ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Several studies have revealed the frequency of family mealtimes to be inversely associated with depressive symptoms in adolescents. However, there have been few studies in older populations. This cross-sectional study investigated the association between family mealtime frequency and depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans. METHODS: This study analyzed 4,959 elderly men and women (aged 65 years or older) who participated in the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Self-administered questionnaires were used to assess depressive status, family mealtime frequency, and covariates. Multiple logistic regression analysis was performed to evaluate the association using the eating alone group as a reference. RESULTS: After adjusting for all covariates, participants who had family meals 3 times a day had fewer depressive symptoms than the eating alone group; adjusted odds ratios (ORs) (95% confidence intervals [CIs]) were 0.72 (0.58–0.89) for point depressiveness/anxiety and 0.73 (0.56–0.94) for depressiveness lasting for at least 2 weeks. In suicidal ideation, the OR (95% CI) of eating with family twice a day was significant after full adjusting for covariates at 0.67 (0.50–0.88). CONCLUSION: Family mealtimes were closely associated with depressive symptoms in elderly Koreans, which suggests that maintaining intrafamilial bonding is important for mental health in an older population.
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Aged , Female , Humans , Male , Asian People , Cross-Sectional Studies , Depression , Eating , Family Relations , Korea , Logistic Models , Meals , Mental Health , Nutrition Surveys , Odds Ratio , Suicidal IdeationABSTRACT
Prospective study of gallbladder wall thickness by utrasonography was performed in 38 patients of acute viral hepatitis and 50 normal subjects as a control group from June 1983 to April 1984. The results were as follows; 1.In normal population, the range of gallbladder wall thickness is from 1mm to 3mm with peak incidence in 2mm(66%,33 case). Mean thickness of gallbladder wall is about 1.9±0.6mm. 2. In acute viral hepatitis, the range of gallbladder wall thickness is from 2mm to 8mm with peak incidence in 3mm(34%, 13 case), second peak in 4mm (29%,11 case). Mean thickness of gallbladder wall is about 3.6±1.6mm, which is thicker than normal with statistical signifiance. (p<0.005) 3, In acute viral hepatitis , the mean thickness of glabladder wall is about 4.4±1.8mm in the group of SGOT/ SGPT level above 400 IU, and 2.8±0.8mm in the group of SGOT/SGPT level below 400 IU. This difference is significant statistically. (p<0.05).