Korean J Community Nutr.  2019 Aug;24(4):309-320. 10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.4.309.

Comparison Analysis of Dietary Behavior and Nutrient Intakes of the Elderly according to Their Family Status: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2016

• Oh JH
• Jung BM

• KMID: 2457242
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2019.24.4.309

Abstract

OBJECTIVES
This study was undertaken to compare dietary life of the elderly living alone and in a family, and to compare differences based on gender, for the 2013-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES).
METHODS
The subjects included 2,612 elderly people aged over 65 years who participated in the health survey, health examination and nutrition survey. Subjects on a diet therapy were excluded. This study analyzed the general characteristics, dietary habits, daily energy and nutrient intakes, CPF ratio, estimated average requirement (EAR), nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR), index of nutrient quality (INQ), and food consumption of the elderly living alone and in a family. We also compared the differences based on gender.
RESULTS
Daily intake of food, water, dietary fiber, potassium, retinol, and riboflavin were low in the male elderly subjects living alone. The elderly living with family revealed higher NAR and MAR as compared to the elderly living alone. Although all MAR values were <1, the elderly living alone had lower values. Considering the intake of food, the consumption of seaweed, fish and shellfish, and oils (animal) was higher in elderly men living with families, whereas women living with families consumed more vegetables, fruits, seaweeds and seafood, as compared to their counterparts living alone. Furthermore, analyzing the foods consumed by the elderly people living alone, female subjects consumed more seaweed, milk and animal oil as compared to male subjects.
CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study indicate that the elderly living alone have poor nutrient intake as compared to the elderly living with families. Based on this research data, we recommend that it is necessary to improve the health and nutritional status of the elderly living alone.

Keyword

dietary behavior; food and nutrient intake; elderly people living alone; living with families

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Animals
Diet Therapy
Dietary Fiber
Female
Food Habits
Fruit
Health Surveys
Humans
Korea*
Male
Milk
Nutrition Surveys*
Nutritional Status
Oils
Potassium
Riboflavin
Seafood
Seaweed
Shellfish
Vegetables
Vitamin A
Water
Oils
Potassium
Riboflavin
Vitamin A
Water

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