Cardiovascular age of workers with different employment categories.

INTRODUCTION: We compared the cardiovascular age (an indicator of cardiovascular disease risk) in workers with different employment status after adjustment for demographic and socioeconomic factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data collected from 2007 to 2017 for the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). Study participants were placed into different employment categories based on employment status and work schedule: regular full-time, regular part-time, temporary full-time, temporary part-time, daily full-time, and daily part-time. RESULTS: Analysis of women indicated that regular part-time, temporary full-time, temporary part-time, daily full-time, and daily part-time workers were more likely to have an older cardiovascular age (OR = 1.180, 1.238, 1.297, 1.493, and 1.408, respectively) after adjustment for age, marriage, education, income, residence, region, and drinking status. Analysis of men indicated employment status was unrelated to cardiovascular age. CONCLUSION: Female nonstandard Korean workers were more likely to have an increased cardiovascular age. However, most of these workers, especially daily workers, are not currently protected by the Occupational Safety and Health Act (OSHA) of Korea. Collaboration or networking with community-based health care services in Korea is essential to better manage the health of these vulnerable female workers.

A Healthy Diet Rich in Calcium and Vitamin C Is Inversely Associated with Metabolic Syndrome Risk in Korean Adults from the KNHANES 2013-2017.

The association between metabolic syndrome and eating patterns remains unclear. We hypothesized that Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) scores were related to metabolic syndrome (MetS) risk in adults in a gender-dependent manner. We aimed to examine the hypothesis using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey-VI (2013-2017) data with a complex sample survey design. Adjusted means and 95% confidence intervals of KHEI scores and nutrient intake estimated by the 24-h recall were calculated according to MetS status after adjusting for age, residence area, region, education, obesity, income, drinking status, smoking status, marriage, and exercise. Adjusted odds ratios for MetS were measured according to KHEI quartiles using logistic regression analysis while controlling for covariates. MetS incidence was significantly higher in females than in males. Those who were older, less educated, earning less income, more obese, living in rural areas, drinking severely, non-exercising, and married had higher MetS incidence than those with the opposite state. Total KHEI scores of all components KHEI scores were lower for those with MetS (MetS group) than those without MetS (Non-MetS group) in both genders. For KHEI components, having breakfast and milk and fat intake had lower scores for the MetS group than for the Non-MetS group in women, whereas fruits and milk and milk product intake had lower scores for the MetS group in men. Nutrient intake influenced the MetS risk in females more than in males. Fat, calcium, and vitamin C intakes from 24-h recall were lower in the MetS group than in the Non-MetS group in women. KHEI scores had an inverse association with MetS risk by 0.98-fold in both genders after adjusting for covariates. In conclusion, a healthy diet that includes adequate calcium and vitamin C is associated with a lower the risk of MetS in both men and women.

Association of Participation in Health Check-ups with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Diseases.

BACKGROUND: We compared the risk factors for cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) among Koreans who did and did not participate in national periodic health check-ups, after adjustment for demographic factors, socioeconomic status, and lifestyle factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) from 2007 to 2018. Study subjects were classified as participants or non-participants in health check-ups, based on attendance at national periodic health check-ups during the previous two years. RESULTS: Comparison of participants and non-participants in health check-ups indicated statistically significant differences in age, gender, region, education level, monthly income, employment status, obesity, smoking, alcohol consumption, exercise, and marital status. After adjustment for demographic, socioeconomic factors, and health-related behaviors, woman non-participants were more likely to have metabolic syndrome, pre-hypertension, hypertension, prediabetes, and diabetes, and man non-participants were more likely to have pre-diabetes and diabetes. CONCLUSION: Subjects who participated in periodic health check-ups had fewer CVD-related risk factors than non-participants. Thus, health care providers should encourage non-participants to attend periodic health check-ups so that appropriate interventions can be implemented and decrease the risk for CVDs in these individuals.

Comparison of the physical and mental health problems of unemployed with employees in South Korea.

This study compared the physical and mental health problems of adults with standard and nonstandard employment with those who were unemployed. We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey to compare adult males and females with standard and nonstandard employment with those who were unemployed. Relative to adults with standard employment, higher proportions of unemployed individuals were women, older, had low monthly incomes, and had mental health problems. Compared to men and women with standard employment, unemployed men and women had greater risk of reporting depressive feelings (OR = 1.683, 95% CI = 1.298-2.183; OR = 1.419, 95% CI = 1.179-1.709) and suicidal ideation (OR = 2.218, 95% CI = 1.682-2.928; OR = 1.250, 95% CI = 1.020-1.530). Among workers with nonstandard employment, there were gender differences in the risk for arthritis. Unemployed individuals also had a higher risk of mental health problems than nonstandard workers. In conclusion, the unemployed were more vulnerable to mental health problems.

Public Interest in Acne on the Internet: Comparison of Search Information From Google Trends and Naver.

BACKGROUND: Acne vulgaris is a common skin disease primarily affecting young adults. Given that the internet has become a major source of health information, especially among the young, the internet is a powerful tool of communication and has a significant influence on patients. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to clarify the features of patients' interest in and evaluate the quality of information about acne vulgaris on the internet. METHODS: We compared the search volumes on acne vulgaris with those of other dermatological diseases using Google Trends from January 2004 to August 2019. We also determined the search volumes for relevant keywords of acne vulgaris on Google and Naver and evaluated the quality of answers to the queries in KnowledgeiN. RESULTS: The regression analysis of Google Trends data demonstrated that the patients' interest in acne vulgaris was higher than that for other dermatological diseases, such as atopic dermatitis (ß=-20.33, 95% CI -22.27 to -18.39, P<.001) and urticaria (ß=-27.09, 95% CI -29.03 to -25.15, P<.001) and has increased yearly (ß=2.38, 95% CI 2.05 to 2.71, P<.001). The search volume for acne vulgaris was significantly higher in the summer than in the spring (ß=-5.04, 95% CI -9.21 to -0.88, P=.018) and on weekends than on weekdays (ß=-6.68, 95% CI -13.18 to -0.18, P=.044). The most frequently searched relevant keywords with "acne vulgaris" and "cause" were "stress," "food," and "cosmetics." Among food, the 2 highest acne vulgaris-related keywords were milk and wheat in Naver and coffee and ramen in Google. The queries in Naver KnowledgeiN were mostly answered by a Korean traditional medicine doctor (53.4%) or the public (33.6%), but only 12.0% by dermatologists. CONCLUSIONS: Physicians should be aware of patients' interest in and beliefs about acne vulgaris to provide the best patient education and care, both online and in the clinic.

Association of the Healthy Eating Index with Estimated Cardiovascular Age in Adults from the KNHANES 2013-2017.

In this paper, we hypothesized that the gap between estimated cardiovascular age (eCV-age) and chronological age had a gender-wise correlation with the Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI). We tested the hypothesis in adults aged 20-64 years old using the KNHANES 2013-2017 data. eCV-age was estimated based on the designated risk factors of cardiovascular disease (CVD) and age-gap was calculated by subtracting the eCV-age from the chronological age in 12,317 adults. Adjusted odds ratios for the age-gap were measured according to KHEI, while controlling for covariates to influence risk factors of CVD, using logistic regression analysis with the complex sample survey design. Age-gaps were divided into four groups: >4 (High), 0-4 (Moderate), -4-0 (Mild), and <-4 years (Low). The higher the age-gap, the lower the cardiovascular risk. Persons included in the following categories belonged to the high and moderate age-gap groups: young (<40 years), women, urban living, better than high school education, higher income, lean, mild drinking, and exercising regularly. KHEI scores were overall higher in women than men (p < 0.01). Having breakfast and saturated fat intake were primary factors that influenced the age-gap for men, whereas fresh fruit intake and carbohydrate intake influenced the age-gap in women. The KHEI scores positively correlated with nutrient intake, especially fiber and vitamin C intake in women (p < 0.05). Participants with high KHEI scores increased their chances of belonging to the high age-gap group by 2.16 times for men and 2.10 for women after adjusting for covariates of sex, age, and residence. However, after adding the covariates of education, income, marriage, and obesity, in conjunction with smoking, alcohol, and regular exercise, this reduced to 1.34 times in women. In conclusion, both genders had a positive correlation between age-gap and overall KHEI scores.

Trends in the Intake of Fatty Acids and Their Food Source According to Obese Status Among Korean Adult Population Using KNHANES 2007-2017.

BACKGROUND: Increasing obesity rates are related to energy intake with carbohydrate and fat ratio. Using Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2007-2017 data, we examined the hypothesis that the fat intake and food sources of dietary fats had changed over the last 10 years according to gender and obesity status in adult population ≥19 years. METHODS: The food intake of each participant was collected by the 24-hour recall method, and nutrient intake including different fatty acids was calculated. The fatty acid intakes from 7 food groups were determined according to gender and obesity status. RESULTS: Body mass index increased in both genders of the obese group over the decade, but it decreased in the normal-weight group. In men, energy intake was higher in the obese group than in the lean group, but the opposite trend was shown in women. Total fat intake including various fatty acids continuously and sharply increased in both men and women until 2016, then slightly declined only in men. The source of saturated fatty acid (SFA) intake was mainly from the animal food group in men and women regardless of obese status, and SFA and monounsaturated fatty acid from the animal food group gradually increased over time in both genders. N-3 fatty acid intake markedly decreased from fish and crabs and increased from sauces and nuts regardless of genders and the obese status from 2008 to 2017. Polyunsaturated fatty acid and N-6 fatty acid intake increased from bread, cookies, sauces, and nuts regardless of genders and obesity status. CONCLUSION: Fat intake was higher in obese men, but this was opposite in women. The N-3 fatty acid intake from seafood should increase, and the fat composition in sauce needs to be modulated to increase N-3 fatty acids.

Non-Standard Workers Have Poorer Physical and Mental Health Than Standard Workers.

OBJECTIVES: To compare the health status of workers who had non-standard and standard employment in Korea. METHODS: Data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2007 to 2017) were used to compare the health of workers with standard and non-standard employment. RESULTS: Workers with non-standard employment (rather than standard employment) were more likely to be women, older, have less education, have lower monthly income, perform manual work, and work fewer hours per week. Men with non-standard employment were more likely to have physician-diagnosed cardiovascular disease, arthritis, and to report depressive and suicidal ideation. Women with non-standard employment were more likely to have physician-diagnosed cardiovascular disease and to report depressive feelings. CONCLUSION: Workers with daily employment were most vulnerable to physical and mental health problems. Health problems differed among individuals who had different types of non-standard employment.

Changes of Atmospheric and Blood Concentrations of Lead and Cadmium in the General Population of South Korea from 2008 to 2017.

We measured changes in atmospheric and blood levels of lead and cadmium in the South Korean general population during the past decade. Blood data of 16,873 adults were taken from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES, 2008-2017). Atmospheric data were taken from 66 air quality monitoring sites in 16 different regions in South Korea. From 2008 to 2017, the geometric mean (GM) blood lead level decreased from 2.37 to 1.46 µg/dL (38.4% decrease), and the atmospheric lead concentration decreased by 61.0% in the overall population. During this time, the GM blood cadmium level decreased from 0.88 to 0.72 µg/L (18.2% decrease), and the atmospheric cadmium concentration decreased by 63.6%. Multiple linear regression analysis indicated that a half reduction in air lead was associated with a 0.09 µg/dL decrease in blood lead (95% CI: 0.03 to 0.15) in a subgroup of the metropolitan city population. However, a half reduction in air cadmium had no significant effect on blood cadmium. Multiple linear regression analyses indicated that the decrease in blood lead level over 10 years in Korea was related to the decrease in atmospheric lead concentration. However, the decrease in blood cadmium level during this time was not significantly associated with the decrease in atmospheric cadmium concentration. Our findings suggest that inhalation is a major source of lead exposure, but not of cadmium exposure. Ingestion of dietary cadmium presumably has a stronger impact on blood cadmium levels.

Relationship of Occupational Category With Risk of Physical and Mental Health Problems.

OBJECTIVES: We evaluated the physical and mental health problems of waged workers in Korea who had different classes of occupation. METHODS: We used data from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2017) to examine 22,788 workers who were waged employees and categorized these workers into 5 occupational classes. RESULTS: "Unskilled manual workers" were more likely to be older, less educated, have lower monthly income, and work fewer hours per week. Among men and relative to "managers and professionals" (reference group), "skilled manual workers" were more likely to have physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis, "clerks" were less likely to report suicidal ideation, and "unskilled manual workers" were more likely to report suicidal ideation. Among women and relative to "managers and professionals" (reference group), "service and sales workers" and "unskilled manual workers" were more likely to report physician-diagnosed osteoarthritis, depressive feelings, and suicidal ideation. However, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes, and cardiovascular diseases did not differ among the occupational classes for men and women. CONCLUSION: We identified differences between men and women and among those in different occupational classes regarding employment status, physical health, and mental health. "Unskilled manual workers" of both genders were more likely to be older, less educated, have less monthly income, work fewer hours per week, and have suicidal ideation. Female "service and sales workers" were more likely to have osteoarthritis, depressive feelings, and suicidal ideation.