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 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
This study aimed to examine the effects of health-related behaviors on metabolically healthy non-obese or obese groups and to analyze gender differences.
Methods
This study was a secondary descriptive study. A total of 14,277 adults from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013~2015 were classified as: metabolically healthy non-obese; metabolically unhealthy non-obese; metabolically healthy obese; or metabolically unhealthy obese. Five health-related behaviors (amount of alcohol consumption, smoking status, physical activity, daily energy intake, and sleep duration) were included as independent variables.
Results
The health-related behaviors associated with metabolic status in non-obese participants were drinking and smoking, whereas those of obese individuals were associated with physical activity. Subgroup analysis showed that more metabolically healthy non-obese men were light drinkers and former smokers than metabolically unhealthy non-obese men. Metabolically healthy non-obese women were more likely to engage in physical activity than metabolically unhealthy non-obese women. Among the obese men, light drinking and physical activity were associated with metabolic status.
Conclusion
Evidence-based interventions promoting health-related behaviors are needed to support metabolic health, considering the metabolic status and obesity phenotypes of the participants and their gender.

Citations

• Health Characteristics, Nutrient Intake, and Associated Risk Factors According to the Metabolic Health and Obesity Status in Korean Adults : Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2015
  Jounghee Lee, Seonghyun Lim, Young-Min Lee
  Korean Journal of Human Ecology.2023; 32(6): 845.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study aimed to examine the effect of multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program in overweight or obese middle-aged women.
METHODS
This study was conducted from January 2 to June 5, 2018 at Jeonju city in South Korea. A non-equivalent control group quasi-experimental design was used. A total of 46 women were assigned to the experiment group (n=22) or the control group (n=24). The multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program for this study consisted of physical activity, nutritional management, stress management, health counseling, lifestyle monitoring, and affective support based on King's goal attainment theory, which was implemented for eight weeks.
RESULTS
Significant group differences were found in health- promoting behavior (p<.001), depression (p<.001), anxiety (p=.018), stress (p=.001), weight loss (p=.002) and reproductive symptoms (p=.020) among over-weight and obese middle-aged women.
CONCLUSION
Multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program is effective in improving health-promoting behavior, depression, anxiety, stress, weight loss and reproductive symptoms. Therefore, healthcare providers should develop strategies to expand and provide multidisciplinary lifestyle modification program through interaction and transaction for overweight or obese middle-aged women.

Citations

• The effects of a lifestyle intervention for men in infertile couples in South Korea: a non-randomized controlled trial
  Yun Mi Kim, Ju-Hee Nho
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2025; 55(2): 191.     CrossRef
• Research Trends of Lifestyle Intervention for Women With Obesity: A Text Network Analysis
  Sook Kyoung Park, Ju-Hee Nho
  Journal of Lifestyle Medicine.2023; 13(1): 44.     CrossRef
• Factors affecting unmet healthcare needs of low-income overweight and obese women in Korea: analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2017
  Ju-Hee Nho, Sook Kyoung Park
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2021; 27(2): 93.     CrossRef
• The development of a lifestyle modification mobile application, “Health for You” for overweight and obese breast cancer survivors in Korea
  Su-Jin Seo, Ju-Hee Nho, Youngsam Park
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2021; 27(3): 243.     CrossRef
• Effects of a Lifestyle Intervention on Health-Promoting Behavior, Psychological Distress and Reproductive Health of Overweight and Obese Female College Students
  Ju-Hee Nho, Soo-Wan Chae
  Healthcare.2021; 9(3): 309.     CrossRef
• The Effects of Lifestyle Interventions on the Health-Promoting Behavior, Type D Personality, Cognitive Function and Body Composition of Low-Income Middle-Aged Korean Women
  Eun-Jin Kim, Ju-Hee Nho, Hye-Young Kim, Sook-Kyoung Park
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(11): 5637.     CrossRef
• Effects of Nurse-Led Intervention Programs Based on Goal Attainment Theory: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
  Bom-Mi Park
  Healthcare.2021; 9(6): 699.     CrossRef
• Development and Evaluation of an Antiviral Agent Medication Adherence Education Program for Patients with Chronic Hepatitis C
  Hoo Jeung Cho, Euna Park
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(18): 6518.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was conducted to identify the predictive factors for pre-diabetes in middle-aged Korean women based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
METHODS
In this cross-sectional study, data were extracted from the second year of the 6th KNHANES (2013~2015), conducted at 129 sites from January to December 2014. The 1,275 subjects were middle-aged women between 40 and 64 years of age characterized as “pre-diabetic” (n=618) or “normal” (n=657) according to the American Diabetes Association (ADA) standard. Multivariate binary logistic regression was used to determine factors influencing pre-diabetes in middle-aged women.
RESULTS
The significant factors for pre-diabetes were a Waist-to-Height Ratio (WHtR) > 0.53 (Odds Ratio [OR]=1.71, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=1.27~2.29), increasing prevalence of hypercholesterolemia (OR=2.02, 95% CI=1.42~2.86), and low level of High-Density Lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.18~3.02). In addition, as age increased after 50 years, the proportion of WHtR > 0.53 decreased in the normal group, but increased with age in the pre-diabetes group.
CONCLUSION
Education to raise awareness about diabetes including pre-diabetes is needed for effective management of hyperlipidemia and central obesity to ensure a healthy middle age.

Citations

• Predictors of Prediabetes Among Young Adults in East Java, Indonesia: A Cross-sectional Study
  Ika Nur Pratiwi, Ika Yuni Widyawati, Nursalam Nursalam, Zulfayandi Pawanis, Arina Qonaah, Bih O Lee
  Nurse Media Journal of Nursing.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study was a secondary data analysis using the 6th Korea National Health and Nutritional Examination Survey 2014. The purpose of the study was to identify and compare the impacts of Physical Activity (PA), central obesity and depression on health-related quality of life (HRQoL). The study sample was postmenopausal women aged 45~65 years of aged with or without cardiovascular risk factors. Specifically, the sample consisted of 472 women who had cardiovascular risk factors (risk group) and 374 women with no reported risk factors (no risk group).
METHODS
The degree of PA (MET-min/week) was estimated based on the International PA Questionnaire and depression was measured by the Patient Health Questionnaire-9.
RESULTS
The scores from the PA were lower than the recommended PA scores among both groups, and muscle strengthening was significantly lower within the risk group compared to those in the no risk group (p < .001). Multiple linear regression analyses showed that depression, PA and WHtR accounted for 32.8% of the HRQoL in the risk group (R²=.328, F=64.49, p < .001), while depression and WHtR accounted for 28.5% of the HRQoL in the no risk group (R²=.256, F=35.18, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
It is essential to correct low PA, central obesity, and depression in order to improve the HRQoL of middle-aged women with cardiovascular risk factors. For those who have cardiovascular risk factors, the PA intervention program including muscle strengthening exercise might be needed.

Citations

• Factors influencing health-related quality of life in older adult women with sarcopenia: analysis of the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2019
  Sol Hyun Lee, Ju-Hee Nho, Hye Young Kim, Eun Jee Lee
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2023; 29(4): 328.     CrossRef
• Effects of Somatic, Depression Symptoms, and Sedentary Time on Sleep Quality in Middle-Aged Women with Risk Factors for Cardiovascular Disease
  Hyun-Sook Choi, Kyung-Ae Kim
  Healthcare.2021; 9(10): 1378.     CrossRef
• Use of Clinical Preventive Service and Related Factors in Middle-Aged Postmenopausal Women in Korea
  Kisook Kim
  Healthcare.2020; 8(2): 83.     CrossRef
• Comparison of health-related habits and metabolic syndrome risk factors according to obesity type in Korean postmenopausal women
  Han-Gyo Choi, Hye-Jin Kim
  Menopause.2020; 27(9): 1022.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Pre-Diabetes in Middle-aged Women based on the KNHANES
  Kyung Ae Kim, Jae Lan Shim
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(6): 628.     CrossRef
• Factors related to the Identification of Middle-Aged Women Who are Disadvantaged by Cardio-cerebrovascular Disease
  Moon Jung Kang, Jee Seon Yi, Chang Seung Park
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2018; 24(2): 185.     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 purpose of this study was to investigate the risk factors related to prehypertension in Korean adults.
METHODS
The data were obtained from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2005. The ubjects of this study were 3,981 adults aged over 20 years of age. Demographic characteristics, alcohol drinking, smoking, physical activity, stress, BMI, serum lipid profiles and blood pressure were analyzed in this study.
RESULTS
Prevalence of prehypertension was 38.9% in this study. As the result of multiple logistic regression, the risk of prehypertension in male, elderly and low income persons was increased. And the risk of prehypertension was increased in the case of problem drinking, alcohol abuse, formal smoker, overweight, obesity and hyperlipidemia in triglyceride.
CONCLUSION
To decrease prehypertension prevalence, it is necessary to detect and manage the influencing risk factors of prehypertension such as alcohol drinking, smoking, obesity, physical activity, stress and serum lipid profiles.

PURPOSE
This study was to examine the effects of Seogeum therapy for middle-aged abdominal obese women. METHODS: Seogeum therapy combined cupping, stepping on ion aluminum board, adhering to Seoam moxibustion and Seoam pellet. The subjects consisted of 30 middle-aged abdominal obese women between 40 and 59 years of age: fifteen were assigned to experimental group, fifteen to control group. The data collection and treatments were performed from June to October, 2007. The subjects of experimental group participated in Seogeum therapy for 5 times per week during 8 weeks. The data were analyzed with Chi-square test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and Wilcoxon rank-sum test with SPSS/Window 12.0 program. RESULTS: Seogeum therapy experimental group showed significant difference in change of general obesity indexes(body weight, body fat amount, body fat ratio, BMI) than control group supporting hypothesis 1. Experimental group showed significant difference in change of abdominal obesity indexes(abdominal fat ratio, waist circumference, hip circumference) than control group supporting hypothesis 2. CONCLUSION: Obesity management of Seogeum therapy had a positive effect for middle-aged obese women. Therefore, it is concluded that the obesity management of Seogeum therapy can be applied as a nursing intervention to decrease the obesity for middle-aged women.

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 12-week brisk walking and brisk walking plus diet program on C-Reactive Protein(CRP) in middle-aged obese hypertriglycemic(triglyceride > or =150 mg/dl) Korean women.
METHOD
The subjects were 16 obese (BMI > or =25) hypertriglycemic middle-aged women (7 for brisk walking group, 9 for brisk walking plus diet group) who participated in a health promotion program at one public health center. Initially the brisk walking intervention consisted of walking for 20 minutes/day at an intensity of 40 to 50% of heart rate reserve(HRR) for 3 days/week and progressed to 50 minutes/day, 60 to 70% of their HRR, and 6 days/week. The diet intervention consisted of 60 minutes of group education and 20 to 30 minutes of individual counseling with a nutritionist every week. Data were analyzed with SPSS PC program.
RESULTS
There was no significant reduction in CRP levels in both brisk walking (Z=-1.70, p=0.088) and brisk walking plus diet group(Z=-0.31, p=0.752). In brisk walking only group, CRP levels were increased after the intervention.
CONCLUSION
Brisk walking could increase the level of CRP when it is in the course of progression and diet could decrease the acute phase inflammatory response.

PURPOSE
To examine the effects of the aerobic exercise program on changing the body composition, blood lipids and self-esteem of the obese elderly women. METHOD: A total of 26 obese elderly women(%body fat: over 30%) have been selected for this research[Experimental Group(EG):13, Control Group(CG):13). Walking at a 50% intensity was administered 4 days a week for 14 weeks. The data was analyzed using the SPSS program. RESULT: The level of % body fat, TC, LDL-C, and %TC/HDL-C in EG was significantly lower than those of the CG after 14 weeks. In addition, the level of HDL-C and self-esteem in EG was significantly higher than those of the CG after 14 weeks. However, TG, body weight between groups didn't appear significant at the end of 14 weeks. CONCLUSION: The results showed that the aerobic exercise program was effective in changing body composition, blood lipids and self-esteem of the obese elderly women.

PURPOSE
the purposes of this study were: to contribute to maintaining and promoting health for female college students by identifying their body weight control behaviors and the Affecting factors; and, to serve as a basis for the development of weight control programs to orient their weight management to a desirable direction specifically for those who have low or normal body weight but still practice body weight control in a way that is neither useful nor desirable. METHOD: The data were analyzed by the SPSS/PC 10.0 statistical program using frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and the Stepwise multiple regression. RESULT: The main predictive factors affecting body weight control was 'between - meal snack', 'family support', 'satisfaction with their diet', 'possession of secret method for weight loss', 'body image', 'satisfaction with university life', and 'interest in weight control'. CONCLUSION: It may be necessary to develope educational programs on weight control for female collegians in consideration of affecting body weight control behavior.

PURPOSE
The purpose of the study was to investigate the relationships between objective obesity, subjective obesity, body attitudes and dieting among college women.
METHOD
The convenience sample consisted of 531 women. BMI was calculated based on self-reported weight and height. Body Attitudes Questionnaire (BAQ) was used to evaluate attitude toward women's body.
RESULT
BMI mean score was 19.75. Based on BMI, 84.2 percent of the subjects were in a normal weight range and 0.9 percent of the subjects were obese. However, 26.9 percent of the subjects evaluated themselves as obese. Forty-one percent of the subjects were on a diet to reduce thier body weight. Body attitudes were associated with BMI and subjective obesity. BMI of the dieters was higher than that of the subjects who were not on a diet. Subjective obesity was associated with dieting. BAQ subscales except 'attractiveness' were associated with dieting.
CONCLUSION
Many subjects were on a diet since they wanted to be thinner. Body attitudes were associated with dieting. Therefore, proper education is needed in weight management for young adult women.