Body-mass index and mortality in Korean men and women.
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Body Mass Index↗
Biomedical subjects
Sang Woo Oh
Publications and source records attributed to Sang Woo Oh.
Socioeconomic status in relation to obesity and abdominal obesity in Korean adults: a focus on sex differences.
OBJECTIVE: We examined the relationship between income and education level with BMI and waist circumference to provide further understanding of the relationship between socioeconomic status and obesity and to identify the presence of sex differences. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: A total of 7962 people >or=20 years of age (3597 men; 4365 women) who participated in the 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey provided data including height, weight, waist circumference, education, and income level. We examined adjusted BMI and waist circumference according to level of income and education and the association between income and education with obesity and abdominal obesity by multiple logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: In men, significant dose-response relationships were noted between income and obesity (trend, p < 0.05) and abdominal obesity (trend, p < 0.05). Compared with the lowest income group, the adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence interval) of the highest income group for obesity and abdominal obesity were 1.65 (1.18 to 2.32) and 1.37 (0.94 to 1.98), respectively. However, income was not associated with obesity or abdominal obesity in the fully adjusted models in women. With regard to education, women showed significantly decreased ORs, with inverse trends for obesity and abdominal obesity across all education levels. Compared with the lowest education group, the adjusted ORs (95% confidence interval) for obesity and abdominal obesity were 0.66 (0.57 to 0.76) and 0.40 (0.35 to 0.45), respectively, among women with 7 to 12 years of schooling and 0.27 (0.21 to 0.34) and 0.15 (0.12 to 0.18), respectively, among women with 13 or more years of schooling. DISCUSSION: Socioeconomic difference has a considerable impact on the prevalence of obesity among the Korean population, and the patterns differ substantially across sex.
Abdominal Fat↗
Central obesity as a risk factor for prostatic hyperplasia.
OBJECTIVE: Obesity-related metabolic diseases may influence prostatic hyperplasia. This study examined the impact of obesity on prostate volume in men without overt obesity-related metabolic diseases. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We recruited 146 men over the age of 40 years who did not have overt obesity-related diseases, such as diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, hypertension, or dyslipidemia. Transrectal ultrasonography was performed on all subjects. The subjects were divided into three groups according to their BMI: normal (18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2), overweight (23 to 24.9 kg/m2), and obese (> or = 25 kg/m2), and two groups according to their waist circumference: normal waist (< or = 90 cm) and central obesity (> 90 cm). The classification of the subgroups was based on the Asia-Pacific criteria of obesity. We compared the prostate volume among subgroups and assessed factors related to prostatic hyperplasia. RESULTS: Mean prostate volume was 18.8 +/- 5.0, 21.8 +/- 7.2, and 21.8 +/- 5.6 mL in the normal, overweight, and obese groups, respectively, and was 20.0 +/- 5.9 and 23.7 +/- 5.3 mL in the normal waist and central obesity group, respectively. Prostate volume was significantly greater in the obese group than in the normal group (P = 0.03) and in the central obesity group compared with the normal waist group (P = 0.002). Prostate volume was positively correlated with BMI and waist circumference after adjustment for age. After adjusting for confounding factors, central obesity was an independent factor affecting prostatic hyperplasia, which was defined as a prostate volume > 20 mL (odds ratio = 3.37, p = 0.037). Relative to men with both low BMI (18.5 to 22.9 kg/m2) and normal waist circumference, those with high BMI (> or = 25 kg/m2) and central obesity were at significantly increased risk of prostatic hyperplasia (odds ratio = 4.88, p = 0.008). However, those with high BMI (> or = 25 kg/m2) and normal waist circumference were not at significantly increased risk. DISCUSSION: Prostate volume was greater in the obese and central obesity groups than in the normal group after patients with overt obesity-related metabolic diseases were excluded. Although both BMI and waist circumference were positively correlated with prostate volume, central obesity was the only independent factor affecting prostate hyperplasia. We suggest that central obesity is an important risk factor for prostatic hyperplasia.
Abdominal Fat↗
Obesity is the only independent factor associated with ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease: a cross-sectional case-control study.
OBJECTIVE: There is increasing interest in ultrasound-diagnosed non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) in the ambulatory care setting. The aim of this study was to determine the clinical and metabolic features of ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Fifty ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients who had not consumed alcohol for at least the previous 3 months were matched with 100 controls by age and gender distribution. Clinical, biochemical, and nutritional variables were compared between the ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients and the controls. Conditional logistic regression analyses were used to identify independent factors associated with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD. RESULTS: The ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients had higher values on the anthropometric measurements than those of the controls. Aspartate aminotransferase (ASAT), alanine aminotransferase (ALAT), uric acid, and gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels were higher in the ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients than those in the controls (p<0.001). The ASAT/ALAT ratio of the ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients was lower than that of the controls (p<0.001). Total cholesterol, triglycerides, high-density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, non-HDL-cholesterol, atherogenic index, fasting glucose, systolic blood pressure (BP), diastolic BP, and pulse pressure were higher in the ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients than in the control subjects, while lipoprotein(a) was lower. There were no significant differences in low-density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol levels or nutritional intake between patients and controls. Abnormal ASAT or ALAT, hypertriglyceridemia, lower HDL-cholesterol levels, silent myocardial ischemic pattern on electrocardiogram (ECG), impaired fasting glucose, and obesity were common among the ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD patients. The only independent factor associated with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD was obesity (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that NAFLD diagnosed by ultrasound is associated with hypertriglyceridemia, impaired fasting glucose, silent myocardial ischemic pattern of ECG, obesity, and abnormal liver tests in adults. Among these factors, obesity was the only independent factor associated with ultrasound-diagnosed NAFLD.
Alanine Transaminase↗
Effects of excess weight on cancer incidences depending on cancer sites and histologic findings among men: Korea National Health Insurance Corporation Study.
PURPOSE: The effects of excess weight on the development of cancers are controversial, and little is known for populations outside the United States and Europe. We conducted this study to assess the effects of excess weight with a large cohort of Koreans. METHODS: We assessed the relationship between body mass index (BMI) and various cancers in a 10-year follow-up cohort of 781,283 Korean men who were free of prior cancer at baseline. Weight and height were measured, and questionnaires related to health behaviors and medical history were completed. Data on newly developed cancers were obtained from two organizations in Korea. A proportional hazards model was used to examine the relationship between BMI and cancer. RESULTS: Adenocarcinoma in the colon and rectosigmoid, hepatocellular carcinoma, cholangiocarcinoma, adenocarcinoma in the prostate, renal cell carcinoma, papillary carcinoma in the thyroid, small-cell carcinoma in the lung, non-Hodgkin's lymphoma, and melanoma had positive dose-dependent relationships with BMI (all P < .05). Although no linear trend was found (P = .267), obese men who never smoked with a BMI of >or= 30 kg/m(2) had an increased risk of developing gastric adenocarcinoma (relative risk = 1.73). Other cancers, such as leukemia, multiple myeloma, and gallbladder and pancreatic cancer, did not show significant associations. CONCLUSION: These findings show that, even in Koreans, obesity clearly increases the risk of many types of cancers and the strength of the associations varies with the organ and histologic type. Because these obesity-related cancers are reported to be rapidly increasing in Korea and many other Asian countries, controlling obesity epidemics could be an effective tool for preventing these cancers in these areas.
Adult↗
Depressive mood and abdominal fat distribution in overweight premenopausal women.
OBJECTIVE: There is increasing evidence that depressive mood is associated with central obesity, but little is known about the association between depression and abdominal fat distribution. This study investigated this relationship in premenopausal women. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We recruited 101 overweight premenopausal women who had no eating disorders as defined using the DSM IV criteria. Depressive mood was assessed using Zung's Self-Rating Depression Scale (SDS). Areas of visceral (VAT) and subcutaneous (SAT) adipose tissue at the level of vertebral body L(4)-L(5) were measured using computed tomography. Associations of VAT, SAT, and the ratio of VAT to SAT with natural logarithmic transformation [(ln)]SDS were evaluated using linear regression. Anthropometric indices and physical fitness were also measured. Information on socioeconomic status, education level, and alcohol and smoking habits was obtained using self-administered questionnaires. A hospital nutritionist assessed nutritional status. All of these factors were adjusted for as possible confounding factors in the analyses. RESULTS: The (ln)SDS score showed a positive association with the area of VAT, even after adjusting for the confounders mentioned above (p < 0.01). BMI, waist circumference, maximal oxygen uptake, and age were also associated with the area of VAT (all p < 0.05). In contrast, the (ln)SDS score was not associated with SAT (p > 0.10). DISCUSSION: We showed that depressive mood is associated with VAT, not with SAT, in overweight premenopausal women. These findings may explain some of the association between depression and coronary heart disease. More studies are needed to elucidate the causal relationship.
Abdomen↗
Association between cigarette smoking and metabolic syndrome: the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
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Health Surveys↗
Burden of type 2 diabetes in young Korean adults owing to obesity.
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Adult↗
Cut-off point of BMI and obesity-related comorbidities and mortality in middle-aged Koreans.
OBJECTIVE: The need for a lower BMI to classify overweight in Asian populations has been controversial. Using both disease and mortality outcomes, we investigated whether lower BMI cut-off points are appropriate for identifying increased health risk in Koreans. RESEARCH METHODS AND PROCEDURES: We conducted a cohort study among 773,915 men and women from 30 to 59 years old with 8- to 10-year follow-up periods. Primary outcomes were change of obesity prevalence, obesity-related disease incidence, and all-cause mortality. RESULTS: Prevalence of overweight (BMI of 25.0-29.9) has steadily increased (1.3% annually), whereas obesity (BMI > or = 30) showed a lower prevalence and only a slight increase (0.1%-0.2% annually). Our study revealed that dose-response relationships exist between obesity and related disease incidences (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia) beginning at lower BMI levels than previously reported. Compared with those in the healthy weight range, Koreans with a BMI > or = 25 were not at greater risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia than has been reported for whites in similar studies. Obesity-related all-cause mortality also did not seem so different from that of whites. DISCUSSION: Our findings did not support the use of a lower BMI cut-off point for defining overweight in Koreans compared with whites for the purpose of identifying different risks. However, populations with BMI > or = 25 are rapidly increasing and have substantial risks of diseases. To preempt the rapid increases in obesity and related health problems that are occurring in Western countries, Korea should consider using a BMI of 25 as an action point for obesity prevention and control interventions.
Adult↗
Alcohol consumption and the metabolic syndrome in Korean adults: the 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
BACKGROUND: The metabolic syndrome is associated with a high risk of cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. Light and moderate alcohol consumption have been associated with reduced cardiovascular disease morbidity and mortality. OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to examine the association between alcohol consumption and the metabolic syndrome. DESIGN: The study sample comprised 7962 Korean adults (3597 men, 4365 women) who had participated in the 1998 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. RESULTS: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 20.8% in men and 26.9% in women. The adjusted odds ratio for the metabolic syndrome in the group consuming 1-14.9 g alcohol/d was 0.71 (95% CI: 0.53, 0.95) in men and 0.80 (95% CI: 0.65, 0.98) in women. Alcohol consumption had a significant inverse relation with the odds ratio for low HDL cholesterol in all alcohol groups. Heavy alcohol consumption (> or =30 g/d) was associated with significantly higher odds ratios for high blood pressure and high triacylglycerol in men and high fasting blood glucose and high triacylglycerol in women. Odds ratios for the metabolic syndrome and its components tended to increase with increasing alcohol consumption. The dose-response relation of the odds ratio between alcohol consumption and the clustering of > or =3 risk factors was significant in both the high and low HDL-cholesterol groups. CONCLUSIONS: Although alcohol consumption had a significant inverse relation with the odds ratio for low HDL cholesterol in all alcohol groups, an increasing dose-response relation was found between alcohol consumption and the odds ratio for the metabolic syndrome. This might be due to the opposite relation of alcohol consumption to other components of the metabolic syndrome.
Adult↗
The metabolic syndrome and associated lifestyle factors among South Korean adults.
INTRODUCTION: The importance of managing the metabolic syndrome has been emphasized in the prevention of cardiovascular disease. Although South Koreans have a low prevalence of obesity, little information is available about the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome and its associated risk factors. METHODS: Data was obtained from individuals aged 20-79 years from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998, a cross-sectional health survey of a nationally representative sample of non-institutionalized civilian South Koreans. The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome, as defined by the Third Report of the National Cholesterol Education Program Adult Treatment Panel (NCEP ATP III), was determined, and lifestyle factors associated with predisposition to the metabolic syndrome were analysed. RESULTS: Among South Korean adults, the age-adjusted prevalence of the metabolic syndrome was 14.2% for men and 17.7% for women, whereas the age-adjusted prevalence of obesity (body mass index (BMI) >or=30 kg/m(2)) was 1.7% and 3.0% for men and women, respectively. Age, unemployment, higher BMI, and current smoking were associated factors for the metabolic syndrome regardless of gender. Moderate exercise (2-3 sessions/week) in men and light alcohol drinking (<15 g/day) in women decreased the odds of the metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: Metabolic syndrome is present in more than 15% of South Koreans despite a low prevalence of obesity. Higher BMI and current smoking were identified as independent modifiable risk factors of the metabolic syndrome. Weight control and smoking cessation may therefore decrease the prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in South Korean adults.
Adult↗
Elevated intraocular pressure is associated with insulin resistance and metabolic syndrome.
BACKGROUND AND AIM: Elevated intraocular pressure (IOP), a well-known risk factor for glaucoma, has recently been shown to be associated with some metabolic complications and obesity. We investigated the link between IOP and metabolic disturbances, focusing especially on metabolic syndrome and insulin resistance. METHODS: Eye examinations, including IOP measurement, were conducted on 943 subjects (533 men and 410 women). Body mass index (BMI), percent body fat, waist circumference, systolic and diastolic pressure, fasting insulin, glucose, lipids, and other metabolic parameters were measured. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) score and McAuley index were calculated to assess whole-body insulin resistance. RESULTS: Both of these insulin resistance indices showed positive associations with IOP (p < 0.05), even after statistical adjustment for other risk factors. IOP was higher in participants with metabolic syndrome, as compared to those who did not have metabolic syndrome. The mean IOP tended to increase linearly with the presence of increasing numbers of components for metabolic syndrome. CONCLUSIONS: These results suggest that insulin resistance might contribute to an explanation that would account for many previous findings concerning the association between IOP and obesity, hypertension, and diabetes.
Abdomen↗