• Health Policy and Management
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• v.27 no.1
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• pp.75-79
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• 2017

Suicide is becoming a public health issue in many countries, and even more so in Korea. Korea has the highest suicide rate in the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development countries. To address these issues, we investigated the recent trends in suicidal ideation and suicide attempts among the adult population. We used data from four sources: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, '2007-2012, '2013, '2015), Korean Community Health Survey (KCHS, '2008-2009, '2013), Korean Wealth Panel Study (KOWEPS, '2012-2015), and Korea Health Panel Survey (KHP, '2010-2013). Weighted frequencies and trend tests were used. The rate of suicidal ideation as recent year was 5.10% (KNHANES, '2015), 8.95% (KCHS, '2013), 2.34% (KOWEPS, '2015), or 5.39% (KHP, '2013). Regarding the suicide attempts, the rate of suicide attempts as recent year was 0.61% (KNHANES, '2015), 0.41% (KCHS, '2013), or 0.04% (KOWEPS, '2015). Average percent change of suicidal ideation during survey year was -2.80% (KNHANES, '2007-2012), 5.78% (KNHANES, '2013-2015), 0.62% (KCHS, '2008-2013), -5.63% (KOWEPS, '2012-2015), and -10.94% (KHP, '2010-2013). Average percent change of suicide attempts during survey year was -3.84% (KNHANES, '2007-2012), 4.55% (KNHANES, '2013-2015), -2.54% (KCHS, '2008-2013), and -18.96% (KOWEPS, '2012-2015). Those who had lower income level were more likely to have self-reported suicidal ideation and suicide attempts. Our results suggest that further efforts are needed for more effective intervention to identify and manage low income strata with suicide problem.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.667-678
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• 2020

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to improve portion size estimation aids (PSEAs) used in the nutrition survey of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) and validate the accuracy and precision of the newly developed aids. SUBJECTS/METHODS: We conducted intensive interviews with survey experts in KNHANES and consulted with experts to collect opinions about improvement of PSEAs. Based on the results of the interviews, 5 types of PSEAs (rice bowl, earthen pots, mounds, measuring spoons, and thickness sticks) were newly developed using 3-dimensional (3D) modeling or modification of color or shape. Validation tests were conducted with 96 adults 20 years old or older. For the rice bowl and earthen pots, the participants were asked to select the more similar PSEA in size after being shown the real dishes. For the mounds, measuring spoons, and thickness sticks, the participants were presented with actual plates of food and asked to estimate the given portion sizes using the given PSEAs. RESULTS: The improved 2-dimensional (2D) picture aid for the rice bowl reflecting the size distortion by angle of view using 3D modeling was perceived more closely to the actual size than the current 2D picture (P < 0.001). The change of the color of 2D pictures and 3D models, the change of shape of the measuring spoons, and the 3-dimensionalization of the 2D mounds had no significant improvement in the subjects' perception. CONCLUSIONS: The currently used 2D PSEAs need to be fully redesigned using 3D modeling to improve subjects' perception. However, change of color or shape will not be necessary. For amorphous foods, it is suggested that more evaluation be performed before reaching a final conclusion in the use of PSEAs, or alternative ways to improve accuracy of estimation need to be explored.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.21 no.5
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• pp.601-610
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• 2021

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to analyze the effect of chewing difficulty on depression in Korean adults to provide basic data on improving the quality of life related to oral health of Korean adults. Methods: The raw data of the analysis were obtained from the dataset of the seven Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted between 2016 and 2018. The subjects included 9,535 people who underwent oral examination and answered questions. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS (ver 21.0) program using composite samples, and the mean crossover analysis and logistic return analysis were performed. Results: An analysis of the effects of chewing difficulty on depression in Korean adults showed that those with chewing difficulty had a 2.24 fold higher risk of depression (95% CI: 1.73-2.90) and a statistically significant difference (p<0.05). Conclusions: The association between the chewing difficulty on depression could be confirmed, and measures improve of the oral health and preventing depression should be prepared.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.11 no.6
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• pp.707-713
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• 2006

The purpose of this study was to test whether moderate alcohol consumption has any positive effect on lowering blood pressure among Koreans. Study subjects were Korean adults 20 years or older (n=5,234) who participated in the 2001 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Analysis of variance and analysis of covariance were used to construct univariate and multivariate models relating alcohol consumption to blood pressure for the analysis. After adjustment for possible covariates, drinkers (regardless of drinking level) had significantly higher systolic and diastolic blood pressure, compared with never-drinker for male subjects. Diastolic and systolic blood pressures were also significantly elevated with the drinking frequency and amount of alcohol intake among male subjects. For the female subjects, only diastolic blood pressure was significantly associated with the alcohol consumption at multivariate model. however, low level alcohol consumption did not show any sign of lowing effects on blood pressure. The result implies that moderate alcohol consumption did not have any positive effect on lowering blood pressure among Koreans for either sex.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.16 no.sup1
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• pp.134-146
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• 2022

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Accumulating evidence has shown the beneficial effects of isoflavone on health. There is limited information on the usual isoflavone intake for Koreans. This study examined the usual intake of total isoflavone and its major food sources in Koreans according to age and gender. SUBJECTS/METHODS: The dietary intake data of 21,271 participants aged 1 yrs and older from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) VII 2016-2018 were analyzed. The average isoflavone intake was estimated based on the 24-h dietary recall data in KNHANES and the isoflavone database from the Korea Rural Development Administration (RDA) and literatures. The usual isoflavone intake was estimated by applying the ratio of within- and between-participant variance estimated from the 2009 KNHANES data to the 7th KNHANES (2016-2018) data. The variance of the isoflavone intake was calculated using MIXTRAN macro with intake data for two days in the 2009 KNHANES. Complex sample analysis with stratified variables and integrated weights was conducted. RESULTS: The mean total isoflavone intake in the Korean population aged 1 yrs and older (n = 21,271) was 139.27 mg/d, which was higher than the usual intake of 47.44mg/d. Legumes were a major contributing food group (91%), with arrowroot being a major individual contributor to the isoflavone intake (67.2%), followed by 21.3% of soybean, 5.4% of bean sprouts, and 2.1% of tofu. The usual isoflavone intake was highest in the participants aged 50 to 64 yrs old and increased with age until 50 to 64 yrs and then decreased with further increases in age. The usual isoflavone intake of participants aged 65 yrs and older was higher for men than for women, showing gender differences. CONCLUSIONS: The usual dietary intake of isoflavone varied according to age and gender in the Korean population. This study showed that the usual isoflavone intake was lower than the average isoflavone intake. The difference between percentiles of the usual isoflavone intake was similarly smaller than the average intake. An estimation of average intake can be hindered by the occasional consumption of foods high in isoflavones, suggesting that the usual intake estimation method can be more appropriate. Further research will be needed to establish isoflavone dietary guidelines regarding the effects of isoflavone intake on health outcomes.

• The Journal of the Korean dental association
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• v.51 no.5
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• pp.265-273
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• 2013

The insurance payment plan for dental implants in Korea has been criticized because the payment priority has not been properly established, and the benefits are concentrated among middle-class citizens. In the current study, the relationship between the oral health condition and socioeconomic status of the elderly was analyzed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). This study aims to determine the reason underlying the criticism of the insurance payment plan. The subjects were >65-year-old individuals in the 2010 and 2011 database of KNHANES. Data from 2,812 subjects were analyzed. The socioeconomic status was determined based on edentulousness, molar tooth loss, and presence of 28 teeth. According to the analysis, the average income was 1,560,000 won for edentulous elderly, 1,811,000 won for elderly who had lost molar teeth, and 1,896,000 won for elderly with 28 teeth (p<0.05). In addition, elderly with a low education level demonstrated a poor oral health condition (p<0.001). In conclusion, the insurance plan currently under examination is not properly designed for economically impoverished elderly because the plan only covers 50% of the costs and is limited to implantation of molar teeth only. This plan will not provide practical benefits to elderly with a poor socioeconomic status; therefore, the insurance payment plan needs to be improved so that the appropriate beneficiaries can be targeted.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.245-250
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• 2023

Objectives: This study was conducted to analyze the factors related to unmet dental care needs in Korean adults who needed dental treatment. Methods: This study analyzed data from the 7th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018). Among the adults who participated in the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, 2,723 dental treatment who performed oral examinations were the final subjects. General characteristics and oral health characteristics were analyzed with complex sample chi-square test using the IBM SPSS program. Factors related to unmet dental care were analyzed by multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: As for unmet dental care needs related factors, bad oral health was 3.383 times higher, and usually was 1.736 times higher. In the use of dental clinic unmet dental care needs was 0.121 times lower. Unmet dental care needs was high, 1.366 times for those with the experience of tooth pain and 2.736 times for those with chewing difficulty. Conclusions: Based on the above results, it can be seen that oral health status or oral discomfort is related to unmet dental care needs. It is necessary to set goals to improve unmet dental care, recognize that one's oral health condition is very important, and continuously educate about oral health for each life cycle.

• Physical Therapy Korea
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• v.16 no.3
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• pp.69-78
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• 2009

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of quality of life and related factors among the elderly in Korea. In particular, we focused on factors affecting the quality of life of the elderly in long term care. We used the third Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (KNHANES) from 2005. We sampled a total of 3,571 (10.5%) elderly from the national survey. We compared the mean of quality of life to socioeconomic status, Activities of Daily Living (ADL), health behavior, and disease variables. We used EuroQol-5D among KNHANES to assess the quality of life. In this study, the mean score of the quality of life among the elderly was 2.57. Logistic regression showed that the elderly who were male, with spouses, with health insurance, and with good ADL levels enjoyed higher quality of life scores and odds ratios than those who were female, divorced, uninsured, and with low ADL levels (p<.05). The quality of life of the elderly was affected by socioeconomic, ADL, health behavior and disease variables. To improve long term care and the quality of life among the elderly, we need detailed research to clarify the effects of these factors.

• Journal of the Korean Data and Information Science Society
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• v.26 no.3
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• pp.773-779
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• 2015

We study a statistical analysis about the fifth wave data of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey based on linear regression models with measurement errors. The data is obtained from a national population-based complex survey. To demonstrate the availability of measurement error models, two results between the general linear regression model and measurement error model are compared based on the model selection criteria which are Akaike information criterion and Bayesian information criterion. For our study, we use the simulation extrapolation algorithm for measurement error model and the jackknife method for the estimation of standard errors.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.31 no.2
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• pp.1-14
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• 2014

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate factors influencing suicidal ideation among Korean adults. Methods: Cross-sectional data from the fifth Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey conducted in 2012 were analyzed in this study. The subjects were categorized into three groups by subjects' age(defined as young adults(20-39), middle-aged adults(40-59), and the elderly(60 or more). Data were analyzed by frequency, Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression using SPSS 18.0. Results: The factors influencing suicidal ideation were different among three age groups. The influencing factors were (1) gender, marital status, household income, perceived stress and depression in the young adult group, (2) household income, perceived health status, perceived stress and depression in the middle-aged group, (3) gender, regular physical activity, smoking, perceived health status, perceived stress and depression in the elderly group. Conclusions: The health education considering the characteristics of each age group should be developed and applied to prevent adults' suicidal ideation because the factors influencing suicidal ideation were revealed differently between the age groups.