Perceptions, attitudes, and management of obesity in East Asians vs global: A pooled analysis of the ACTION IO survey.

Objective: This ACTION-IO sub-analysis compared attitudes of people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs) between South Korea/Japan and global.

Methods: Responses from overall (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25 kg/m) and higher BMI (30.0-34.

Glycemic status, insulin resistance, and mortality from lung cancer among individuals with and without diabetes.

Background: The effects of glycemic status and insulin resistance on lung cancer remain unclear. We investigated the associations between both glycemic status and insulin resistance, and lung cancer mortality, in a young and middle-aged population with and without diabetes.

Methods: This cohort study involved individuals who participated in routine health examinations.

Analysis of public perception of national obesity management policy.

Purpose: This study aimed to provide essential data necessary for shaping future obesity policy directions and strengthening the effectiveness of such measures.

Methods: A literature review and expert meetings were conducted to identify policy objectives that should be included in the comprehensive national obesity management plan. Based on these objectives, a questionnaire was developed, and a survey was conducted nationwide through an online panel targeting citizens aged 15-69.

Association between body fat and bone mineral density in Korean adults: a cohort study.

Although obesity was once considered protective against osteoporosis, various factors influence the relationship between fat and bone mineral density (BMD). To establish the importance of healthy body composition in decelerating declines in BMD, we conducted a study to compare the association between body fat composition and BMD in Korean adults. Using data collected from the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study from 2012 to 2019, this cohort study compared the incidence of decreased BMD among the following four groups: normal BMI and normal adiposity (NBMI-NA), normal BMI and high adiposity (NBMI-HA), overweight, and obesity.

Association of Uncontrolled Hypertension or Diabetes Mellitus With Major Adverse Cardiovascular Events and Mortality in South Korea: Population-Based Cohort Study.

Background: Managing hypertension (HT) and diabetes mellitus (DM) is crucial to preventing cardiovascular diseases. Few studies have investigated the incidence and risk of cardiovascular diseases or mortality in uncontrolled HT or DM in the Asian population. Epidemiological studies of cardiovascular disease should be conducted with continuous consideration of the changing disease risk profiles, lifestyles, and socioeconomic status over time.

The association between cotinine-measured smoking intensity and sleep quality.

Introduction: Cigarette smoking is suggested to be associated with sleep problems. This study evaluated the quantitative association between urinary cotinine-verified smoking intensity and sleep quality assessed by the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI).

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of 189970 participants from the Kangbuk Samsung Health Study recruited between 2016 and 2018.

Fasting ketonuria is inversely associated with coronary artery calcification in non-diabetic individuals.

Background And Aims: Increased levels of ketone bodies, an alternative fuel when glucose availability is low, may exert beneficial effects on cardiovascular disease (CVD) risk factors. Whether increased ketone bodies are associated with coronary artery calcium (CAC), a recognized and strong cardiovascular risk factor, remains unknown. We investigated the association of fasting ketonuria with CAC and its progression.

Long or Irregular Menstrual Cycles and Risk of Prevalent and Incident Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease.

Context: The association of menstrual cycle length and irregularity with the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is unknown.

Objective: We examined this association in large cross-sectional and cohort studies.

Methods: The cross-sectional study included 72 092 women younger than 40 years who underwent routine health examinations; the longitudinal analysis included the subset of 51 118 women without NAFLD at baseline.

Bariatric surgery versus medical therapy in Korean obese patients: prospective multicenter nonrandomized controlled trial (KOBESS trial).

Purpose: The aim of this study was to show that bariatric surgery (BS) is more effective than medical therapy (MT) in Asian obese patients.

Methods: In this prospective, multicenter, nonrandomized, controlled trial, obese patients with body mass index of ≥35 kg/m or 30.0-34.

Weight Change and the Development of Nonalcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Metabolically Healthy Overweight Individuals.

Introduction: The study sought to investigate the effect of weight change on hepatic steatosis (HS) incidence with or without liver fibrosis in metabolically healthy overweight or obese individuals.

Methods: A cohort of 14,779 metabolically healthy men and women who were overweight or obese (body mass index ≥23 kg/m) and free from HS and an intermediate or high probability of fibrosis at baseline were followed for a median of 5.2 years.

Depression and increased risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease in individuals with obesity.

Unlabelled: Abstract.

Aims: The longitudinal relationship between depression and the risk of non-alcoholic fatty liver disease is uncertain. We examined: (a) the association between depressive symptoms and incident hepatic steatosis (HS), both with and without liver fibrosis; and (b) the influence of obesity on this association.

Low-level alcohol consumption and cancer mortality.

The effect of light-to-moderate alcohol consumption on cancer risk remains controversial. We examined the association between low-level alcohol consumption and cancer mortality. A cohort study included 331,984 Korean adults free of cancer at baseline who underwent a comprehensive health checkup examination.

Patient motivation to lose weight: Importance of healthcare professional support, goals and self-efficacy.

Background: People with obesity (PwO) often struggle to achieve and maintain weight loss. This can perpetuate and/or be influenced by feelings of low motivation. This analysis from ACTION-IO data identified factors associated with PwO motivation to lose weight.

The 3Ds - Discussion, diagnosis and direction: Elements for effective obesity care by healthcare professionals.

Background: The care of people with obesity is often suboptimal due to both physician and patient perceptions about obesity itself and clinical barriers. Using data from the ACTION-IO study, we aimed to identify factors that might improve the quality of obesity care through adoption of the 3D approach (Discussion, Diagnosis and Direction [follow-up]) by healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Methods: An online survey was completed by HCPs in 11 countries.

Depressive symptoms and risk of liver-related mortality in individuals with hepatitis B virus infection: a cohort study.

The impact of depression on the risk of liver-related mortality in individuals with hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection remains unclear. We examined the association between depression, HBV infection, and liver-related mortality. A total of 342,998 Korean adults who underwent health examinations were followed for up to 7.

Efficacy and Safety of Combined Extracts of and for Body Fat Reduction in Overweight Women.

Obesity is a medical condition that presents excessive fat accumulation with high risk of serious chronic diseases. The aim of this clinical trial is to investigate the anti-obesity effects of (CO) and (RF) on body fat reduction in Korean overweight women. A total of 147 overweight female participants enrolled in double-blinded clinical trial for 12 weeks and 76 participants completed the clinical study.

Perceptions, Attitudes, Behaviors, and Barriers to Effective Obesity Care in South Korea: Results from the ACTION-IO Study.

Background: The prevalence of obesity is increasing in South Korea. We aimed to identify the perceptions, attitudes, behaviors, and barriers to effective obesity care in South Korea.

Methods: The Awareness, Care, and Treatment In Obesity maNagement-an International Observation (ACTION-IO) study was a cross-sectional survey conducted in 11 countries.

Effects of a mobile healthcare service provided by public health centers on practicing of health behaviors and health risk factors.

Background/objectives: This study evaluated whether a mobile health (mHealth) application can instigate healthy behavioral changes and improvements in metabolic disorders in individuals with metabolic abnormalities.

Subjects/methods: Participants were divided into an mHealth intervention group (IG), which used a mobile app for 24 weeks, and a conventional IG. All mobile apps featured activity monitors, with blood pressure and glucose monitors, and body-composition measuring devices.

Corrigendum: 2018 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity Guideline for the Management of Obesity in Korea.

[This corrects the article on p. 40 in vol. 28, PMID: 31089578.

2018 Korean Society for the Study of Obesity Guideline for the Management of Obesity in Korea.

Obesity increases the risks of diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular diseases, ultimately contributing to mortality. Korean Society for the Study of Obesity (KSSO) was established to improve the management of obesity through research and education; to that end, the Committee of Clinical Practice Guidelines of KSSO reviews systemic evidence using expert panels to develop clinical guidelines. The clinical practice guidelines for obesity were revised in 2018 using National Health Insurance Service Health checkup data from 2006 to 2015.

Gaps to bridge: Misalignment between perception, reality and actions in obesity.

Aims: Despite increased recognition as a chronic disease, obesity remains greatly underdiagnosed and undertreated. We aimed to identify international perceptions, attitudes, behaviours and barriers to effective obesity care in people with obesity (PwO) and healthcare professionals (HCPs).

Materials And Methods: An online survey was conducted in 11 countries.

Antiangiogenic Herbal Composition Ob-X Reduces Abdominal Visceral Fat in Humans: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Study.

Adipose tissue growth is angiogenesis-dependent, and angiogenesis inhibitors can regulate adipose tissue mass by cutting off the blood supply. We examined whether antiangiogenic herbal composition Ob-X can reduce fast-growing abdominal fat, especially visceral fat in humans by inhibiting angiogenesis. Eighty abdominally obese subjects (body mass index: 25-29.