Evaluation of the Nutrition Status and Metabolic Syndrome Prevalence of the Members according to the Number of Household Members based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2013–2014) / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study evaluated the nutritional status and prevalence of metabolic syndrome of the people who participated in the KNHANES according to the number of household members. They were assessed by using information from the 2013~2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: A total of 6,088 persons aged 19 years and over participated in 2013~2014 KNHANES, and they were classified into three groups according to the number of household members (single-person, two-person, three-person & over). The dietary behavior, nutritional status, health-related factors and the prevalence of metabolic syndrome of the subjects were investigated with using information from the survey questionnaires of KNHANES. The nutrient intake data of the subjects were obtained by the 24-hour recall method and this was analyzed for evaluating the nutrition adequacy ratio and the index of nutritional quality. The prevalence of metabolic syndrome among the subjects, and according to the study groups, was estimated using the blood and physical measurement data of the subjects. RESULTS: As for EQ-5D index available for all the health states generated by the EQ-5D descriptive system, the single-person household member was the lowest among all the household types. The index of nutrition quality for protein, crude fiber, calcium, phosphorus, potassium, riboflavin and vitamin C in the single-person household was lower than that of the two-person or the three-person and over households (p<0.001). The mean adequacy ratio of single-person households was significantly decreased compared with that of the other types of households (p<0.001). The prevalence of metabolic syndrome was higher in the single-person households than that in the multiple-person households (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: These results showed that dietary behaviors, nutrition status and health status might be influenced by the number of household members. The results from this study would be useful for improving Korean people's dietary life and health status by implementing evidence-based, specialized intervention for the members of diverse types of households.

Current State of Home Palliative Care and Factors Influencing Death at Home for Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Living in Single-person Households

Purpose: This study investigated the current state of medical care and palliative care provided at home and the factors influencing death at home for terminally ill cancer patients living in single-person households. Methods: We conducted a retrospective questionnaire study of 1032 cancer patients living in single-person households who received home palliative care from 17 specialized home care clinics and finished home care between June and November 2013. We compared patient background factors, outcomes, home care services, and medical care between these patients and others not living in single-person households to investigate factors influencing death at home. Results: Compared with patients not living in single-person households, the patients living in single-person households were older, had a better performance status at initiation of home palliative care, showed a lower preference for dying at home, and received more frequent social hospitalization. Among the subjects from single-person households, factors influencing death at home were a family preference for dying at home (odds ratio (OR)=14.0), poor performance status at initiation of home palliative care (OR=4.0), and no hospitalization during home palliative care (OR=16.6). Conclusion: We found that death at home for terminally ill cancer patients living in single-person households and receiving home medical care and palliative care was influenced by family preference, the performance status at initiation of home palliative care, and hospitalization during home palliative care.

As mulheres idosas que residem em domicílios unipessoais: uma caracterização regional a partir do Censo 2010 / The elderly women living in single-person households: a regional characterization from the 2010 Census

Este trabalho procura analisar as diferenças regionais em relação às condições de vida da população idosa brasileira, observando especificamente as mulheres idosas que residem em domicílios unipessoais, de acordo com as informações obtidas no Censo 2010. Tais mulheres possuem características bastante peculiares, e esta investigação procura identificar as diferenças e desigualdades que podem observadas entre elas a partir de seu local de residência. Para isso, utilizamos como referência as cinco grandes Regiões do país, as Unidades Federativas e também a distinção entre as zonas rurais e urbanas. Utilizamos como variáveis de análise as informações relativas ao rendimento, nível de instrução, idade, número de filhos nascidos vivos e filhos ainda vivos em 2010, dentre outras. Foi estimado também um Índice para avaliar as dificuldades físicas e mentais da população observada, que combina em um único indicador a intensidade das deficiências relatadas por cada entrevistado a partir das variáveis V0614, V0615, V0616 e V0617, do Censo em questão. A partir da adoção de recursos estatísticos de tratamento de dados, é possível confirmar diferenças significativas entre as mulheres idosas que residem sozinhas de acordo com o local de residência. Utilizamos também recursos de geoprocessamento que permitem uma melhor visualização das desigualdades e especificidades regionais identificadas.

This paper analyzes the regional differences regarding the life conditions of Brazilian elderly population, specifically at elderly women living in single-person households, according to the data obtained from the 2010 Census. These women have very peculiar characteristics, and this research seeks to identify differences and inequalities among them observed from their place of residence. For this, we used as reference the five major regions of the country, the Federative Units considering also the distinction between rural and urban areas. We used as analytical variables information relating to their income, among others. It was also estimated an index to evaluate the physical and mental difficulties of the observed population, which combines in a single indicator the intensity of the deficiencies reported by each respondent from the V0614, V0615, V0616 and V0617 variables of the Census. Appling data processing statistical resources, it is possible to confirm significant differences among elderly women living alone according to their place of residence. We also used geoprocessing capabilities that allows better view of the inequalities and regional specificities identified.

Socioeconomic Disparities in Osteoporosis Prevalence: Different Results in the Overall Korean Adult Population and Single-person Households / 예방의학회지

OBJECTIVES: The present study was conducted in order to examine the association between socioeconomic status (SES) and osteoporosis prevalence in Korea and to assess whether different associations are found in single-person households. METHODS: A cross-sectional population-based study was conducted using the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, from 2008 to 2011. The study subjects were people aged > or = 50 years with osteoporosis as defined by bone mineral density. Multivariate logistic models were used to estimate prevalence odds ratios (pORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Gender differences in the likelihood of osteoporosis were analyzed based on household income, education level, and residential area. RESULTS: There were 8221 osteoporosis patients aged > or = 50 years, of whom 927 lived in single-person households. There was a gender-specific association between osteoporosis prevalence and all three SES factors that we analyzed: income, education, and residential area. After adjusting for age, SES, and health behaviors, including body mass index (BMI), low household income was only significantly associated with osteoporosis in men, whereas education level had an inverse relationship with osteoporosis only in women (p=0.01, p<0.001, respectively). However, after controlling for age and BMI, rural residency was only associated with osteoporosis in women living in single-person households (pOR, 1.59; 95% CI, 1.05 to 2.43). CONCLUSIONS: The Korean adult population showed a gender-specific relationship between SES and osteoporosis prevalence, with a different pattern found in single-person households.