Serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D levels are associated with dental caries experience in Korean adolescents: the 2010 ~ 2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys / 한국영양학회지

PURPOSE: This study was conducted to evaluate the association between serum 25-hydroxyvitamin D (25(OH)D) levels and dental caries experience in Korean adolescents based on the 2010 ~ 2014 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys. METHODS: The study subjects were 2,655 Korean adolescents aged 10 to 18 years. Subjects were classified into four groups according to their serum 25(OH)D levels. We used logistic regression to evaluate the relationship between vitamin D and for dental caries experience after adjusting for age, household income level, recipient of basic livelihood, tooth brushing and visiting dental clinics. RESULT: Multiple logistic regression analysis showed that serum 25(OH)D insufficiency (20 ng/mL≤25(OH)D<30 ng/mL) was associated with increased odd ratios (ORs) for dental caries experience in boys (OR = 2.577, 95% CI = 1.013–6.557), compared with serum 25(OH)D sufficiency (25(OH)D≥30.0 ng/mL). CONCLUSION: The serum 25(OH)D levels were found to be related to risk of dental caries experience in Korean adolescent boys.

Prevalence of Self-Perceived Snoring and Apnea and Their Association with Daytime Sleepiness in Korean High School Students

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: There has been no nationwide population-based study of the prevalence of self-perceived snoring/apnea in Korean adolescents. The purpose of this study was to estimate prevalence of self-perceived snoring/apnea in Korean high-school students and to evaluate their association with daytime sleepiness. METHODS: An online survey was used to investigate 12,672 students at 75 high schools across the 15 nationwide districts of South Korea. The variables were obtained using a self-reported questionnaire. The students answered questions about self-perceived snoring/apnea during the past 30 days. Daytime sleepiness was measured using a validated Korean version of the Epworth Sleepiness Scale, which was modified for adolescents. Covariates were the sex, school grade, frequency of self-perceived snoring/apnea, body mass index, sleep duration during a school day, and subjective perception of sleep duration. RESULTS: The prevalence of self-perceived snoring/apnea was 22.8% (26.4% for males vs. 18.8% for females, p<0.001) and 9.2% (10.5% for males vs. 7.7% for females, p<0.001). Obesity was significantly associated with self-perceived snoring [odds ratio (OR)=2.18, 95% confidence interval (CI)=1.94–2.46] and apnea (OR=1.57, 95% CI=1.33–1.86). Multivariate analysis showed that any frequency of self-perceived snoring/apnea was significantly associated with excessive daytime sleepiness (EDS). The OR of EDS increased significantly with the frequency of snoring and apnea. Female, sleep duration of <5 hours during a school day, and subjective perceptions of insufficient and considerable sleep durations were also significantly associated with EDS. CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of self-perceived snoring/apnea was significantly higher in students who were male and obese. Students with self-perceived snoring/apnea exhibited more significant EDS and an increased risk of EDS as the frequency of snoring and apnea increased.

Developmental assets and the reduction of health risk behaviors among Korean adolescents

This study assessed the extent to which developmental assets predict or contribute to the reduction of health risk behaviors among Korean adolescents. The concept of developmental assets was introduced by Benson and his colleagues as building blocks for healthy child and adolescent's development. Their framework of 40 developmental assets encompasses positive external environmental factors and internal personal qualities which strongly influence adolescents' quality of life. We analyzed data from our 'Korean Youth Health Related Behaviors and Developmental Assets Survey.' The survey was based on self-reported questionnaires we distributed to 3,739 grade 9 students at eight schools across two cities in South Korea in 2001. The 40 developmental assets were measured by using 5-point Likert scales, and health risk behaviors were measured in terms of the prevalence or the experience rate. We identified the predictors of each health risk behavior among the 40 developmental assets using multiple logistic regression analyses. We found that the assets of 'restraint', 'positive peer influence', and 'time at home' were commonly the most important predictors associated with decreased reports of most health risk behaviors except depression. 'Self-esteem' was the most important predictor of decreased reports of depression and suicide. Other internal and external developmental assets were identified as important predictors to specific behaviors. We concluded that the positive asset promotion approach would be more effective and important than the risk factor approach in preventing effectively health risk behaviors among adolescents, and that intervention programs should include more comprehensive and adolescent-based strategies to promote adolescents' health and quality of life by a multi-level multi-dimensional approach.

Comparison of Indices for Diet Quality Evaluation of Korean Adolescents by Residence Area and Body Size / 대한지역사회영양학회지

The purpose of this study was to assess several indices of diet quality based on nutrient, food and food group intake of Korean adolescents based on several indices on diet quality according to residence area and body size. Using the data from the 1998 National Health and Nutrition Survey, twenty-four-hour-dietary recalls of a total of 1,110 Korean adolescents aged 13-19 years (male 543, female 567) were analyzed for nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), index of nutritional quality (INQ), the number of foods (Dietary Variety Score, DVS) and food group consumed (Dietary Diversity Score, DDS). In doing that, it was attempted to apply only the minimum amount of solid foods of Kant's without inclusion of liquid foods because of the very limited variety in Korean foods. Based on weight length index, 13.1% of the subjects were categorized as obese, 14.2%, overweight, 44.4%, normal and 28.3%, underweight. Only vitamin B2 intake was higher in the obese group than in the underweight group. There was no meaningful difference in energy, protein and fat intakes according to the grade of the body size. In terms of residence area, intake of fat, niacin, vitamin B6 and folic acid were lower in the rural areas than in the metropolitan city. Only vitamin E intake was higher in the rural areas. Mean value of NARs (MAR) and INQs (mINQ) was also higher in the metropolitan city than in the rural areas, but there was no significant difference of these two values according to body size of the subjects. Mean DVS was 21.02 for total subjects, and has no difference between male and female and between metropolitan city and other medium-small city. But, the rural areas showed the lowest DVS of 19.05. Mean DDS in which five is a maximum score was 3.3 with no significant difference by sex and by residence area in male subjects. However, in female subjects, DDS in the rural areas was the lowest. According to body size of the subjects, there was no meaningful difference in both scores of DVS and DDS. In conclusion, most indices of nutrient intake and food and food group intake were not significantly different by body size of the subjects, while most indices were significantly different by residence areas: higher in the metropolitan city than in the rural area.

Seasonal Variations in Mood and Behavior in Korean High School Students / 수면정신생리

OBJECTIVES: Although many reports have been written on seasonal variations in mood and behavior in foreign countries, few reports have dealt with Korean adolescents, except medical students. The goal of this study was to estimate the frequency of seasonal variations in mood and behavior among Korean high school students. METHODS: A total of 656 high school students living in southeastern Seoul participated in this study. The subjects were investigated with the Korean translated version of the Seasonal Pattern Assessment Questionnaire (SPAQ), and their responses were evaluated for seasonal patterns in mood and behavior change according to Kasper's criteria to make SAD (seasonal affective disorder) or SSAD (subclinical seasonal affective disorder) diagnosis. RESULTS: A total of 565 subjects completed the questionnaire and the responses (M: F=324: 241) were collected and used for analysis. The mean age was 16.73 (SD=0.65) years, and mean global seasonality score 5.88 (SD=4.72). Of the respondents, 413 (73.1%) reported problems related with seasonal changes. Total prevalence rates were 13.6% for SAD, 10.8% for S-SAD. The estimated frequencies were 5.1% for summer SAD, 3.2% for summer S-SAD, 0.5% for winter SAD and 1.1% for winter S-SAD. The prevalence rate of summer SAD or S-SAD was higher than winter SAD or S-SAD. CONCLUSION: The subjects showed a higher prevalence rate of summer type than winter type in SAD or S-SAD. These results were similar to those of other studies carried out in East Asian countries. However, the unpleasant feelings resulting from high temperature and humidity in summer rather than depression may have influenced the results. Therefore, it is necessary to make new SAD criteria of the SPAQ suitable for East Asian countries.

Aggression in Korean Adolescents: Relevant Variables and Path Diagram / 신경정신의학

OBJECTIVES: The purposes of this study were (1) to identify etiological factors contributing formation of aggression in Korean adolescents, and (2) to develop a path diagram for Korean adolescent's aggression. METHODS: Data were collected by self-report questionnaires. Subjects consisted of 2,111 adolescents. Proportional stratified random sampling method was used. The major instruments was the Mental Health Questionnaire for Korean Adolescents. The Cronbach's Alpha of the subscales ranged from .54 to .95. Statistical methods were Chi-square, correlation analysis, t-test and path analysis. RESULTS: (1) Delinquent adolescents showed more dysfunctional family dynamics, higher maladaptive personality, more negative coping strategies and more frequent history of being sexually abused and higher alcohol, drug abuse than student adolescents. And delinquent adolescents also showed higher aggressive impulsiveness and aggressive behavior than student adolescents. (2) The contributing variables on aggression were person-related aggressive impulsiveness, antisocial personality, self-injured aggressive impulsiveness, gender, sexual abuse, psychosomatic symptoms II, drug abuse, age, parent-child relationship, alcohol abuse and cognitive avoidance coping strategies. CONCLUSION: Aggressive impulsiveness is closely linked to violent and aggressive behavior in Korean adolescents. However, the relevant variables such as family, personality, coping strategies, sexual and drug abuse contribute to their aggression.

The Study on the Variable related to the Sexual Harassment among the Korean Adolescents / 아동간호학회지

Recently in Korea, the adolescents' sexual problems including sexual violence have increased, and those phenomena have escalated to be one of the major social issues. This study was conducted to identify the variables related to the sexual harassments of the Korean adolescents. The variables to which the subjects belong were gender, school grade, religion, extracurricular activity, amount of pocket money, school performance traffic mean to school, ownership of PC, internet contact frequency and place, contact to pornography, heterosexual friend, drinking, and smoking. The period of survey was from July 2000 to Dec. 2000. The subjects were 475 middle and high-schoolers in Busan and Kyung-Nam. The instrument to measure sexual harassments of the subjects was questionnaire. That was gained by modifying the three patterns(physical, verbal and visual) in the manual provide by the Ministry of Labor(1999). The degree of sexual harassments was measured by 4-point Likert scale. The collected data was analyzed with t-test and ANOVA by SPSS win(10.0). The findings were as follows ; 1. The variables related to the physical harassment were gender, age, pocket money, perceived school performance, traffic means, contact to pornography, having heterosexual friend, experience of drinking and smoking. 2. The variables related to the visual harassments were gender, age, perceived school performance, traffic mean, internet contact, contact to pornography, having heterosexual friend, experience of drinking & smoking. 3. The variables related to the verbal harassments were gender, age, pocket money, perceived school performance, traffic mean, internet contact, contact to pornography, having heterosexual friend, and experience of drinking & smoking.

Gender Difference in Delinquent Behavior among Korean Adolescents / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This paper examined gender differences in a rate, type, relevant variables of delinquent behavior, and a gender differences regarding the relative influence of family,personality, academic achievement, sexual abuse and alcohol drug abuse on delinquent behavior among Korean adolescents. METHOD: Data were collected by self-report questionnaires. Subjects consisted of 2,100 adolescents (male 1,396, female 704) in Korea, using proportional stratified random sampling method. Statistical methods were Chi-square, t-test and path analysis. RESULT: Male adolescents had higher rate of delinquent behavior, and more all types of delinquent behavior (antisocial, aggressive, and psychopathic) than female. Male adolescents showed more dysfunctional family dynamic environments, higher antisocial personality and sociability than female adolescents. Female adolescents had higher depressive tendencies than male. The most powerful contributing variables on male delinquent behavior were age, antisocial personality, parent-child relationship, isolation feelings, and sexual abuse in this order named. Drug abuse, isolation feelings, antisocial personality and parent-child relationship tended to be contributing variables for female delinquent behaviors in this order named. CONCLUSION: This investigation will provides a foundation for theory that addresses the complexities of both gender-specific and gender influences on delinquent behavior and development of preventive strategies for female delinquency.

Recovery outcomes of Korean adolescents with substance Abuse problems / 간호학회지

Recovery in substance abuse has been simplistically measured; a more comprehensive understanding of recovery outcomes is needed. This study therefore explored recovery outcomes of Korean adolescents with substance abuse by qualitative research. The recovery was found to occur in several domains; they included reconciliation with the self, hope for the future, reconciliation with family, self-liberation, socialization, conventional norm pursuit, and a struggle for realistic independence. An understanding of the recovery process and recovery outcomes may provide guidance for clinical interventions with substance abuse adolescents.