• Journal of the Korea Convergence Society
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• v.12 no.9
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• pp.351-360
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• 2021

The aim of the study was to assess the prevalence of young adults obesity, morbid obesity and severe obesity and to identify associated factors. Data for 50,095 participants aged 20-39 from Community Health Survey 2019. Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression were used for the analysis. Prevalence for young adults obesity, morbid obesity and severe obesity were 23.60%, 5.86% and 1.31%. Aged of 20's, male, low income, low educational level and marital status were found to be associated with all stages of obesity. Current smoking, high risk drinking, physical activity, health promotion practices, subjective health, EQ-5D, stress, depressive symptoms and comorbidities increased the prevalence of obesity in young adults. Health check-up, subjective health, EQ-5D, stress, depressive symptoms and comorbidities increased the prevalence of severe obesity in young adults. Based on the results, it is necessary to develop and provide focused intervention consisting of characteristics of young adults and stages of obesity.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.21 no.1
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• pp.22-31
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• 2021

Objectives: We conducted a retrospective chart review to investigate the effects of Korean Medicine (KM) treatment on weight loss in patients with morbid obesity (body mass index [BMI]≥30 kg/m²) and to compare the effects of KM counseling and non-counseling on weight loss. Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of patients with morbid obesity who received KM treatment for at least 1 month. We evaluated the effects of KM treatment on body weight, BMI, body fat, fat mass, EuroQol-5D, and the Korean version of the obesity-related quality of life scale (KOQOL). We also assessed the liver and kidney functions, and adverse events. We performed a comparative analysis between the counseling and non-counseling groups. Results: A total of 37 patients who underwent 4 weeks of KM treatment involving Wolbi-tang, electroacupuncture, and KM counseling were included in this study. Twenty-one patients were assigned to the counseling group and sixteen patients to the non-counseling group. There was a significant decrease in weight, BMI, fat mass, and KOQOL (P<0.05) with improvements in total cholesterol, low-density lipoprotein, and triglycerides. The counseling group had a greater reduction in body weight, BMI, body fat, and fat mass compared to the non-counseling group, although it was not significant. In the BMI below 35 (n=25), the reduction ratio of body weight, body fat mass, and body fat was higher in the counseling group than in the non-counseling group; additionally, body fat decreased significantly in counseling group (P<0.05). No severe adverse effects were observed. Conclusion: KM treatment could be effective for weight loss, especially in patients with morbid obesity, KM counseling could also be a good tool for weight loss, typically in patients with BMI<35 kg/m².

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.456-467
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• 2021

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: The prevalence of morbid obesity in Korean women has consistently been increasing, while the overall prevalence rate of obesity in Korean women seems to be stable. In addition to bariatric surgery, intragastric balloons (IGBs), as a nonsurgical therapy, have been reported to be effective in weight loss. However, the beneficial effects of IGB in Korean women with obesity have not been fully investigated. The aim of this study was to evaluate the changes in fat mass in Korean women with obesity who had undergone IGB treatment for 6 mon. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Seventy-four women with obesity (body mass index [BMI] ≥ 25.0 kg/m²) were recruited. Clinical data, including general information, comorbidities with obesity, anthropometric data, and changes in the body fat composition before and after IGB treatment, were obtained from the subjects. RESULTS: Most subjects had one or more comorbidities, such as osteoarthropathy and woman's disease, and had poor eating behaviors, including irregular mealtimes, eating quickly, and frequent overeating. Body composition measurements showed that weight, fat mass, and waist-hip circumference ratio decreased significantly at 6 mon after IGB treatment. In particular, women with morbid obesity (BMI ≥ 30 kg/m²) showed 33% excess weight loss. There was no significant difference in skeletal muscle mass and mineral contents after IGB treatment. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that 6 mon of IGB treatment can be a beneficial treatment for obesity without muscle mass and bone mineral loss.

• Journal of mucopolysaccharidosis and rare diseases
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.35-37
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• 2016

Prader-Willi syndrome (PWS) often develops type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) related to severe obesity. The prevalence of T2DM in adults with PWS (7-20%) exceeds greatly the prevalence in the general population (5-7%). It is uncommon for pre-pubertal children with PWS to develop overt diabetes or glucose intolerance. GH therapy and genotype did not influence the development of altered glucose metabolism. It has been assumed that T2DM in PWS develops as a consequence of morbid obesity and concomitant insulin resistance. However recent studies suggest the relationship between morbid obesity and T2DM development is more complex and appears to differ in PWS subjects compared to non-PWS subjects. PWS patients had relatively lower fasting insulin levels and increased adiponectin levels compared with BMI-matched obese control despite of similar levels of leptin. So PWS children may be protected to some extent form of obesity-associated insulin resistance. Although there's no data, it seems logical to approach diabetes management including weight loss and increased exercise, using similar pharmacological agents as with non-PWS obesity-related diabetes such as metformin or thiazolidinedione, with the introduction of insulin as required. On the other hand, several recent T2DM in PWS case reports suggest favorable outcomes using Glucagon-like peptide 1 (GLP-1) analog with regard to ghrelin reduction, control of glucose and appetite, weight loss and pre-prandial insulin secretion. The role of GLP-1 agonist therapy is promising, but has not yet been fully elucidated.

• Journal of Korean Medicine for Obesity Research
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.57-63
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• 2010

Objectives The purpose of this study is to investigate the clinical effect of oriental obesity therapy on morbid obese patient with Type 2 Diabetes. Methods Two cases of Type 2 Diabetes patient was treated with herbal medicine, electrolipolysis, dietetic therapy, and aerobic exercise during the treatment period. Results The diagnostic index (Weight, BMI, PBF, WHR, FPG, HgbA1C) was improved at the end of treatment. Conclusion The improvement of the patient with Type 2 Diabetes is identified through receiving oriental medical treatments, dietetic therapy, and aerobic exercises. Further research on medical treatments and long-term maintenance of weight loss for obese patients with Type 2 Diabetes should be needed in order to standardize the treatment methodology.

• Journal of Obesity & Metabolic Syndrome
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• v.27 no.4
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• pp.213-222
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• 2018

Bariatric surgery has evolved from a surgical measure for treating morbid obesity to an epochal remedy for treating metabolic syndrome as a whole, which is represented by type 2 diabetes mellitus. Numerous clinical trials have advocated bariatric or metabolic surgery over nonsurgical interventions because of markedly superior metabolic outcomes in morbidly obese patients who satisfy traditional criteria for bariatric surgery (body mass index [BMI] >$35kg/m^2$) and in less obese or simply overweight patients. Nevertheless, not all diabetes patients achieve the most desirable outcomes; i.e., diabetes remission after metabolic surgery. Thus, candidates for metabolic surgery should be carefully selected based on comprehensive preoperative assessments of the risk-benefit ratio. Predictors for diabetes remission after metabolic surgery may be classified into two groups based on mechanism of action. The first is indices for preserved pancreatic beta-cell function, including younger age, shorter duration of diabetes, and higher C-peptide level. The second is the potential for an insulin resistance reduction, including higher baseline BMI and visceral fat area. Several prediction models for diabetes remission have been suggested by merging these two to guide the joint decision-making process between clinicians and patients. Three such models, DiaRem, ABCD, and individualized metabolic surgery scores, provide an intuitive scoring system and have been validated in an independent external cohort and can be utilized in routine clinical practice. These prediction models need further validation in various ethnicities to ensure universal applicability.

• Journal of the Korean Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgeons
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• v.42 no.3
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• pp.162-165
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• 2016

We report a case of a morbidly obese man with an aortic aneurysm, in whom dental surgery was performed before elective cardiac surgery. His aortic aneurysm required emergency surgery. However, because of his morbid obesity, elective cardiac surgery was planned. Considering the high risk of infective endocarditis, dental surgery was required. Our patient was at a high risk of aortic rupture caused by hypertension and breathing difficulty in the supine position. Dexmedetomidine (DEX) is an anti-anxiety, sedative, and analgesic medicine that can stabilize circulatory dynamics and minimize blood pressure fluctuations. We administered intravenous DEX for sedation of the patient in Fowler's position. In conclusion, our understanding of the risk factors of DEX enabled us to perform safe invasive oral treatment.

• Archives of Plastic Surgery
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.615-620
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• 2023

Massive localized lymphedema (MLL) is a rare disease caused by the obstruction of lymphatic vessels with specific clinical morphological and radiological characteristics. People with morbid obesity are mainly affected by MLL. Lymphedema is easily confused with soft tissue sarcoma and requires differential diagnosis, both the possibility of an MLL and also carcinoma manifestations in the soft tissues. The possible causes of massive lymphedema include trauma, surgery, and hypothyroidism. This report is the first case of MLL treated surgically in the Russian Federation. Detailed computed tomography (CT) characteristics and an electron microscope picture of MLL are discussed. A 50-year-old woman (body mass index of 43 kg/m²) with MLL arising from the anterior abdominal wall was admitted to the hospital for surgical treatment. Its mass was 22.16 kg. A morphological study of the resected mass confirmed the diagnosis of MLL. We review etiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis, and treatment of MLL. We also performed an electron-microscopic study that revealed interstitial Cajal-like cells telocytes not previously described in MLL cases. We did not find similar findings in the literature. It is possible that the conduction of an ultrastructural examination of MLL tissue samples will further contribute to the understanding of MLL pathogenesis.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.1 no.1
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• pp.43-45
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• 2022

Intensive lifestyle modifications and anti-obesity medications are essential for obesity treatment. Antiobesity medications should be selected according to the patient's comorbidities, symptoms, and preferences. This case report describes the treatment of a morbidly obese patient with a history of depression, who complained of tingling and numbness after total thyroidectomy for papillary thyroid cancer. Very low-dose controlled-release phentermine/topiramate was prescribed and intensive lifestyle modifications were encouraged. As a result, the patient effectively lost weight and reached a near-normal weight without adverse drug effects. This implies that even an off-label anti-obesity medication low dose may be better for some patients, and the most important factor in obesity treatment is patient-tailored treatment.

• Archives of Obesity and Metabolism
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.64-70
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• 2023

Obesity is a complex multifactorial disease that is associated with various complications, including cardiovascular diseases. The prevalence of obesity among young adult males has increased, and this has increased the prevalence of several comorbidities. This trend was closely linked to lifestyle factors, including heavy drinking, smoking cigarettes, and an imbalanced diet. This emphasized the necessity of lifestyle improvements for effective obesity management. In this case, the comprehensive lifestyle changes and adjuvant medication resulted in weight loss and improvement in several comorbid conditions in a young adult male. The case highlighted the importance of a comprehensive approach to managing obesity. Furthermore, it emphasized the importance of a healthy lifestyle in addressing obesity and its complications.