Jae Young Lee

Ms. Jae Young Lee

orcid

Research Focus & Metrics

Academic Career Length

1Year (2026-Present)

(Calculated once Scilit publication data is synced: current year − year of first publication + 1)

Representative Publications

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8 April 2026 in Nutrients
Verified
Journal Article
Open access
PDF file
HKHyeoijin Kim
Hyeoijin Kim
Yong Hee HongYong Hee Hong
Yong Hee Hong
YJYoung Charles Jang
Young Charles Jang
YLYoungil Lee
Youngil Lee
JLJae Young Lee
Jae Young Lee
CKChul-Hyun Kim
Chul-Hyun Kim
Background/Objectives: Body mass index (BMI) cannot distinguish fat mass (FM) from fat-free mass (FFM). The fat-free mass index (FFMI = FFM/height2) and fat mass index (FMI = FM/height2) decompose BMI into lean and fat components. We aimed to establish the first nationally representative, BIA-based FFMI and FMI reference values for Korean adults, visualize body composition trajectories, and classify obesity subtypes using the body composition chart. Methods: Cross-sectional data from 10,140 participants (4508 men, 5632 women; aged 10–80 years) from KNHANES IX (2022–2023) were analyzed. Multifrequency BIA (InBody 970) measured FFM and FM. Obesity subtypes (%BF ≥ 25% men, ≥35% women) were classified as underlean (FFMI < P5), proportional (P5–P95), or heavy (>P95) relative to an 18–59-year-old reference. Results: In men, FFMI peaked at 19.1 kg/m2 (30–49 years), declining 9.7% by 70–80 years, while FMI remained stable. In women, FMI increased 44% with stable FFMI. Underlean obesity in men rose from 0.7% (30–39 years) to 17.4% (70–80 years), undetected by BMI or waist circumference. Conclusions: These reference values and body composition chart provide practical tools for identifying underlean obesity and assessing body composition beyond BMI in Korean adults.