Trends in health behaviors over 20 years: findings from the 1998-2018 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

Abstract

METHODS:The subjects were 96,408 adults aged 19 years or older who participated in the first (1998) through seventh (2016)(2017)(2018)) KNHANES health interview. The prevalence of health behaviors (cigarette smoking, alcohol drinking, and physical activity) and annual percent change (APC) were estimated using SAS and the Joinpoint program. RESULTS:The prevalence of current cigarette smoking in men decreased by 2.8%p (APC = -2.8, p < 0.001) annually over the 20-year period, and the prevalence of exposure to secondhand smoke at home substantially decreased compared to 2005 (APC = -8.8, p < 0.001). Compared to 2005, the prevalence of current alcohol drinking in women, but not men, increased (APC = 2.0, p < 0.001), and the prevalence of binge drinking decreased in men (APC = -0.7, p < 0.001) and increased in women (APC = 2.4, p < 0.001). The prevalence of aerobic physical activity decreased from 2014 in both gendersd (p < 0.001). The prevalence of healthy behaviors practice (non-smoking, alcohol abstinence, and aerobic physical activity) was down-trending (APC = -5.3, p < 0.001), especially among women (APC = -6.4, p < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS:Over the past 20 years, smoking behaviors improved. However, drinking behavior was unchanged and physical activity indicators markedly decreased. More active programs are necessary for improving health behaviors, which are major risk factors linked to chronic diseases.

Gender and tobacco epidemic in South Korea: implications from age-period-cohort analysis and the DPSEEA framework

“…In contrast, the smoking prevalence among women was lowest (6.0% in 1995 to 7.7% in 2018), which was notable given the high smoking rate among Korean men and that in other countries 8. However, a recent national survey indicates an upward trend in women’s smoking prevalence, especially among the younger generation 7. Moreover, the average age at which people start smoking has decreased in men and women, but the magnitude of decline was greater in women.…”

“…Through the 1990s, with the smoking rate reaching the epidemic level (73.0% in 1995 6 ), smoking prevalence among men has steadily declined over the last 20 years. 7 Despite the substantial reduction in tobacco use, smoking in men remains high among organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries. 8 In contrast, the smoking prevalence among women was lowest (6.0% in 1995 to 7.7% in 2018), which was notable given the high smoking rate among Korean men and that in other countries.…”

“…8 However, a recent national survey indicates an upward trend in women’s smoking prevalence, especially among the younger generation. 7 Moreover, the average age at which people start smoking has decreased in men and women, but the magnitude of decline was greater in women. From 1998 to 2018, the average age of smoking initiation decreased by 2.0 and 5.9 years in men and women, with a mean age of 18.8 and 23.5 years.…”

“…South Korea is worth studying due to its gender-specific rise and fall of smoking prevalence. Through the 1990s, with the smoking rate reaching the epidemic level (73.0% in 19956), smoking prevalence among men has steadily declined over the last 20 years 7. Despite the substantial reduction in tobacco use, smoking in men remains high among organization for economic co-operation and development (OECD) countries 8.…”

Association of Muscle Strength with Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease in Korean Adults

“…Regular exercise was defined as performing either moderate or vigorous physical activity more than three times per week. The Global Physical Activity Questionnaire (GPAQ) was standardized to measure the level of physical activity of people [25]. Hypertension was diagnosed as systolic blood pressure ≥140 mmHg, diastolic blood pressure ≥90 mmHg, or taking antihypertensive medications [26].…”