Abstract

The purposes of this study were to investigate the effects of drug use & the health-related habits(alcohol drinking, smoking and exercise) on the nutritional status of elderly. subjects were 362 free-living elderly aged over 65(male 131, female 231) in Chungbuk area. Interviews with questionaire on drug use, health-related habits, and nutrient intakes, anthropometric measurement and biochemical blood test were carried out from August to October in 1996. Energy intakes of the males who used drug were lower than those of males who did not use any drug, while energy intakes of the females who used drug were higher than those of females who did not. In biochemical indices, LDL-cholesterol level of the males who used drug was higher than that of males who did not have drug. serum triglycerides, VLDL-cholesterol and obesity degree(BMI & TS) of the females who used drug were higher than those of females who did not have drug. Alcohol drinking, smoking and exercise habits of the elderly who used drug had little effects on the nutrient intakes while those habits had considerable effects on biochemical indices and obesity degree. Among drug users, male drinkers showed higher triglycerides & HDL-cholesterol level, and female drinkers showed higher triglycerides and lower total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol level, compared to non drinkers. Among female drug users, smokers showed lower body mass index(BMI) compared to non smokers. Males and females who had both drinking and smoking habits showed higher serum triglycerides and VLDL-cholesterol level. Especially females who had both drinking and smoking habits showed lower BMI & Tricep skinfold thickness compared to those who had netiher drinking nor smoking habits.

• Keywords: elderly; drug; alcohol drinking; cigarette smoking; exercise; nutritional status