Korean J Community Nutr.  2014 Apr;19(2):142-162. 10.5720/kjcn.2014.19.2.142.

Investigation on Influencing Environmental Factors on Health Status of Korean Septuagenarians Dwelling in Longevity Region in Jeonla Province

• Kwak CS
• Yon M
• Lee MS
• Oh SI
• Park SC

• KMID: 2267945
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2014.19.2.142

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
To evaluate the critical environmental factors on healthy-aging of Korean people, we investigated the significant factors influencing health status of septuagenarians living in rural area of Jeonla province, known to be one of the representative longevity regions in Korea.
METHODS
We divided subjects into healthy group (36M/25F) or poor-health group (26M/73F) based on self-reported health status, body mass index, a number of prescription, and blood test data. General characteristics, physical measurements, lifestyle, dietary behavior and nutrient intake, physical health and mental health data were statistically compared between the two groups.
RESULTS
Average age was not different between healthy group and poor-health group in men and women, respectively. In men, significantly favorable factors to health were observed to be higher education, regular exercise, higher grip strength and walking function, body mass index (> or = 18.5 kg/m2), moderate frequency of drinking and eating-out, non-smoking, normal red blood cell (RBC) count, higher serum dehydroepiandrosterone-sulfate (DHEAS) level, good digestive function and appetite, normal hearing function, regular meals, adequate vegetable and fruit intake, diverse food intake, adequate energy and nutrients (protein, vitamin B1, B6, C and E, folate, niacin, P, Zn and K) intake, higher mini-nutrient status assessment (MNA) score and low level of depression. On the other hand, in women, those were literacy, living arrangement, moderate frequency of drinking, healthy teeth, higher grip strength and walking function, bone mineral density, normal RBC and white blood cell (WBC) count, higher DHEAS concentration, higher MNA score, normal cognition and memory function, having snack and adequate fruit intake.
CONCLUSIONS
These results could be useful to plan effective strategies to increase health-life expectancy of Korean old people living in rural areas.

Keyword

older adults; rural area; healthy-aging; health-life expectancy

MeSH Terms

Appetite
Body Mass Index
Bone Density
Cognition
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Depression
Drinking
Eating
Education
Erythrocytes
Female
Folic Acid
Fruit
Hand
Hand Strength
Hearing
Hematologic Tests
Humans
Korea
Leukocytes
Life Style
Longevity*
Male
Meals
Memory
Mental Health
Niacin
Prescriptions
Residence Characteristics
Snacks
Thiamine
Tooth
Vegetables
Walking
Dehydroepiandrosterone
Folic Acid
Niacin
Thiamine

Figure

• 

  Fig. 1 Flow chart of selection process of healthy or poor-health persons.

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