| Ahra Jo | 3 Articles |
Purpose
This study investigated the associations of awareness of blood pressure or blood sugar levels and subjective body weight perception with weight loss attempts in overweight and obese adults. Methods For this cross-sectional, descriptive, survey-based study, data were obtained from the 2021 Community Health Survey conducted by the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency. The participants (N=6,571) were adult residents (≥19 years old) of northern Gyeonggi Province in Korea with body mass indexes of 23 kg/m2 or greater. Results The average age of the participants was 53.11±16.56 years, with a range of 19 to 100 years. Among the participants, 73.2% responded that they had tried to maintain or lose weight in the past year. The prevalence of weight loss attempts was higher among participants with certain demographic characteristics-women (who comprised 39.2% of the study sample), younger individuals, and those with higher education levels-than among their counterparts. Conclusion Participants who were aware of their blood pressure or blood sugar levels and those with a perception of normal or obese body weight were more likely to attempt weight control than participants without these characteristics. Therefore, encouraging individuals to become aware of their blood pressure or blood sugar levels and to maintain an accurate perception of body weight may motivate them to attempt weight management.
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to assess the awareness of warning signs of stroke and identify the risk factors influencing such awareness among diabetics with hypertension who are at a high risk for stroke. METHODS Data from the 2017 Korea Community Health Survey were used. A total of 15,536 adults older than 30 years diagnosed with hypertension and diabetes mellitus were included in the final analysis. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, χ2 test, and logistic regression with SPSS/WIN 24.0 program. RESULTS Among the five warning signs of stroke, “sudden trouble in speaking or understanding†(79.0%) was the most commonly identified one and “sudden severe headache with an unknown cause†(65.2%) was the least. Only 48.8% participants identified all five warning signs and 11.8% could not identify any of them. In the logistic regression model, the risk of unawareness of warning signs of stroke was significantly higher among those aged 30~49 years and 70 years or older, with a lower educational level, without a spouse, and with a heavy alcohol consumption and current smoking status. CONCLUSION The level of awareness of warning signs was low in hypertensive diabetic adults. To improve awareness of warning signs of stroke, a customized educational program should be provided to hypertensive diabetic adults considering the risk factors relevant to unawareness of warning signs of stroke. The education on warning signs of stroke can potentially lead to a reduction in morbidity in the survivors. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify and compare the factors influencing attitude toward one's own aging among Korean middle-aged adults and the elderly. METHODS A cross sectional study was performed with a total sample of 70 middle-aged adults and 64 elderly reside in two metropolitan areas. Data were collected from August 2015 to November 2015 using the Perceived Health Status Scale, the Health Locus of Control Scale and the Attitude Toward own Aging (ATOA) Scale. The statistics used include percentage, t-test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and multiple regression. RESULTS Mean age for each age group were about 52 and 76 years old for middle-aged adults and the elderly respectively. A considerable proportion of all participants reported a negative attitude toward aging. Perceived health status was the common factor influencing attitude toward one's own aging in both age groups. Middle-aged adults identified presence of chronic illness and internal health locus of control as important factors. In contrast, the elderly reported that education and others-dependent health locus of control such as powerful others had a significant impact on ATOA. Each regression model explained 31% and 55% of the total variance of ATOA among middle-aged adults and among the elderly. CONCLUSION Both middle-aged adults and the elderly with low perceived health status are at risk of negative ATOA's. The type health locus of control need to be identified and utilized based on individuals' tendency to improve positive ATOA. That is, middle-aged adults might need reinforcement of their self-will whereas the elderly might need enhancement of social support and network of family and healthcare providers. Citations Citations to this article as recorded by
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