• Journal of Environmental Health Sciences
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• v.49 no.6
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• pp.353-361
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• 2023

Background: Noise has been linked to an increased risk of various health issues, including stress, anxiety, insomnia, and cardiovascular disorders. However, research on the relationship between residential traffic noise and mental health in South Korea is limited. Objectives: This study aims to examine the correlation between regional traffic noise levels and mental health using an ecological study design. Methods: In this ecological study, all data were collected from the Korean Statistical Information Service. Traffic noise data in residential areas and the prevalence of mental health indices in 44 cities with noise monitoring stations were obtained. Pearson correlation coefficients were calculated to assess the relationship between regional traffic noise levels and mental health indices. Results: Daytime traffic noise levels were found to have a positive correlation with stress perception (r=0.428, p=0.004) and showed a borderline positive correlation with depressive symptom prevalence (r=0.273, p=0.073). In cities with airports, significant correlations was observed between 24-hour average noise levels and depressive symptoms (r=0.604, p=0.010), whereas this relationship was not observed in cities without airports (r=0.048, p=0.813). Multiple regression analysis, which adjusted for factors such as age, gender ratio, smoking, obesity, unemployment, urban size, and the presence of an airport, confirmed the relationship between 24-hour average noise levels and stress perception (beta=0.287, p=0.024). Conclusions: This study identified correlations between regional traffic noise levels and depressive symptoms or stress perception in adults, with a more pronounced effect in areas with airports. These findings suggest a potential impact of residential traffic noise on mental health, highlighting the importance of preventive measures like noise management in urban planning to promote mental well-being.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.56 no.5
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• pp.413-421
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• 2023

Objectives: This study explored the effect of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic on psychosocial stress in prime working-age individuals in Korea, focusing on gender inequalities. We hypothesized that the impact of COVID-19 on mental health would differ by age and gender, with younger women potentially demonstrating heightened vulnerability relative to men. Methods: The study involved data from the Korea Community Health Survey and included 319 592 adults aged 30 years to 49 years. We employed log-binomial regression analysis, controlling for variables including age, education, employment status, marital status, and the presence of children. The study period included 3 phases: the period prior to the COVID-19 outbreak (pre-COVID-19), the early pandemic, and the period following the introduction of vaccinations (post-vaccination). Results: The findings indicated that women were at a heightened risk of psychosocial stress during the early pandemic (relative risk [RR], 1.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.98 to 1.05) and post-vaccination period (RR, 1.07; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.10) compared to men. This pattern was prominent in urban women aged 30-34 years (pre-COVID-19: RR, 1.06; 95% CI, 1.02 to 1.10; early pandemic: RR, 1.16; 95% CI, 1.08 to 1.25; post-vaccination period, RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.31). Conclusions: The COVID-19 pandemic has exerted unequal impacts on psychosocial stress among prime working-age individuals in Korea, with women, particularly those in urban areas, experiencing a heightened risk. The findings highlight the importance of addressing gender-specific needs and implementing appropriate interventions to mitigate the psychosocial consequences of the pandemic.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.325-332
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• 2008

The human population is mainly exposed to dioxins through the diet. The purpose of this study was to estimate the daily dietary intake of PCDDs and PCDFs in Korean adults residing in different regions. Subjects were recruited and divided into three groups according to the districts where they lived: rural (n=213), coastal (n=193), and urban district (n=187). Subjects were interviewed using a general questionnaire and 24-hour recall for dietary intake. The daily intake of dioxins was estimated through the use of the database of dioxins contents in 35 Korean foods. The average age of the subjects were 61.5 years for coastal district, 57.6 years for rural district, and 49.4 years for urban district. Daily energy intake was 1707.7 kcal for rural district, 1596.5 kcal for urban district, and 1493.8 kcal for coastal district. There was no significant difference in total food intake by regions. The intakes from fishes of coastal district, those from cereals, vegetables, meats, and seasonings of rural district, and those from sugars, pulses, eggs, seaweeds, milks, oils of urban area were higher than those of the other two districts. The daily dioxins intake of coastal district (0.70 pgTEQ/kg/day) was significantly higher than those of rural district (0.32 pgTEQ/kg/day) and urban district (0.46 pgTEQ/kg/day). The dioxins intake from cereals, pulses, vegetables, fishes of coastal district and those from eggs and milks of urban area were the highest among the districts. The daily dioxins intake was positively correlated with the intakes of meats, eggs, fishes, oils, and seasonings. Therefore, it could be concluded that the daily dioxins intake of coastal district is higher than that in other districts and the fish is one of the main sources in dioxin intakes. However, daily dioxins intakes of the three regions were below the level of tolerable daily intake (TDI).

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.42 no.5
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• pp.705-712
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• 2013

Epidemiologic research has suggested that frequent eating out may be associated with poor dietary habits, including high-calorie and inadequate nutrient intakes. Limited studies, however, have evaluated dietary behaviors with patterns of eating out in South Korea. The aims of this study were to examine the associations between nutrient intakes, adherence to dietary guidelines, and frequencies of eating out among Korean adults. Data were analyzed from adult (30 to 64 years old) participants of the 2007~2009 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (n=10,223). Nutrient intake levels were assessed by the 24-hour recall method. The dietary score (DS-ADGK) was calculated based on the adherence to dietary guidelines for Koreans. Subjects who frequently consumed meals outside the home tended to be younger, male, urban-dwelling, highly educated, and receiving a higher income. The frequency of eating out was positively associated with the higher intake of most nutrients, except carbohydrates and crude fiber. Regular breakfast habits seem to be associated with the frequency of meals outside the home for women; younger women who frequently eat out tended to have irregular breakfast eating habits, but this association is attenuated with increasing age. The mean DS-ADGK differed by sex, age, and the frequency of eating out; older participants scored higher than the younger ones, women had higher scores than men, and those who frequently eat out had lower scores than their counterparts. In addition, the adherence score for each component of the dietary guidelines was also significantly different by age and sex. The consideration of demographic characteristics related to frequent eating out and other barriers to healthful eating, as well as essential and practical interventions, are needed to promote positive dietary behavioral changes in Korea.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.38 no.10
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• pp.827-835
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• 2005

The purpose of this study was to investigate the relation among mineral intakes, blood pressure, and blood lipids for health management of Korean adults over 20 years old. Subjects were recruited from the district where they lived, which included rural (Yoju, n = 137) , coastal (Taean, n = 100) , and urban district (Suwon, n : 117) . hnthropornekical measurement, blood pressure measurement, dietary intake assessment using 24-hour recall method, and blood collection and analysis of blood lipids were conducted. The average age, height, weight, and BMI were 54.1 years, 168.5 cm, 67.3 kg, and 24.5 kg/$m^{2}$ for men and 53.9 years,153.8 cm,59.2 kg, and 25.0 kg/$m^{2}$ for women, respectively. The mean daily intakes of total food and energy were 1219.1 g and 1740.9 kcal for men and 1071.3 g and 1432.6 kcal for women. The mineral intakes of men and women were 448.5 mg and 400.4 mg for calcium,955.3 mg and 803.7 mg for phosphorus, 13.3 mg and 11.1 mg for iron, 4302.8 mg and 3393.3 mg for sodium,2588.0 mg and 2264.9 mg for potassium, and 8.9 mg and 7.3 mg for zinc. The daily intakes of energy, calcium, zinc, vitamin $B_{2}$, and vitamin I were $76.1\%$, $60.1\%$, $73.1\%$, $68.6\%$, and $80.4\%$ of RDAs, respectively. The intakes of energy, calcium, zinc, vitamin $B_{2}$ and I were not meet Korean RDAs. Especially, calcium, zinc, and vitamin $B_{2}$ were less than $75\%$ of RDAs. Blood pressure of the subjects was 128.3/75.5 mmHg for men and 124.1/73.7 mmHg for women. Serum lipids of men and women were 180.2 mg/dL and 184.9 mg/dL for total cholesterol, 160.8 mg/dL and 137.6 mg/dL for triglyceride,41.5 mg/dL and 44.7 mg/dL for HDL-cholesterol,106.6 mg/dL and 112.7 mg/dL for LDL-cholesterol, and 3.5 and 3.3 for atherogenic index. While serum triglyceride and AI of men was significantly higher, HDL-cholesterol was lower than those of women. In the relation among mineral intakes, blood pressure, and serum lipids, we found a significantly negative correlation of intakes of calcium, calcium/phosphorus, calcium density with systolic blood pressure. There were significantly negative correlation between intake of calcium/phosphorus and serum cholesterol, calcium density and serum cholesterol, sodium intake and serum HDL-cholesterol. Based on these results, we concluded that high intakes of calcium, calcium/phosphorus and low sodium intake were associated with favorable blood pressure and serum lipid profiles in adult men and women. (Korean J Nutrition 38(10): 827$\sim$835,2005)

• 한국노년학
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• v.31 no.4
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• pp.1189-1208
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• 2011

The purpose of this study was to explore the factors related to social participation of Korean young-old adults residing in urban area with a focus on the effects of various motivations. In addition, this study examined gender differences in the relationships between social participation and motivations of social participation. Self-oriented motivation, network-oriented motivation, and society-oriented motivation were considered as motivations of social participation. The study subjects were 836 men and 877 women aged 50-69. The data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires in 2009. Hierarchical regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships between motivations and the level of social participation using the SAS program. Main results were as follows: 1) The network-oriented motivation and society-oriented motivations were significantly related to the level of social participation; 2) Although men and women significantly differed in the patterns of social participation, gender differences were not found in the relationships between the social participation and motivations. These findings imply that network-oriented motivation and society-oriented motivation are important for facilitating the social participation of Korean young elderly. Further implications were discussed.

• 한국노년학
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• v.29 no.2
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• pp.529-546
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• 2009

Depression in old age not only is prevalent but also causes a considerable amount of burden in physical, psychosocial, and economic terms. Intervention, however, is often delayed due to the understanding that considers depressive symptoms as a normal process of aging or signs of physical illnesses. Since the recognition of symptoms often initiate one's help seeking process, a correct identification of symptoms can contribute to early detection and intervention to depression in oneself as well as in others. This study interviewed 104 older adults living in an urban area, and explored their ability to correctly identify depressive symptoms and factors related to identification. The study results show that respondents who were able to correctly identify symptoms of depression were only 14%, and the rest defined the symptoms as social, economic, and other psychological issues. Of the factors in the logistic regression model, age being 75 and over and mass media as source of mental health information affected negatively their ability to correctly identify symptoms; mental health education programs affected positively their ability. Based on these results, it is suggested that such strategies as employing a face-to-face provision of concrete information and counseling can be more effective than delivering information via large-scale lectures. Additionally, a future research deems necessary to conduct an in-depth examination of mental health/illness-related contents on mass media.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.3-9
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the difference between prevalence and risk factors of the metabolic syndrome(MS) by gender in type2 diabetic patients. Method: 108 participants(males 69, females 39) were recruited from the endocrinology outpatient department of a tertiary care hospital in an urban city. MS was defined by a third report of the national cholesterol education program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults(Adult Treatment Panel III)(ATP III), and abdominal obesity was determined by Asia-Pacific criteria in waist circumference. Results: The prevalence of MS by definition of NCEP-ATP III and the Asia-Pacific criteria in waist circumference was 39.3% in males and 66.7% in females type2 diabetic patients. The abdominal obesity prevalence was seen in 44.9% of males and in 79.5% of females patients. The prevalence of low HDL-cholesterolemia in serum was 26.2% in male, 52.8% in female type2 diabetic patients. Conclusion: These results show that nurses should focus on female diabetic patients for preventing MS.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.58-62
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the difference of metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factors according to the MS diagnosis in the age of fifties women. Methods: Forty-two subjects (non metabolic syndrome 30, metabolic syndrome 12) were recruited from the health promotion center of a tertiary care hospital in an urban city. MS was defined by third report of the national cholesterol education program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults (Adult Treatment Panel III) (ATP III), and abdominal obesity was determined by Asia-Pacific criteria in waist circumference. Results: The prevalence of MS by definition of NCEP-ATP III and Asia-Pacific criteria in waist circumference was 28.6% in the age of fifties women. The educational level and the median HDL-cholesterol were significantly lower in the MS patient group than in the Non-MS group. The median of weight, triglyceride, and fasting glucose were significantly higher in the MS patient group than in the Non-MS group. Conclusion: These results indicate that the nursing care should be focused on weight, triglyceride, HDL-cholesterol, and fasting glucose of the MS patients in the fifties women.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.37 no.4
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• pp.453-458
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare metabolic syndrome (MS) risk factor prevalence by obesity and age in middle-aged women. Method: Two hundred and fifty-one subjects were recruited from the health promotion center of a tertiary care hospital in an urban city. MS was defined by the third report of the national cholesterol education program (NCEP) expert panel on detection, evaluation, and treatment of high blood cholesterol in adults(Adult Treatment Panel III)(ATP III), and obesity was determined by body mass $index(BMI){\geq}25kg/m^2$. Results: The mean blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were significantly higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group. The prevalence of MS, hypertension, and impaired fasting glucose were significantly higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group. In the forties, blood pressure was significantly higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group. In the fifties, body fat, systolic blood pressure, fasting glucose, total cholesterol, and triglyceride were significantly higher in the obese group than in the non-obese group. Conclusions: These results show that the nurse should focus on the obese fifty year old female patients for improvement of the MS risk factors.