• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.52 no.7
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• pp.745-751
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• 2009

Hypertension is a major risk factor for myocardial infarction, stroke, and cardiovascular mortality in adults; its treatment reduces the risk of cardiovascular events. In recent times, attention is being paid to monitoring of blood pressure from childhood to adulthood. Childhood hypertension is associated with hypertension in later life, and early intervention is important. In the Korean socioeconomic background, a rapid increase is observed in the number of obesity cases and the rate of increase in the incidence of obesity is more in childhood. The strong association of high blood pressure with obesity and the marked increase in the incidence of childhood obesity indicate that both hypertension and prehypertension are becoming significant health issues. In this comprehensive review, we acquaint the clinician with the available literature on childhood hypertension to provide recommendations for the diagnosis, evaluation, and treatment of hypertension based on the available evidence and consensus in Korean clinical conditions.

• Journal of the Korean Child Neurology Society
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• v.26 no.4
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• pp.263-268
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• 2018

Purpose: Obesity and headache are two highly prevalent diseases both in childhood and adolescent. In this study, we assessed the prevalence of obesity in pediatric headaches patients in a single institution in Korea, and differences according to age, sex, headache type, frequency, intensity, and disability. Methods: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 340 subjects (6-18 years of age) who visited the Pediatric Headache Clinic of Bucheon St. Mary's Hospital during the period from January 2015 through March 2018. Data on age, sex, height and weight, as well as headache type, frequency, intensity and disability, were collected. Body Mass Index (BMI) percentile was calculated based on the 2017 Korean Children Adolescence Growth Chart. Results: 17.6% of the pediatric headache patients were obese. The prevalence of obesity in male patients was higher than females (Male 23.8% VS Female 11.6%, P=0.002). There were no significant differences in obesity rate according to age, headache type, frequency, intensity, and disability. Conclusion: The prevalence of obesity in the pediatric headache population was 17.6% which is higher than 10.1% in general population (Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, KNHANES, 2013).

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.20 no.3
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• pp.186-193
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• 2017

Purpose: Obesity is one of the most common health problems among children and its prevalence has increased in recent decades. Socioeconomic status (SES) is a well-known risk factor for childhood obesity although the associations were different across countries. Previous studies in other countries have reported a positive association between childhood obesity and SES in developing countries, and inverse correlation has been reported in developed countries. For this reason, we wanted to investigate the relationship between SES and obesity in Korean children. Methods: Data were acquired 3,095 boys and girls who participated in the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, which was conducted from 2010 to 2012. Body mass index was calculated from measured anthropometric data using the 2007 Korean National Growth Charts. Results: Upon univariate analysis, we did not find any statistically significant differences in the parental employment status, monthly family income between children with and without obesity. Multiple logistic regression analysis showed childhood obesity was positively associated with maternal overweight (OR, 1.889; 95% CI, 1.079-3.309), maternal obesity (OR, 3.409; 95% CI, 2.228-5.215) and paternal obesity (OR, 2.135; 95% CI, 1.257-3.627). Conclusion: The present study showed that socioeconomic status might not an important risk factor for obesity in Korean children. These results warrant further studies to clarify the association between SES and obesity in Korean children.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2013

Obesity is a state in which there is an over-accumulation of subcutaneous and/or abdominal adipose tissue. This adipose tissue is no longer considered inert and mainly devoted to storing energy; it is emerging as an active tissue in the regulation of physiological and pathological processes, including immunity and inflammation. Adipose tissue produces and releases a variety of adipokines (leptin, adiponectin, resistin, and visfatin), as well as pro- and anti-inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-${\alpha}$, interleukin [IL]-4, IL-6, and others). Adipose tissue is also implicated in the development of chronic metabolic diseases such as type 2 diabetes mellitus or cardiovascular disease. Obesity is thus an underlying condition for inflammatory and metabolic diseases. Diet or dietary patterns play critical roles in obesity and other pathophysiological conditions. A healthy diet and some nutrients are generally considered beneficial; however, some dietary nutrients are still considered controversial. In this article, dietary factors that influence inflammation associated with obesity are discussed.

• 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.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.306-315
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• 2021

Purpose: Obesity is defined as the abnormal or excessive accumulation of fat over acceptable limits. Leptin is a metabolic hormone present in the circulation in amounts proportional to fat mass. Leptin reduces food intake and increases energy expenditure, thus regulating body weight and homeostasis. Various polymorphisms are present in the leptin gene and its receptor. These polymorphisms may be associated with obesity. This study aimed to show the association of leptin (+19) AG, leptin (2548) GA, and Gln223Arg leptin receptor polymorphisms with obesity and metabolic syndrome in Turkish children aged 6-17 years, and to conduct further investigations regarding the genetic etiology of obesity. Methods: A total of 174 patients diagnosed with obesity and 150 healthy children who were treated at Tokat Gaziosmanpasa Medical School Hospital between September 2014 and March 2015 were included in this study. The ages of the children were between 6 and 17 years, and anthropometric and laboratory results were recorded. Genotyping of leptin (+19) AG, leptin (2548) GA, and leptin receptor Gln223Arg polymorphisms was performed by polymerase chain reaction. Results: An association between leptin receptor Gln223Arg gene polymorphism and obesity was detected. Conclusion: Further studies are needed to determine the role of genetic etiologies and to indicate the role of leptin signal transmission impairment in the pathogenesis of obesity. We hope that gene therapy can soon provide a solution for obesity.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.130-138
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• 2016

Purpose: This study was conducted to analyze the change in the obesity index in girls receiving a gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonist (GnRHa), based on treatment duration, and to aid in nutritional counseling by investigating dietary habits and lifestyle. Methods: Anthropometric examinations were conducted on 62 girls treated with GnRHa from January 2010 through July 2014. Parents were asked to fill out questionnaires on patient dietary habits and lifestyle. Results: The group taking GnRHa for over 1 year had a higher rate of obesity increase than the group taking GnRHa for less than 1 year, but they had common habits related to obesity, which should be corrected. In addition, 69.2% of the normal weight group taking GnRHa for over 1 year gained weight, and needed more intensive programs, which include physical exercise and nutritional education. Although girls with precocious puberty showed a decrease in the intake of high-calorie foods with nutritional intervention regardless of treatment duration, they still had problems that needed improvement, such as shorter meals and lack of exercise. Conclusion: Girls with precocious puberty and their parents should emphasize maintenance of proper body weight, especially when treatment for over 1 year is anticipated. Consistent education in nutrition, ways to increase intensity and duration of physical activity, and the need to slow down mealtimes are important in managing obesity; doctors need to perform regular checkups and provide nutritional counseling.

• Journal of Yeungnam Medical Science
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• v.41 no.3
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• pp.150-157
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• 2024

The prevalence of childhood and adolescent obesity has increased and exacerbated during the coronavirus disease 2019 pandemic, both in Korea and globally. Childhood and adolescent obesity poses significant risks for premature morbidity and mortality. The development of serious comorbidities depends not only on the duration of obesity but also on the age of onset. Obesity in children and adolescents affects almost all organ systems, including the endocrine, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, reproductive, nervous, and immune systems. Obesity in children and adolescents affects growth, cognitive function, and psychosocial interactions during development, in addition to aggravating known adult comorbidities such as type 2 diabetes mellitus, hypertension, dyslipidemia, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, obstructive sleep apnea, and cancer. Childhood and adolescent obesity are highly associated with increased cardiometabolic risk factors and prevalence of metabolic syndrome. The risk of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases in later life can be considerably decreased by even a small weight loss before the onset of puberty. Childhood and adolescent obesity is a disease that requires treatment and is associated with many comorbidities and disease burdens. Therefore, early detection and therapeutic intervention are crucial.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.204-209
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• 2008

Non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is typically associated with obesity and insulin resistance. Non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) is a more serious form of NAFLD. Although fibrosis is common in pediatric NASH, cirrhosis has been rarely reported. Patients with hypothalamic or pituitary dysfunction are at risk for obesity and insulin resistance with subsequent development of NAFLD. We report a case of NAFLD progressing to cirrhosis in an obese 16 year-old boy with hypopituitarism.

• Pediatric Gastroenterology, Hepatology & Nutrition
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• v.18 no.4
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• pp.217-223
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• 2015

The obesity epidemic is a worldwide problem. Factors predisposing to obesity include genetics, race, socioeconomic conditions, birth by cesarean section, and perinatal antibiotic use. High protein (HP) content in infant formulas has been identified as a potential culprit predisposing to rapid weight gain in the first few months of life and leading to later obesity. In a large multicountry study the effects of lower protein (LP) formula (1.77 and 2.2 g protein/100 kcal, before and after the 5th month, respectively) were compared to those of higher protein (2.9 and 4.4 g protein/100 kcal, respectively). Results indicated that at 24 months, the weight-for-length z score of infants in the LP formula group was 0.20 (0.06, 0.34) lower than that of the HP group and was similar to that of the breastfed reference group. The authors concluded that a HP content of infant formula is associated with higher weight in the first 2 years of life but has no effect on length. LP intake in infancy might diminish the later risk of overweight and obesity. At 6 years of age HP children had a significantly higher body mass index (by 0.51; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.13-0.90; p=0.009) and a 2.43 (95% CI, 1.12-5.27; p=0.024) fold greater risk of becoming obese than those who received the LP. In conclusion, several factors may influence development of metabolic syndrome and obesity. Breastfeeding should always be encouraged. An overall reduction of protein intake in formula non breastfed infants seems to be an additional way to prevent obesity.