BACGROUND: In modern society, thin appearance is treated as ideal, making the majority of the normal weight group think that they are fat. Therefore, exercise and diet, numerous unhealthy methods were frequently chosen by normal weight group for weight control. The authors gave a definition of Ideal Body Weight and attempted to propose a new classification of obesity to the normal weight group who do not view themselves as they should. METHODS: The test subjects were 261 adults, who visited the IJUH Health Promotion Center between May 15, 2002 and June 30, 2002. After the subjects were measured anthropometric values such as height and weight, the self-recorded questionnaires including 12 questions were collected. The grades of somatotype drawing were 1~9 by BMI. The subjects chose 1 somatotype drawing that was thought to be obese man and woman. RESULTS: The data were collected from 261 subjects. For female somatotype drawing, 81.7% of the men and 49.1% of the women thought the drawings of normal weight were obese (P <0.001). For male somatotype drawing, 47.7% of the men and 29.3% of the women thought the drawings of normal weight were obese (P <0.01). For women's weights, 81.7% of the men and 82.1% of the women thought the normal weight was obese. For men's weights, 20.3% of the men and 23.6% of the women thought the normal weight was obese. Women thought the normal weight was obese more than in men. CONCLUSION: Women thought the normal weight was obese more than in men. Many men and women thought below the BMI 25 was obese.
Adult ; Body Mass Index ; Classification ; Diet ; Female ; Health Promotion ; Humans ; Ideal Body Weight ; Male ; Obesity* ; Somatotypes ; Weights and Measures ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: Abdominal obesity is encountered as a risk factor for cardiovascular diseases. However, the anthropometric cut-off value to estimate the cardiovascular risk, has not been suggested. This study was designed to find the relationship between the abdominal fat and various parameters of obesity to find the cardiovascular risk factors related to abdominal obesity and to establish practical methods to measure them. METHODS: Twenty seven obese Korean adolescents of moderate to severe degree and 22 healthy adolescents were enrolled. The body mass index (BMI), arm circumference and skinfold thickness were measured. Furthermore, blood lipid, sugar, insulin and four different cytokines' levels were checked and the distribution of body composition was measured by bioelectrical impedance analysis. The subcutaneous and intra-abdominal fat thickness by abdominal ultrasonography (US) and the total and intra-abdominal fat area by abdominal computerized tomography (CT) were measured in the obese group. RESULTS: The most accurate method to measure abdominal fat in children is abdominal CT and the fat mass measured by bioelectrical impedance was strongly correlated with it (r=0.954). It was also correlated with arm circumference, fat thickness measured by abdominal US, BMI, aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT) and triglyceride level. CONCLUSION: Abdominal CT is the most accurate method to measure intra-abdominal fat, and it can be replaced by abdominal US for cost effectiveness. The screening methods that can be used at school or in outpatient basis include bioelectrical impedance, waist/hip ratio, and arm circumference. The cardiovascular risk factors include leptin, triglyceride and insulin level.
Abdominal Fat ; Adolescent ; Alanine Transaminase ; Arm ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Body Composition ; Body Mass Index ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; Child ; Cost-Benefit Analysis ; Diagnosis* ; Electric Impedance ; Humans ; Insulin ; Intra-Abdominal Fat ; Leptin ; Mass Screening ; Obesity* ; Obesity, Abdominal ; Outpatients ; Pediatric Obesity* ; Risk Factors ; Skinfold Thickness ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Triglycerides ; Ultrasonography

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: The phenylthiocarbamide (PTC) and 6-n-propylthiouracil (PROP) taste sensitivity varies among individuals. Recently, it is reported that PROP taste responsiveness is associated with carbonic anhydrase 6 (CA6) gene polymorphism. The CA6 gene, a zinc metalloprotein in human saliva, is affected in taste function and might be correlated with gustatory diversity. The aim of this study was to examine whether PTC taste sensitivity and taste disorder is associated with the CA6 gene polymorphism rs2274327 (C/T), rs2274328 (A/C), and rs2274333 (A/G). SUBJECTS AND METHOD: A total of 217 healthy normal subjects were recruited as controls, and 50 taste disorder patients were recruited as experimental group. The polymorphisms of CA6 gene were genotyped by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism analysis. All statistical analyses were calculated using the statistical package for the social science software. Haplotypes were estimated by Haploveiw and the PHASE programs. RESULTS: The CA6 gene polymorphisms showed association with taste disorder but not with PTC sensitivity (taster/nontaster). The number of control subjects carrying AA genotype of single nucleotide polymorphism rs2274328 (A/C) in the CA6 gene was higher than the number of the subjects with taste disorder (p=0.048). However, there was no association between controls and taste disorder subjects in the haplotype analysis. CONCLUSION: These data suggest that the CA6 gene polymorphism rs2274328 could affect taste function impairment in patients with taste disorder. This observation requires a further functional study of gustin protein to clarify the association of the CA6 gene polymorphisms with the taste disorder and sensitivity.
Carbon ; Carbonic Anhydrases ; Factor IX ; Genes, vif ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Lifting ; Phenylthiourea ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Saliva ; Social Sciences ; Taste Disorders ; Zinc

PURPOSE: Helicobacter pylori infection induces phenotype-stabilizing methylation and promotes gastric mucosal atrophy that can inhibit CpG-island methylation. Relationship between the progression of gastric mucosal atrophy and the initiation of CpG-island methylation was analyzed to delineate epigenetic period for neoplastic transformation. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Normal-appearing gastric mucosa was biopsied from 110 H. pylori–positive controls, 95 H. pylori–negative controls, 99 gastric cancer patients, and 118 gastric dysplasia patients. Gastric atrophy was assessed using endoscopic-atrophic-border score. Methylation-variable sites of eight CpG-island genes adjacent to Alu (CDH1, ARRDC4, PPARG, and TRAPPC2L) or LTR (MMP2, CDKN2A, RUNX2, and RUNX3) retroelements and stomach-specific TFF3 gene were analyzed using radioisotope-labeled methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction. RESULTS: Mean ages of H. pylori–positive controls with mild, moderate, and severe atrophy were 51, 54, and 65 years and those of H. pylori–associated TFF3 overmethylation at the three atrophic levels (51, 58, and 63 years) tended to be periodic. Alu-adjacent overmethylation (50 years) was earlier than TFF3 overmethylation (58 years) in H. pylori–positive controls with moderate atrophy. Cancer patients with moderate atrophy showed late Alu-adjacent (58 years) overmethylation and frequent LTR-adjacent overmethylation. LTR-adjacent overmethylation was frequent in cancer (66 years) and dysplasia (68 years) patients with severe atrophy. CONCLUSION: Atrophic progression is associated with gastric cancer at moderate level by impeding the initiation of Alu-adjacent methylation. LTR-adjacent methylation is increased in cancer patients and subsequently in dysplasia patients.
Atrophy* ; DNA Methylation ; Epigenomics ; Gastric Mucosa ; Gastritis, Atrophic ; Genes, Essential* ; Helicobacter pylori ; Housekeeping* ; Humans ; Methylation* ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Retroelements ; Stomach Neoplasms*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: In this study, the inhibitory effect of Erythronium japonicum extracts on the metastasis of MDA-MB-231 human breast cancer cell line was determined. MATERIALS/METHODS: Cells were cultured with DMSO or with 50, 75, 100 or 250 microg/ml of Erythronium japonicum methanol or ethanol extract. RESULTS: Both methanol and ethanol extracts significantly inhibited the growth and induced apoptosis of MDA-MB-231 cells in a dose-dependent manner. Erythronium japonicum extracts inhibited the adhesion of MDA-MB-231 cells. The invasion of breast cancer cells was suppressed by Erythronium japonicum extracts in a dose-dependent manner. The motility and MMP-2 and MMP-9 activities were also inhibited by both methanol and ethanol extracts. CONCLUSIONS: Our results collectively indicate that Erythronium japonicum extracts inhibit the growth, adhesion, migration and invasion as well as induce the apoptosis of human breast cancer cells. Clinical application of Erythronium japonicum as a potent chemopreventive agent may be helpful in limiting breast cancer invasion and metastasis.
Apoptosis ; Breast Neoplasms* ; Cell Line ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; Ethanol ; Humans ; Methanol ; Neoplasm Metastasis*

Obesity occurs when a person's calorie intake exceeds the amount of energy burns, which may lead to pathologic growth of adipocytes and the accumulation of fat in the tissues. In this study, the effect and mechanism of pear pomace extracts on 3T3-L1 adipocyte differentiation and apoptosis of mature adipocytes were investigated. The effects of pear pomace extract on cell viability and the anti-adipogenic and proapoptotic effects were investigated via MTT assay, Oil red O staining, western blot analysis and apoptosis assay. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were stimulated with DMEM containing 10% FBS, 0.5 mM 3-isobutyl-1-methylxanthine (IBMX), 5 microg/ml insulin and 1 microM dexamethasone for differentiation to adipocytes. 3T3-L1 cells were cultured with PBS or water extract of pear pomace. Water extract of pear pomace effectively inhibited lipid accumulations and expressions of PPAR-gamma and C/EBPalpha in 3T3-L1 cells. It also increased expression of p-AMPK and decreased the expression of SREBP-1c and FAS in 3T3-L1 cells. The induction of apoptosis was observed in 3T3-L1 cells treated with pear pomace. These results indicate that pear pomace water extract inhibits adipogenesis and induces apoptosis of adipocytes and thus can be used as a potential therapeutic substance as part of prevention or treatment strategy for obesity.
1-Methyl-3-isobutylxanthine ; 3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes* ; Adipogenesis* ; Apoptosis* ; Blotting, Western ; Burns ; Cell Survival ; Dexamethasone ; Insulin ; Obesity ; Pyrus* ; Sterol Regulatory Element Binding Protein 1 ; Water*

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The anti-diabetic activity of pear through inhibition of α-glucosidase has been demonstrated. However, little has been reported about the effect of pear on insulin signaling pathway in obesity. The aims of this study are to establish pear pomace 50% ethanol extract (PPE)-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity and characterize its action mechanism in 3T3-L1 cells and high-fat diet (HFD)-fed C57BL/6 mice. MATERIALS/METHODS: Lipid accumulation, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) secretion and glucose uptake were measure in 3T3-L1 cells. Mice were fed HFD (60% kcal from fat) and orally ingested PPE once daily for 8 weeks and body weight, homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR), and serum lipids were measured. The expression of proteins involved in insulin signaling pathway was evaluated by western blot assay in 3T3-L1 cells and adipose tissue of mice. RESULTS: In 3T3-L1 cells, without affecting cell viability and lipid accumulation, PPE inhibited MCP-1 secretion, improved glucose uptake, and increased protein expression of phosphorylated insulin receptor substrate 1 [p-IRS-1, (Tyr⁶³²)], p-Akt, and glucose transporter type 4 (GLUT4). Additionally, in HFD-fed mice, PPE reduced body weight, HOMA-IR, and serum lipids including triglyceride and LDL-cholesterol. Furthermore, in adipose tissue, PPE up-regulated GLUT4 expression and expression ratio of p-IRS-1 (Tyr⁶³²)/IRS, whereas, down-regulated p-IRS-1 (Ser³⁰⁷)/IRS. CONCLUSIONS: Our results collectively show that PPE improves glucose uptake in 3T3-L1 cells and insulin sensitivity in mice fed a HFD through stimulation of the insulin signaling pathway. Furthermore, PPE-induced improvement of insulin sensitivity was not accompanied with lipid accumulation.
3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipose Tissue ; Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Body Weight ; Cell Survival ; Chemokine CCL2 ; Diet, High-Fat ; Ethanol* ; Glucose ; Glucose Transport Proteins, Facilitative ; Glucose Transporter Type 4 ; Homeostasis ; Insulin Receptor Substrate Proteins ; Insulin Resistance* ; Insulin* ; Lipid Metabolism ; Mice ; Obesity ; Pyrus* ; Triglycerides

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to develop Internet health information evaluation checklist for medical professionals, web coordinators or managers, and general health information consumers. METHODS: Based on the literature review, evaluation model and prototype of evaluation checklist for Internet health information were developed. Expert group of Internet quality evaluation reviewed and refined original evaluation checklist through intensive focus group meetings. Revised web-based evaluation checklist for Internet health information was verified by medical professionals, web health information managers, and online members of National Health Insurance Corporation. RESULTS: The checklist for medical professionals consisted of 28 items to check 3 categories such as disease information, operation/procedure/examination information, and health/life pattern information. The checklist for health information managers focused on primary filtering of health information and consisted of 14 items. This can be utilized for automatic selection of health information in portal systems. The checklist for consumers consisted of 10 items and focused on convenience and utility of the evaluation tool for enhancing the acceptability. CONCLUSION: Continuous development and revision of health information evaluation checklist like this study can be useful way for improving Internet health information quality.
Checklist* ; Focus Groups ; Internet* ; National Health Programs ; Portal System

Hesperetin (3',5,7-trihydroxy 4'-methoxyflavanone) and its glycoside hesperidin (hesperetin 7-rhamnoglucoside) in oranges have been reported to possess pharmacological effects related to anti-obesity. However, hesperetin and hesperidin have not been studied on suppressive effects on appetite. This study examined that hesperetin and hesperidin can stimulate the release of cholecystokinin (CCK), one of appetite-regulating hormones, from the enteroendocrine STC-1 cells, and then examined the mechanisms involved in the CCK release. Hesperetin significantly and dose-dependently stimulated CCK secretion with an EC50 of 0.050 mM and increased the intracellular Ca2+ concentrations ([Ca2+]i) compared to the untreated control. The stimulatory effect by hesperetin was mediated via the entry of extracellular Ca2+ and the activation of TRP channels including TRPA1. These results suggest that hesperetin can be a candidate biomolecule for the suppression of appetite and eventually for the therapeutics of obesity.
Appetite ; Cholecystokinin* ; Citrus sinensis ; Enteroendocrine Cells ; Hesperidin ; Obesity

No abstract available.
Osteoblasts* ; PPAR gamma