Abstract

This is study was performed to assess socioeconomic status and physical health status of middle-aged men (40's~60's) in Ganghwa country. We interviewed 1,267 middle-aged men (602 male, 665 female) by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires including demographic information, general health status, and anthropometric measurements. And all the data were analyzed by chi-square test, Student's t-test and one-way ANOVA using SPSS 12.0 version at p<0.05. These results were that males were higher than females in educational levels (p=0.000) and most of them decreased according to age in educational levels (p=0.000) and family income (p=0.000), and prevalence of chronic diseases (p=0.000): stomach-duodenum disease, fracture, arthritis, or hypertension. They took to the health information on TV and radio and their health managing methods were exercise and walking and resting and diet regulation. Body Mass Index (BMI) was decreased in older males (p=0.024) but increased in older females (p=0.001). In females, obesity prevalence of 40's, 50's and 60's was 31.3%, 49.7% and 48.0%, respectively. Waist circumference was the highest in 50's males (p=0.015), but hip circumference was the highest in 50's females (p=0.015). Waist-hip ratio (WHR) increased in older males (p=0.028) and females (p=0.000). In spite of the subjects were engaged in agriculture and fishery and had desirable lifestyles, obesity rate especially abdominal obesity, was the serious problem. Socioeconomic status, especially education and income were related to SRH (p=0.006, p=0.000), chronic disease (p=0.000) and BMI (p=0.028, p=0.000). Therefore, it is necessary that the public health policy and nutrition education programs to alter lifestyles and to improve health preservation and health promotion in the farming and fishing communities.

• Keywords: Socioeconomic status; physical health; health information; health managing methods; obesity