Nutr Res Pract.  2020 Jun;14(3):242-251. 10.4162/nrp.2020.14.3.242.

Disparities in dietary quantity and quality between the two different types of Korean family of older adults living with spouses and living alone: using data from the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

• Choi YR
• Park HR
• Song KH
• Lee Y
• Lim YS

• KMID: 2502484
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2020.14.3.242

Abstract

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES
This study was conducted to examine disparities in food and nutrient intakes based on family types identified among 1,856 participants who were the Korean elderly people in the 6th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) excluding those who were currently practicing the diet therapy.
SUBJECTS/METHODS
We separated the subjects into two groups: living alone (LA, n = 638) and living with a spouse (LS, n = 1,218). We also examined the disparities of dietary quantity and quality of those two groups using complex sampling design general linear regression analyses (CS GLM).
RESULTS
In the LA group, there was a higher percentage of females and average age in LA group was higher than the participants in the LS group. Household income and education level were significantly lower in LA compared to those of LS. The frequencies of skipping meals were higher in LA. LA's food and nutrient intakes showed lower consumption of vegetables, fruits, seaweeds, and of most nutrients. Even after adjusting for the confounding factors, the consumption of vegetables, seaweeds, carbohydrates, potassium, riboflavin, and vitamin C showed lower in LA than LS. Moreover, LA's nutrient intake ratios compared to the KDRIs were lower which turned out to be similar to their nutrient intakes.
CONCLUSIONS
These results show that dietary behavior and food intake of the elderly are associated with family types. Frequently skipping meals and less dietary variety are more common with elderly persons who were living alone. Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the supplementary food programs and nutrition education programs for the elderly living alone.

Keyword

Korean elderly; family types; dietary behavior; food intake; nutrient intake

Figure

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  Fig. 1 Percentage of insufficient nutrient intakes of the subjects of aged 65 and over. Percentage of insufficient nutrient intakes: The percentage of people who consume less than 75% of the estimated energy requirement and consume below of the average requirement for calcium, iron, vitamin A, and riboflavin.LA, living alone; LS, living with a spouse; 6th KNHANES (2013–2015), Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2015).Values are the percentage, significant difference determined using complex sample χ2-test, ***P < 0.001.

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