J Nutr Health.  2024 Dec;57(6):667-684. 10.4163/jnh.2024.57.6.667.

Nutrition and food intake status among adults in Jeju according to sociodemographic characteristics and obesity

• Ham H
• Ko H
• Kim S
• Jang Y
• Byun JS
• Jekal Y
• Chai I
• Ha K

• KMID: 2564173
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2024.57.6.667

Abstract

Purpose
This study evaluated the nutrition and food intake status among adults in Jeju, Republic of Korea, based on their sociodemographic characteristics and obesity.
Methods
Nine hundred and forty-nine adults aged 19 years or older were included based on the 2022 Jeju Nutrition and Physical Activity Survey data. A dietary assessment was conducted using a one-day, 24-hour recall method, and the nutrition status was evaluated using the 2020 Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans. The sociodemographic status included sex, age, education, and household income, and obesity was defined as a body mass index (BMI) of ≥ 25 kg/m 2 .
Results
The mean age of the subjects was 49.8 years, and the overall prevalence of obesity was 48.4% (59.5% for males and 37.2% for females). The top three insufficient nutrients consumed at less than the estimated average requirement were calcium (77.7%), vitamin A (77.3%), and vitamin C (61.3%), while 40.9% of the subjects consumed fat as more than 30% of their total energy intake. The sodium intake was approximately 1.5 times higher than the chronic disease risk reduction intake level. In terms of food groups, the participants consumed more meat (148.2 g/day), seafood (69.0 g/day), potatoes, and starches (41.6 g/day) but consumed fewer vegetables (214.3 g/day) and less dairy (62.0 g/day) than Korean adults. The nutritional status and food intake patterns differed by the sociodemographic status. In addition, the obese group consumed more poultry and beverages than the non-obese group (p < 0.05 for all).
Conclusion
Adults in Jeju under-consume essential nutrients while over-consuming certain nutrients, such as fat and sodium. The nutritional status also varied according to the sociodemographic characteristics. These findings suggest that sociodemographic factors should be considered carefully when developing nutritional policies and programs to improve the nutritional status and address obesity among adults in Jeju.

Keyword

nutrition surveys; sociodemographic factors; obesity; nutrients; dietary intake