Purpose
Middle-aged women often experience weight gain, particularly as visceral fat, due to hormonal changes associated with menopause. Visceral fat, which accumulates in the abdomen, poses significant risks to cardiometabolic health. This cross-sectional study aimed to compare the cardiometabolic risks associated with Visceral Fat Obesity (VFO) and Subcutaneous Fat Obesity (SFO) in middle-aged Korean women and to identify factors that influence VFO.
Methods
Women aged 40 to 64 with overweight or obesity were recruited from March to April 2019. The study involved anthropometric measurements, fasting blood tests, and low-volume abdominal computed tomography. Additionally, participants provided self-reported sociodemographic, health-related, and lifestyle information, including Physical Activity (PA) and dietary intake.
Results
Of all participants, 70.8% were post-menopausal, and 55.1% had VFO. Those with VFO exhibited significantly higher mean values for waist circumference, total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides, fasting glucose, high sensitivity C-reactive protein, and the Framingham risk score compared to those with SFO. The factors influencing VFO were age (odds ratio (OR)=1.14; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.032~1.247), body mass index (OR=1.47; 95% CI, 1.151 ~1.875), days of vigorous PA per week (OR=0.42; 95% CI, 0.244~0.735), and intake of animal calcium (OR=0.99; 95% CI, 0.988~0.997).
Conclusion
The findings indicate that middle-aged women with VFO face increased cardiometabolic risks. Since menopause is inevitable in women, targeting modifiable behaviors to reduce weight, particularly visceral fat, is crucial for lowering cardiometabolic risk.

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the impact of physical performance and fear of falling on fall risk in patients with End-Stage Renal Disease (ESRD) undergoing hemodialysis. Methods: This study included 132 patients who regularly received hemodialysis treatment at outpatient clinics in B City from January to April 2022. Data were collected on demographic and clinical characteristics, physical performance (the Short Physical Performance Battery [SPPB]), fear of falling (the Korean Falls Efficacy Scale-International [KFES-I]), and fall risk (the Morse Fall Scale [MFS]). The collected data were analyzed using hierarchical multiple regression in the SPSS/WIN 25.0 program. Results: Thirty-eight patients (28.8%) had experienced accidental falls in the past year, with an average of 1.68 falls per patient. The average SPPB score was 7.89±3.55 (range, 0 to 12), the KFES-I score was 23.18±9.36 (range, 16 to 64), and the MFS score was 45.68±19.52 (range, 0 to 125). Fall risk showed a significant negative correlation with physical function (r=-.72, p<.001) and a significant positive correlation with fear of falling (r=.65, p<.001). Factors affecting the patients' fall risk included the level of serum intact parathyroid hormone (β=.15, p=.004), fear of falling (β=.24, p=.010), number of falls (β=.34, p<.001), and physical performance (β=-.41, p<.001). The regression model was statistically significant (F=22.71, p<.001), with an explanatory power of 64.9%. Conclusion: To prevent accidental falls in ESRD patients undergoing hemodialysis treatment, it is necessary to develop and apply interventions that can enhance physical performance and reduce the fear of falling.

Citations

• Fear of Falling among Elderly Individuals with Various Medical Conditions
  T.K. Konovalchik
  Clinical Psychology and Special Education.2025; 13(4): 76.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study investigated Korean women in between age 30 to 60 who were obese or overweight in order to explore their self-perception based on lifetime phase.
METHODS
Focus group interviews were performed four times with six to eight participants in each group (a total of 27). Data were analyzed using inductive thematic analysis.
RESULTS
The data analysis from the interviews revealed recurring common themes: heavy heart, heavy body, resigned acceptance of their own condition, and compromise. The study also found that each age group had different concerns: concerning others' gaze on their obese appearances (30s), realizing their aging obese appearances (40s), recognizing red flags of their health with obesity (50s), and becoming ambivalent about their obese appearances (60s). Overall, their perceptions of being overweight were negative and stressful. Women in their 30s and 40s were more interested in their appearances, and thus were more obsessive about weight gain. In contrast, women in their 50s and 60s were more accepting of their physical appearances, and thus were more concerned about living healthy than losing weight.
CONCLUSION
These results may be useful to consider when developing tailored weight-control programs for obese and overweight Korean women. Additionally, strategic approaches for successful and effective programs targeting healthy weight should be based on better understanding about women's self-perceptions and motivations.

Citations

• Exploring Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity among Korean American Women
  JiWon Choi, Juhyun Cho, Nah-Mee Shin, Janice Tsoh
  Western Journal of Nursing Research.2021; 43(9): 817.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting Body Image Discordance Amongst Korean Adults Aged 19–39 Years
  Hye-Young Jang, Jung-Won Ahn, Mi-Kyeong Jeon
  Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2018; 9(4): 197.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The aim of this study was to examine the effects of an Advanced Practice Nurse (APN)-led self-management program on cardiovascular health status among Korean women at risk of developing or progressing cardiovascular disease.
METHODS
This pilot study used one-group pre- and post- test experimental design. At health fairs in a community, 30 women who had one or more risk factors for metabolic syndrome were recruited and agreed to participate in the study. A total of 25 women completed the study. The intervention consisted of weekly follow-up calls and self-monitoring diary after an hour of individual counseling regarding risk factors, fast walking, and healthy diet tailored to the participants' needs. Physical activity was assessed with the World Health Organization International Physical Activity Questionnaire and a pedometer.
RESULTS
Participants showed statistically significant improvements in blood pressure, body mass index, levels of triglyceride, total cholesterol and low density lipoprotein, numbers of metabolic syndrome factors, and the 10-year CV risk estimate after one month of concentrated intervention. In addition, their physical activity behavior significantly improved after the intervention.
CONCLUSION
This APN-led self-management program targeting modifiable risk factors by offering tailored counseling and concentrated support during the transition might be effective in preventing progression to the cardiovascular disease.

Citations

• Cardiometabolic Risk of Visceral Fat Obesity and Factors Influencing Visceral Fat in Overweight or Obese Middle-Aged Korean Women: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Sujin Kim, Nah-Mee Shin, Jiwon Choi
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2024; 36(4): 320.     CrossRef
• Self-Management Program for Heart Healthy Behavior Among Middle- and Old-Aged Korean Women at Risk for Metabolic Syndrome
  Nah-Mee Shin, JiWon Choi, InHae Cho, Byung-Jun Park
  Journal of Cardiovascular Nursing.2017; 32(6): E8.     CrossRef
• Development and Effectiveness of Tailored Education and Counseling Program for Patients with Coronary Artery Disease undergoing Percutaneous Coronary Intervention
  So-Yeon Kim, Min Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2017; 29(5): 547.     CrossRef