Abstract

Working towards the compression of morbidity, we attempted to find the way to contribute to desirable aging and/or healthy old age. By looking into the factors affecting nutrient intake in middle-aged adults, we sought to find ways to improve their health status, Two hundred and fifty middle-aged adults from 40 to 60 years of age residing in Seoul and its vicinity were recruited for the survey. Subjects were interviewed for general characteristics, dietary habits lifestyle, status and food intake by a trained interviewer. Two -day food record was included in addition to the 1 -day 24 hr recall. Date were analyzed for the relationship among nutrient intake, health status, socio-economic status dietary habits and lifestyle using a statistical program (SAS) Although the mean energy intake of the subjects did not reach the recommenced dietary allowances(RDA), mean protein intake was well above the RAD for both sex groups(111.2% and 129.1% for men and women, respectively) The caloric contribution of fat was 15 to 20 % of total energy intake among different groups. Riboflavin was the most deficient nutrient and its mean intake reached only 71.0% of RDA for mean This seemed to be due to the lower intake of milk and dairy products among middle-aged Koreans who are more accustomed to traditional meals. Income and exercise habit were the most important factors influencing the nutrient intake of middle-age adults. Also, BMI, smoking habit, level of education regularity of meal, and hours of sleeping influenced the nutrient intake, In conclusion, middle-age adults appeared to have similar problems with the elderly in terms of nutrient intake and this age group should to included when considering nutritionally vulnerable groups in addition to the elderly and young children. The improvement in the nutrition status of middle-age adults is even more important because that could lead into the better health the elderly.

• Keywords: mide-aged adult; nutritional status; vulnerable group;