No abstract

No abstract

PurposeThe National Health Insurance Service-Health Screening Cohort (NHIS-HEALS) is a cohort of participants who participated in health screening programmes provided by the NHIS in the Republic of Korea. The NHIS constructed the NHIS-HEALS cohort database in 2015. The purpose of this cohort is to offer relevant and useful data for health researchers, especially in the field of non-communicable diseases and health risk factors, and policy-maker.ParticipantsTo construct the NHIS-HEALS database, a sample cohort was first selected from the 2002 and 2003 health screening participants, who were aged between 40 and 79 in 2002 and followed up through 2013. This cohort included 514 866 health screening participants who comprised a random selection of 10% of all health screening participants in 2002 and 2003.Findings to dateThe age-standardised prevalence of anaemia, diabetes mellitus, hypertension, obesity, hypercholesterolaemia and abnormal urine protein were 9.8%, 8.2%, 35.6%, 2.7%, 14.2% and 2.0%, respectively. The age-standardised mortality rate for the first 2 years (through 2004) was 442.0 per 100 000 person-years, while the rate for 10 years (through 2012) was 865.9 per 100 000 person-years. The most common cause of death was malignant neoplasm in both sexes (364.1 per 100 000 person-years for men, 128.3 per 100 000 person-years for women).Future plansThis database can be used to study the risk factors of non-communicable diseases and dental health problems, which are important health issues that have not yet been fully investigated. The cohort will be maintained and continuously updated by the NHIS.

Prediagnosis risk factors for cancer development (smoking, alcohol consumption, obesity, and insulin resistance) had a statistically significant effect on survival among male cancer patients.

These findings show that, even in Koreans, obesity clearly increases the risk of many types of cancers and the strength of the associations varies with the organ and histologic type. Because these obesity-related cancers are reported to be rapidly increasing in Korea and many other Asian countries, controlling obesity epidemics could be an effective tool for preventing these cancers in these areas.

OH, SANG WOO, SOON-AE SHIN, YOUNG HO YUN, TAIWOO YOO, AND BONG-YUL HUH. Cut-off point of BMI and obesity-related comorbidities and mortality in middle-aged Koreans. Obes Res. 2004;12:2031-2040. Objective: The need for a lower BMI to classify overweight in Asian populations has been controversial. Using both disease and mortality outcomes, we investigated whether lower BMI cut-off points are appropriate for identifying increased health risk in Koreans. Research Methods and Procedures:We conducted a cohort study among 773,915 men and women from 30 to 59 years old with 8-to 10-year follow-up periods. Primary outcomes were change of obesity prevalence, obesity-related disease incidence, and all-cause mortality. Results: Prevalence of overweight (BMI of 25.0-29.9) has steadily increased (1.3% annually), whereas obesity (BMI Ն 30) showed a lower prevalence and only a slight increase (0.1%-0.2% annually). Our study revealed that dose-response relationships exist between obesity and related disease incidences (hypertension, type 2 diabetes, and hypercholesterolemia) beginning at lower BMI levels than previously reported. Compared with those in the healthy weight range, Koreans with a BMI Ն 25 were not at greater risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes, or hypercholesterolemia than has been reported for whites in similar studies. Obesity-related all-cause mortality also did not seem so different from that of whites. Discussion: Our findings did not support the use of a lower BMI cut-off point for defining overweight in Koreans compared with whites for the purpose of identifying different risks. However, populations with BMI Ն 25 are rapidly increasing and have substantial risks of diseases. To preempt the rapid increases in obesity and related health problems that are occurring in Western countries, Korea should consider using a BMI of 25 as an action point for obesity prevention and control interventions.

Background: Despite differences in body shape and adiposity characteristics according to sex and age, a single range of healthy weight [body mass index (BMI, kg/m2) of 18.5–24.9) regardless of sex and age has been recommended. The aim of the study is to examine whether the association between BMI and all-cause mortality varies by sex and age, and, if relevant, to estimate sex-age-specific optimal BMIs associated with a minimal risk of death.Methods: A total of 12 832 637 Korean adults aged 18–99 years who participated in health examinations during 2001–04 were followed up until 2013. Hazard ratios of death in sex-age groups were calculated using Cox regression models after adjustment for age, smoking status and known pre-existing illness.Results: During follow-up, 456 175 men and 241 208 women died. Among men, the age-specific optimal BMI was 23.0–25.9 (kg/m2) at 18–34 years, 24.0–27.9 at 45–54 year, and 25.0–28.9 at 65–74 years. Among women, it was 15.5–24.9 at 18–34 years, 21.0–26.9 at 45–54 years and 24.0–28.9 at 65–74 years. Patterns of sex-age-specific association generally did not differ between never-smokers with no known illness and all participants. Progressively increased risks above and below sex-age-specific optimums were observed (reverse J-curve). Smoking had a limited impact on the observed associations.Conclusions: Women had a lower optimal BMI than men, especially at younger ages. The optimal BMI increased with age. Change in optimal BMI with age, however, was more profound in women than in men. Sex-age-specific optimums were generally higher than the current normal weight (BMI of 18.5–24.9), except in women below 50 years. Sex-age-specific guidelines related to body weight may be needed to guide people for better health.

Background: The effects of vegetable preference and leisure-time physical activity (LPA) on cancer have been inconsistent. We examined the effects of dietary preference and physical activity, as well as their combined effect on cancer risk.