J Nutr Health.
2024 Oct;57(5):496-507. 10.4163/jnh.2024.57.5.496.
Comparison of nutrient intake and Korean Healthy Eating Index among the elderly in rural areas pre- and postCOVID-19 pandemic: the 2018–2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data
- Affiliations
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- 1Department of Food and Nutrition, Hanyang Women’s University, Seoul 04763, Republic of Korea
- 2Institute for Aging and Clinical Nutrition Research, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Republic of Korea
- 3Department of Food and Nutrition, Gachon University, Seongnam 13120, Republic of Korea
- KMID: 2561294
- DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2024.57.5.496
Abstract
- Purpose
This study examined the nutritional status and Korean Healthy Eating Index (KHEI) scores pre- and post-coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) outbreak in elderly men and women living in rural areas.
Methods
The participants were 1,747 rural elderly people aged 65 or older who participated in the nutritional survey of the 2018–2021 Korea National Health and Nutrition Survey. The nutrient intake was estimated from a 24-hour recall.
Results
Following the COVID pandemic, the intake of fat, saturated fatty acids, and sodium increased in elderly men and women, whereas the intake of thiamine decreased. In elderly men, the intake of protein, niacin, and vitamin D decreased, but the sugar intake increased. In elderly women, the cholesterol intake increased. The KHEI score was significantly lower in rural elderly men and women after the pandemic than before (male: 62.60 ± 0.56 for the post-COVID-19 and 64.76 ± 0.75 for the pre-COVID-19, p < 0.05; female: 64.07 ± 0.80 for the post-COVID-19 and 64.47 ± 0.62 for the post-COVID-19, p < 0.001). Regarding the KHEI component, in men, the intake of meat, fish, and legumes, all sources of protein, decreased significantly after the COVID-19 pandemic. In women, the total food intake and the intake of breakfast decreased significantly after the pandemic. In the moderation components, men were unable to limit their total sugar and sodium intake, while women were unable to control their saturated fatty acids and sodium intake. Furthermore, considering the total KHEI score, both elderly men and women had decreased values in the moderation and adequacy components following COVID-19.
Conclusion
These results provide foundational data for elderly nutrition policies or educational programs targeting the elderly population in rural areas in similar pandemic situations in the future.
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