Few studies have examined the use of multiple tobacco products among adolescents with asthma. The purpose of this study was to examine multiple tobacco product use and smoking behaviors. In this study, data from the Korea Youth Risk Behavior Web-based Survey (KYRBWS) were used, and 57,303 samples from 400 middle schools and 400 high schools in Korea were classified as study participants. Statistical analysis was performed with a complex sample design, using frequency analysis, chi-square test, and multiple logistic regression analysis. Adolescents with asthma had a higher current smoking rate for combustible cigarettes (CC), e-cigarettes (EC), and heated tobacco products (HTPs) than those without asthma (p < 0.001). The rates of dual use (using two types of tobacco; CC + EC or CC + HTPs or EC + HTPs; OR = 2.62, 95% CI: 1.626–4.240, R² = 26.8%) and triple use (using three types of tobacco; CC + EC + HTPs; OR = 2.61, 95% CI: 1.678–4.065, R² = 34.9%) were higher in adolescents with asthma than those without asthma, after adjusting for confounders. The smoking rate of new types of tobacco among adolescents with asthma is on the rise. Therefore, the calculation of basic data related to new tobacco smoking among adolescents is essential for establishing a continuous monitoring system to alleviate the burden of disease on national health.

This study aims to determine the influencing factors of the participation of older individuals aged 65 years and above in South Korea’s National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) using data from the eighth wave (2019–2021) of the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII), and discuss potential problems and coping strategies. Variables were selected based on Andersen’s healthcare utilization model. “Participation in the NSCP” was considered the dependent variable, with independent variables including sociodemographic characteristics (sex, marital status, residence, education level, income level, economic activity, medical coverage type, and private insurance), health conditions (subjective health status, hypertension, and diabetes), and health behaviors (physical activity, monthly alcohol consumption, and current smoking status). The analysis revealed that higher participation rates correlated with being married, having an education level beyond elementary school, being employed, subscribing to private insurance, perceiving oneself as having average or poor health, engaging in physical activity, and not smoking. Sex, residence, income, medical coverage type, hypertension, diabetes, and monthly alcohol consumption were found to be insignificantly correlated. These findings underscore the importance of tailored promotion and health education for older individuals to boost NCSP participation rates, which could ultimately elevate public health standards.

This study aimed to examine the association between metabolic syndrome and health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among Korean adult women and to investigate the mediating role of relative handgrip strength in this relationship. Data from 8771 women aged 19-80 years from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2016-2018) were analyzed. Metabolic syndrome was significantly associated with lower HRQoL (B = - 0.006, p = .041). Relative handgrip strength showed a significant positive association with HRQoL (B = 0.031, p < .001) and a negative association with metabolic syndrome (B = - 0.027, p = .009). The indirect effect of metabolic syndrome on HRQoL through relative handgrip strength was statistically significant (B = - 0.001, 95% CI: -0.0013 to - 0.0001), indicating a partial mediating effect.

Background: The incidence and mortality rates of cancer among females aged 65 years or older in the Republic of Korea are increasing; however, the national cancer screening rate (50.4%) remains low. Therefore, this study aimed to identify predictors of participation in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) among women aged 65 years or older using data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII, 2019–2021). Methods: This cross-sectional study utilized data from the 8th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VIII, 2019–2021). Study variables were selected based on Andersen’s healthcare utilization model. Participation in the National Cancer Screening Program (NCSP) was defined as the dependent variable, and independent variables included predisposing, enabling, and need factors. Descriptive analyses were conducted to examine participants’ characteristics. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences in NCSP participation according to participant characteristics. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors associated with participation, with all independent variables simultaneously included in the model to adjust for potential confounding. A p-value of <0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: A total of 2105 women aged 65 years or older were included in the analysis. Of the 2105 women aged 65 years or older, 1429 (67.9%) reported participation in cancer screening within the past two years. NCSP participation was significantly associated with being married (OR = 1.540; 95% CI: 1.263–1.879), being a middle school (OR = 1.357; 95% CI: 1.022–1.801) or college graduate or higher (OR = 2.012; 95% CI: 1.199–3.378), having private insurance (OR = 1.930; 95% CI: 1.573–2.368), average subjective health (OR = 1.332; 95% CI: 1.004–1.766), dyslipidemia (OR = 1.347; 95% CI: 1.110–1.636), and physical activity participation (OR = 1.252; 95% CI: 1.029–1.524). In contrast, urban residence, income level, being employed, medical coverage type, hypertension, diabetes, monthly drinking status and current smoking status were not statistically significantly correlated with NCSP participation. Conclusions: These findings highlight the need for tailored outreach strategies and health education programs targeting women aged 65 years and older to enhance participation in the NCSP and ultimately improve public health outcomes.

Sarcopenia contributes substantially to disability and mortality in older adults, and vitamin D plays an important role in muscle health. Using nationally representative data from the 2022 to 2023 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), this study examined the association between dietary vitamin D intake and sarcopenia among adults aged ≥65 years and evaluated whether regional socioeconomic deprivation, measured by the Area Deprivation Index (ADI), moderates this relationship. Sarcopenia was defined using sex-specific cutoffs of appendicular skeletal muscle mass relative to body weight. Vitamin D intake was assessed using a 24-hour dietary recall, and ADI was constructed from regional socioeconomic indicators. Analyses accounted for the complex survey design and included multivariable and moderated logistic regression analyses. Higher vitamin D intake was associated with lower odds of sarcopenia, whereas higher ADI was associated with increased odds. A significant vitamin D intake × ADI interaction indicated that the protective association of vitamin D intake was attenuated in more socioeconomically deprived regions. These findings highlight the importance of incorporating regional socioeconomic context into nutrition policies and public health strategies aimed at preventing sarcopenia among older adults in South Korea.