Food Security Moderates the Relationships of Muscle Mass with Metabolic Syndrome and Insulin Resistance

Background@#This study aimed to determine whether food security moderates the relationship of skeletal muscle mass with metabolic syndrome (MetS) and insulin resistance (IR). @*Methods@#This study analyzed the data of 10,680 adults using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2008 to 2011. The food security reported by households, appendicular skeletal muscle mass (ASM) divided by body mass index (BMI) (ASM/BMI), weight (ASM/weight), or height squared (ASM/height2) as muscle mass indicators, MetS (defined as presence of at least 3 components of MetS), and IR (defined as sex-specific highest quintile of homeostatic model assessment for IR) were assessed. The association between the muscle mass indicators and food security as well as their interaction with MetS and IR was analyzed for all participants and each sex using complex sample logistic regression and general linear model analyses. @*Results@#When the ASM/BMI increased by 0.1 kg/BMI, the odds for MetS and IR decreased by 36% and 29%, respectively, after adjusting for age, sex, education, economic level, smoking, alcohol consumption, physical activity, chronic diseases, and intake of fats and protein. There was a significant interaction between ASM/BMI and food security in their relationship with MetS and its components. In the low food security group, the inverse relationship of ASM/BMI with MetS and IR was stronger than in the food security group. These findings were more pronounced in men than in women, and similar findings were observed in the association with ASM/weight. @*Conclusions@#The associations of skeletal muscle mass with MetS and IR may be influenced by household food security in Korean adults.

The Association between Alcohol Consumption and Grip Strength in a Nationwide Survey

Background@#Handgrip strength (HGS) is an important predictor of long-term health and physical function. Studies have associated alcohol consumption with HGS but based on inconsistent findings. The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data were analyzed to examine the association between alcohol consumption levels and HGS based on sociodemographic and health-related factors. @*Methods@#Using the 2014 to 2018 KNHANES data, alcohol consumption levels (abstinence, moderate, binge, and heavy consumption) and HGS levels (normal vs. weak) were determined in 8,556 men and 10,054 women (age, 49±16 years). Logistic regression analyses were conducted after adjusting for sociodemographic and health-related factors and in subgroups of those factors. @*Results@#Binge or heavy consumption was reported in 50.2% of men and 22.7% of women, and weak HGS was found in 4.6% of men and 9.9% of women. In the fully adjusted model, weak HGS was associated with binge consumption (odds ratio [OR], 0.51, 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.37–0.71) and heavy consumption (OR, 0.37, 95% CI, 0.22–0.63) in men, and moderate consumption (OR, 0.79, 95% CI, 0.67–0.93) and binge consumption (OR, 0.65, 95% CI, 0.52–0.83) in women. An association between consumption levels and weak HGS was found in both sexes regardless of age (<65 vs. ≥65 years), education/income level, exercise endurance level, presence/absence of co-morbid illness, weight, and the presence/absence of metabolic syndrome. @*Conclusions@#Alcohol consumption may be inversely associated with weak HGS, regardless of sociodemographic and health-related factors using the 2014 to 2018 KNHANES data. Further prospective studies are necessary to examine the causality of the association.

Relationship between Sleep Time and Hand Grip Strength on Weekday and Weekend

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate the association between sleep duration and handgrip strength (HGS) with the consideration for sex and age groups. @*Methods@#Among 10,783 individuals of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016-2017, the associations of weekend and weekdays sleep duration with HGS were analyzed using logistic regression analysis after adjusting for income, education, smoking·alcohol use, weight status, presence of metabolic syndrome and chronic illness according to sex and age (19-40, 41-60, ≥61). @*Results@#With respect to the weekdays sleep duration, the odds ratios for low HGS in men and women aged ≥61 years with >8 hours sleep duration were 1.8 and 1.7, while the odds ratio (OR) was 1.4 in women aged ≥61 years with 8 hours sleep were 2.7 and 4.9, while the OR in men ≥61 years with >8 hours sleep was 2.1. In women, the OR was 1.5 for those 19-40 years with >8 hours sleep duration; 1.4, 1.4, and 2.0 for those ≥61 years with 8 hours sleep. @*Conclusions@#Higher risk for low HGS was associated with >8 hours sleep duration in weekdays and weekend in older men and women, 8 hours weekend sleep duration in younger men and women.

Relationship between Decreased Estimated Glomerular Filtration Rate and Sarcopenic Obesity among Postmenopausal Women: Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2011) / 가정의학회지

Background@#Previous studies have shown that body composition is associated with chronic kidney disease (CKD), and perimenopause is associated with increased fat mass and decreased lean body mass. Muscle wasting is common among patients with CKD. Sarcopenic obesity (SO) refers to excess adiposity with decreased muscle mass. However, little is known about the relationship between SO and renal function decline. Here, we identified the relationship between SO and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) in postmenopausal women. @*Methods@#We conducted a cross-sectional study based on the data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2008–2011). We analyzed 4,560 postmenopausal women who underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry. Sarcopenia was defined based on weight-adjusted appendicular skeletal muscle mass. Obesity was defined based on body mass index. The eGFR was calculated using the Chronic Kidney Disease Epidemiology Collaboration equation. Subjects were classified into four groups: normal, obese, sarcopenic, and sarcopenic obese. Logistic regression analysis was performed to examine the association between SO and decreased eGFR. The results were adjusted for variable confounders. @*Results@#In the unadjusted model, the odds ratio (OR) of decreased eGFR for SO was 1.67 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.23–2.26). The obese and sarcopenic groups had ORs of 0.67 (95% CI, 0.44–1.03) and 0.70 (95% CI, 0.44–1.10), respectively. After controlling for confounding variables, there was also a significant association between SO and decreased eGFR (adjusted OR, 1.48; 95% Cl, 1.05–2.07). @*Conclusion@#SO was independently associated with decreased eGFR in postmenopausal Korean women.

Factors Influencing Electronic Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation among Adolescents in South Korea: The 13th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey

BACKGROUND: This study used the data of Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) to confirm the relationship between electronic cigarette use for smoking cessation among Korean adolescents and demographic, health behavior, and school-life factors. METHODS: Data were taken from the 13th KYRBS in 2017. In this study on 62,276 adolescents, characteristics of 1,244 electronic cigarette users were compared with those of non-electronic cigarette users. The 1,244 adolescent electronic cigarette users were evaluated for characteristics related to smoking cessation. Among the related characteristics, demographic factors comprised sex, grade, economic status, weekly allowance, and residence type. Health status-related factors comprised physical activity, lifetime drinking experience, smoking amount, subjective health perception, and stress perception. School characteristics included school type, academic performance, and smoking cessation education. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using complex sample analysis. RESULTS: The proportion of current electronic cigarette users was 2.2% (boys, 3.3%; girls, 0.9%). Of the 41.5% of cigarette users willing to quit smoking, 11% used electronic cigarettes for this purpose. Among the electronic cigarette users, characteristics related to smoking cessation were grade, weekly allowance, and residence type, but logistic regression analysis revealed that increases in grade (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–3.35) and living with family (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.89–9.18) were associated with smoking cessation. CONCLUSIONS: According to the 13th KYRBS in 2017, adolescents were likely to use electronic cigarette for smoking cessation when they are older and live with their families.

Factors Influencing Electronic Cigarette Use for Smoking Cessation among Adolescents in South Korea: The 13th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey

BACKGROUND@#This study used the data of Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS) to confirm the relationship between electronic cigarette use for smoking cessation among Korean adolescents and demographic, health behavior, and school-life factors.@*METHODS@#Data were taken from the 13th KYRBS in 2017. In this study on 62,276 adolescents, characteristics of 1,244 electronic cigarette users were compared with those of non-electronic cigarette users. The 1,244 adolescent electronic cigarette users were evaluated for characteristics related to smoking cessation. Among the related characteristics, demographic factors comprised sex, grade, economic status, weekly allowance, and residence type. Health status-related factors comprised physical activity, lifetime drinking experience, smoking amount, subjective health perception, and stress perception. School characteristics included school type, academic performance, and smoking cessation education. Chi-square test and logistic regression analysis were performed using complex sample analysis.@*RESULTS@#The proportion of current electronic cigarette users was 2.2% (boys, 3.3%; girls, 0.9%). Of the 41.5% of cigarette users willing to quit smoking, 11% used electronic cigarettes for this purpose. Among the electronic cigarette users, characteristics related to smoking cessation were grade, weekly allowance, and residence type, but logistic regression analysis revealed that increases in grade (odds ratio [OR], 2.01; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.21–3.35) and living with family (OR, 4.17; 95% CI, 1.89–9.18) were associated with smoking cessation.@*CONCLUSIONS@#According to the 13th KYRBS in 2017, adolescents were likely to use electronic cigarette for smoking cessation when they are older and live with their families.

Association between Sarcopenic Obesity and Metabolic Syndrome in Postmenopausal Women: A Cross-sectional Study Based on the Korean National Health and Nutritional Examination Surveys from 2008 to 2011

BACKGROUND: Menopause contributes to an increase in visceral fat mass and a decrease in muscle protein synthesis. Therefore, we performed this study to examine their relationship how effect the changes of body composition as obesity and sarcopenia on metabolic syndrome (MS) as a predictor of cardiovascular disease in postmenopausal women. METHODS: Using data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2008 to 2011, we estimated that 4,183 postmenopausal women underwent dual energy X-ray absorptiometry scans. Sarcopenia was defined as an appendicular skeletal muscle mass divided by body weight that was less than 1 standard deviation below the sex specific mean for the young reference group. After classification into four groups, the results were adjusted with menopausal age and hormonal treatment. The relationship between sarcopenic obesity (SO) and MS in postmenopausal women was analyzed by logistic regression analysis in a complex sampling. RESULTS: In an unadjusted model, the odds ratio (OR) of MS for sarcopenia was 1.94 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.52-2.49); the obesity group had an OR of 4.55 (95% CI, 3.63-5.71); and distinctly, the SO group had an OR of 6.26 (95% CI, 5.10-7.70). Even though there was controlling for variable adjustment, no definite difference was seen in the results. CONCLUSIONS: Sarcopenia and obesity were associated with MS independent of other metabolic impairment risk factors in both early menopausal and postmenopausal women. The results showed that, in particular, the prevalence of MS has increased more in postmenopausal women compared with previous research.

Association between Lumbar Bone Mineral Density and Carotid Intima-Media Thickness in Korean Adults: a Cross-sectional Study of Healthy Twin Study

Bone mineral density (BMD) has been suggested to be associated with atherosclerosis. In the present study, we evaluated the association between lumbar BMD and the segments of carotid intima-media thickness (CIMT), a surrogate marker of subclinical atherosclerosis, in Korean adults, with consideration of sex and menopause status. Among 1,679 Korean adults who enrolled in a Healthy Twin Study, 723 men, 690 premenopausal women, and 266 postmenopausal women measured the CIMT at the common carotid artery intima-media thickness (CCA-IMT), carotid bifurcation intima-media thickness (BIF-IMT), internal carotid artery intima-media thickness (ICA-IMT) using B-mode ultrasound and lumbar BMD using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry. The composite CIMT was calculated as the mean value of three CIMTs. The association was evaluated using linear mixed models. In premenopausal women, lumbar BMD was positively associated with composite CIMT and with CCA-IMT (P = 0.008 and 0.002, respectively). However, no association was observed between BMD and CIMT in men or in postmenopausal women. Stratified analysis revealed the effect of body mass index (BMI) on the association between BMD and CIME. The positive association in premenopausal women persisted only in low BMI (< 25 kg/m²) group, whereas a positive association appeared at high BMI (≥ 25 kg/m²) group in men. A high lumbar BMD may indicate an elevated risk of subclinical atherosclerosis in premenopausal women and men with high BMI.

The Association between Chronic Diseases and Active Patient Participation

BACKGROUND: Active patient participation in health care decision-making can results in better medical outcomes. This study's purpose is to investigate the association between the patient participation and the diseases often encountered in primary care. METHODS: We used the data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey conducted in 2015 which included 4,158 adults aged older than 19 and who had no missing data. The association between the presence of disease or the number of accompanying diseases and the active patient participation in the treatment decision was studied. Logistic regression analysis was conducted using complex sampling design in each sex. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounding variables, the relationship between active patient participation and the diagnosis of hypertension, odds ratio (OR) was 1.95 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.25-3.04) for men and 1.83 (95% CI, 1.27-2.65) for women. In women diagnosed with diabetes, OR was 0.58 (95% CI, 0.35-0.97). Between active patient participation and increasing number of accompanying diseases have positive tendency but not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that active patient participation is related to the diagnosis of hypertension, and the number of accompanying diseases and active patient participation were not significantly associated. This is a rare study related to the active patient participation in the Korean population, that it may be helpful in establishing further relevant research and strategies to increase the patient participation rate.

The Relationship between Smoking and Suicidal Behavior in Korean Adolescents: 12th Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey

BACKGROUND: Suicide is the first leading cause of death among teenagers in Korea, and smoking is reported to be one of the risk factors for suicide. The purpose of this study is to investigate the relationship between smoking and smoking amount and suicidal behavior using data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBS). METHODS: Using the 12th KYRBS 2016, we surveyed smoking, smoking amount, suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicidal attempt of adolescents. And a total of 65,528 respondents were divided into current smoker, former smokers, and non-smoker, and 4,012 smokers were classified into ≤9 cigarettes/day group, 10–19 cigarettes/day group, and ≥20 cigarettes/day group according to the amount of smokers. We analyzed the relationship between smoking and smoking amount and suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicidal attempt using multivariate logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: As a result of adjusting for all confounding variables, the current smoker has an odds ratio of 1.143 (confidence interval 1.020–1.281) with suicidal ideation compared to non-smoker and the odds ratio of suicidal planning and suicidal attempt is also statistically significant, respectively. And the odds ratio of all suicidal behaviors was significantly higher in ≥20 cigarettes/day group than in ≤9 cigarettes/day group, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: We found that smoking and smoking amount was related to suicidal ideation, suicidal planning, and suicidal attempts in adolescents. Therefore, suicidal prevention strategies considering this relationship should be established.

Secular Trends for Body-shape Perception, Weight-loss Efforts, and Weight-loss Behaviors in Korean Adults Using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2001 to 2014

BACKGROUND: The objective of study was to investigate secular trends for body-shape perception, weight-loss efforts, and weight-loss behaviors from 2001 to 2014 in Korean adults and factors related to those weight-related attitude. METHODS: Self-reported body-shape perception, weight-loss efforts, and weight-loss behaviors were used in 26,480 men and 35,051 women aged 19 or older using the Korean National Health and Nutrition Survey from 2001 to 2014 (from 2005 to 2014 for weight-loss behaviors). Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted using complex sampling design in each sex. RESULTS: Body-shape misperception tended to decrease from 2001 to 2014 and weight-loss efforts tended to increase over the period in all subjects, whereas unhealthy weight-loss behaviors tended to increase over the period in women. In multivariable logistic regression model, body-shape misperception in men was inversely associated with survey year, while positively associated with age and weight status. In women, body-shape misperception was inversely associated with survey year, education, and income, while positively associated with age and weight status. Weight-loss efforts in both sexes were inversely associated with age, while positively associated with survey year, education, income, and weight status. Healthy weight-loss behaviors were positively associated with education but inversely associated with age in men. In women, those behaviors were positively associated with education and weight status, while inversely associated with survey year. CONCLUSIONS: We found decreased body-shape misperception and increased weight-loss efforts in Korean men and women from 2001 to 2014, and decreased healthy weight-loss behaviors in women from 2005 to 2014.

Associations between Subjective Stress Level, Health-related Habits, and Obesity according to Gender (Korean J Obes 2015;24:156-65)

No abstract available.

Long-term Weight Loss Maintenance

It is not easy to maintain long-term weight loss even though it is the ultimate goal of obesity management. The Look AHEAD study in which 50% of participants in the intervention arm maintained a weight loss at least 5% below their initial weight after 8 years of intensive lifestyle intervention confirms a crucial role of continuous and constant application of lifestyle changes. Alteration of appetite-related hormones, energy homeostasis, nutrient metabolism, and subjective appetite are involved in biological pathways responsible for balance between energy utilization and storage following weight loss. Previous studies have shown that some appetite-related hormones and metabolites are potential predictors of weight-regain after weight loss, and specific diet pattern and physical activity could oppose weight loss regain.

The Relationship between Daily Sodium Intake and Obesity in Korean Adults

BACKGROUND: World health organization (WHO) recommended daily sodium intake less than 2 g. To assess the validity of WHO recommendation, we investigated the relationship between daily sodium intake and obesity. METHODS: A total of 14,694 participants aged > or =19 years who had no missing data for nutrition, chronic disease, health behavior, economic status and laboratory findings from the 5th Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES-V), which was performed from 2010 to 2012. Obesity was defined as having a body mass index of 25 kg/m2 or higher. Daily sodium intake was calculated from 24 hour recall and divided into five categories ( or =8 g). The association between daily sodium intake and obesity was analyzed using multiple logistic regressions. RESULTS: Higher sodium intake in men had an increased risk of obesity with odds ratios (ORs) of 1.27 for 2-4 g intake (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.97-1.67), 1.40 for 4-6 g intake (95% CI, 1.07-1.85), 1.41 for 6-8 g intake (95% CI, 1.05-1.89), and 1.61 for > or =8 g intake (95% CI, 1.19-2.18), compared to men with less than 2 g intake, after adjusting for confounding factors. The P value for trend of ORs in each group for men was 0.020. In women, compared to the lesser than 2 g intake, only > or =8 g intake group had an OR of 1.28 (95% CI, 1.02-1.62) without showing significant P for trend (P value for trend=0.221) CONCLUSIONS: We found that sodium intake more than 2 g per day was independently related to the increased risk of obesity in men. Therefore, to minimize the risk of obesity, we suggest taking sodium less than 2 g per day.

Dietary Restraint Is Non-Genetically Associated with Change in Body Mass Index: The Healthy Twin Study

PURPOSE: We aimed to examine if past and more recent body mass index (BMI) changes are associated with eating behavior (EB) traits and whether these associations are due to non-genetic factors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In 1321 Korean twins and family members, recent and past BMI change groups were defined using quartiles of BMI change between first and second visits over 2.4+/-0.9 years and BMI change between 20 years old and second visit, respectively. We applied linear mixed analysis for relationships of past or recent BMI change groups and each EB (restrained, external, and emotional EB using the Dutch Eating Behavior Questionnaire) assessed at second visit after adjusting for household effect and covariates (age, gender, education, medical history of diabetes, hypertension, and dyslipidemia, alcohol use, physical activity, smoking habit, and calorie intake). In monozygotic twin pairs, paired t-test for within-pair comparison and conditional logistic regression analysis were conducted regarding EB. RESULTS: Greater past BMI change was associated with higher restrained eating scores (P for trend=0.031), whereas greater recent BMI change was associated with higher external eating scores (P for trend=0.046). In co-twin-control analysis, twins with greater past BMI change were more likely to have higher restrained eating scores as compared with their co-twins with lower past BMI change (odds ratio 1.80; 95% confidence interval 1.13-2.87), whereas there were no associations between recent BMI change and external eating scores. CONCLUSION: Greater BMI change since 20 years old is associated with higher dietary restraint, and non-genetic factors explain this relationship.

Peer assessment of small-group presentations by medical students and its implications / 한국의학교육

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to explore the relationships among medical students' assessments on peers' group presentations, instructors' assessments of those presentations, and students' educational achievements in other assignments and tests. METHODS: A total of 101 first-year students from a medical school participated in the study. The students' educational achievements in a 4-week long integrated curriculum were analyzed. Student's final grades were comprised of the following education criteria: two written tests (60%), 15 group reports (25%), one individual report (7%), and four group presentations (15%). We compared scores of the group presentation assessed by the peers and the two instructors. Furthermore, we compared peers' assessment scores with each component of the evaluation criteria. RESULTS: Pearson correlation analysis showed significant correlaton for the assessments between peers and instructors (r=0.775, p<0.001). Peer assessment scores also correlated significantly with scores for the group assignments (r=0.777, p<0.001), final grades on the curriculum (r=0.345, p<0.001), and scores for individual assignments (r=0.334, p<0.001); however, no significant correlation was observed between the peer-assessed group presentation scores and the two written test scores. CONCLUSION: Peer assessments may be a reliable and valid method for evaluating medical students' performances in an integrated curriculum, especially if the assessments are used to academic processes, such as presentations, with explicit evaluation and judgment criteria. Peer assessments on group presentations might assess different learning domains compared to written tests that primarily evaluate limited medical knowledge and clinical reasoning.

The Relationship between Body Fat Percent and Bone Mineral Density in Korean Adolescents: The Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1), 2010 / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: The relationships of total and regional body fat percent with bone mineral density (BMD) in Korean adolescents were examined using the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V-1), 2010. METHODS: Body fat percent at whole body (WBFP), trunk (TBFP), and extremities (both upper and lower extremities fat mass/body weight, EBFP), ratio of trunk fat mass to extremities fat mass (TEFR), and BMD at whole body, total femur, and lumbar spine were measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry in a population-based sample of 433 boys and 362 girls, aged 12 to 18 years. The analyses were conducted using linear regression analysis with complex sampling design. RESULTS: After adjusting for confounders such as age, height, weight, serum 25-(OH) vitamin D concentration, energy intake, calcium intake, physical activity, and menarche status for girls, WBFP, TBFP, and EBFP were inversely associated with whole and regional BMD in both sexes (P < 0.05). TEFR was positively associated with whole and regional BMD in boys after adjusting for confounders, while it was negatively associated in girls (P < 0.05). However, the associations were non-significant when bone mass-free lean mass was adjusted instead of bodyweight except for a positive association between TEFR and BMD in boys. CONCLUSION: In Korean adolescents, total and regional body fat percent is not independently associated with BMD after adjusting for bone mass-free lean mass but higher fat in trunk as compared to extremities may be protective for BMD in boys.

Differential Association of Adiposity Measures with Heart Rate Variability Measures in Koreans

PURPOSE: Although obesity has been associated with imbalances in cardiac autonomic nervous system, it is unclear whether there are differential relationships between adiposity measures and heart rate variability (HRV) measures. We aimed to examine differences in the relationship between adiposity measures and HRV indices in a healthy Korean population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: In all, 1409 non-smokers (811 males, 598 females) without known histories of cardiovascular (CV), endocrine, or neurological diseases underwent adiposity measurements [(body mass index (BMI), percentage of body fat mass (PBF), and waist-to-hip ratio (WHR)], the HRV assessment (SDNN, RMSSD, LF, HF, LF/HF, and pNN50), and examination for CV risk factors (fasting glucose, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglycerides, hs-CRP, and blood pressure). RESULTS: Compared with BMI and PBF, WHR was more strongly correlated with each HRV index and more likely to predict decreased HRV ( or =15 percentile of each HRV index) in ROC curves analysis. In linear regression analysis, all adiposity measures were inversely associated with each HRV measure before adjusting for age, gender, and CV risk factors (p or =25 kg/m2, but not for those with BMI <25 kg/m2. CONCLUSION: WHR and PBF appear to be better indicators for low HRV than BMI, and the association between abdominal adiposity and HRV may be stronger in overweight subjects.

Vitamin C modulates lead excretion in rats / 대한해부학회지

Lead, one of the most toxic heavy metals, takes longer time to be excreted from the body than other heavy metals. The purpose of this study is, by measuring lead excretion via urine and feces, to find out the effect of vitamin C in lead chelation. Thirty-six rats were randomly assorted into four groups. All 33 rats except for the control group were administered with lead, before orally administered with different doses of vitamin C per kilogram of body weight. The lead excretion levels in urine and feces as well as the survival rate were then measured for each group. The rats with lead administrations (10/13, 76.9%) with lead administrations only, 10/11 rats (90.9%) with lead administrations and low dose of vitamin C, 9/9 rats (100%) with lead administrations and high dose of vitamin C survived. Among the 29 surviving rats, low vitamin C intake group exhibited higher urinary excretion than the lead only group. The urinary excretion level in high dose vitamin C intakegroup was significantly higher than the lead only group. In addition, fecal lead excretion seemed to be increased in the high dose vitamin C intake group, compared to the group with lead administrations only with statistical significance. Through animal experiment, it was found out that administrating high dose of vitamin C accelerated the excretion of lead in body compared to low dose of vitamin C.

Patterns of Health Behavior for Weight Loss among Adults Using Obesity Clinics

PURPOSE: This ethnography was done to explore patterns of weight management behavior among adults using obesity clinics. METHODS: The participants were 12 adults who were overweight or obese and 2 family members. Data were collected from iterative fieldwork in the obesity clinics of two hospitals. Data were analyzed using text analysis and taxonomic methods. RESULTS: Weight management behaviors among participants varied according to the recognition of the body and motivation for weight control, Participants' behavior was discussed in the socio-cultural context of obesity. Patterns of weight management behavior among participants were categorized by focus: strategic self-oriented type including managements for the body as a social asset and for health, selective neglect type, and passive group value-oriented type including type dependent on others and managements for beauty. CONCLUSION: Participants' weight management behavior was guided by folk concepts of body and health. and constructed within the socio-cultural context. It is necessary for health care providers to understand physical and psychological problems arising from the repeated trials, excessive control of weight, and Western cultural discourse on beauty ideals among adults who are overweight or obese. Therefore, interventions should be tailored to address individual and community needs.