Abstract

This study was designed to assess the effect of a meal service for home-staying urban elderly people with low-income on their protein nutrition status and serum lipids. One hundred and eighty three subjects, who had already completed the first nutritional survey were assigned to two groups : meal served(served) and non-meal served (non-served). A meal approximately containing one half of the RDA for energy, protein, calcium and iron was served as lunch everyday to served group. After 6 months of meal service, the second nutritional survey was done and changes of parameters were analyzed with paired t-test. Served females showed significantly increased intake of energy while non-served females showed significantly decreased intakes of energy, protein and fat after 6 months. Served males were observed with significantly higher intake of energy, fat, vitamin A, niacin and ascorbic acid, whereas intake of vitamin A was lower in non-served males. Arm circumference of both served and non-served females were significantly lowered after 6 months. Mean DBP of served males was significantly lower, while SBP of served females was significantly higher after 6 months of meal service. Serum total protein, serum albumin, serum cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol were significantly increased within normal range regardless of gender and meal service. But HDL-cholesterol was significantly higher in only served elderly subjects after 6 months. (Korean J Community Nutrition 1(2) : 228-238, 1996)

• Keywords: elderly; meal service; protein status; serum lipids.;