J Nutr Health.  2015 Jun;48(3):277-288. 10.4163/jnh.2015.48.3.277.

Comparative analysis of food intake according to the family type of elderly women in Seoul area

• Lee YJ
• Kwon MK
• Baek HJ
• Lee SS

• KMID: 2327198
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2015.48.3.277

Abstract

PURPOSE
As the rate of senior citizens living alone increases in the current aging society, there is much concern regarding the health and nutritional intake of solitary senior citizens. Therefore, this study compared the nutritional intake of senior citizens according to their family type.
METHODS
In July and August of 2011, two senior citizen welfare centers in Seoul were visited to survey 267 elderly women. Excluding 54 subjects for which the data were incomplete, information from 213 subjects was analyzed. The subjects were divided into three family types, living alone (LA, n = 74), living with spouse (LS, n = 78), and living with children (LC, n = 61).
RESULTS
The mean age of the LA group was the highest, while the mean age of the LS group was the lowest (p < 0.001) , and WHR of the LC group was the highest (p = 0.049). Income was the highest in the LS group (p < 0.001). Frequency of eating out was the lowest in the LA group (p = 0.031). By Duncan's multiple analysis, the amounts of energy intake, vegetable protein, fat, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, selenium, Vit D, Vit E, Vit B2, niacin, Vit B6, Vit B12, and cholesterol were significantly higher in the LS group compared with the LA or LC group (p < 0.05). The intakes of calcium, Vit D, Vit B12, and cholesterol were still significantly different among the three groups, even after adjustment for age and monthly income. The LA group ate less fruit and fish than the LS or LC group (p < 0.05). The LA group showed the lowest dietary diversity and the LS group showed the highest diversity (p = 0.014), however, the significance of dietary diversity score among the three groups disappeared after adjustment for age and monthly income.
CONCLUSION
Elderly women living with spouse were receiving better nutrition than elderly women living alone or living with children. Therefore, solitary elderly women who do not live with their spouse or children should be offered greater opportunities to receive a balanced meal at a congregational kitchen or welfare center. To ensure their healthy diet, it is essential to provide continuous nutrition education with these groups in mind.

Keyword

elderly women; family type; food intake; nutrition

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Aging
Calcium
Child
Cholesterol
Diet
Eating*
Education
Energy Intake
Female
Fruit
Humans
Meals
Niacin
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Seoul
Spouses
Vegetable Proteins
Calcium
Cholesterol
Niacin
Phosphorus
Potassium
Selenium
Vegetable Proteins

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