Junga Lee

Background Cancer patients experience cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities that worsen treatment tolerance, and increase mortality risk. Metabolic dysregulation, chronic inflammation, and prolonged sedentary behavior are recognized contributors to these adverse outcomes. Objective This study aimed to examine the associations of metabolic markers, inflammatory biomarkers, and sedentary time with major comorbidities among cancer patients. Methods A cross-sectional study analyzed data from 2021–2023 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. A total of 692 adults with a self-reported history of cancer were included. Body mass index (BMI), waist-to-hip ratio (WHR), blood pressure, pulse rate, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), neutrophil-to-lymphocyte ratio (NLR), and sedentary time were categorized into tertiles. Multivariate logistic regression models estimated unadjusted and adjusted odds ratios for cardiovascular, respiratory, metabolic comorbidities, controlling for age, sex, race/ ethnicity, education level, smoking status, and physical activity level. Results After adjustment, higher BMI was significantly associated with congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes. Higher WHR was associated with heart attack and diabetes. SBP showed bidirectional associations, with the highest tertile associated with cardiovascular disease, respiratory disease, and diabetes. Hs-CRP was associated with congestive heart failure and hypertension. Longer sedentary time was associated with higher odds of congestive heart failure, hypertension, and diabetes. Conclusions After adjusting for key confounders, metabolic indicators, inflammatory biomarkers, and sedentary time were associated with cardiometabolic comorbidities among cancer patients. BP parameters showed complex bidirectional associations with cardiovascular and metabolic outcomes. These finding highlight the importance of comprehensive and individualized risk assessment in cancer survivorship care.

The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of resistance exercise programs on older adults’ physical and psychological health indicators. Twelve randomized controlled trials published in Korean be-tween January 2000 and July 2024 were included in this meta-analysis. The subjects in the selected studies were all aged 65 and over. The in-tervention group performed resistance exercise, and the control group did not engage in structured exercise programs. The resistance exer-cise programs were implemented for an average of 8–12 weeks, 2–3 sessions per week, with each session lasting 40–70 min. Effect sizes were calculated using standardized mean differences, and statistical analysis was conducted using R software. The results revealed that re-sistance exercise significantly improved various fall-related physical outcomes, including grip strength, flexibility, static and dynamic balance, lower body strength, and coordination. Also, fall efficacy was signifi-cantly increased. However, there was no statistically significant change in skeletal muscle mass and body fat percentage. These findings sug-gest that resistance exercise is an effective intervention for improving physical function and psychological stability in older adults.

Objectives: This study aims to investigate the association between cardiovascular fitness, body composition (particularly abdominal obesity), and hypertension in middle-aged adults, considering the influence of factors such as age, gender, smoking status and alcohol status.Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 60 healthy adults (mean aged 54.23 ± 7.34) recruited. Participants underwent assessments of anthropometry, body composition, blood pressure, and physical fitness. The primary outcome was the prevalence of hypertension. Secondary outcomes included body composition measures (body fat mass, body lean mass and waist circumference), and physical fitness assessments [grip strength, sit-ups, sit-and-reach test, and Young Men's Christian Association step (YMCA) test]. Participants with hypertension had significantly higher body fat mass and waist circumference compared to those without hypertension.Results: The risk of hypertension was significantly increased by 16.8% with a 1 kg increase in body fat and by 14.0% with a 1 cm increase in waist circumference. The risk of hypertension was significantly increased in the group with hypertension accompanied by abdominal obesity as cardiovascular fitness, measured by the YMCA step test, decreased (Adjusted OR: 0.339, 95% CI: 0.170–0.679).Conclusion: These findings highlight the significant association between abdominal obesity, reduced cardiovascular fitness, and hypertension in middle-aged Korean adults. Abdominal obesity and low cardiovascular fitness were identified as independent risk factors for hypertension in this population. These results suggest that weight management to reduce abdominal obesity and regular physical activity to promote cardiovascular fitness are key to the prevention and management of hypertension.

Background/Objectives: The purpose of this study is to investigate the association between possible sarcopenia, considered as an early marker before its diagnosis, and mild cognitive impairment. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted involving 60 physically inactive participants aged 40–69. Assessments included body composition, physical activity, and cognitive evaluations. The association between sarcopenia and mild cognitive impairment was examined using binary logistic regression, with odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) reported. Results: Participants with possible sarcopenia were found to have a 12.25 times higher risk of developing mild cognitive impairment (OR: 12.250; 95% CI: 1.692–88.711; p = 0.013). Conclusions: The findings highlight the critical role of early diagnosis of and intervention in sarcopenia to prevent cognitive decline. Future longitudinal studies are necessary to clarify causal relationships and optimize preventive strategies.

Background Breast cancer is the leading cancer type among women, accounting for 24.5% of female cancer cases worldwide. Objective The purpose of this study is to systematically review and conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the effects of exercise interventions on breast cancer patients at different stages of treatment. Methods Databases including PubMed, Cochrane Library, and Embase were searched for English-language randomized controlled trials (RCTs) published since 2000. The study included data from women aged 18 and above with breast cancer, either undergoing treatment or after treatment. Effect sizes were calculated using the standardized mean difference. Results Out of 2845 studies, 40 met the inclusion criteria, with 17 studies focusing on patients undergoing treatment and 23 on after treatment patients. Exercise significantly reduced fatigue both undergoing (d = − 0.20) and after treatment (d = − 1.11). After treatment exercise interventions resulted in improvements in lean mass (d = 1.27), fat mass (d = − 1.33), percentage body fat (d = − 1.22), and waist circumference (d = − 0.69). Additionally, biomarkers such as IL-6, HDL, LDL, glucose, systolic blood pressure (SBP), and diastolic blood pressure (DBP) showed improvements after treatment. Conclusions Exercise interventions are effective in reducing fatigue and enhancing fitness while undergoing treatment and have positive effects on body composition and biomarkers after treatment. Low-to-moderate intensity exercise is recommended undergoing treatment, while moderate-to-high intensity exercise is beneficial after treatment. Implications for Cancer Survivors. Personalized exercise programs should be incorporated as a standard part of care in clinical settings to alleviate fatigue undergoing treatment and improve body composition and biomarkers following treatment.

[Purpose] The aim of this study was to explore the relationships among physical fitness, formal education levels, social educational experiences, and mild cognitive impairment in older adults.[Methods] Using the Korean version of the mini-mental state examination, senior fitness tests, and questionnaires on social educational experiences and physical activity, the study assessed data on 148 Korean participants 65 years and above. Multiple linear regression analysis was conducted to examine the relationships among the factors.[Results] The average age of the participants was 79.54 ± 0.55 years. Educational level showed a significant negative relationship with cognitive function scores, explaining 17.7% of the variance (R² = 0.177, p < 0.001). Current social educational experiences were significantly associated with a lower prevalence of mild cognitive impairment. Those without current social educational experiences were 1.946 times more likely to have MCI (p < 0.05) than those with such experiences. Physical fitness components, such as right upper body strength (OR = 1.171, 95% CI: 1.001-1.370), agility (OR = 1.246, 95% CI: 0.961-1.616), and cardiorespiratory fitness (OR = 0.975, 95% CI: 0.950-0.999), were also significantly associated with cognitive function. Additionally, older adult men had a higher likelihood of MCI than older adult women did (OR = 0.276, 95% CI: 0.097-0.782).[Conclusion] The findings highlight the importance of education, ongoing social educational experiences, and physical fitness in maintaining cognitive health in older adults. Thus, promoting lifelong education and physical fitness programs may help reduce the risk of mild cognitive impairment in older adults.