Background: Perceived stress has a significant effect on metabolic diseases, including obesity and hypertension. However, the association between stress levels, obesity, and hypertension according to age and sex is not fully understood. Therefore, this study investigated the relationship between stress levels and obesity and hypertension in Korean adults and older adults. Methods: We analyzed data from the 2015 survey of the Korea National Physical Fitness Project conducted by the Korea Institute of Sports Science and the Korea Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. Of the 3457 participants, 2829 were adults (20–64 years old) and 628 were older adults (≥65 years old). The correlation between obesity and hypertension according to the degree of perceived stress (low, medium, and high) was analyzed using the chi-square test. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to investigate the influence of perceived stress levels on obesity and hypertension. Age, body mass index (BMI), blood pressure, exercise frequency, smoking, breakfast, and sleeping hours were included as covariates. Results: In adult males, perceived stress levels, age, and diastolic blood pressure were found to have a significant impact on obesity rates, whereas age and breakfast had a significant effect on hypertension rates. In adult females, age and systolic blood pressure were found to significantly influence obesity rates, whereas age, BMI, and exercise frequency had a significant impact on hypertension rates. In older adult females, perceived stress levels and systolic blood pressure were found to significantly impact obesity rates, and sleep duration influenced the rates of hypertension. The effect of perceived stress level on obesity and hypertension rates was less pronounced in the elderly population than in the adult population. Conclusions: This study revealed age and sex differences in the relationship between perceived stress, obesity, and hypertension among Koreans. These findings contribute to a better understanding of the complex relationship between perceived stress and metabolic disorders and emphasize the need for a deeper understanding of the specific factors involved in the prevention and management of metabolic diseases.

Smoking is a major global health issue that contributes to various chronic diseases, while hypertension and obesity are considered significant health concerns due to their associated complications, such as cardiovascular diseases and metabolic disorders. In this study, we investigated the associations between current smoking status, hypertension, and obesity among the Korean population, excluding individuals with high blood pressure (systolic blood pressure ≥ 160 mmHg or diastolic blood pressure ≥ 100 mmHg) and those taking antihypertensive medications. Data from the 2015 Korea National Fitness Assessment, encompassing 3457 individuals, were analyzed. Logistic regression analysis was used to examine the effects of current smoking and other variables on hypertension and obesity. The results showed that, among the population that excludes specific hypertension criteria, current smoking status was not significantly associated with hypertension or obesity. However, sex and body mass index were significantly associated with hypertension, and age, sex, and blood pressure were significantly associated with obesity. Future research should utilize larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs to confirm these findings and include a broader range of hypertensive participants to better control for potential confounding variables.

[목적] 본 연구는 마른 비만 여성을 대상으로 중강도 및 고강도 유산소 운동을 실시하여, 신체구성 및 안정시 대사량 그리고 혈중 지질 성분에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 규명하고자 하였다. 본 연구는 마른 비만 여성을 대상으로 중강도 및 고강도 유산소 운동을 실시하여, 신체구성 및 안정시 대사량 그리고 혈중 지질 성분에 어떠한 영향을 미치는지 규명하고자 하였다. [방법] 연구대상자는 20대 마른 비만 여성을 대상으로 중강도 유산소 그룹(MIAE, n=10), 고강도 유산소 그룹(VIAE, n=10)으로 구분하였고, 8주간 주 3회 유산소 운동을 실시하였다. 운동 강도에 따른 효과를 확인하기 위해 사전·사후 신체구성 및 안정시 대사량 그리고 혈중 지질 성분을 분석하였다. [결과] 본 연구 결과 두 그룹 모두 체중 및 체지방률이 감소하였고, 제지방 및 안정시 대사량은 VIAE 그룹에서만 증가하였다. 그리고 혈중 지질 중 TC, TG, LDL-C의 경우 두 그룹 모두 감소하였고 HDL-C의 경우에만 VIAE 그룹에서 증가하였다. [결론] 마른 비만 여성에게 고강도 유산소 운동은 중강도 유산소 운동에 비해 신체구성 및 안정시 대사량 그리고 혈중 지질 변화에 효과적임을 확인하였다. PURPOSE This study aimed to investigate the effects of regular moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise on body composition, resting metabolic rate, and blood lipid profile in normal-weight obese women. METHODS The participants in the study were normal-weight obese women in their 20’s, divided into moderate- and vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise (VIAE) groups. Aerobic exercise was performed three times a week for 8 weeks. To verify the exercise effect, pre- and post- body composition, resting metabolic rate, and blood lipid profile were analyzed. RESULTS Weight and body fat decreased in both groups, and lean body mass and resting metabolic rate increased in the VIAE group. Blood TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased in both groups and HDL-C increased in the VIAE group. CONCLUSIONS In normal-weight obese women, vigorous-intensity aerobic exercise is more effective than moderate intensity aerobic exercise for improving body composition, resting metabolic rate and blood lipid profile.

Sung Eun Park, Sae Young Jae. KJSM 2023;41:225-32. https://doi.org/10.5763/kjsm.2023.41.4.225

[Purpose] This research focused on examining how an 8-weeks intervention of high-intensity (HIAE) and moderate-intensity aerobic exercise (MIAE) influenced body composition, β-amyloid (Aβ) levels, metabolic markers (glucose, insulin, and HOMA-IR), and blood lipid profiles (total cholesterol [TC], triglycerides [TG], low-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [LDL-C], and high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol [HDL-C]) in obese middle-aged women.[Methods] Thirty obese middle-aged women (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m2, body fat ≥ 30%) were randomly divided into three groups: HIAE, MIAE, or control groups (n = 10 per group). The exercise groups performed aerobic exercise three times per week for 8 weeks at an intensity of 80–85% (HIAE) and 60–65% (MIAE) of VO2max. Body composition, Aβ levels, metabolic markers, and blood lipid profiles were measured before and after the intervention. A two-way repeated-measures analysis of variance (ANOVA) was applied to analyze the data and determine interaction effects.[Results] Both the HIAE and MIAE groups showed notable reductions in body weight, body fat percentage, BMI, Aβ, glucose, insulin, HOMA-IR, and all blood lipid variables over time compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Significant time-by-group interaction effects were observed for each variable, with HIAE resulting in greater reductions in TC, TG, and LDL-C, and greater increases in HDL-C. Post hoc analyses showed a substantial rise in HDL-C levels for the HIAE group compared to the control group (p = 0.000), with a trend toward greater increases than in MIAE (p = 0.058).[Conclusion] HIAE and MIAE interventions effectively improved metabolic and cognitive health markers in middle-aged women with obesity. These findings emphasize the dose-response effects of exercise intensity, with HIAE offering greater benefits for lipid control and Aβ reduction.

OBJECTIVES This study aimed to evaluate the effects of high-intensity aerobic exercise on cardiovascular disease risk factors and inflammatory markers in normal weight obese women aged 20–30 years.METHODS Participants were divided into a high-intensity aerobic exercise group (HIEG, n=8) and a control group (CG, n=7). The aerobic exercise protocol was set at an intensity of 80-85% of the maximum oxygen uptake (VO2max), which was determined through an exercise tolerance test, and consisted of a treadmill workout three times a week over a period of eight weeks. To assess the effects of the exercise intervention, the pre- and post-intervention body composition and VO2max were measured. Additionally, blood samples were collected to analyze cardiovascular disease markers and inflammatory cytokines.RESULTS The results indicated that the HIEG group experienced a significant reduction in body weight and fat percentage (p<0.001) along with an increase in VO2max (p<0.001) compared to the control group. Furthermore, the levels of total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein cholesterol and triglycerides showed a significant reduction (p<0.01) and inflammatory markers such as tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and high sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP) were significantly decreased in the HIEG group (p<0.001). Moreover, high-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels were significantly elevated in the HIEG group (p<0.001).CONCLUSIONS These findings suggest that eight weeks of high-intensity aerobic exercise is effective in improving body composition and promoting positive changes in markers for cardiovascular disease and inflammation in normal weight obese women.