J Korean Geriatr Soc.  2008 Sep;12(3):138-145.

Effects of Eating Behaviors on Health-related Parameters in the Elderly Living in Seongnam City(Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging study)

Affiliations
  • 1Department of Internal Medicine, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea. janghak@snu.ac.kr
  • 2Department of Psychiatrics, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seongnam, Korea.

Abstract

BACKGROUND: With global trends in population aging, healthy aging has become a most important matter. Thus, many researchers are developing and implementing healthy aging methods to promote quality of life in the elderly.
METHODS
This cross-sectional study was designed to assess health-related factors associated with nutritio- nal risks in the older population. 880 subjects(411males, 469females) living in Seongnam City, all over 65 yrs, were interviewed about their eating behaviors by well-trained nurses. Tests included anthropometric measurements, biochemistry, and visceral and subcutaneous fat measurements from abdominal CT scans.
RESULTS
Mean BMI was 23.7+/-3.2kg/m2 in men and 24.2+/-3.4kg/m2 in women. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was 36.0% and 67.6%, respectively, for males and 31.3% and 72.7%, respectively, for females. Seen in this study, several aspects of human eating behavior may be relevant in identifying effective measures to prevent or treat metabolic risks. Increased subcutaneous fat was associated with overea- ting and irregular meals. Increased visceral fat was associated with overeating and having hurried meals (less than 20 minutes). BMI was influenced by frequent eating out, rapid food ingestion, and favoring spicy foods.
CONCLUSION
Factors such as food choice and eating behavior affect the risk of obesity and cardiovascular accidents. Clinicians should recognize the importance between nutrition and health in the elderly. Our data suggest that good eating behavior reduces metabolic risks in the older population.

Keyword

Elderly; Eating behavior; Cardiovascular disease; Fat

MeSH Terms

Aged
Aging
Biochemistry
Cardiovascular Diseases
Cross-Sectional Studies
Diabetes Mellitus
Eating
Feeding Behavior
Female
Humans
Hyperphagia
Hypertension
Intra-Abdominal Fat
Longitudinal Studies
Male
Meals
Obesity
Prevalence
Quality of Life
Subcutaneous Fat
Tolnaftate
Tolnaftate
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