Familial Types and Dietary Quality in Korean Elderly

Background@#The aim of this study is to assess the relationships between familial types and dietary quality measured by the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) in representative Korean elderly. @*Methods@#We used cross-sectional data from 4,260 Korean elderly, aged over 65 years, who had participated in the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The 14-item KHEI scores were calculated from the Food Frequency Questionnaire and the Dietary Habit Survey from the Nutrition Survey.Familial type was categorized into three groups of Live alone (LA), Live with a partner with or without other(s) (LP), and Live with other(s) without a partner (LO) based on the Household Interview Survey. @*Results@#LP had better dietary quality than LO for both sexes (both P<0.05). LA (64.5; standard error [SE], 1.0) had worse dietary quality than LP (66.7; SE, 0.6]) in elderly male (P<0.05) while they were not significantly different in elderly female. The percentages of subjects having poor dietary quality (total KHEI score of ≤50) in LA, LP, and LO were 20.6% (SE, 2.7), 7.3% (SE, 0.8), 8.9% (SE, 3.6) in elderly male, and 9.6% (SE, 1.2), 5.7% (SE, 0.8), 12.9% (SE, 1.8) in elderly female, respectively. The multivariate-adjusted odds ratios of having poor dietary quality compared with LP was 2.45 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.66-3.60) for LA male, and 1.98 (95% CI, 1.19-3.28) for LO female. @*Conclusions@#Familial type affects dietary quality in Korean elderly. However, differential associations were shown between elderly male and female.

Protein Intake by Korean Adults through Meals

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of protein intake through meals and present the major protein sources of Korean adults. @*Methods@#Cross-sectional data of 15,639 adults aged 19 years or older from the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were obtained. The total, animal, plant protein intakes were assessed using 1-day 24-hour recall. The distinction between breakfast, lunch, and dinner was based on the subjective answers of the participants. @*Results@#The adequacy of protein intake based on the Recommended Nutrient Intake was 67.4±1.2% and 62.9±1.1% in young men and women, respectively; it was 51.9±1.4% and 35.7±1.3% in older men and women, respectively. For men, the proportions of proteins through meals were 17.4±0.3%, 32.6±0.3%, 38.4±0.3%, and 11.6±0.2% for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, respectively. The women showed a similar distribution. In both men and women, as the age group progressed from the young (10.9±0.4 g/day, 12.2±0.4%) to the old (16.9±0.3 g/day, 27.3±0.4%), their intake of proteins and their proportions in meals taken as breakfast also increased, while their dinner protein intake and proportion decreased. The highest-ranked and the 2nd highest-ranked protein sources among the young and middle-aged groups were meat and grains, respectively; the third sources were fish and shellfish. In the old-age group, grains were the highest-ranked protein sources across all three meals. @*Conclusions@#Despite the increase in protein intake, one out of three young people and two out of three older adults in Korea had inadequate protein intake and uneven meal distributions of protein intake.

Reliability and Validity of an Ultrasonic Device for Measuring Height in Adults / 가정의학회지

Background@#The ultrasonic stadiometer was originally developed as a device to measure and monitor children’s height. However, an ultrasonic stadiometer (InLab S50; InBody Co., Seoul, Korea) was used to measure adults’ height in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). This study was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the InLab S50 in adults. @*Methods@#The study subjects were 120 adults (reliability test, n=20; validity test, n=100) who had visited a health screening center. The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of InLab S50 were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement between InLab S50 and an automatic stadiometer (HM-201; Fanics, Busan, Korea) was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis. @*Results@#The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of the InLab S50 were excellent (ICC=0.9999 and 0.9998, respectively). The correlation coefficient of the height measured by the two measurement devices was very high (r=0.996). The difference (Δheight [HM-201-InLab S50]) was -0.15±0.78 cm (95% limit of agreement [LOA], -1.69 to 1.38). After excluding the values outside 95% LOA, the difference was further reduced to -0.05±0.59 cm (95% LOA, -1.20 to 1.10). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that the InLab S50 is a reliable and valid device for the measurement of adults’ height. Therefore, we think that InLab S50 could be used to measure adults’ height in household health surveys such as the KCHS.

Risk Factors of Unfavorable Outcomes, Major Bleeding, and All-Cause Mortality in Patients with Venous Thromboembolism

Purpose@#This study aimed to analyze the clinical outcomes of venous thromboembolism (VTE) patients and identify the risk factors for VTE-related unfavorable outcomes, major bleeding, and 30-day all-cause mortality. @*Materials and Methods@#From January 2016 to December 2020, 198 patients with confirmed VTE were enrolled. Potential risk factors for unfavorable outcomes, major bleeding, and all-cause mortality were analyzed. @*Results@#VTE-related unfavorable outcomes developed in 13.1%, while 30-day all-cause mortality was 8.6%. In the multivariate analysis, a pulse ≥110/min and respiratory rate ≥30/min were statistically significant predictors for VTE-related unfavorable outcomes. Diabetes was a significant risk factor for major bleeding. In addition, a history of malignancy, no anticoagulation treatment, and need for mechanical ventilation were significant predictors of all-cause mortality. @*Conclusion@#VTE-related mortality and morbidity rates remained high. In cases of tachycardia and tachypnea, early aggressive treatment is needed to prevent unfavorable outcomes. Patients with risk factors should be closely monitored.

Protein Intake by Korean Adults through Meals

Background@#This study aimed to evaluate the adequacy of protein intake through meals and present the major protein sources of Korean adults. @*Methods@#Cross-sectional data of 15,639 adults aged 19 years or older from the 2016-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were obtained. The total, animal, plant protein intakes were assessed using 1-day 24-hour recall. The distinction between breakfast, lunch, and dinner was based on the subjective answers of the participants. @*Results@#The adequacy of protein intake based on the Recommended Nutrient Intake was 67.4±1.2% and 62.9±1.1% in young men and women, respectively; it was 51.9±1.4% and 35.7±1.3% in older men and women, respectively. For men, the proportions of proteins through meals were 17.4±0.3%, 32.6±0.3%, 38.4±0.3%, and 11.6±0.2% for breakfast, lunch, dinner, and snacks, respectively. The women showed a similar distribution. In both men and women, as the age group progressed from the young (10.9±0.4 g/day, 12.2±0.4%) to the old (16.9±0.3 g/day, 27.3±0.4%), their intake of proteins and their proportions in meals taken as breakfast also increased, while their dinner protein intake and proportion decreased. The highest-ranked and the 2nd highest-ranked protein sources among the young and middle-aged groups were meat and grains, respectively; the third sources were fish and shellfish. In the old-age group, grains were the highest-ranked protein sources across all three meals. @*Conclusions@#Despite the increase in protein intake, one out of three young people and two out of three older adults in Korea had inadequate protein intake and uneven meal distributions of protein intake.

Reliability and Validity of an Ultrasonic Device for Measuring Height in Adults / 가정의학회지

Background@#The ultrasonic stadiometer was originally developed as a device to measure and monitor children’s height. However, an ultrasonic stadiometer (InLab S50; InBody Co., Seoul, Korea) was used to measure adults’ height in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). This study was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the InLab S50 in adults. @*Methods@#The study subjects were 120 adults (reliability test, n=20; validity test, n=100) who had visited a health screening center. The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of InLab S50 were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement between InLab S50 and an automatic stadiometer (HM-201; Fanics, Busan, Korea) was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis. @*Results@#The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of the InLab S50 were excellent (ICC=0.9999 and 0.9998, respectively). The correlation coefficient of the height measured by the two measurement devices was very high (r=0.996). The difference (Δheight [HM-201-InLab S50]) was -0.15±0.78 cm (95% limit of agreement [LOA], -1.69 to 1.38). After excluding the values outside 95% LOA, the difference was further reduced to -0.05±0.59 cm (95% LOA, -1.20 to 1.10). @*Conclusion@#This study showed that the InLab S50 is a reliable and valid device for the measurement of adults’ height. Therefore, we think that InLab S50 could be used to measure adults’ height in household health surveys such as the KCHS.

Electronic and Conventional Cigarette Use and Drinking Behaviors in Korean Adolescents / 가정의학회지

No abstract available.

The Differences in Obesity Rates According to Status of Co-Residence with Their Parents in Korean Adolescents: The Implication of the Gender of Single Parent Living with Adolescents

BACKGROUND: Many studies have reported that adolescents living with single parent have a high risk of obesity. However, those studies did not explore the implication of the gender of single parent living with adolescents. This study investigated the differences in obesity rates according to status of co-residence with their parents in Korean adolescents. The family living with single parent was classified into the family living with single father and the family living with single mother. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 59,602 adolescents who participated in the 2017 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The data on height, weight, status of co-residence with parents, and the other variables were obtained through online questionnaires. RESULTS: In male adolescents, the family living with single mother was related to a high proportion of obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.40) and overweight (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03–1.34). However, in female adolescents, the family living with single father was related to a high proportion of obesity (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.23–1.82). In addition, female adolescents living with neither parent were more likely to be obese (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13–1.91) and overweight (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.00–1.70). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed a risk of obesity in adolescents living with single parent differs according to the gender of single parent living with adolescents. Not adolescents living with a same-gender parent, but those living with an opposite-gender parent have a high risk of obesity.

The Distribution of Weight Status according to Familial Socioeconomic Status in Korean Adolescents: The Twelfth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, 2016

BACKGROUND: The influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on weight status varies depending on the countries' levels of social and economic development. There are many studies on a risk of adolescent obesity according to familial SES in Korea. However, it is not clarified what effects familial SES has on a risk of underweight in Korean adolescents. This study investigated the distribution of weight status including obesity and underweight according to familial SES in Korean adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 63,741 adolescents who participated in the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Wed-based Survey. The data on height, weight, familial SES, current smoking status, current alcohol intake, physical activity, breakfast skipping, perceived stress, depressive mood, and living with family were obtained through online questionnaires. The assessment of familial SES was based on perceived household economic status and parental education level. RESULTS: In boys, low household economic status was related to a high proportion of obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.25) and underweight (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.14–1.51). Girls with low household economic status were more likely to be obese (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.61–2.03) and overweight (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.23–1.60) but, although not statistically significant, less likely to be underweight (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75–1.04). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that adolescents with low familial SES were at a high risk of obesity and underweight. A risk of underweight was increased in boys with low familial SES but in girls with high familial SES.

Cardiovascular Risk Prediction in Korean Adults / 가정의학회지

No abstract available.

Medication Adherence in Korean Hypertensive Patients / 가정의학회지

No abstract available.

The Distribution of Weight Status according to Familial Socioeconomic Status in Korean Adolescents: The Twelfth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, 2016

BACKGROUND@#The influence of socioeconomic status (SES) on weight status varies depending on the countries' levels of social and economic development. There are many studies on a risk of adolescent obesity according to familial SES in Korea. However, it is not clarified what effects familial SES has on a risk of underweight in Korean adolescents. This study investigated the distribution of weight status including obesity and underweight according to familial SES in Korean adolescents.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study involved 63,741 adolescents who participated in the 2016 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Wed-based Survey. The data on height, weight, familial SES, current smoking status, current alcohol intake, physical activity, breakfast skipping, perceived stress, depressive mood, and living with family were obtained through online questionnaires. The assessment of familial SES was based on perceived household economic status and parental education level.@*RESULTS@#In boys, low household economic status was related to a high proportion of obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.14, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.04–1.25) and underweight (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.14–1.51). Girls with low household economic status were more likely to be obese (OR 1.81, 95% CI 1.61–2.03) and overweight (OR 1.41, 95% CI 1.23–1.60) but, although not statistically significant, less likely to be underweight (OR 0.88, 95% CI 0.75–1.04).@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study showed that adolescents with low familial SES were at a high risk of obesity and underweight. A risk of underweight was increased in boys with low familial SES but in girls with high familial SES.

The Differences in Obesity Rates According to Status of Co-Residence with Their Parents in Korean Adolescents: The Implication of the Gender of Single Parent Living with Adolescents

BACKGROUND@#Many studies have reported that adolescents living with single parent have a high risk of obesity. However, those studies did not explore the implication of the gender of single parent living with adolescents. This study investigated the differences in obesity rates according to status of co-residence with their parents in Korean adolescents. The family living with single parent was classified into the family living with single father and the family living with single mother.@*METHODS@#This cross-sectional study involved 59,602 adolescents who participated in the 2017 Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey. The data on height, weight, status of co-residence with parents, and the other variables were obtained through online questionnaires.@*RESULTS@#In male adolescents, the family living with single mother was related to a high proportion of obesity (odds ratio [OR] 1.24, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.09–1.40) and overweight (OR 1.17, 95% CI 1.03–1.34). However, in female adolescents, the family living with single father was related to a high proportion of obesity (OR 1.49, 95% CI 1.23–1.82). In addition, female adolescents living with neither parent were more likely to be obese (OR 1.47, 95% CI 1.13–1.91) and overweight (OR 1.31, 95% CI 1.00–1.70).@*CONCLUSIONS@#This study showed a risk of obesity in adolescents living with single parent differs according to the gender of single parent living with adolescents. Not adolescents living with a same-gender parent, but those living with an opposite-gender parent have a high risk of obesity.

Effectiveness and safety of low-carbohydrate diets

With the recent assertions made by certain Korean media that low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets are panaceas for weight reduction and health improvement, such diets have been in the public spotlight. Medical and nutrition professionals have claimed that the inordinate popularity of low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets may pose a significant threat to public health. The aim of this review was to explore the latest evidence on the effectiveness and safety of low-carbohydrate diets. Recent clinical trials have shown that low-carbohydrate diets result in favorable changes in body weight and biochemical cardiovascular risk factors. However, the safety of low-carbohydrate diets remains inconclusive in the long term. Although the latest guidelines for the management of obesity recommend obese adults to use low-carbohydrate diets as an alternative dietary approach to achieve weight loss depending on each patient's dietary habits and medical status, such diets cannot currently be recommended as a strategy for health promotion among the general population due to long-term safety concerns. The results of cohort studies in Japan that have shown moderate diets lower in carbohydrates to be associated with decreased risks of cardiovascular mortality, total mortality, and type 2 diabetes in Japanese women, suggest that a low-glycemic load diet might be an optimal dietary approach for Korean obese adults with insulin resistance.

Effectiveness and safety of low-carbohydrate diets

With the recent assertions made by certain Korean media that low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets are panaceas for weight reduction and health improvement, such diets have been in the public spotlight. Medical and nutrition professionals have claimed that the inordinate popularity of low-carbohydrate, high-fat diets may pose a significant threat to public health. The aim of this review was to explore the latest evidence on the effectiveness and safety of low-carbohydrate diets. Recent clinical trials have shown that low-carbohydrate diets result in favorable changes in body weight and biochemical cardiovascular risk factors. However, the safety of low-carbohydrate diets remains inconclusive in the long term. Although the latest guidelines for the management of obesity recommend obese adults to use low-carbohydrate diets as an alternative dietary approach to achieve weight loss depending on each patient's dietary habits and medical status, such diets cannot currently be recommended as a strategy for health promotion among the general population due to long-term safety concerns. The results of cohort studies in Japan that have shown moderate diets lower in carbohydrates to be associated with decreased risks of cardiovascular mortality, total mortality, and type 2 diabetes in Japanese women, suggest that a low-glycemic load diet might be an optimal dietary approach for Korean obese adults with insulin resistance.

The Relationship between Smoking and Unhealthy Weight Control Behaviors among Korean Adolescents: The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-Based Survey, 2014 / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Adolescent smoking is positively related to weight control attempts, especially by unhealthy methods. The co-occurrence of smoking and unhealthy weight control behaviors may cause serious health problems in adolescents. This study examined the relationship of smoking with unhealthy weight control behaviors among Korean adolescents. METHODS: This cross-sectional study involved 31,090 students of grades 7 to 12, who had tried to reduce or maintain their weight during the 30 days prior to The Tenth Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, 2014. Data on height, weight, weight control methods, smoking, alcohol intake, living with one's family, and perceived economic status were obtained through self-report questionnaires. ‘Unhealthy weight control behaviors’ were subcategorized into ‘extreme weight control behaviors’ and ‘less extreme weight control behaviors.’ RESULTS: The smoking rates were 13.3%±0.4% in boys and 3.8%±0.2% in girls. Current smokers were more likely to engage in extreme weight control behaviors (odds ratio [OR], 1.47; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.09 to 2.00 in boys, and OR, 2.05; 95% CI, 1.59 to 2.65 in girls) and less extreme weight control behaviors (OR, 1.23; 95% CI, 1.07 to 1.40 in boys, and OR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.22 to 1.76 in girls) compared to non-smokers among both boys and girls. CONCLUSION: Current smoking is independently related to a high likelihood of engaging in unhealthy weight control behaviors among Korean adolescents. This relationship is stronger for girls than for boys. Extreme weight control behaviors have a stronger relationship with current smoking than less extreme weight control behaviors.

Cardiovascular Risk Assessment Based on Combined Body Mass Index and Waist Circumference in Korean Adults / 가정의학회지

No abstract available.

Snack Consumption Patterns and Its Nutritional Significance in Korean Elderly Population: from the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND: This study aims to evaluate the importance of snacks to a balanced diet by assessing snack consumption patterns and factors associated with eating snacks of Korean elders of 60 years or more. METHODS: This analysis is based on participants from the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Meal or snack consumption was based on a 24 hours recall data, and the adequacy of each nutrient intake was based on the Dietary Reference Intakes by the Korea Nutrition Society. The cutoff for snack consumption valued as meaningful was more than 200 kcal/day of snack energy intake. RESULTS: Korean male elders of age 60 years or more are consuming 333.6±11.1 kcal of snack and 271.7±7.4 kcal for females. When consumed together with meals, snack consumption increased the adequacy of all nutrients intake, except sodium. Based on energy contribution, male Korean elders are consuming snack food group in order of beverage and alcohols, grains, and fruits, while for females the order was grains, fruits, and dairy. Older age (men and women), joblessness (men), and chronic disease (women) were positively associated with having snack of 200 kcal or more per day, whereas ‘living with a partner (men)’, alcohol intake frequency of more than twice per week (men), and ‘doing regular aerobic physical activity (women)’ showed negative association. CONCLUSIONS: Snack consumption of Korean elders contributed to more adequate nutritional status, but improvement of food groups is needed because they were mainly concentrated on grains.

Sodium Intake Estimated from Spot Urine Samples and the Prevalence of Metabolic Syndrome in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 가정의학회지

No abstract available.

The Mediating Role of Parental Support in the Relationship between Life Stress and Suicidal Ideation among Middle School Students / 가정의학회지

BACKGROUND: Youth suicide is increasingly being recognized as a major social problem in South Korea. In this study, we aimed to explore the effects of parental support on the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation among middle-school students. METHODS: This study analyzed data from a cross-sectional study on mental health conducted by the South Korea National Youth Policy Institute between May and July of 2013. Questionnaire responses from 3,007 middle-school students regarding stress factors, thoughts of suicide during the past year, and parental support were analyzed in terms of 3 subscale elements: emotional, academic, and financial support. RESULTS: Among the participants, 234 male students (7.8%) and 476 female students (15.8%) reported experiencing suicidal ideation in the past year. Life stress significantly influenced suicidal ideation (P<0.001), and parental support and all of the subscale elements had a significant influence on decreasing suicidal ideation. As shown in model 1, life stress increased suicidal ideation (adjusted odds ratio [aOR], 1.318; P<0.001), and, in model 2, the effect of life stress on suicidal ideation decreased with parental support (aOR, 1.238; P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Parental support was independently related to a decrease in suicidal ideation, and life stress was independently related to an increase in suicidal ideation. Parental support buffered the relationship between life stress and suicidal ideation.