Background
Early screening and management of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) are essential to prevent progression to fibrosis, cirrhosis, and related chronic diseases. The neck circumference to height ratio (NHtR) is a reliable measure of upper body fat. This study explored the relationship between the NHtR and MASLD in the Korean population, with the aim of validating it as a reliable screening tool.
Methods
We analyzed data from the 2019 to 2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, including 11,414 participants aged 40 years or older. The association between the NHtR and MASLD was evaluated using logistic regression analysis, while predictive accuracy was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic curve analysis.
Results
A total of 11,414 participants aged 40 years or older were included in the study. Participants in the highest NHtR quartile had higher levels of metabolic risk markers, including body mass index, waist circumference, glucose, hemoglobin A1c, and homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance (P<0.001). In logistic regression analysis, the odds ratio for MASLD in quartile 4 compared to quartile 1 was 1.77 (95% confidence interval [CI], 1.31–2.40; P<0.001) in the fully adjusted model. The area under the curve and 95% CI of NHtR for MASLD were 0.749 (95% CI, 0.740–0.758), demonstrating superior accuracy compared with other indicators. The optimal NHtR cut-off for MASLD was 21.564, with a sensitivity and specificity of 0.726 and 0.644, respectively.
Conclusion
NHtR is a more effective predictor of MASLD than other measures, highlighting its potential as a valuable screening tool in clinical and self-care settings.

Citations

• Gender-Specific Associations of Neck-Height Ratio, Physical Activity, and Relative Handgrip Strength with Blood Pressure in Young Indian Adults: Implications for Early Cardiovascular Risk Assessment in Women
  R. Aruna, S. Niveatha, Angeline Sophia Rajakumar
  Indian Journal of Cardiovascular Disease in Women.2025; 0: 1.     CrossRef

Background
The ultrasonic stadiometer was originally developed as a device to measure and monitor children’s height. However, an ultrasonic stadiometer (InLab S50; InBody Co., Seoul, Korea) was used to measure adults’ height in the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey (KCHS). This study was conducted to assess the reliability and validity of the InLab S50 in adults.
Methods
The study subjects were 120 adults (reliability test, n=20; validity test, n=100) who had visited a health screening center. The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of InLab S50 were assessed using the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC). The agreement between InLab S50 and an automatic stadiometer (HM-201; Fanics, Busan, Korea) was assessed using Pearson’s correlation coefficient and Bland-Altman analysis.
Results
The intra- and inter-rater reliabilities of the InLab S50 were excellent (ICC=0.9999 and 0.9998, respectively). The correlation coefficient of the height measured by the two measurement devices was very high (r=0.996). The difference (Δheight [HM-201-InLab S50]) was -0.15±0.78 cm (95% limit of agreement [LOA], -1.69 to 1.38). After excluding the values outside 95% LOA, the difference was further reduced to -0.05±0.59 cm (95% LOA, -1.20 to 1.10).
Conclusion
This study showed that the InLab S50 is a reliable and valid device for the measurement of adults’ height. Therefore, we think that InLab S50 could be used to measure adults’ height in household health surveys such as the KCHS.

Citations

• Validation of portable ultrasonic stadiometers in adults
  Joaquim Huaina Cintra-Andrade, João Victor Alves Martins, Maria Izabel Freire-Correia, Mirele Savegnago Mialich Grecco, Matheus Lima Caetano, Lívia Zulmyra Cintra-Andrade, Wagner Luis Ripka
  Clinical Nutrition ESPEN.2025; 68: 8.     CrossRef
• Contactless Body Measurement System Using Single Fixed-Point RGBD Camera Based on Pose Graph Reconstruction
  Riu Cherdchusakulchai, Sucharn Thoumrungroje, Thanyaporn Tungpanjasil, Alongkorn Pimpin, Werayut Srituravanich, Nattapol Damrongplasit
  IEEE Access.2024; 12: 84363.     CrossRef
• Genetic Evidence of Endocannabinoid System on Perceived Stress and Restricted Food Intake: The Role of Variants rs324420 in FAAH Gene and rs1049353 in CNR1 Gene
  Tania Yadira Martínez-Rodríguez, Elia H. Valdés-Miramontes, José Francisco Muñoz-Valle, Zyanya Reyes-Castillo
  Cannabis and Cannabinoid Research.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Association Between Perceived Noise Pollution and Sleep Quality: Findings from the 2018 Community Health Survey
  Sujin Lee, Jae Ho Chung
  Noise and Health.2024; 26(122): 346.     CrossRef
• Comparing the accuracy of an ultrasound height measurement device with a wooden measurement board among children aged 2–5 years in rural Lao People’s Democratic Republic: A methods-comparison study
  Shan Huang, Joel Conkle, Caroline S. E. Homer, Sengchanh Kounnavong, Khampheng Phongluxa, Joshua P. Vogel, Sayedur Rahman
  PLOS ONE.2023; 18(11): e0289514.     CrossRef
• Differences in accuracy of height, weight, and body mass index between self-reported and measured using the 2018 Korea Community Health Survey data
  Yoonsil Ko, Sunhye Choi, Jisoo Won, Yeon-Kyeng Lee, Dong-Hyun Kim, Seon Kui Lee
  Epidemiology and Health.2022; 44: e2022024.     CrossRef

Citations

• Abdominal Obesity Increases the Risk for Depression by Sex: A Nationwide Cohort Study in South Korea
  Soobin Jo, Kyung-do Han, Juhwan Yoo, Dong Wook Shin, Hyewon Kim, Hong Jin Jeon
  Psychiatry Investigation.2024; 21(12): 1398.     CrossRef
• Comparison of anthropometric indices for the screening of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease in pre- and postmenopausal women
  So-hyeon Hong, Soon Young Hwang, Jung A. Kim, You-Bin Lee, Eun Roh, Nam Hoon Kim, Ji A. Seo, Sin Gon Kim, Nan Hee Kim, Kyung Mook Choi, Sei Hyun Baik, Hye Jin Yoo
  Menopause.2020; 27(1): 88.     CrossRef
• Association of dietary patterns, anthropometric measurements, and metabolic parameters with C-reactive protein and neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio in middle-aged and older adults with metabolic syndrome in Taiwan: a cross-sectional study
  Ahmad Syauqy, Chien-Yeh Hsu, Hsiao-Hsien Rau, Jane C.-J. Chao
  Nutrition Journal.2018;[Epub]     CrossRef
• The “Jolly Fat” Effect in Middle-Aged Korean Women
  Gyeyoon Yim, Younjhin Ahn, Juhee Cho, Yoosoo Chang, Seungho Ryu, Joong-Yeon Lim, Hyun-Young Park
  Journal of Women's Health.2017; 26(11): 1236.     CrossRef
• Optimal Cutoffs of Cardiometabolic Risk for Postmenopausal Korean Women
  Hye-Ryoung Kim, Hee-Seung Kim
  Asian Nursing Research.2017; 11(2): 107.     CrossRef
• The Relationship Between Cardiorespiratory Fitness and Aortic Stiffness in Women with Central Obesity
  Jacqueline A. Augustine, Eun Sun Yoon, Jina Choo, Kevin S. Heffernan, Sae Young Jae
  Journal of Women's Health.2016; 25(7): 680.     CrossRef
• Optimal Cutoff Points of Anthropometric Parameters to Identify High Coronary Heart Disease Risk in Korean Adults
  Sang Hyuck Kim, Hyunrim Choi, Chang Won Won, Byung-Sung Kim
  Journal of Korean Medical Science.2016; 31(1): 61.     CrossRef
• Optimal Waist Circumference Cutoff Values for the Diagnosis of Abdominal Obesity in Korean Adults
  Yeong Sook Yoon, Sang Woo Oh
  Endocrinology and Metabolism.2014; 29(4): 418.     CrossRef

Background
There are growing evidences that structural and functional brain reserves may be crucial in cognitive function of late life. In old men, height as an important marker of growth and development, is related to late life cognitive decline or dementia. The purpose of this study is to examine the relationship of height to cognitive function in community dwelling old women. Methods: A total of 150 community dwelling old women who can carry out daily life independently were recruited in this study. We measured height, weight and blood pressure with an automatic device and investigated medical history and behavioral habits. We obtained fasting blood samples for the glucose and lipid profile tests and measured physical performance. The Korean version of Mini Mental State Examination (K-MMSE) was used for the assessment of cognitive function. Results: The acceptable cognition group (K-MMSE score ≥ 24) was taller than the impaired cognition group (K-MMSE score < 24) (mean height 150.9 ± 6.1, 148.0 ± 5.4, respectively, P-value < 0.01). In Pearson correlation analysis, height was positively associated with K-MMSE score (r = 0.342, P < 0.01). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that height independently related to K-MMSE score after adjustment of age, waist circumference, systolic blood pressure, diabetes, hyperlipidemia, alcohol drinking, residential district, education, gait speed ( = 0.102, P = 0.03). Conclusion: Height was independently associated with cognitive function in community dwelling old women. For the evaluation of the relationship between height and cognition in diverse cohorts, many studies will be necessary.

Citations

• Is Obesity Associated with Lower Mini Mental Test Scores among Elderly? A Cross Sectional Study
  Nezire İnce, Müjgan Öztürk, Reci Meseri, Halit Tanju Besler
  Journal of the American Nutrition Association.2022; 41(6): 600.     CrossRef
• The Relationship between Height and Cognitive Function among Community-dwelling Elderly: Hallym Aging Study
  Shan Ai Quan, Jin-Young Jeong, Dong-Hyun Kim
  Epidemiology and Health.2013; 35: e2013002.     CrossRef

Background
Many parents of overweight children have believed that their children's weight may be lost with the increase of their height. The purpose of this 2-year prospective study was to examine whether such belief is valid. Methods: A total of 190 children (113 boys and 77 girls) aged 6-11 years who were overweight (BMI > 85th percentile of age and gender-specifi c 1999 Korean children standard) from two elementary schools were the subjects. Their height and weight were measured again after 2 years. Children and their parents completed questionnaires on eating habits and physical activity, and their attitude on weight in the beginning of study. Children's weight status was evaluated using relative BMI. Results: Children's baseline relative BMI was 134.9 ± 13.8%. About 60% of the children reported weight loss attempt and 49% of their parents tried to persuade their child to lose weight. Children's BMI increased by 1.6 ± 2.1 kg/m2 and their relative BMI decreased by 1.2 ± 12.1% over 2 years. While children's eating habits and physical activity, and their attitude on the child's weight were not related to the 2-year relative BMI change, the child's age, gender, baseline relative BMI, and the 2-year height change were associated with the 2-year relative BMI change (R2 = 0.15, P < 0.001). The 2-year relative BMI increased with the 2-year height increase after controlling for the three predictors (B = 0.86, SE = 0.28, P = 0.002). Conclusion: We found the 2-year height change positively associated with the 2-year relative BMI change among schoolaged overweight children. Then, the belief that children's weight status may be improved with the increase of their height should be denied.

Citations

• Vitamin D deficiency and Metabolic Syndrome among Korean Adolescents: Based on Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey V (KNHANES)
  Ha Na Yoo, Hyeon Suk Kim
  Journal of the Korean Society of School Health.2016; 29(1): 22.     CrossRef

Background
With the increasing mean height of children, concerns about stature seem to grow in Korea. However, most studies regarding short stature were performed in developing countries where population were likely to be exposed to malnutrition and poor hygienic environments and factors associated with height were seldom studied in well-nourished population. Methods: Study participants were 449 Korean boys and girls enrolled in 2nd or 6th grade of a primary school. Height and weight were measured by standardized method and a questionnaire asking eating habits, birth weight, feeding method, physical exercise, household income, and height of parents was self-administered to each child and their parents. We classified participants into two groups according to the distribution of their height (lower 25% or upper 75%) and evaluated the factors associated with the short height (lower 25%) using multiple linear logistic regression analysis. Results: In the analysis of the whole participants, short height of parents and normal body mass index were significantly associated with short height. Subgroup analysis stratified by gender and school grade showed that short height of father and normal body mass index, short height of mother, low household income, and not engaging in regular physical exercise were significantly associated with short height for 2nd grade boys, 6th grade boys, 2nd grade girls, and 6th grade girls, respectively. Conclusion: The factors associated with short height differed according to gender and school grades. In boys, parental height was significantly associated with and, in girls, environmental factors such as physical exercise or household income were significant factors of short stature. (J Korean Acad Fam Med 2008;29:251-258)

Background
: In this study we estimated the prevalence of cardiovascular (CV) risk factors according to waist-to- height ratio (W/Ht ratio) in adult obese women to ensure the importance of abdominal obesity and determined the usefulness of W/Ht ratio as a index of abdominal obesity in adult obese women.

Methods : The study subjects were 190 adult obese women who visited an obesity clinic from August, 2001 to January, 2003. They were divided into 4 groups: Group 1; BMI＜30, W/Ht＜0.6, Group 2; BMI＜30, W/Ht≥0.6, Group 3; BMI≥30, W/Ht＜0.6, and Group 4; BMI≥30, W/Ht≥0.6. In each group, we compared the prevalence and odds ratio for CV risk factors.

Results : In obese group, the prevalence of high blood glucose (P＜0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (P＜0.01) were significantly higher in group 2 than group 1. In high obese group, the prevalence of systolic hypertension (P＜0.01), high blood glucose (P＜0.01), hypercholesterolemia (P＜0.01), hypertriglyceridemia (P＜0.05), and high LDL-cholesterol were significantly higher in group 4 than group 3. When odds ratio for each group with reference to group 1 were compared after adjusting for age, high blood glucose (4.48), and hypertriglyceridemia (6.10) in group 2, and systolic hypertension (2.69), high blood glucose (3.02), and hypertriglyceridemia (4.00) in group 4 were significantly higher.

Conclusion : The prevalence of CV risk factors were likely to be increased in higher W/Ht group independently to BMI. W/Ht ratio can be a simple, useful index for abdominal obesity and its related risk factors not only in adult males but also in adult obese women.

Background
: Waist circumference and BMI have been known as an independent predictor for cardiovascular diseases. But some people with a normal BMI or normal waist circumference may have cardiovascular risk factors. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate the simplicity and the usefulness of waist/height ratio as an index of obesity and to investigate the waist/height ratio as a predictor for metabolic risks in individuals with normal weight and/or normal waist circumference.

Methods : The subjects were 1,157 individuals (635 men, 522 women). The morbidity index for metabolic risk factors was calculated by the sum of the risk factors scores (one point per item, if present). We set the criteria of obesity as BMI≥25 kg/m², waist circumference of ≥90 cm in males and ≥80 cm in females, waist/hip ratio of ≥0.9 in males and ≥0.8 in females, and waist/height ratio of ≥50 cm/cm*100.

Results : There was a significant correlation among waist/ height ratio, waist/hip ratio, BMI, and waist circumference (P=0.000). The odds ratios for morbidity index (≥3) in normal BMI, waist circumference, and waist/hip ratio subjects with waist/height over 50 were significantly higher with 4.60, 3.83, and 2.79, respectively, and also higher in normal BMI with normal waist circumference subjects with 3.90 (P=0.000).

Conclusion : Waist/height ratio may be used a simple and practical index of obesity. Especially, it may be useful in subjects with normal BMI or normal waist circumference when predicting their metabolic risks.

Background
: In retrospective studies relating body weight to disease, the source of information on the past body weight and height as often based on recall. Several studies examined the accuracy of recalled body weight and height, and factors that might affect the accuracy of recall but data on the accuracy of the recalled weight and height are scare. This study examined the accuracy of recalled body weight and height, over a 5year period.

Methods : Participants was two hundred and two men and women visiting Health Promotion Center of medical colleage hospital, from 1th Jan. to 30th Jun.1996. We compared of measured weight and height with recalled weight and height 5 year later and examined of the influence of sex, occupation, education, chronic disease on recall.

Results : When we defined recall error as measured body weight and height minus recalled body weight and height, the mean of weight error were 0.02±3.22 kg, and the measured body weight was significantly correlated with recalled body weight(r=0.96). The mean of height errors were-0.80 1.95 cm, the correlation was 0.97. Weight errors were negatively correlated to weight gain over 5 year period(r=-0.49). The accuracy of recall was not influenced by sex, education, occupation, chronic disease.

Conclusion : Middle aged men and women recalled their previous 5year weight and height well in this study. The recalled past body weight and height are feasible information in retrospective study relating body weight to disease.

Background
: Abdominal obesity is a risk factor for morbidity and mortality associated with cardiovascular disease. It has been reported that metabolically obese is common even in normal weight individuals. In this study, we analysed characteristics of cardiovascular risk factors in normal and overweight men using waist-to-height ratio to find out whether it reflects such risks.

Methods : Study subjects were 516 men.(18.5≤BMI<30.0) According to BMI and waist-to-height ratio(W/Ht), they were divided into four group: Group 1; 18.5≤BMI<25.0, W/Ht<0.5, Group 2;18.5≤BMI<25.0, W/Ht≥0.5, Group 3; 25.0≤BMI<30.0, W/Ht<0.5, Group 4; 25.0≤30.0, W/Ht≥0.5. The prevalence, Odds ratio for cardiovascular risk factors were compared.

Results : In normal weight group, the prevalence of hypertension(P<0.01), high blood glucose(P<0.01), hypercholesterolemia(P<0.05), hypertriglyceridemia(P<0.01) was significantly higher in group 1 than gorup 2. In overweight group, the prevalence of hypercholesterolemia(P<0.01), low HDL(P<0.01) was significantly higher in group 4 than group 3. When compared Odds ratio for each groups with reference to group 1, adjusted for age, smoking status and regular exercise, high blood glucose(4.48), hypertriglyceridemia(5.91) in group 2, hypertension(3.54), hypertriglyceridemia(3.44) in group 3, hypertension(2.90), hypertriglyceridemia(3.81), low HDL(2.60) in group 4 were significantly higher.

Conclusion : Waist-to-height ratio may be a useful method for early detection of abdominal obesity and it's related risk factors in normal and overweight individuals.

Background
: The waist/hip ratio is an useful index of abdominal obesity, but it includes two variables which may result in a false interpretation. The purpose of this study is to evaluate the usefulness of waist/height ratio as a predictor for the risk factors of coronary artery disease(CAD).

Methods : 1395 persons(818 men & 577 women) were selected as subjects who visited the Health Examination Center at Ewha Mokdong Hospital from October 1996 to March 1997. Waist circumference was measured at the level of umbilicus with standing position. Hip circumference was measured at the level of the largest circumference of the hip. We set the criteria of the risk factors as hypertension(systolic BP≥140mmHg and/or diastolic BP≥90mmHg), glucose intolerance(fasting blood glucose≥115mg/dl), hypertriglyceridemia(>160mg/dl), hypercholesterolemia(≥200mg/dl), and low HDL-cholesterol level(<35mg/dl). The morbidity index of CAD was calculated by the sum of the risk factor scores(one point per item if present).

Results : There was significant correlation between waist/height ratio, waist/hip ratio and body mass index(BMI)(p=0.0001). BMI had more strong correlation with waist/height ratio(r=0.81) than waist/hip ratio(r=0.48). According to the simple regression analysis, BMI, waist/hip ratio and waist/height ratio had significant correlation with all of the risk factors and the morbidity index. According to the multiple regression analysis, waist/height ratio had significant correlation with age, weight, height, systolic BP, triglyceride, cholesterol and HDL-cholesterol. The risk factor morbidity index of the groups with waist/height ratio over 0.45 was significantly more higher than the group of the lowest risk factor morbidity index(waist/height ratio under 0.4) in men(p=0.01). For women, 0.46 was the level which the risk factor morbidity index increased significantly(p<0.01).

Conclusion : Waist/height ratio can be a useful index of abdominal obesity. And it may be used as a more easier and better predictor of multiple CAD risk factors than waist/hip ratio. We can predict that waist/height ratio over 0.45 in men and over 0.46 in women may have more higher coronary artery disease risk.