Korean J Fam Med.  2018 Mar;39(2):130-134. 10.4082/kjfm.2018.39.2.130.

Adequacy of Protein Intake among Korean Elderly: An Analysis of the 2013–2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey Data

• Park HA

• KMID: 2411636
• DOI: http://doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2018.39.2.130

Abstract

BACKGROUND
Protein intake in South Korea is generally considered to be adequate; however, there is concern that it may be inadequate among the elderly. This study evaluated the adequacy of protein intake, the source of protein, and the distribution of protein intake in daily meals in the Korean elderly population.
METHODS
Data were obtained from 1,484 men and 2,028 women aged 60 years or older who had participated in the nutrition survey of the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. One-day (24-hour) recall data were used to estimate the daily protein intake.
RESULTS
The mean protein intake was 65.3±1.0 g/d (13.1%±0.1% of energy) and 49.7±0.7 g/d (12.6%±0.1% of energy) for men and women, respectively. The protein intake was less than the estimated average requirement in 30.8%±1.4% of men and 42.6%±1.3% of women, and 47.9%±1.6% and 60.1%±1.4%, respectively, consumed less than the recommended daily allowance. The protein intake was relatively evenly distributed among meals; however, the absolute amount of protein consumption per meal was very low. Only one-third of the protein intake came from animal sources.
CONCLUSION
The quantity and quality of protein intake were inadequate in the elderly Korean population.

Keyword

Aged; Protein; Animal Protein; Plant Protein

MeSH Terms

Aged*
Animals
Female
Humans
Korea*
Male
Meals
Nutrition Surveys*
Recommended Dietary Allowances