Associations Between Mental Health, Quality of Life, and Obesity/Metabolic Risk Phenotypes.

Background: Obesity is a risk factor for many health issues, as are metabolic abnormalities; all may affect mental health and one's health-related quality of life. Therefore, we investigated the association between obesity subtypes, considering both body weight and metabolic abnormalities, and the mental health and quality of life of a Korean population. Methods: We used data from the 2016 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, a cross-sectional survey of Korean civilians, and data on a total of 6057 participants were analyzed. Obesity subtypes were classified as metabolically healthy but obese (MHO); metabolically abnormal but of normal weight (MANW); and metabolically abnormal and obese (MAO). Results: MHO was positively associated with mobility problems, pain/discomfort, and stress compared with metabolically healthy and of normal weight (MHNW) control. MAO was positively associated with problems in terms of not only mobility problems, pain/discomfort, and stress but also self-care and usual activity problems, and improper sleep duration, compared with the MHNW control. MANW showed no associations with the mental health problems or quality of life. Conclusions: With or without metabolic abnormalities, obesity is associated with mental health problems and decreased quality of life.

Efficacy and safety of fermented garlic extract on hepatic function in adults with elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase levels: a double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial.

PURPOSE: Alcoholic liver disease or non-alcoholic fatty liver disease/non-alcoholic steatohepatitis are well-known risk factors for liver fibrosis or cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma; it is a major global health concern, but there are few effective and safe management options. Therefore, we aimed to investigate the effects of fermented garlic extracts (FGEs) on hepatic function in adults with mild hepatic dysfunction without underlying hepatic disease. METHODS: In this double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled study, seventy-five adults with elevated serum gamma-glutamyl transpeptidase (GGT) levels were included in a FGE-administered group (n = 36) or a placebo group (n = 39), and received either two sachets/day containing FGEs or placebo over a 12-week period. Primary endpoint was the change in serum GGT levels. Data were analysed using a generalized linear mixed effects model. RESULTS: Significant group × time interactions for serum levels of GGT (F = 3.98, P = 0.022) and alanine aminotransferase (ALT; F = 3.28, P = 0.043) were observed with an improvement in levels of GGT (P = 0.066) and ALT (P = 0.014) in the FGE group compared to that reported for the placebo group at the 12-week visits. There was no intergroup difference in the prevalence of adverse events. CONCLUSIONS: Intake of FGEs improved serum GGT and ALT levels in adults with mildly elevated serum GGT level without reported adverse side effects. FGEs might be effective and safe management options for mild hepatic dysfunction.

Assessment of lifestyle effects on the levels of free oxygen radicals in the korean population.

BACKGROUND: As many studies revealed that oxidative stress due to the imbalance of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and antioxidant capacity is related with pathologic processes such as cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, as well as aging and obesity, the relationship between lifestyle and oxidative stress has recently gained much medical attention. However, little information exists on the effects of lifestyle on ROS in Korea. In this study, we investigated the effects of lifestyle on free oxygen radical levels in men and women in Korea. METHODS: A total of 138 adults participated in this study from September 2007 to June 2010 at a health promotion center and department of family medicine. Information on the lifestyle of each participant was obtained by questionnaire. Biochemical markers and a free oxygen radical test (FORT) were also measured. RESULTS: The average age was 47.28 ± 10.85 years and 79.7% were male. High sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP; r = 0.418, P = 0.012), triglycerides (r = -0.243, P = 0.008), hemoglobin (r = -0.445, P < 0.001), total protein (r = 0.210, P = 0.036), creatinine (r = -0.294, P = 0.001), fruit intake per day (P = 0.047), and smoking (P = 0.003) were related to the FORT levels in univariate analysis. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that hs-CRP (P = 0.039) was an independent predictor of serum FORT values. This statistical model can explain 78% of the variance in FORT values. CONCLUSION: This result suggests that hs-CRP showed a statistically significant positive association with FORT values. Further studies on the relationship between lifestyle and antioxidant capacity as well as ROS seem to be warranted to evaluate the overall effect of oxidative stress.

Predictors of and health services utilization related to depressive symptoms among elderly Koreans.

While the prevalence, comorbidity, risk profile and health care utilization for late-life depression have been described for many Western countries, much less is known about the recent epidemiology of late-life depression in East Asian countries such as Korea. We investigated predictors for depressive symptoms and the association between depressive symptoms and the utilization of both medical care and preventive services in elderly Koreans. Data were obtained from a nationally representative sample of Koreans aged 60 and above (2226 men, 2911 women) who participated in the 2008 wave of the Korean Longitudinal Study of Ageing. Depressive symptoms were measured using the 10-item Center for Epidemiological Studies-Depression scale. Risk factors considered included sociodemographics, health behaviors, chronic diseases, and physical function. Health care utilization factors included hospitalization, outpatient clinic use and basic medical checkup. Being female, being unmarried, and having less education, lower household income, physical inactivity and lower weight were associated with depressive symptoms. Presence of chronic diseases and limited physical function also showed a significant association with depressive symptoms. Depressive symptoms were associated with increased odds of hospitalization and outpatient visits, but decreased the odds of utilization of basic medical checkup after controlling for potential confounders. Findings on most risk factors, except lower weight, were consistent with reports from Western countries. It is important to recognize the burden of depressive symptoms in the elderly. The interaction of such symptoms with chronic diseases should be acknowledged and considered in the clinical setting as well as in health care planning and policymaking.