Abstract

This study was designed to evaluate health and nutritional status of elderly females according to their family type. The participants were 157 elderly women (41 living alone, 45 living with a spouse, and 71 living with family). Among them, the subjects answered that their health rated as good condition, the elderly living with a spouse had significantly higher proportions than those living alone and living with family. Serum cholesterol and fasting blood glucose of the respondents living with a spouse were lower than those of the respondents living alone or with family. A dietary assessment with a 24-hour recall method represented that the elderly living alone had lower nutrient intakes, especially the intake of Ca. Most of women living alone or with family were consuming less than 75% of the Korean Recommended Dietary Allowances (RDA). For the females living with a spouse, the number of nutrients consumed below 75% of the Korean RDA were significantly lower than that for those living alone and the elderly living with family. As a result of the above analysis, the health and nutritional statement of old women with a spouse was better than that of the old living alone or with family.

• Keywords: elderly; family type; health status; nutrient intakes