Recently, there has been a notable rise in binge drinking and in the popularity of eating broadcasts via TV and online platforms, especially in Korea. This study analyzed the moderating effect of the eating broadcast viewing experience on the relationship between binge drinking and obesity-related eating behaviors. Cross-sectional self-reported online survey data were collected from 1125 Korean adults. Moderation models for restrained, emotional, and external eating behaviors were tested using moderation analyses with Hayes’s PROCESS version 3.5 compatible with SPSS. As a result, the eating broadcast viewing experience moderated the relationship between binge drinking frequency and external eating (F_change = 2.686, p = 0.045). More frequent binge drinking was associated with a higher level of external eating in participants who only watched online eating broadcasts, especially among women. Participants in their twenties showed the same above association; additionally, those who only watched TV eating broadcasts showed an inverse association, indicating that more frequent binge drinking was associated with a lower level of external eating. Consequently, an eating broadcast viewing experience was one of the environmental factors associated with binge drinking that influences obesity-related eating behaviors.

This study aims to examine the effectiveness of a 6-month lifestyle modification program on the improvement in metabolic syndrome (MetS) status and in stages of change for lifestyle behaviors associated with MetS among Korean older adults. A lifestyle modification program was developed based on the transtheoretical model. The program consisted of health counseling, education classes, a self-management handbook, newsletters and a health diary. Older adults aged ≥60 (n = 480) with MetS were randomly assigned to the intervention group (IG) or the comparison group (CG). The IG received a comprehensive 6-month lifestyle modification intervention, while the CG received minimal information on MetS and lifestyle modification. Health examination and selfadministered survey were conducted before and after the intervention to determine the effectiveness of the program. After the intervention, the prevalence of MetS decreased to 38.1% in the IG and 52.4% in the CG (p = 0.046). The IG improved abdominal obesity (p = 0.016), blood pressure (p = 0.030), and triglyceride (p = 0.005) more than the CG did. The IG demonstrated significant improvements in the behavioral stages for portion control (p = 0.021), balanced diet (p < 0.001) and adequate intake of fruits and vegetables (p = 0.012). The IG reduced the prevalence of abdominal obesity (OR = 2.34) and improved MetS status (OR = 1.79) better than the CG. The IG were more likely to advance from preaction stages at baseline to action stage at post-intervention for portion control (OR = 3.29) and adequate intake of fruits and vegetables (OR = 2.06). Lifestyle modification can improve the MetS status and behavioral stages in older adults.

Yoon NH, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2015 Aug;30(8):1092-1100. https://doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2015.30.8.1092

Objectives: The prevalence of obesity among adolescents has been continuously increasing for the last 10 years. This study aimed to reveal individual- and school-level factors associated with the risk of obesity among Korean adolescents. Methods: We used recently collected data over a period of 3 years (2017-2019) through the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Survey. In total, 148,731 adolescents from 2,399 middle and high schools were included. The complex sample hierarchical logistic regression analysis was performed with obesity as an outcome. Results: Of the total study subjects, 10.7% were obese. The regression analysis revealed that, among individual-level factors, being male, grade, missing breakfast, and soda intake were positively associated with risk of obesity, whereas household economic status, fruit consumption, and muscle-strengthening exercises were negatively associated. Among school-level factors, the school location in the rural area and whether a school was boys-only or girls-only, compared to being a coeducational school, were positively associated with adolescents’ risk of obesity. Whether nutrition education was implemented or the number of physical activities during class did not have any significant association with obesity. Conclusion: Adolescents’ obesity was explained not only by individual-level but also by school-level factors. Therefore, to manage obesity problems in adolescents, more sophisticated and practical school- and individual-level approaches should be implemented.

Objectives: This study aimed to analyze the smoking characteristics of female smokers and to provide strategies for effective smoking cessation programs by examining what motivates female smokers to quit smoking. Methods: Data were collected through focus group interviews with 22 female smokers by age group. Results: The study found that smoking patterns were different by age group, and the main reason for smoking in all age groups was stress relief. Across all age groups, the smell of smoking was cited as the main disadvantage of smoking. Female smokers were more concerned about their skin beauty than their health. They also pointed out that the current messages in smoking cessation campaigns and programs for female smokers were not only ineffective but rather antagonistic. Conclusion: It is necessary to revise the content of smoking cessation campaigns and to develop tailored smoking cessation programs ito motivate women to quit smoking. Furthermore, environmental change strategies should be incorporated into the program, in addition to individual-level intervention to support smoking cessation.