Nutritional Factors Related to Bone Mineral Density in the Different Age Groups of Korean Men

Nutritional factors affecting bone mineral density (BMD) in the different age groups of Korean men were investigated to obtain baseline data for maintaining bone health. Information on diet and anthropometry was collected in 80 elementary school children, 83 high school students, 87 adults aged 25 to 35 years and 98 elderly people over 60 years of age. Data for food and nutrient intake were obtained by 24-hour recall method. BMDs of lumbar spine (L(2) - L(4)) and femoral neck were measured by dual energy x-ray absorptiometry. The relationship between BMD and nutritional factors were analyzed. In the femoral neck, 5.7% of adults was classified as osteopenia and 47.9% and 37.8% of the elderly were classified as osteopenia and osteoporosis. It was shown that plant protein, Ca, P, Fe, thiamin, riboflavin and vitamin C intakes were related with BMD in all age groups. As for the mean adequacy ratio (MAR) of nutrients, the lowest quartile group of BMD showed significantly lower MAR among children. The RDA percent of nutrients was a strong influential factor on BMD. Subjects who consumed below 75% of Korean RDA in energy, vitamin A, thiamin, and vitamin C showed lower BMD. Stepwise multiple regression analysis revealed that MAR in children, vegetable Ca in adolescents, and vitamin C in adults and elderly people were the highest influential factor on BMD. Therefore, the above results demonstrated that not only calcium but also other nutrients such as protein, iron, vitamin A, riboflavin, and vitamin C were necessary in order to keep the healthy bone status. In addition, although there were various dietary factors that influenced bone density, MAR was identified as the major factor that affected bone density. Thus, a balanced diet that includes all nutrients is necessary for a healthy bone density.

A Survey of Food and Nutrient Intakes of Korean Men by Age Groups

A dietary survey was conducted using 24-hour recall method in 80 male elementary school children, 83 high school students, 87 adults and 98 elderly people over 65 years of age to discuss food and nutrient intakes among different age groups. In observing food intake by age groups, the percentage of plant foods to total food intake was significantly higher in the elderly than other groups and that of animal foods was the highest in the children. The children consumed significantly higher amounts of milk and dairy products. Carbohydrate energy percent in the elderly people was 68.0%, significantly higher than other age groups. All age groups consumed Ca below Korean RDA and especially, 65.1% of the adolescents and 68.4% of the elderly consumed below 75% of RDA. Nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of most nutrients was lowest in the elderly. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR), an index of overall dietary quality, was 0.94 for the children, 0.84 for the adolescents, 0.84 for the adults, and 0.73 for the elderly. The above results suggest that food and nutrient intakes have been differently affected with advancing age, and overall dietary quality of the elderly people is lower than that of other age groups.

A Survey of Food and Nutrient Intakes of Korean Women by Age Groups

To study the level of change in food and nutrient intake among different age groups, a dietary survey using the 24-hour recall method was conducted among 80 female elementary school children, 84 high school students, 100 adults from 25 to 35 years old and 120 elderly people over 60 years of age. The results of the study showed that plant food and total food intake were higher in adults and animal food intake was significantly higher in children. The percentage of plant food to total food intake was highest in the elderly and that of animal food to total food intake was highest in the children. The elderly consumed significantly less meat and poultry and more fish than the other groups. However, the children consumed significantly higher amounts of milk and dairy products. The elderly had the lowest Ca intake. Carbohydrate energy intake in the elderly was 70.3%, significantly higher than that for the other age groups. All of the age groups consumed a quantity of Ca below the Korean RDA and 77.5% of the elderly consumed an amount below 75% of the RDA. Nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) of most nutrients was lowest in the elderly. Mean adequacy ratio (MAR), an index of overall dietary quality, was 0.88 for the children, 0.84 for the adolescents, 0.80 for the adults, and 0.70 for the elderly. Therefore, the results show that food and nutrient intake changes with advancing age, and the overall quality of the diet of elderly people is lower than that for the other age groups.