This study was carried out to analyze the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and general characteristics, psychological factors, eating habits, dietary behaviors, and health related quality of life using survey of 335 women aged 20 to 29 years in the Seoul and Kyungin areas. The 335 study subjects were divided into 4 groups by BMI (㎏/㎡) levels; normal group(18.5≤BMI≤22.9), overweight group(23.0≤BMI≤24.9), mild obesity group(25.0≤BMI≤29.9), and heavy obesity group (BMI≥30) by Asian-Pacific obesity index criteria. The family income of the heavy obesity group was significantly (p<0.05) less than that of the normal weight group. Psychological factors, such as stress and depression of the normal weight group tended to be higher than those of overweight and obesity groups. The higher BMI level had the lower self-efficacy(p<0.05) among all subjects. As the BMI level increased, the preference for sweet, salty, and hot taste was significantly high. We found that normal weight women had healthier eating habits and dietary behaviors and a higher level of health-related quality of life than did those who were overweight, mildly obese, and heavily obese women. Overweight and mildly and heavily obese women were strongly associated with decreased physical and mental health related quality of life. Therefore, weight loss is desirable, and is likely to be beneficial for health-related quality of life in obese adult women. In conclusion, this study contains evidence to suggest that obesity management programs including different strategies according to obesity are required to determine the types of programs that are suitable for adult women, prior to their initiation of a program. The findings are helpful to inform researchers and practitioners who are seeking to implement appropriate strategies to create positive changes in the health behaviors of obese adult women.

The purpose of this study was to determine differences in perception of weight management, balanced food intake, knowledge of obesity, and nutrition knowledge in university students. The average weight and height of male subjects were 175.0±5.7cm and 69.1±11.8kg, whereas those of female subjects were 161.7±5.0cm and 51.7±6.9kg, respectively. Average scores for balanced food intake were not significantly different between male and female students. The total number of correct answers for obesity knowledge was not significantly different according to gender, but four responses related with losing weight showed higher perception scores in females compared to males (p〈0.05). The total number of correct answers for nutrition knowledge was not significantly different between males and females. The average BMI of male and female subjects were 22.5±3.44 and 19.7±2.21, respectively, ranged in normality. Self-evaluation of body shape was mostly in the normal or standard range in both males and females, but females showed a higher perception rate of chubby or fat than males. The percentages of interest in weight management was 36.0% in males and 50.8% in females, with higher interest in female subjects (p〈0.01).

This study was performed to investigate the anti-obesity and anti-lipidemic ability of linalool (LL) in ApoE deficient mice fed a high-fat diet (HFD). Mice were divided into four experimental groups of eight each. Mice in the control group received a basic diet and oral repeated dose of the vehicle only for 12 weeks; mice in the HFD group received a HFD and oral repeated dose of the vehicle only for 12 weeks; and the HFD&LL25 and HFD&LL50 groups received a HFD and oral repeated dose of LL 25 and 50 mg/kg/day for 12 weeks, respectively. Mice in the HFD group showed a significant increase in body weight, spleen weight, and adipose tissue weight, compared with the control group. An increase in the serum levels of aspartate aminotransferase and alanine aminotransferase activities, total cholesterol (T-CHO), triglyceride (TG), and low density lipoprotein cholesterol was also observed in the HFD group. Histopathological examinations showed severe liver injuries, characterized by extensive fatty changes and hepatocyte degeneration/necrosis. On the contrary, oral administration with LL resulted in significantly improved HFD-induced obesity and hyperlipidemia, indicated by a decrease in adipose tissue weight, T-CHO, TG, and histopathological lesions. The results indicate that LL suppressed HFD-induced obesity, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, and hepatic steatosis, suggesting that LL might be a promising adjuvant therapy for treatment of these metabolic disorders related to corpulence.

This research was planned and executed to evaluate how the composition of Yack-sun tea can affect the health conditions of people who are suffering from diet-related such as being overweight, are obese and have hyperlipidemia, by taking Yack-sun tea in a form of a nutritional supplement with our daily meals. We produced Kangjieum with Lycium chinense Mill., Polygonum multflorum Thunb, Cassia tora L., Crataegus pinnatifida Bge and Salvia miltiorrhiza Bge. Thus, we approach of oriental diet therapy area research of Kangjieum and analysis proximate composition, water soluble antioxidant content. The content(%, dry basis) of total carbohydrate was 60.23%, crude protein was 18.18%, crude ash was 11.36% and crude fat was 10.23% in Kangjieum. Total water soluble antioxidant content was 1.027 ㎍/㎖ of Kangjieum. We think that scientific and objective evaluation was done on the components of the Kangjieum prescription. This basic data could help guide the application of oriental medicinal resources into other foods and serve as a stepping-stone for use of Kangjieum in the burgeoning field of nutraceutical foods. Last, the scientific effects of oriental medicinal foods developed according to oriental medicinal theory. This theory is believed to be essential for government policy development concerning validation of medicinal effects and assessment, with the aim of fostering systematic development and providing guidance to food development in the interest of national health.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary habits and snack consumption behaviors of middle school students with different obesity indexes in the Chungnam area. The survey was carried out using self-questionnaires and included 385 students(119 underweight, 193 normal weight, 66 overweight). The rate of skipping meals was higher for underweight students than overweight students; however, this difference was not statistically significant. The mean time of meal was 10 to 20 minutes and the criteria for choosing to eat a meal were ‘hunger’ and ‘taste’ in all groups. More than half of the subjects ate snacks 1 time a day, which were purchased outside. The typical snack time was ‘between lunch and dinner’. The criteria of for consuming a meal were ‘taste’ and ‘price’ in all groups. In the underweight group, the snack food scores were ice cream(4.4), fruit(4.3), fried chicken(4.1), sports beverage(4.0), fruit juice(4.0), pizza(4.0) and, tteokbokki(3.9). In the normal weight group, the snack food scores were ice cream(4.3), fried chicken(4.2), pizza(4.0), sports beverage(3.9), fruit juice(3.9) and, tteokbokki(3.9) in the overweight group, the snack food scores were ice cream(4.3), fruit(4.3), fried chicken(4.2), yogurt(4.0), sports beverage(4.0), fruit juice(4.0) and, ramen(4.0). In conclusion, the snaking behaviors of the subjects were not significantly different based on their obesity index. However, this study may provide basic information on the snacking behaviors of middle school students, and the findings suggest that nutrition education or counseling can improve snack intake habits and positive behaviors toward healthy adolescents diets.

This study was performed to examine the relationship between the body mass index (BMI), the body fat, and the serum lipids of post-menopausal women in rural areas. The subjects were 510 women aged 50 and over. As a result of this study, we found a trend of decreasing BMI as age increased, but body fat increased. In addition, there was a significant decreasing of the lean body mass than an increasing of the body mass index according to increasing age. Therefore, this study confirmed that a main cause of rural women being classified as obese is a decrease in lean body mass, rather than an increase in of body fat. Of all subjects, 36.3% (18.5≤BMI 〈 23) of all subjects were classified as having normal BMI, whereas only 21.4% were classified as having normal body fat. Out of 190 subjects who were body fat 30% and over, 38 subjects were classified as obese (BMI≥25) and 113 subjects were classified as overweight (23≤BMI 〈 25). The percentile of those with a BMI of 25kg/m2 was 70, and they had 30.82% body fat. HDL cholesterol showed a negative correlation with anthropometric factors (height, weight, body mass index, waist circumference, waist hip ratio, body fat), and total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and triglycerides showed a positive correlation. Especially, total cholesterol, LDL cholesterol, and hip circumference showed significant correlations. Because of differences in the body fat and lean body mass by age group, it seems difficult to assess obesity via BMI only. The elderly especially should have a higher significance placed on body fat or abdominal fat than only BMI.

JAZF1 is a 27 kDa nuclear protein containing two putative zinc finger motifs that is associated with diabetes mellitus and prostate cancer according to genomewide association studies; however, little is known about the function of this gene in regulating metabolism. Recent evidence indicates that JAZF1 transcription factors bind to the nuclear orphan receptor TR4 and act as a strong repressor. This receptor regulates PEPCK, the key enzyme in gluconeogenesis, at the transcriptional level. Excess PEPCK expression in mice causes hyperglycemia, hyperinsulinemia, and increased glucose turnover. Therefore, we hypothesized that ectopic expression of Jazf1 may lead to abnormal expression of PEPCK that allow for the metabolic disorder. To elucidate its role in metabolism, we fed the mice with high- or normal- fat diet up to 18 weeks. In the liver tissue of mice, Jazf1 overexpression led to a substantial reduction in the expression of PEPCK. In Jazf1 overexpression mice, weight gain was found to be significantly decreased and increment of blood glucose level also decreased. Our data suggest that Jazf1 plays a critical role in the regulation of energy and lipid homeostasis, and promotes the development of metabolic disorder. Jazf1 may provide a new therapeutic target in the management of obesity, diabetes, and liver steatosis.

Röhrer index, Vervaeck index and Body Mass Index(BMI) are frequently used in order to judge obese subjects in clothing & textiles field. However, there are no certain criteria of judging the degree of obesity. Each researcher utilized these obesity indices according to their own criteria so far. Therefore, the purpose of the study is to suggest a reliable obesity index and new criteria for judging the degree of obesity. The results are as follows; Utilizing frequency analysis, main percentiles, minimums, maximums and ranges were presented by 5 age groups from twenties to sixties. Obesity rates dramatically increased, the subject got older. Especially, obesity rate of the subjects in their fifties and sixties were much higher than other age groups. 1.6 & higher can be used in the Röhrer index, 98 & higher can be used in the Vervaeck index, and 25 & higher can be used in the BMI as the Optimal criteria of the obesity. Total of 24 body measurements and 3 obesity indices were used for analyzing the correlation analysis. All heights measurements showed negative correlation with the 3 obesity indices. It is determined heights measurements have high correlation with Röhrer index compare to other indices. Crotch height, interscye back, neck shoulder point to breast point, bust circumference, waist circumference, upper arm circumference and armscye circumference have high positive correlation with all obesity indices. According to the ANOVAs by each percentile group of the Röhrer and Vervaeck indices, there are big significances in all measurements and obesity indices except arm length. In general, heights decreased significantly by getting bigger, while circumferences and lengths, widths and indices increased rapidly by getting bigger. The results of the analysis by each percentile group in the BMI, it showed the significant differences in the all measurements except cervical height and arm length. There were similar tendency of differences according to the degree of the obesity in BMI percentile groups. It was confirmed that the BMI is the most reliable index for judging the obesity owing to the high correlations and significant differences with other measurements.

To elucidate the effects of an obesity control program on body composition and serum lipid levels, 31 obese elementary students (male: 25, female: 6) residing in the Gyeonggi area were evaluated and their body composition, serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TG (triglyceride) were analyzed. The average age, height, weight and BMI (body mass index) were 11.52±1.00 yrs, 151.96±8.04 cm, 68.21±9.03 kg and 29.40±1.79 kg/m2 for the males, respectively, and 11.17±1.17 yrs, 147.83±5.15 cm, 65.05±10.86 kg and 29.62±3.24 kg/m2 for the females, respectively. There was a significant decrease in BMI for males (p〈0.001) and females (p〈0.05). There were also significant changes in all of the biochemical levels evaluated before and after the study. Specifically, the total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TG level decreased after the obesity control program, while the HDL-cholesterol level increased after the program. These results indicate that obesity control programs do change the BMI, serum total cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol and TG levels in obese elementary students. Thus, obesity control programs are urgently needed to prevent degenerative disease and decrease obesity among children in elementary school.

As a preliminary research of body characteristics analysis of Korean obese woman, this study aims to select optimal obesity judgment tools for reliable sampling of obese subjects from 2,425 female measurement data out of 2004 Size Korea project’s raw data. From previous researches related to obesity, 7 obesity judgment tools were chosen. 2007 obesity rate(26.3%) of Korean female adults was refered in selecting optimal obesity judgment criteria in the study. The results are as follows. Firstly, it was verified that BMI was the most suitable in judging and sampling the obese subjects by the percentile analysis. Röhrer index was also reliable in grouping the obese subjects from a population. Secondly, it was concluded that the obesity ratios of relative weight 120 and higher group, Röhrer index 1.6 and higher group and waist girth 80cm and higher group were the most similar to obesity rate of Korean female adults by 2007 National Health & Nutrition Survey. Thirdly, 30 direct measurements, age, 2 drop values and 6 ratios of 7 groups by the obesity judgment tools showed the significance each other at p<0.001 level. On the other hand, “bust point to bust point” and “waist to hip length” measurements didn’t show the significant differences among 7 groups. Conclusively, 4 to 5 satisfactions out of 7 obesity judgment criteria were adequate and sufficient in sampling the obese subjects. If it is needed the strict criteria for judging the obesity, 5 satisfactions and higher group will be the best choice as the obese subjects. However 4 satisfactions and higher group generally, will be adequate for sampling of the obese subjects.

This study was conducted to investigate the change in the anthropometric values, biochemical index, nutritional knowledge, food habits and nutrient intakes in obese children after a weight control program. The subjects of the study were 22 obese children with an obesity index over 120%. The children that participated in this study took nutritional education for weight control along with exercise once a week. The weight control program was conducted for 10 weeks. The BMI, WHR (Waist-Hip ratio), body fat (%) significantly decreased at the end of the weight control program. Total cholesterol and LDL cholesterol were also significantly decreased. The nutritional knowledge scores and knowledge score about obesity were slightly improved. Energy intake significantly decreased from 1768 to 1421 kcal. Intake of Ca, Na, K, vitamin A, vitamin B6, vitamin C and folate increased, while intakes of P, Zn, vitamin B1, vitamin B2, vitamin E and niacin decreased. The distribution of energy intake was significantly changed for the better. The percent fat consumed decreased from 26.5 to 19.7%. In addition, the distribution of energy intake in the meals was changed, where the percent calories consumed during lunch significantly increased from 31.4 to 40.1% and the calorie percentage consumed from snacks significantly decreased from 17.6 to 10.7%. In conclusion, the nutritional education in the weight control program, which was conducted for 10 weeks, was effective in improving the anthropometric values, biochemical index and nutrient intake although nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors only changed slightly. Thus, nutritional weight control programs for obese children should be continuously provided under the proper cooperation of a nutritional teacher at elementary schools.

This study was conducted to investigate the effects of weight control programs on BMI, serum profiles, nutrition knowledge and eating behaviors of adult obese women. The subjects of this study were 33 adult obese women aged 30- 65 years residing in Seoul. The weight control program for obese women included nutritional education, cognitive behavioral therapy and exercise for 12 weeks. The weight control experience of the subjects was 60.6%. They preferred physical exercise and diet restriction to weight control and 72.7% of subjects answered that the reasons for wanting to control their weight was health. The BMI of test subjects significantly decreased (p<0.001) from 28.3 to 27.1 after the 12 weeks of the weight control program. In addition, the % body fat significantly decreased (p<0.001) from 36.4% to 34.5% after completion of the weight control program. SGPT levels in the serum were also significantly decreased (p<0.05) after the program. Triglyceride levels significantly decreased from 194.9 mg/dL to 98.1 mg/dL (p<0.01) and the HDL cholesterol level significantly increased (p<0.01) from 55.8 mg/dL to 60.0 mg/dL after completion of the weight control program. Nutritional knowledge and eating behavior scores were significantly increased (p<0.001). In addition, the eating self-efficacy of the subjects was significantly increased (p<0.01); however, the food diversity scores were not changed after the program. These results suggest that the weight control program for adult obese women may be effectively used to promote weight reduction and improve nutritional knowledge and eating behavior.