The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

The multi-decade household humidifier disinfectant poisoning tragedy (HHDT) in South Korea highlights the importance of investigating government failures. This study aims to identify and discuss key failures and shortcomings in the South Korean authorities’ approach to regulating humidifier disinfectants (HDs) and monitoring cases of chemical poisoning. We reviewed both the HD risk prevention measures that the South Korean Ministry of Environment (KME) should have implemented under the Toxic Chemicals Control Act (TCCA) (1991–2013).Polyhexamethylene guanidine phosphate (PHMG), a new chemical, was approved for use as a disinfectant under the TCCA. KME declared PHMG non-hazardous based solely on preproduction documentation provided by the industry. In addition, the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCPA) failed to detect the HHDT that had accumulated each year for more than a decade. KME’s neglect of its responsibilities, coupled with KDCPA’s lack of chemical poisoning surveillance systems, led to the accumulation of widespread HHDT.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12yrs (2007–2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescriptionon-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods. RESULTS: Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35–1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41–1.52) vomiting (wOR, 1.45;95% CI, 1.36–1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression. CONCLUSION The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weightcontrol medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12yrs (2007–2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescriptionon-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods. RESULTS: Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35–1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41–1.52) vomiting (wOR, 1.45;95% CI, 1.36–1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression. CONCLUSION The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weightcontrol medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12yrs (2007–2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescriptionon-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods. RESULTS: Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35–1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41–1.52) vomiting (wOR, 1.45;95% CI, 1.36–1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression. CONCLUSION The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weightcontrol medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12yrs (2007–2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescriptionon-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods. RESULTS: Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35–1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41–1.52) vomiting (wOR, 1.45;95% CI, 1.36–1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression. CONCLUSION The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weightcontrol medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The increasing prevalence of overweight and obesity has become a significant global burden, with more than 40% of the global adult population attempting to lose weight. Previous studies on the impact of weight-control methods on mental health, especially among adolescents, are limited. Thus, this study aimed to investigate the association between various weight-control methods and depression among adolescents, with the goal of informing healthier weight management decisions and promoting effective methods. SUBJECTS/METHODS: This nationwide study utilized data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey, including a sample of 418,254 adolescents collected over 12yrs (2007–2019). We conducted a weighted complex sample analysis to compare depression rates associated with specific weight-control methods, including exercise, fasting (≥ 24 h), eating less, taking prescriptionon-prescription weight-loss medication, taking laxatives or diuretics, vomiting, one-food diet, taking oriental medicine, and diet foods. RESULTS: Of the 418,254 participants, 45.96% (192,246) were male. Among male participants, fasting (≥ 24 h; weighted odds ratio [wOR], 1.43; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.36–1.51) and vomiting (wOR, 1.49; 95% CI, 1.35–1.66) were associated with an increased risk of depression. Among female participants, prescribed (wOR, 0.82; 95% CI, 0.74–0.90) and non-prescribed (wOR, 0.89; 95% CI, 0.82–0.97) weight-loss medication reduced the risk of depression. However, fasting (≥ 24 h; wOR, 1.47; 95% CI, 1.41–1.52) vomiting (wOR, 1.45;95% CI, 1.36–1.55) significantly increased the risk of depression. CONCLUSION The risk of depression varies depending on the weight-control method, with a consistent trend observed across both sexes. Methods such as vomiting, fasting, taking oriental medicine for weight loss, and consuming diet foods increased the risk of depression, while weight-loss medications were associated with reduced depression symptoms in females. These findings highlight the need for further research on weightcontrol medications and policies that support effective weight management while reducing depressive effects.