PURPOSE: The purpose of our study is to provide useful information for the prevalence of obesity by the standard weight for height and the relationship of the body image to dieting methods for weight control in children. METHODS: The survey was performed by an anthropometry and a special questionnaire on children in grades 5 to 6 at elementary schools from May to June 1997 in Kwangju city. RESULTS: 1) Selected individuals were categorized into obese, normal, thin by the standard weight for height and body image. The prevalence of obesity by the standard weight for height was 19.5%, normal was 70.5%, thin was 10.1% in males and respectively 10.5%, 66.3%, 23.1% in females. The prevalence of obesity in regards to body image was 18.4%, normal was 58.4%, thin was 23.2% in males and respectively 24.5%, 58.6%, 16.9% in females. 2) The obese body image was 6.8% in normal and thin groups in males and 19.4% in females. The body image of obese children who do not perceive themselves as obese was 32.6% in males and 28.7% in females. 3) The standard body image was 88.8% as realized by themselves, 77.9% when they compared themselves to friends, 62.7% as told by parents, 56.8% as told by friends, and 29.9% when they compared themselves to celebrities. 4) The source of information for dieting treatment was 44% from radio and television, 30% from books, newspapers, magazines, 17% from family and 9% from friends and seniors. 5) The prevalence of dieting according to the standard weight for height was 18.0% in thin, 18.7% in normal and 36.7% in obese group in males and respectively 17.8%, 22.4%, 46.3% in females. There was a statistically significant correlation between males and females (p < 0.0005). 6) The prevalence of dieting up to 2 weeks in the thin and normal groups as recognized by weight centile was 17.3% according to body image. The prevalence of dieting up to 2 weeks in the obese groups was 37.2% according to body image (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We suggest that many students perceived their body size incorrectly and tried weight control. The incorrect perception of body size seems to cause the problem of failure to thrive, malnutrition etc. It is necessary for further study to find and prevent side effects by unnecessary weight control and to provide proper health education and management about obesity.
Anthropometry ; Body Image ; Body Size ; Child ; Diet ; Failure to Thrive ; Female ; Friends ; Gwangju ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Malnutrition ; Obesity ; Parents ; Periodicals ; Periodicals as Topic ; Prevalence ; Television

PURPOSE: This research study explores the job stress, job satisfaction, and health of women who works in the professional work place and identify the influence of the job stress and job satisfaction on the mental health status focused on the social and psychological structure of the workplace. METHOD: 535 participants of registered nurses and teachers from 10 General Hospitals and 15 Middle and High School located in Seoul, Korea were completed the modified version of the short form Work-family stress inventory of questionnaire as used for job stress and mental health problems and perceived overall health status and job satisfaction. RESULT: Job stress was significantly correlated with job satisfaction, overall health, and mental health. There were also significant group differences in job stress and job satisfaction between nurses and teachers. Multiple regression only moderately supported the effect of job stress and job satisfaction on the mental health of professional working women. Also marital status demonstrated a significant factor of group differences in job stress, work-family stress, job satisfaction, and mental health problem. CONCLUSION: These results suggest that job stress in the work place has profound impact on job satisfaction and health of women who work in the professional job. This study also identified major sources and types of work-related stress on women's health which should be considered in a management for health promotion.
Female ; Health Promotion ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Job Satisfaction* ; Korea ; Marital Status ; Mental Health ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul ; Women's Health ; Women, Working ; Workplace

BACKGROUND: Obesity is a disease state which should be prevented and managed. However, attempting unhealthy weight control can be related to psychologic problem like depression. This study was conducted to investigate the relationship between weight control methods and the depressive symptom among adults who have had weight control experience within recent 1 year. METHODS: This study is a cross-sectional study on 10,285 adults (age, 25 to 69 years), who had weight control experience within recent 1 year, from the Community Health Survey, Seoul, 2009. Depressive symptom, tried weight control methods, weight, height, smoking status, alcohol intake and socioeconomic status were surveyed through face-to-face interview. The Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression Scale is used for assessment of depressive symptom. RESULTS: Depressive symptom was diagnosed in 5.2% (male: 2.9%, female: 7.0%) of study subjects and the most frequent method for weight control within 1 year was exercise (77.9%). Among men, depressive symptom was related to high likelihood of trying one-food diet (odds ratio [OR], 3.27; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.62 to 6.62), fasting (OR, 3.59; 95% CI, 1.61 to 8.02), dietary supplements (OR, 2.57; 95% CI, 1.40 to 4.73), Korean herbal medicine (OR, 2.85; 95% CI, 1.24 to 6.51), self-medication (OR, 5.50; 95% CI, 1.53 to 19.80). Among women, depressive symptom have relationship with high likelihood of trying one-food diet (OR, 1.83; 95% CI, 1.14 to 2.94), fasting (OR, 1.69; 95% CI, 1.10 to 2.59), prescribed medicine (OR, 2.28; 95% CI, 1.48 to 3.52) and low likelihood of trying exercise (OR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.51 to 0.83). CONCLUSION: This study shows the difference of tried weight control methods depending on depressive symptom. Depressive symptom was related to high likelihood of trying weight control methods such as one-food diet, fasting and taking a diet-pill. In addition, that symptom was also related to low likelihood of trying exercise in women.
Adult ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Depression ; Diet ; Dietary Supplements ; Fasting ; Female ; Health Surveys ; Herbal Medicine ; Humans ; Male ; Obesity ; Smoke ; Smoking ; Social Class

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to analyze changes in the work patterns of nurses working in tertiary hospitals in Seoul, Korea. METHOD: Structured self-administered questionnaires were sent to the nursing department of each hospital, and distributed to nurses. The questionnaires were designed to identity changes in work patterns, frequency of contact inside & between departments, and interpersonal relationship inside & between departments. And also variables for analysis included the followings; acknowledgement of convenience, information applicability, willingness to participate in, and job satisfaction after implementation of a Hospital Information System. A total of 249 nurses from 13 hospitals replied. RESULTS: Changes in direct nursing time showed the most improvement and the frequency of contact was decreased while interpersonal relationships among coworkers was improved. As most nurses expressed a positive opinion of the HIS including its convenience, and information applicability, their willingness to participate in it and job satisfaction, it can be concluded that the implementation of the HIS has resulted in positive influences in the work patterns of clinical nurses.
Hospital Information Systems ; Information Systems* ; Job Satisfaction ; Korea ; Nursing ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Seoul* ; Tertiary Care Centers*

Purpose: Contrast media is one of the most common cause of adverse drug reaction (ADR) in adult. However, there was little data reported about differences in ADR ratio and severity among iodinated contrast media (ICM). Methods: Medical records of 627,049 patients who performed computed tomography scan using low-osmolar nonionic iodinated contrast media from January 2015 to December 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. A total of 6 ICMs including iomeprol, iohexol, iopromide, iobitridol, ioversol, and iopamidol were used in this period. The incidence of ADR was compared to their total usage and dosage between each contrast media. Results: The incidence of ADR of iopromide (1.36%) and iomeprol (1.27%) was the highest when compared with the average incidence of 1% of 6 ICMs. Ioversol (0.67%), iohexol, and iobitridol (0.74%) had the lower incidence of ADR. The order of results adjusted by actual administered dosage, the use of premedication, and the prior exposure history of ICMs was similar. The fraction of moderate and severe ADR in overall ADR was slightly different, but not proportional to the incidence of ADR. Conclusion The incidence of ADR among 6 low-osmolar nonionic ICMs was significantly different when compared by the total number of usage and the total volume of dose. The incidence of ADR varied by nearly 2-fold depending on ICMs. Further study might need to explore the reason for the difference of incidence.

Erectile dysfunction (ED) is a highly prevalent disorder that affects millions of men worldwide. ED is now considered an early manifestation of atherosclerosis, and consequently, a precursor of systemic vascular disease. This study was designed to investigate the effects of male silkworm pupa powder (SWP) on the levels of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) expression, nitrite, and glutathione (GSH); lipid peroxidation; libido; and erectile response of the corpus cavernosum of the rat penis. We induced ED in the study animals by oral administration of 20% ethanol over 8 weeks. The SWP-treated male rats were divided into 3 groups that were orally administered 200, 400, and 800 mg/kg. The libido of the SWP-administered male rats was higher than that of the ethanol control group. In addition, the erectile response of the corpus cavernosum was restored in males on SWP administration, to a level similar to that of the normal group without ED. The testosterone concentration did not increase significantly. The lipid peroxidation in the corpus cavernosum of the male rats administered SWP decreased significantly. In contrast, compared to the ethanol group, SWP-administered male rats showed increased GSH levels in the corpus cavernosum. The level of nitrite and NOS expression in the corpus cavernosum of SWP-administered male rats increased significantly. These results indicated that SWP effectively restored ethanol-induced ED in male rats.
Administration, Oral ; Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Bombyx ; Erectile Dysfunction ; Ethanol ; Glutathione ; Humans ; Libido ; Lipid Peroxidation ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase ; Penis ; Pupa ; Rats ; Testosterone ; Vascular Diseases

BACKGROUND: According to previous studies on peritoneal membrane function, solute transport significantly increased 3 years after the begining of peritoneal dialysis. However, there were only few reports regarding the change of peritoneal membrane function in long-term CAPD patients in Korea. METHODS: Clinical factors affecting peritoneal membrane function were analyzed, in patients who maintained CAPD more than 5 years. 124 patients performed peritoneal equilibration test(PET) 5 years after CAPD were included. Cross sectional study was performed to know the differences of clinical characteristics among 4 types of peritoneal membrane transport characteristics based on PET. Also, clinical factors affecting peritoneal memebrane function were analyzed in 31 patients who had undertaken PET initially and 5 years after the beginning of CAPD. RESULTS: D/P Cr was the highest(p<0.001) and ultrafiltration was the lowest(p=0.011) in high transport group. Also, the number of hypertonic glucose exchanges(more than 2.5%) per day was the highest (p=0.02), and serum albumin was the lowest(p<0.001) in this group. 17 patients were included in ultrafiltraion failure group. D/P Cr and the number of hypertonic glucose exchanges was significantly higher (p<0.001, p<0.001, respectively) and the duration of peritoneal dialysis was significantly longer(p=0.033) in ultrafiltration failure group compared with the others. D/P Cr of 124 patients was well correlated with the number of peritonitis(gamma=0.246, p=0.006), and the number of hypertonic glucose exchanges(gamma=0.33, p<0.001), but inversely correlated with serum albumin(gamma=-0.452, p<0.001) with the statistical significance. In 31 patients who undertook PET within 1 year after the begining of CAPD, although not significant, D/P Cr increased and ultrafiltration decreased after 5 years. A significant increase in D/P Cr(p=0.014) was seen in patients who experienced more than 2 episodes of peritonitis(n=14), compared with patients who experienced either peritonitis free or single episode of peritonitis(n=17). The linear regression analysis showed that the number of peritonitis and the number of hypertonic glucose exchanges per day were significantly correlated with the increased D/P Cr after 5 years(p=0.001, p=0.003, respectively). CONCLUSION: Clinical factors affecting peritoneal membrane function were the number of peritonitis, the use of hypertonic glucose exchanges and the duration of peritoneal dialysis. To preserve peritoneal membrane function, it is recommended to avoid hypertonic glucose exchanges and to reduce the number of peritonitis.
Glucose ; Humans ; Korea ; Linear Models ; Membranes* ; Peritoneal Dialysis ; Peritoneal Dialysis, Continuous Ambulatory* ; Peritonitis ; Serum Albumin ; Ultrafiltration

BACKGROUND: Medical treatments such as restriction of phosphate, phosphate binder use, and active vitamine D therapy have been widely used for hyperparathyroidism in ESRD patients, and surgical parathyroidectomy should be considered in patients with uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism. METHODS: A retrospective study was performed in 24 ESRD patients with severe and uncontrolled hyperparathyroidism despite of medical treatment who undertook surgical parathyroidectomy in Severance hospital from 1990 to 1999. RESULTS: Sixteen patients had total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplant, 7 patients had subtotal parathyroidectomy and only 1 patient had minimally invasive parathyroidectomy. An excellent short-term control of hyperparathyroidism was achieved in all patients after parathyroidectomy. Preoperative bone and joint pain improved in 16 of 19 patients. Muscle weakness and pain improved in 11 of 17 patiens, malaise improved in 8 of 10 patients and pruritus improved in 10 of 13 patients. In addition, clinical laboratory finding improved after parathyroidectomy. No clinical differences were seen between 16 patients who undertook total parathyroidectomy with immediate autotransplant and 7 patients who undertook subtotal parathyroidectomy. Recurrence of hyperparathyroidism ocurred in 5 of 24 patients with 4 nodular hyperplasia and 1 diffuse hyperplasia in pathologic finding. The less degree of attenuated response of intact PTH levels immediately after operation was observed in 5 recurrent cases. CONCLUSION: Good results were obtained after parathyroidectomy. We believe that histologic subtype and the attenuated response of intact PTH after surgical parathyroidectomy could be possible predictors of the recurrent hyperparathyroidism.
Arthralgia ; Autografts ; Humans ; Hyperparathyroidism* ; Hyperparathyroidism, Secondary ; Hyperplasia ; Kidney Failure, Chronic* ; Muscle Weakness ; Parathyroidectomy* ; Pruritus ; Recurrence ; Retrospective Studies ; Vitamins

Constipation is one of the most common functional digestive complaints worldwide. We investigated the laxative effects of figs (Ficus carica L) in a beagle model of constipation induced by high protein diet and movement restriction. The experiments were consecutively conducted over 9 weeks divided into 3 periods of 3 weeks each. All 15 beagles were subjected to a non-treatment (control) period, a constipation induction period, and a fig paste treatment period. We administered fig paste (12 g/kg daily, by gavage) for 3 weeks following a 3-week period of constipation induction in dogs. Segmental colonic transit time (CTT) was measured by counting radiopaque markers (Kolomark) using a radiograph performed every 6 h after feeding Kolomark capsules, until capsules were no longer observed. Fig paste significantly increased fecal quantity in constipated dogs, and segmental CTT was also reduced following fig paste administration. There were no significant differences in feed intake, water intake, body weight, or blood test results, between the constipation and fig paste administration periods. Our results demonstrate that fig is an effective treatment for constipation in beagles. Specifically, stool weight increased and segmental CTT decreased. Fig pastes may be useful as a complementary medicine in humans suffering from chronic constipation.
Animals ; Body Weight ; Capsules ; Carica ; Colon ; Complementary Therapies ; Constipation ; Diet ; Dogs ; Drinking ; Ficus ; Hematologic Tests ; Humans ; Ointments ; Stress, Psychological

PURPOSE: To evaluate current feeding practices and maternal nutritional knowledge on complementary feeding. METHODS: Mothers of babies aged 9-15 months who visited pediatric clinics of 14 general hospitals between September and December 2008 were asked to fill questionnaires. Data from 1,078 questionnaires were analyzed. RESULTS: Complementary food was introduced at 4-7 months in 89% of babies. Home-made rice gruel was the first complementary food in 93% cases. Spoons were used for initial feeding in 97% cases. At 6-7 months, <50% of babies were fed meat (beef, 43%). Less than 12-month-old babies were fed salty foods such as salted laver (35%) or bean-paste soup (51%) and cow's milk (11%). The following were the maternal sources of information on complementary feeding: books/magazines (58%), friends (30%), internet web sites (29%), relatives (14%), and hospitals (4%). Compared to the 1993 survey, the incidence of complementary food introduction before 4 months (0.4% vs. 21%) and initial use of commercial food (7% vs. 39%) had decreased. Moreover, spoons were increasingly used for initial feeding (97% vs. 57%). The average maternal nutritional knowledge score was 7.5/10. Less percentage of mothers agreed with the following suggestions: bottle formula weaning before 15-18 months (68%), no commercial baby drinks as complementary food (67%), considering formula (or cow's milk) better than soy milk (65%), and feeding minced meat from 6-7 months (57%). CONCLUSION: Complementary feeding practices have considerably improved since the last decade. Pediatricians should advise timely introduction of appropriate complementary foods and monitor diverse information sources on complementary feeding.
Aged ; Friends ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Incidence ; Infant ; Infant Nutritional Physiological Phenomena ; Internet ; Korea ; Meat ; Milk ; Mothers ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Soy Milk ; Weaning