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 develop a smartphone application and evaluate it's effectiveness and usability for promoting bone health in Korean young adult women.
METHODS
A smartphone application was developed covering exercise, nutrition, and health habits related to bone health. A pilot testing was conducted using a one-group pre/posttest design. A total of 22 female college students with low bone mass participated in the 8-week use of a pilot testing.
RESULTS
The "Strong bone Fit body (SbFb)" application was developed using Android platform. In the pilot testing, bone mineral density, serum CTX, and 25 (OH)Vit.D were significantly decreased. There is no significant change in serum osteocalcin and calcium. Serum phosphorus concentration, nutrient intakes (fiber, VitB6, and pantotenic acid), and all bone composition profiles were significantly increased. Bonehealth knowledge was significantly increased but no change in health belief and self-efficacy.
CONCLUSION
The results of this pilot testing suggest the effectiveness of the SbFb application to enhance and promote self-managing abilities for bone health. It can provide continuous feedback and high-quality bone health information. However, some contents and working methods of the application need to be modified and its effectiveness on bone health requires further investigations.

Citations

• Feasibility of a mobile app for traumatic stress management using neurofeedback-based meditation and binaural beat music: A pilot randomized controlled trial
  Yun-Jung Choi, Dong-Hee Cho, Na-Rae Lee
  DIGITAL HEALTH.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Effectiveness of a virtual reality application‐based education programme on patient safety management for nursing students: A pre‐test–post‐test study
  Jae Woo Oh, Ji Eun Kim
  Nursing Open.2023; 10(12): 7622.     CrossRef
• Development and evaluation of a self‐management application for patients with gout
  Seung Gum Kang, Eun Nam Lee
  Japan Journal of Nursing Science.2020;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Application and Effect of Mobiletype-Bone Health Intervention in Korean Young Adult Women with Low Bone Mass: A Randomized Control Trial
  Young-Joo Park, Sook-Ja Lee, Nah-Mee Shin, Hyunjeong Shin, Songi Jeon, Jungwoo Lee, Inhae Cho
  Asian Nursing Research.2017; 11(1): 56.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to develop a model that explains causal relationships between post-menopausal women's osteoporosis general knowledge and awareness of their own bone mass density(BMD) and their osteoporosis health beliefs and preventive behaviors.
METHODS
Retrospective design using structural equation model tested seven variables by using questionnaires of osteoporosis knowledge test, osteoporosis health belief scale, osteoporosis self-efficacy scale, and osteoporosis preventive behaviors scale. 162 middle age and post-menopausal women were recruited.
RESULTS
Mediating effect of health beliefs was not significant in the relationship between BMD awareness and preventive behaviors. Instead, BMD awareness had a direct influence on the preventive behaviors that is strong and significant. Between the relationship of the BMD awareness and health beliefs, direct pathways of perceived threat, relative benefits, and self-efficacy were not significant. However, relative benefits and self-efficacy showed direct influence on the preventive behaviors.
CONCLUSION
Having middle age women get their BMD test done in order for them to be aware of their own BMD results might be a critical strategy to promote osteoporosis preventive behaviors. There is a need to develop diverse strategies to enhance their self-efficacy which has been shown to be important to osteoporosis preventive behaviors.

Citations

• Application and Effect of Mobiletype-Bone Health Intervention in Korean Young Adult Women with Low Bone Mass: A Randomized Control Trial
  Young-Joo Park, Sook-Ja Lee, Nah-Mee Shin, Hyunjeong Shin, Songi Jeon, Jungwoo Lee, Inhae Cho
  Asian Nursing Research.2017; 11(1): 56.     CrossRef
• An Equation Model Development and Test based on Health Belief Model Regarding Osteoporosis Prevention Behaviors among Postmenopausal Women
  Hyun-Jung Jang, Sukhee Ahn
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2015; 27(6): 624.     CrossRef
• A Predictive Model of Fall Prevention Behaviors in Postmenopausal Women
  Hyun-Jung Jang, Sukhee Ahn
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2014; 44(5): 525.     CrossRef
• Bone Mineral Density, Biochemical Bone Turnover Markers and Factors associated with Bone Health in Young Korean Women
  Young-Joo Park, Sook Ja Lee, Nah-Mee Shin, Hyunjeong Shin, Yoo-Kyung Kim, Yunjung Cho, Songi Jeon, Inhae Cho
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2014; 44(5): 504.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study explored cardiovascular health (CVH), depressive symptoms, and well-being among community-based Korean women according to hwa-byung (HB) symptoms.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study measured HB symptoms, depressive symptoms, quality of life (QoL), and spiritual well-being (SWB) in addition to biophysical indicators of CVH.
RESULTS
Fourteen women of the HB group are more likely to live alone with lower income than 36 women in the comparison group. Compared to the comparison group, the HB group has larger mean waist circumference and higher prevalence of abdominal obesity along with more knee arthritis and back pain. Although women in the HB group appeared worse in other CVH than their counterparts, this was not statistically significant. It is noteworthy, that the HB group showed a higher probability of having a hard cardiovascular event (CVE) within 10 years than the comparison group. Women in the HB group reported more depressive symptoms, poor QoL, and low SWB as well as smoking and sleep difficulties.
CONCLUSION
Despite the small sample size, significant relationships of HB symptoms to abdominal obesity, the probability of a hard CVE within 10 years, and psychosocial health were found. Strategies for effective community-based cardiovascular programs for Korean women may include HB screening and/or management.

This study attempted to investigate the relation of perceived health influencing factors, health practice performance and perceived health status in the elderly. The subjects of the study were 95 elderly people over the age of 60, living in Seoul and Kyungi province area in Korea. They were conveniently sampled for this study and the data was collected from March, 1998 through August, 1998. The instruments for this study, which were for measuring perceived health influencing factors and health practice performance, were developed by the researchers. The instrument for measuring perceived health status were items from the OARS Multidimensional Functional Assessment Questionnaire(OMFAQ). The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. Pearson's Correlation Coefficients and Stepwise Multiple Regression. The results of this study are as follows: 1. Influencing factors were divided into 3 perceived health enhancing factors and 3 perceived health hindering factors and health practice was divided into 4 health practice factors. 2. Health practice factor which was characterized as 'taking regularly vitamin, nutrient, oriental medical herbs and doing passive exercise' performance showed significant posisitive correlation with both perceived health enhancing factors which were 'empathetic support' and 'health maintenance through medical regimen'. Health practice factor which was characterized as' self monitoring through medical regimen' performance showed significant positive correlation with perceived health enhancing factor 'health maintenance through medical regimen'. Health practice factor which was characterized as 'actively taking food or nutrients which are recognized as good for health in public' performance showed significant positive correlation with both perceived health enhancing factor 'health maintenance through medical regimen' and perceived health hindering factor 'inappropriate health management'. 3. Stepwise Multiple Regression analysis revealed that: The Statistically significant influencing variables of perceived health status were health practice factor 'actively taking food or nutrients which are recognized as good for health in public' performance and perceived health enhancing factor 'empathetic support'.