OBJECTIVES This study was undertaken to compare dietary life of the elderly living alone and in a family, and to compare differences based on gender, for the 2013-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS The subjects included 2,612 elderly people aged over 65 years who participated in the health survey, health examination and nutrition survey. Subjects on a diet therapy were excluded. This study analyzed the general characteristics, dietary habits, daily energy and nutrient intakes, CPF ratio, estimated average requirement (EAR), nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR), index of nutrient quality (INQ), and food consumption of the elderly living alone and in a family. We also compared the differences based on gender. RESULTS Daily intake of food, water, dietary fiber, potassium, retinol, and riboflavin were low in the male elderly subjects living alone. The elderly living with family revealed higher NAR and MAR as compared to the elderly living alone. Although all MAR values were <1, the elderly living alone had lower values. Considering the intake of food, the consumption of seaweed, fish and shellfish, and oils (animal) was higher in elderly men living with families, whereas women living with families consumed more vegetables, fruits, seaweeds and seafood, as compared to their counterparts living alone. Furthermore, analyzing the foods consumed by the elderly people living alone, female subjects consumed more seaweed, milk and animal oil as compared to male subjects. CONCLUSIONS The results of this study indicate that the elderly living alone have poor nutrient intake as compared to the elderly living with families. Based on this research data, we recommend that it is necessary to improve the health and nutritional status of the elderly living alone.
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To explore the relationship between economic status and food and nutrient intake patterns, the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey result was analyzed. Dietary intake data of 6,978 Korean adults of 20 years and older who participated in the 2001 National Health and Nutrition Survey were used along with their demographic data. Economic status of the subjects was classified into the following 4 groups based on the self-reported average monthly income of household with reference to the minimum monthly living expenses (MLE) in 2001: low<100% MLE < or = middle<200% MLE < or = high<300% MLE < or = higher. Individuals in the higher income class had significantly higher mean intake for most of the nutrients including energy, protein, carbohydrate, fat, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin, niacin and vitamin C, and a higher percentage of energy intake from fat. In addition, they consumed more animal foods including meats, eggs, fish/shellfish, milk/dairy products and fats. On the other hand, the mean intakes of individuals in the lower economic class for calcium, vitamin A, and riboflavin were lower than 75% of RDAs. And, there was a predominant difference in contribution of fat to total energy intake among the groups of different economic status. These results showed that household income is an important factor influencing the food and nutrient intake patterns of the Korean adult population. Although individuals at different age classes may respond differently to a change in economic status, developing and implementing nutrition policy and intervention programs for those nutritionally vulnerable groups should consider the economic status as an important factor to customize and differentiate the content of the program.
This study was performed to compare the anthropometric and the food and nutrient intake of the adolescents between urban areas and islands in south Kyungnam and to identify their nutritional problems. A questionnaire survey was distributed among 383 middle school students for the food and nutrient consumption and other nutritional attitudes including socioecomonic status. The height and weight of the students were measured as well. Socioeconomic status, such as income, educational level, and jobs of the urban students parents was better than that of the island students. There was no significant difference in height between the students of both areas, but the body weight of the urban male students was far heavier than that of the other group. It is very interesting to note that the energy intake of the urban male students was much lower than that of the island male students. The students of the two areas consumed more protein, Vit B1, Vit B2, niacin and Vit C than the recommended daily allowances(RDA) but the intake of Ca, Fe, Vit A was less. As to the sources of animal fat, the urban males consumed much more. Regarding the taste preference, the study shows that urban male students are more likely to choose sweet, salty and soft tastes than island male students. In the case of female students, although island students prefer a rather hot taste, urban students are more likely to prefer sweet and soft tastes. The favorite foods of urban students are meat products, fastfoods, chocolate, cheese and milkshakes, while foods like cooked rice with assorted vegetable are the favorite of the island students. In general, the preference degree for meat products and fruits rates higher than for vegetables. Conclusively the urban students had a tendency of being obese and the intake of all nutrients by the urban adolescents was much lower than that of the islanders. In this study, the cause can be found in significant differences in consuming animal fat, of taste preference and of choosing favorite food. Accordingly a nutritional intervention or educational program is required to adjust the imbalanced intake of some nutrients for the adolescents in this province.
The objective of this study was to estimate changes on the flood and nutrient intake patterns of men over thirty years old in Jeon-Ju area. The first survey was conducted from December in 1991 to January in 1992, tile second one from January to February in 1994 and the third one from July to August in 1997. The nutrition survey using 24-hour recall method was executed to 303 subjects : 89, 82, 132 in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively. Results of the study are as follows : Kimchi, rice, garlic and onions were the most frequently eaten food items. Total daily intakes of foods were 85 : 15, 81 : 19 and 81 : 19 in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively. The average numbers of foods per person were 15.7, 20.1 and 21.9 daily in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively and tends to increase significantly(p<0.05). The minimum numbers of foods per person were 4, 7 and 9 and the maximum numbers of foods per person were 27, 35 and 39 in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively. KDDS(Korean's Dietary Diversity Score) is determined by how many among the five food groups (cereals, vegetables, meats, milks, oils groups)were consumed per day. Most subjects earned the KDDS "3" ; 61, 46 and 42% in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively. Average daily energy intakes wee 1,62 kcal(72% of RDA), 2,063 kcal(89% of RDA) and 1,818 kcal (79% of RDA) in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively. Energy intake rates of cereals : total energy intake were 65, 59, and 60% in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively, which were decreasing. Protein intakes were 58g(72% of RDA), 79g(107% of RDA) and 71g(97% of RDA), respectively and animal protein comprised 46, 53, and 59%, respectively ; which were increased. Fat intakes were 12g, 20g and 20g, respectively and animal protein comprised 38, 46, and 48% ; which were increased. Fat intakes were 12g, 20g and 20g, respectively, of which animal fat comprised 46, 53, and 59%, respectively ; which were increased, too. Malnourished (under 75% of RDA) rates were respectively 64, 34, and 47% in terms of energy ; 64, 31 and 33% in protein ; 67, 51, and 61% in calcium ; 53, 26, and 18% in iron ; 85, 74 and 84% in Vitamin A. Super-nourished(above 125% of RDA) rates were respectively 1, 13, and 3% in energy ; 1, 29, and 21% in protein ; 5, 18, and 7% in calcium ; 16, 31, and 7% in iron ; 16, 31, and 7% in Vitamin A, 42, 76, and 62% in Vitamin C. The percentages of calories from protein : fat : carbohydrate were 14 : 12 : 74, 15 : 16 : 69 and 16 : 17 : 67 in 1991, 1994 and 1997, respectively. KDDS(number of five food groups per day), Meal Balance(number of five food groups per meal), DVS(average numbers of foods per person), amount of foods correlated positively with all the nutrient intakes(p<0.05). KDDS was positively correlated with energy, protein, fat, calcium, thiamin, riboflavin and niacin(p<0.05)