Brief Article
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World J Gastroenterol. Jan 28, 2013; 19(4): 550-555
Published online Jan 28, 2013. doi: 10.3748/wjg.v19.i4.550
Colon transit time according to physical activity and characteristics in South Korean adults
Kang Ok Cho, Yun Ju Jo, Bong Kil Song, Jung Woo Oh, Yeon Soo Kim
Kang Ok Cho, Institute of Korea Exercise and Development, Seoul 151-877, South Korea
Yun Ju Jo, Department of Internal Medicine, Eulji Universitiy School of Medicine, Seoul 139-711, South Korea
Bong Kil Song, Jung Woo Oh, Yeon Soo Kim, Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea
Author contributions: Song BK and Oh JW performed the majority of experiments; Jo YJ provided vital reagents and analytical tools and was also involved in editing the manuscript; Kim YS provided the collection of all the human material in addition to providing financial support for this work; Cho KO designed the study and wrote the manuscript.
Correspondence to: Dr. Yeon Soo Kim, Health and Exercise Science Laboratory, Institute of Sports Science, Seoul National University, Seoul 151-742, South Korea. kys0101@snu.ac.kr
Telephone: +82-2-8891926 Fax: +82-2-8847616
Received: August 16, 2012
Revised: October 22, 2012
Accepted: November 24, 2012
Published online: January 28, 2013
Processing time: 166 Days and 7.4 Hours
Abstract

AIM: To investigate factors contributing to the colon transit time (CTT), physical activity and characteristics were examined.

METHODS: Forty-seven Korean adults (males, n = 23; females, n = 24) took a capsule containing 20 radio-opaque markers to measure the CTT. The subjects used an accelerometer to measure the physical activity and underwent a bioelectrical impedance analysis to determine the physical characteristics. Macro-nutrient was also surveyed.

RESULTS: The mean total CTTs (TCTT) in the males and females were 8.8 and 24.7 h (P = 0.002), respectively. In the male subjects, the right CTT (3.5 ± 4.9 h vs 10.0 ± 11.6 h, P = 0.023) and recto-sigmoid CTT (4.4 ± 4.7 vs 13.6 ± 12.5 h, P = 0.004) were significantly shorter and the total energy expenditure (637.6 ± 44.3 kcal vs 464.3 ± 64.9 kcal, P = 0.003), total activity count (247 017 ± 75 022 count vs 178 014 ± 75 998 count, P = 0.003), energy expenditure of light intensity (148.5 ± 6.9 kcal vs 120.0 ± 16.8 kcal, P = 0.006), energy expenditure of moderate intensity (472.0 ± 36.2 kcal vs 281.4 ± 22.2 kcal, P < 0.001), fat intake (65.5 ± 23.3 g vs 51.2 ± 17.4 g, P = 0.010), and water consumption (1714.3 ± 329.4 g vs 1164.7 ± 263.6 g, P = 0.009) were significantly higher than in the female subjects. Regarding correlations, when adjusted for gender, fiber (r = -0.545, P < 0.001) and water intake (r = -0.257, P < 0.05) correlated significantly with the TCTT in all subjects. In addition, the body mass index (r = -0.424, P < 0.05) and fiber intake (r = -0.417, P < 0.05) in the males as well as the fiber intake (r = -0.655, P < 0.001) in the females showed significant correlations with the TCTT.

CONCLUSION: The subjects showed significant gender differences in the TCTT, right CTT, and recto-sigmoid CTT. Furthermore, the intake of the fiber and water contributed to the CTT.

Keywords: Colon transit time, Physical activity, Characteristics, Macro-nutrient, South Korean