• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.32 no.4
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• pp.443-451
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• 1999

Objective: To examine the relationship between hypertension prevalence and the four commonest anthropometric measurements for obesity(body mass index(BMI), wasit-hip ratio(WHR), waist circumference(WC) and body fat in Korean adults. Methods: We studied the cross-sectional association of the anthropometric indices and blood pressure in 1,197 individuals(who were participants in the population-based cohort study). Hypertension was defined as blood pressure $\geq160/95\;mmHg$ or current use of antihypertensive medication. Informations on life-style factors were obtained from personal interview. Results: There were close associations between BMI, WHR and WC with blood pressure in both men and women. After age adjustment, BMI and WC showed significantly positive correlation with systolic and diastolic blood pressure levels in both men and women. Odds ratio(ORs) of being hypertensive were estimated comparing the highest to the lowest quantile, adjusting for age, smoking status, alcohol intake levels, education attainment. The simultaneously adjusted ORs of being hypertensive, comparing the highest vs the lowest categories, was for BMI 2.0(95% confidence interval(CI)=0.9-3.2) in men and 3.2 (95% CI=1.7-6.1) in women, for WC 2.1(95% CI=1.0-4.4) in men and 3.1 (95% CI=1.6-5.9) in women, for fat(%) 4.2(95% CI=1.9-9.5) in men and 2.1(95% CI=1.2-3.6) in women. Conclusion: In addition to measures of overall obesity(BMI) as well as central obesity(WHR, WC), body fat(%) was independently associated with prevalence of hypertension. Among obesity indices, body fat was the most predictor variable in hypertensive state in male and BMI was in female.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.560-572
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• 2012

This study examines the influence of fashion accessories on how men of different ages are perceived, as well as how the social values of the perceiver affect the image evaluation process. For the purpose of this study, men's accessories were limited to glasses, ties, and hats. A quasi-experiment was conducted in which 358 female university students in Seoul examined two men, one in his 30s and the other in his 60s. The social value included materialism and hedonism with higher and lower group. Factor analysis revealed three main factors with regard to men's image based on age and accessories: professionalism, morality, and preference. The findings indicated that wearing accessories can affect how men are perceived, and the perceivers' social values are at play throughout the process. Glasses enhanced a professional image in men, while ties amplified professionalism and morality. Morality and preference for the older man were heightened when he wore a fedora and a hunting cap. Taking social values into account, perceivers with a higher level of materialism associated a man with a navy blue tie more strongly with professionalism. Perceivers who possessed more hedonistic traits preferred a man wearing a cap. The subjects considered the man in his 60s as having a higher level of professionalism when he wore casual hats such as a cap or a cloche. The results of this study suggest that social values such as materialism and hedonism play a part in how people perceive men wearing accessories.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.50 no.2
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• pp.100-126
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• 2017

Objectives: The aim of this study was to measure income differences in smoking prevalence at the district level and to investigate correlations among area deprivation, smoking prevalence, and income differences in smoking prevalence, stratified by urbanity. Methods: Data were pooled from the Community Health Survey data of South Korea between 2008 and 2014. The age-standardized prevalence of smoking and its interquintile income differences were calculated. We conducted correlation analyses to investigate the association of the deprivation index with smoking prevalence and interquintile differences in smoking prevalence. Results: Across 245 districts, the median prevalence of smoking in men was 45.9% (95% confidence interval [CI], 43.4 to 48.5%), with an interquartile range (IQR) of 4.6% points. In women, the median prevalence was 3.0% (95% CI, 2.4 to 3.6%) and IQR was 1.6% points. The median interquintile difference in smoking prevalence was 7.4% points (95% CI, 1.6 to 13.2% points) in men and 2.7% points (95% CI, 0.5 to 4.9% points) in women. The correlation coefficients for the association between the deprivation index and smoking prevalence was 0.58, 0.15, -0.22 in metropolitan, urban, and rural areas, respectively, among men, and 0.54, -0.33, -0.43 among women. No meaningful correlation was found between area deprivation and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence. The correlation between smoking prevalence and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence was more evident in women than in men. Conclusions: This study provides evidence of geographical variations in smoking prevalence and interquintile difference in smoking prevalence. Neither smoking prevalence nor the deprivation index was closely correlated with interquintile income difference in smoking prevalence. Measuring inequalities in smoking prevalence is crucial to developing policies aimed at reducing inequalities in smoking.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.515-524
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• 2001

Differences in dietary intake of Korean Americans (KA) by the length of residence in the U.S. were studied in relation to health and disease patterns in Michigan. Of 1860 questionnaires mailed, 637 (34.3%) responded with demographics, anthropometrics, self-reported disease patterns, lifestyle, and dietary patterns (93-item FFQ developed for KA). Complete responses were available for 498 people (263 men,253 women, aged 30-87 yr), who were then divided into three groups based on the number of years lived in the U.S.: 15y, 16-25y, 26y. Age-adjusted weight, height, BMI, and waist to hip ratio were within the normal ranges and did not differ among the three groups. Chronic diseases frequently reported in men and women (age-adjusted) included hypertension (14.4%, 14.1%), digestive diseases (5.4%, 8.5%), diabetes (3.6%,4.9%), and arthritis(3.3%, 12.5%), respectively. The length of residence in the U.S. was inversely associated with the age-adjusted prevalence of digestive diseases (12.4%, 6.5%, 0.4% in men, 13.0%, 11.7%, 0% in women). The length of residence was positively associated with health consciousness, receiving regular health care, taking supplements regularly, and exercising, while inversely related to smoking. The majority favored American foods for breakfast and Korean foods for dinner. Foods frequently consumed included cooked rice (w/other grains). kimchi, coffee (w/cream and sugar),bread (white and dark), citrus juice, milk (low fat and skim), lettuce and cucumber, apple, seaweed, and soda. Intake frequency of the Korean starch food group was inversely associated with the length of residence for both men and women (p<0.001), but not with the American starch food group. Fat intake did not differ by the length of residence in the U.S. The dietary changes were associated with the length of residence and chronic disease patterns for the first generation of KA, which should be further examined 'for the subsequent generation of KA.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.49 no.3
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• pp.143-152
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• 2016

Objectives: Metabolic syndrome is a cluster of risk factors for type 2 diabetes mellitus and cardiovascular disease. Associations between metabolic syndrome and several types of cancer have recently been documented. Methods: We analyzed the sample cohort data from the Korean National Health Insurance Service from 2002, with a follow-up period extending to 2013. The cohort data included 99 565 individuals who participated in the health examination program and whose data were therefore present in the cohort database. The metabolic risk profile of each participant was assessed based on obesity, high serum glucose and total cholesterol levels, and high blood pressure. The occurrence of cancer was identified using Korean National Health Insurance claims data. Hazard ratios (HRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards models, adjusting for age group, smoking status, alcohol intake, and regular exercise. Results: A total of 5937 cases of cancer occurred during a mean follow-up period of 10.4 years. In men with a high-risk metabolic profile, the risk of colon cancer was elevated (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.71). In women, a high-risk metabolic profile was associated with a significantly increased risk of gallbladder and biliary tract cancer (HR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.24 to 3.42). Non-significantly increased risks were observed in men for pharynx, larynx, rectum, and kidney cancer, and in women for colon, liver, breast, and ovarian cancer. Conclusions: The findings of this study support the previously suggested association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of several cancers. A high-risk metabolic profile may be an important risk factor for colon cancer in Korean men and gallbladder and biliary tract cancer in Korean women.

• Korean Journal of Culture and Social Issue
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.697-718
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• 2015

The purpose of this study was to examine the moderating effect of couple communication(speaking and listening) in relationships between sexual intimacy and marital satisfaction of married middle-aged men and women. The results of this study are as follows. First, marital satisfaction, sexual intimacy, and speaking of couple communication were found to have significant positive correlation. Speaking and listening of couple communication appeared to have significant positive correlation with marital satisfaction. Secondly, sexual intimacy significantly predicted the marital satisfaction. Third, speaking and listening of couple communication significantly predicted the marital satisfaction. Fourth, speaking of couple communication in relationships between sexual intimacy and marital satisfaction did not show a moderating effect. Listening of couple communication in relationships between sexual intimacy and marital satisfaction showed a moderating effect. Through this results, we discussed the need for intervention on the potential use of sexual intimacy and listening of couple communication proved as a moderating variable in counseling and couple counseling program for married middle-aged men and women

• Korean Journal of Human Ecology
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.631-638
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• 2008

This study is to examine the influences of the sex and the extramarital sexual involvement on the permissiveness toward extramarital relationship. The relative influences which the sex and the extramarital sexual involvement have on the permissiveness were measured accordingly to the sex of the involved spouse. From the sample of 492 married individuals, the findings were as follows : First, regardless of the sex of the respondents, extramarital relationship was mostly disapproved. Irrespective of the sex of the involved spouse, men tended to be more permissive than women. Respondents who had extramarital sexual involvements were more permissive than those who had not. Also, whether the respondent had experienced an extramarital sexual involvement or not, women's permissiveness did not depend much on the sex of the involved spouse. Meanwhile, men's permissiveness did. Second, while both the sex and the extramarital sexual involvement were significant variables influencing men's extramarital relationships, only the extramarital sexual involvement proved to be significant in women's case. This result identifies the sex double-standard for the permissiveness toward extramarital relationship.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.23-32
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• 2011

Purpose: This study was conducted to estimate the relationship between health behavior and follow-up needed for results of health examinations. Methods: The participants were 2,245 adults over age 19. Data from the National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey VI-1 was used. Health behavior was defined as smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, hours of sleep and BMI. Those who needed follow-up care after a health examination were defined as having abnormal blood pressure, abnormal blood sugar, or abnormal blood cholesterol. Results: The proportion needing follow-up was 77.4%. The odds ratio (95%CI) for needing follow-up for blood pressure for men was 1.59 (1.18-2.15) with excessive alcohol consumption over one month, and 2.33 (1.73-3.13) with obesity, and for women, 3.55 (2.66-4.74) with obesity. For blood sugar in men it was 1.59 (1.18-2.15) with excessive alcohol consumption and 2.33 (1.73-3.13) with obesity, and for women, 3.55 (2.66-4.74) with obesity. For low HDL-C in men it was 0.53 (00.40-0.72) with excessive alcohol consumption and 2.39 (1.81-3.15) with obesity, and in women, 0.73 (0.57-0.94) with excessive alcohol consumption and 1.66 (1.29-2.14) with obesity. For high triglycerides it was 2.37 (1.42-2.39) with smoking and 2.34 (1.70-3.22) with obesity in men and in women, 1.51 (1.05-2.16) with obesity. Conclusions: The results of this study indicate that obesity is associated with high blood pressure, high blood sugar, low HDL-C, and high triglycerides.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.39 no.4
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• pp.365-370
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• 2006

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to investigate the differences in smoking rates according to the major occupational categories in South Korea. Methods: The study subjects were a weighted sample of 24,495 men and 26,121 women aged 25-64 from the 2003 Social Statistics Survey, which was conducted by the Korea National Statistical Office. Occupation was classified according to the Korean Standard Occupation Classification. We computed the age-standardized smoking rates according to gender and occupations after adjusting for the education level, marital status, and self-rated health. Results: For men, the smoking rate in elementary occupations was two times higher than that of clerks (OR=1.98, 95% CI=1.74-2.26). In general, a more prestigious job(professionals) correlated with lower smoking rates, and less prestigious jobs correlated with higher smoking rates, except for legislators, senior officials and managers. For women, smoking among service workers was 4.1 times higher than among clerical workers (OR=4.11, 95% CI=2.87-5.88). For women, their occupations, except elementary workers, and the unemployed, the retired and the armed forces, failed to show significant differences in smoking compared with the clerical workers. After adjusting for education, occupational differences in the smoking rate for men were attenuated in most occupations, except for legislators, professionals, and technicians. Further adjustment for marital status and self-rated health had a minimal effect on the occupational differences in the smoking rate for men. For women workers with service or elementary occupations, the ORs of smoking were attenuated with adjustment of the educational levels. However, the ORs of smoking were increased in workers with service, sales or elementary occupations, as well as for legislators, and the unemployed, the retired and the armed forces, after additionally adjusting for marital status. Conclusions: More prestigious jobs generally correlated with lower smoking rates in both sexes. The anti-tobacco policy should consider smoking rate differentials by occupations.

• Annals of Geriatric Medicine and Research
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• v.22 no.4
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• pp.194-199
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• 2018

Background: The aim of this study was to examine the correlation between the number of remaining natural teeth (NRT) and the appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (SMI) in older adults. Methods: This study was based on data from the 2008-2010 Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys. The participants were 2,378 older participants (984 men and 1,394 women) aged over 65 years. Survey dentists conducted oral health examinations, and ASM was measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. Results: The participants with $NRT{\geq}20$ had more ASM and SMI than those with NRT<20 in both sexes. SMI was correlated with NRT in men (r=0.018, p<0.001) and in women (r=-0.007, p<0.001). The positive correlation between the NRT and SMI remained significant in men even after adjusting for age, marital status, income, smoking, drinking, physical activity, protein intake, energy intake, calcium intake, body mass index, fasting blood glucose level, medications, and prostheses (${\beta}=0.011$, p=0.001). In women, the correlation disappeared after adjustment for smoking, alcohol, physical activity, protein intake, energy intake, calcium intake, marital status, income, fasting basal glucose, medication administration, and prostheses. Conclusion: This study showed a correlation between NRT and SMI in those ${\geq}65$ years of age in Korea. The relationship persisted in men, but not in women, even after adjusting for confounders.