• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.57 no.5
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• pp.205-210
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• 2014

Atopic sensitization is a complex phenomenon that changes dynamically with age throughout childhood; its prevalence increases with age in young children. Additionally, with increasing age, the prevalence of sensitization to inhalant allergens and the prevalence of polysensitization to allergens increase. It is also well established that the development of atopic sensitization is the result of a complex interplay of genetic and environmental factors. However, there is considerable heterogeneity in the literature in terms of the effect of different environmental exposures in young children on the subsequent risk of atopic sensitization and allergic diseases. Previous studies on the relationship, in early life, between pet ownership, sex, exposure to secondhand smoke, exposure to traffic-related air pollution components, and atopic sensitization have yielded different results. Recent studies have highlighted the importance of gene-environment interactions, especially during early childhood, on the risk of subsequent atopic sensitization and allergic diseases. Therefore, pediatricians should consider the genetic and environmental determinants of atopic sensitization in infants and young children when diagnosing and treating patients with allergic diseases. Determining ways in which early exposure to these risk factors in young children may be reduced could be beneficial in preventing the likelihood of developing atopic sensitization.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.52 no.2
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• pp.92-100
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• 2019

Objectives: Young adulthood represents a critical developmental period during which the use of tobacco may begin or cease. Furthermore, differences in smoking behaviors between younger (aged 18-24 years) and older (aged 25-34 years) young adults may exist. This study aimed to characterize patterns related to current smoking in younger and older young adults. Methods: This study used data acquired from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted from 2013 to 2014. A total of 2069 subjects were categorized as younger (712 subjects) and older (1357 subjects) young adults. The chi-square test was used to assess the relationships between smoking status and socio-demographic, health-related, and smoking-related factors. Multivariable logistic regression models were constructed to assess the factors affecting current smoking in these age groups. Results: The current smoking prevalence was 18.3% among the younger young adults and 26.0% among the older young adults. Sex, education level, occupation, perceived health status, alcohol consumption, and electronic cigarette use were related to current smoking in both age groups. Secondhand smoke exposure at home and stress levels showed significant relationships with smoking in younger and older young adults, respectively. Conclusions: Strong correlations were found between the observed variables and smoking behaviors among young adults. Determining the factors affecting smoking and designing interventions based on these factors are essential for smoking cessation in young adults.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.59 no.3
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• pp.114-119
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• 2016

Purpose: This study aimed to assess the reference values and factors influencing blood lead levels among Korean adolescents. Methods: The study population consisted of 1,585 adolescents (801 males, 784 females; aged 10-19 years) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2010-2013. We analyzed blood lead concentrations in relation to demographic/lifestyle characteristics for all participants. "Reference values" of blood lead levels were calculated as the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval of the 95th percentile. Results: The average "reference value" for blood lead concentrations among Korean adolescents was $2.25{\mu}g/dL$ ($2.49{\mu}g/dL$ for males, $2.07{\mu}g/dL$ for females), and the geometric mean of the blood lead concentrations was $1.34{\mu}g/dL$. Males had higher blood lead concentrations than females (male, $1.48{\mu}g/dL$; female, $1.19{\mu}g/dL$; P<0.001). Elementary school students had higher blood lead concentrations than junior and senior high school students ($1.44{\mu}g/dL$ vs. $1.31{\mu}g/dL$, P<0.001). Participants living in detached houses had higher blood lead concentrations than those living in apartments (P<0.001) and current smokers had higher concentrations than nonsmokers or participants with secondhand smoke exposure (P<0.05). Additionally, participants with excessive alcohol consumption had higher levels than non-drinkers (P<0.001). Conclusion: This study provides national reference data on blood lead concentrations stratified by demographic and lifestyle factors among Korean adolescents. Further studies are needed to elucidate the relationship between increased lead exposure and demographic factors including type of housing.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.46 no.3
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• pp.139-146
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• 2013

Objectives: Cigarette smoking prevalence among adolescent males in rural areas of Korea has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to explore the factors related to increasing trends in cigarette smoking among adolescent males living in rural areas. Methods: The raw data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey from 2006 to 2009 were used. Data were analyzed by using the method of complex survey data analysis considering complex sampling design. Multiple logistic regression models were used to explore the factors affecting cigarette smoking. We evaluated the linear time trends in the prevalence of factors that were related to current smoking status and the linear time trends in cigarette smoking in groups stratified by the exposure to each factor using logistic regression models. Finally, we examined the contributions of the factors to the time trends in cigarette smoking by adjusting for each of those factors in the baseline regression models and changes in the adjusted odds ratio by survey year. Results: A statistically significant increasing trend in smoking was observed after adjusting for the factors affecting cigarette smoking. Significant factors related to cigarette use were perceived stress, experience with depression, current alcohol drinking, exposure to secondhand smoke, and academic performance. The factor related to increasing trends in cigarette smoking was academic performance. Conclusions: Stress about academic performance is an important factor affecting the increase in cigarette smoking among adolescent males in a rural area of Korea.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.27 no.2
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• pp.95-105
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• 2016

Purpose: This study examined the characteristics differences associated with 1-year continuous smoking abstinence in Korean young adult and middle-aged male workers. Methods: 'Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES)' is an ongoing surveillance system that assesses the health and nutritional status of Koreans. For a secondary analysis of cross-sectional data from KNHANES VI-1, this study selected 683 Korean male workers as a subpopulation, who were young adult or middle-aged. The subpopulation was composed of success or failure group of 1-year continuous smoking abstinence. Binomial logistic regression analysis was performed. Results: Success group was more likely to be older, live in urban areas, rate their health status as excellent or good, and have ever been diagnosed with hypertension than failure group. Additionally, Success group was less likely to have used electronic cigarettes (e-cigarettes), drink more than once a month, and have been exposed to secondhand smoking in workplace within a week. Conclusion: Developing smoking cessation programs requires consideration of resources in rural areas, promoting self-efficacy, restricting e-cigarettes and drinking, and promoting a smoke-free workplace.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2014

Objectives : The purpose of this study was to investigate the awareness towards oral health environmental changes and oral health in smokers and non-smokers in soldiers. Methods : Data were obtained from 350 soldiers serving at Unit M in Gwangju and Gyeonggi-do and ROTC candidates at University Y in Gyeonggi-do from April 28 to May 5, 2013. Collected data were analyzed by SPSS 12.0 program and a significant level was set at 0.05. Results : Non-smokers had more knowledge on tooth staining or gum diseases than smokers(p<0.05). The awareness towards the causes of oral cancer was not much different between the smokers and the non-smokers. The soldiers having dental health education tended to smoke less than those who had no education(p<0.05). The awareness towards individual oral health revealed no difference between the smokers and the non-smokers. Non-smokers had higher subjective knowledge on of the importance of the oral health, smoking influence on the oral health, and secondhand smoking impact on the health(p<0.05). Conclusions : The oral health education by the dental hygienists is very important in the military camps. Non-smokers tended to have higher knowledge on oral health than the non-smokers.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.26 no.2
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• pp.1-13
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• 2009

Objectives: This study identified how personal characteristics, family environment, governmental policy for the prevention and cessation of smoking might influence on adolescent smoking. Methods: This study used data from the 2006 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey of 71,404 middle school and high school students, giving a response rate of 90.9%. We selected 61,508 adolescents subjects of the final analysis without missing data on independent variables and dependent variables which are used in this study. This study used $\chi^2$ tests and logistic regression models. Variables were added to the regression model in three groups using a hierarchical approach.Results: Adolescents were significantly more likely to become current smokers if they were boys, were in a higher grade, and had lower academic achievement. Adolescents experiencing stress and depression were associated with increased risk of current smoking. Adolescents with single parents or students of non-living with parents comparing with students of living with parents showed the high possibility of smoking. Lower father's education was associated with increased likelihood of current smoking. Adolescents who were exposed to smoking at home were more likely to smoke. Adolescents without contacting with the antismoking media campaign was associated with increased likelihood of current smoking. Conclusion: Promoting antismoking media campaigns targeted at adolescent is required, and the smoking prevention education which are proper for subjects are required. Proper plans which could decrease the exposure of secondhand smoking should be established.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.41 no.4
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• pp.223-230
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• 2015

Objectives: There is considerable evidence that polluted ambient air contributes to the risk of cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. Heart rate variability (HRV) is defined as the variation in heartbeat intervals and has been reported as a biological marker of cardiovascular disease. This article reviews the existing literature in order to examine the association between air pollution and HRV. Methods: Literature was searched using Web of Science with the key words of "air pollution", "heart rate variability" and other related terms. A total of 156 articles were listed. For review, 21 of those listed publications were chosen after excluding studies regarding chamber studies, occupational environment, secondhand smoke and automobile exhaust. Results: Research methods employed in the publications were classified by type of participants (elderly/adult), air pollution monitoring (ambient/personal) and HRV monitoring (continuous/spot). Among HRV parameters, power in the low frequency range (LF), power in the high frequency range (HF) and standard deviation of all NN intervals (SDNN) were all associated with air pollutants. The chosen studies were mostly based on elderly populations. In studies based on continuous HRV monitoring, LF and SDNN significantly decreased when $PM_{2.5}$ exposure increased. Conclusion: Continuous HRV monitoring combined with personal exposure monitoring has been one of the most common study methods in recent publications. We expect that this review will be useful for the study of the association between air pollution and cardiovascular effects using HRV.

• Journal of the Korean Society of School Health
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• v.34 no.3
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• pp.179-189
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• 2021

Purpose: The purpose of the study was to investigate health behavior changes in Korean adolescents before and during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional design was employed. Data were obtained from the 15~16th (2019~2020) Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. Overall, the data of 112,251 students, 57,303 before the COVID pandemic and 54,948 during the pandemic, were included. The data were analyzed using rao-scott 𝝌²-test, t-test, ANCOVA and logistic regression analysis. Results: While sitting time for study decreased, sitting time for leisure increased in the 2020 group compared to the 2019 group. The 2020 group was more likely to skip breakfast and have a higher BMI than the 2019 group. The 2020 group was less likely to consume fruit and engage in moderate and vigorous physical activities than the 2019 group. The 2020 group was less likely to engage in CC, EC, and HTP current smoking and be exposed to secondhand smoke at home, school, and public places than the 2019 group. The 2020 group was more likely to be satisfied with sleep, but less likely to experience stress, depression, suicidal ideation, suicidal plans, and suicidal attempts than the 2019 group. Conclusion: It is necessary to reduce sedentary time, encourage physical activities, manage smoking and drinking rates continuously, and establish a network system to prevent psychological loneliness and isolation for adolescents, which requires participation of experts from the community as a whole.

• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.48 no.4
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• pp.216-226
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• 2022

Background: The amount of smoking in adolescence increases with a younger age of smoking initiation and affects physical health. To establish and evaluate smoking-related policies, it is important to determine actual smoking status. Validation of self-reported questionnaires can identify the accuracy of the questionnaire data reflecting smoking status. Objectives: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the validity of self-reported smoking status and identify factors affecting the accuracy of self-reported smoking in South Korean adolescents. Methods: This study investigated the consistency between cotinine concentrations and self-reported questionnaire data through the analysis of urine samples collected from 922 adolescents aged 13~18 among the participants of Cycle 3 of the Korean National Environmental Health Survey. Smoking status was classified using the cotinine cut-off point of 39.85 ㎍/L in adolescents, and factors affecting the accuracy were analyzed through multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: The smoking rates according to the self-reported questionnaire and cut-off point-based cotinine concentrations among adolescents were 3.1% and 5.1%, respectively. The results found 97.1% consistency between self-reported smokers and smokers according to cotinine concentration. Factors affecting the discrepancy showed a significant relationship, including gender, secondhand smoke, and use of e-cigarettes. Conclusions: The results can be used as basic data to establish a smoking policy for adolescents through continuous monitoring and improvement of questionnaire items of factors affecting the discrepancy.