Distribution of the Utritional Indices in Ambulatory Community dwelling Korean Elderly

Lee, Eunju; Kim, Jung Ho; Sym, Sun Jin; Lee, Moo Song; Lee, Young Soo

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Following the improvement of the economic status and increasing medical availability, the interest for the public health and nutrition in elderly is increasing in Korea. It is well known that aging is associated with the deterioration of nutritional status, but in Korea, there were no clear data about that yet. PURPOSE: This study was performed to identify the normal distribution of the nutritional indices such as biochemical and anthropometric variables, showing the association between nutritional risk factor and aging.
METHODS
Among 151,000 subjects over 40 year olds in Jung-Up County, Korea, 1051 were selected for a random cluster sample. After the blood tests and anthropometric measurements were performed during Dec 1996 to Feb 1997.
RESULTS
Of the 1051 subjects(M:F=410:641), 340 were over 65 years(elderly) at the enroll time, while 711 were between 40 to 65 years(middle aged). Triceps skin fold thickness(TSF), body mass index(BMI), hematocrit(Hct) serum protein and albumin showed a weak negative correlation with age, whereas not in the case of the waisthip ratio(WHR), leucocytes, serum cholesterol and creatinine. Compared with middle aged with elderiy, TSF, BMI, albumin showed a significant differences(p<0.05).
CONCLUSION
We showed the normal distribution of the variable nutritional indices and their changes associated with aging in the ambulatory elderly Korean living in the rural community. It needs further follow-up study including association with mortality.