression, and effective communication. Supporting each other and working towards common goals can enhance the family atmosphere, resolve conflicts, and enrich domestic life. Furthermore, when elderly couples share common goals and enjoy activities together, they strengthen their bond and create a more fulfilling family life. These shared activities deepen the affection between elderly husbands and wives and contribute to a thriving household. Through the characters of Santiago and Manolin in "The Old Man and the Sea," we present in this study a deeper understanding of the values and roles within the domestic lives and affection of elderly husbands and wives. Mutual respect, collaboration, emotional expression, communication, mutual support, common goals, hope, and shared domestic activities all play pivotal roles in maintaining a healthy family life and establishing happiness and well-being within the family. We expect this study to offer valuable insights into the fields of family studies, elderly welfare, and sociology.

• Journal of Convergence for Information Technology
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• v.11 no.10
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• pp.194-204
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• 2021

This study was conducted to find out the status and factors of private health insurance subscriptions by life cycle and to identify differences in medical usage behavior by life cycle. Using the SPSS 26 program as the 12th-15th (2016-2019) data of the Korea Welfare Panel, the difference subscriptions was identified as Chi-square by demo social and health characteristics of 58,223 people, and the factors affecting subscription were analyzed by polynomial logistic analysis and average analysis was performed for medical use behavior. As a result of the analysis, the biggest factor in purchasing private health insurance was household income, private health insurance coverage is the highest in growth period, and multiple subscriptions were made depending on household income. In youth, household income, spouse, and no disability, and middle age, household income, economic activities, spouses, and health levels were largely influential factors. The rate of private health insurance coverage in old age was the lowest, and low-income households, poor health levels, and people with disabilities were lower. The increase in medical use by private health insurance subscribers also occurred during growth and youth. It is necessary to strengthen the national health insurance coverage, and the role of private health insurance to supplement it should be established in time for the life cycle to complement each other, eliminating blind spots of medical security and maximizing people's health and well-being.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.17 no.1
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• pp.103-121
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• 2023

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic has affected the entire world population in many ways. This study aimed to analyze the patterns of changes in eating, food purchasing and preparation, physical activity, and subjective health after COVID-19 outbreak by various sociodemographic factors and to understand the factors associated with changes in subjective health. SUBJECTS/METHODS: A cross-sectional survey using a representative sample from Seoul was used for the analysis. The data collection was conducted from September to October 2020. A total of 3,833 citizens aged more than 18 years old participated in the Seoul Food Survey. Descriptive statistics and generalized ordinal logistic regression models were used to understand the changes in health behaviors, health indicators, and subjective general health by various socioeconomic status. RESULTS: It was shown that the changes in household income, food expenditure, food consumption and physical activities differed significantly by age, education, occupation, income, weight, and food security status. Low-income and food-insecure households were affected more severely by the pandemic. Older age, household food insecurity, income reduction, increased home cooking and frequency of having instant foods, decreased physical activity and weight gain were significant factors explaining worse perceived health during the COVID-19 pandemic. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggest that focusing on older populations and low-income families with food insecurity should be prioritized during infectious disease outbreaks. In addition, the role of physical activities and instant food consumption in explaining perceived health should be investigated further in this prolonged battle with the pandemic situation.