Follow-up Study of Health-Related Habits and Health Status of Middle-Aged Men and Women in Chonju

Lee, Mee Sook; Woo, Mee Kyung; Kim, In Sook

Abstract

As the percentage of the elderly in the population increases, research to identify the nutritional and health status of the elderly, to understand the factors influencing on them, and to delay aging have been done actively. It is necessary for these studies to be longitudinal. This study was carried out to assess the change of health-related habits such as dietary behaviors and smoking, alcohol drinking and exercising habit, and health status between previous study(1991/1994) and post study(1998) for middle-aged men and women living in Chonju. For the present study, the data of 63 pairs(23 men and 40 women) were analyzed. They were 11 men and 12 women followed up from 82 men and 100 women surveyed in 1994. Mean ages in the 1991/4 and 1998 studies were 53.6y(range 42-63y) and 59.0y(range 46-72y) respectively. The survey was conducted with interview using a questionnaire including dietary behaviors and health-related habits, and anthropometric measurement and blood test for analyzing biochemical indices in 1991/4 and 1998. To understand these changes over time, chi2-statistics, t-test and paired t-test were analyzed with an SAS package program. As people age, there were significantly decreases in the proportions to eat lightly salted foods and drink alcohol. Significant longitudinal increases in triceps skin fold thickness, gamma-GPT and HDL-cholesterol and significant decrease in hemoglobin value were noted over time in both men and women. In addition a significant decrease in blood glucose level was noted over time in women. Weight, blood glucose and total cholesterol increased significantly with age in those had had breakfast regularly or those had not used more slat at the table in the past. From this study, were found out the subjects of this study had relatively desirable health-related habits. But as improper health-related habits are likely to result in inappropriate health status(eg, increase in WHR, triglyceride, total cholesterol and LDL-cholesterol), it is recommended that nutrition education in necessary as soon as possible to meet the health elderly.