A Study on Customized Nutrition Intervention Program Design and Application for the Low-Income Elderly / 대한지역사회영양학회지

This study aimed to plan nutrition support programs for the elderly living alone whose nutrition status were seriously concerned, conducted seven stages nutrition intervention program on a trial basis, and evaluated the effectiveness of the program of the Elderly Nutrition Support Project. Subjects were selected for personalized nutrition management based on nutritional risk score and nutrition intervention were tailored to the problems occurred. The elderly nutrition support program targets were 44 senior citizens who lived alone with low income. The 33 (as Type 1) of the subjects with whom milk, tofu, seaweed, eggs, black beans have been supported, and also provide nutrition education, and the rest 11 persons (as Type 2) to whom food was not supported but provide nutrition education programs. As a result, all subjects showed that compared with pre and post program implementation, their daily exercise time and milk and protein consumption level were increased and some improvement was observed regular meals consumption and low-salt diets. Their nutrient intake level such as calories, protein, calcium, iron improved after implementation. In addition, NSL DETERMINE scores significantly improved from 13.21 to 7.24 in Type 1 and 11.27 to 9.91 in Type 2. As positive dietary behavioral changes were observed as in that they purchased more protein and calcium rich foods.

The Assessment for Nutrient Intakes of Korean Patients with Heart Failure

The prevalence of heart failure (HF) is increasing globally and growing evidence has shown that dietary factors play an important role in preventing and improving prognosis of HF. However, little data on nutrient intake in Korean HF patients which are available to develop dietary guidelines for HF. The aims of this study were to estimate nutrient intake in 78 HF patients and evaluate whether the estimated nutrient intake is appropriate compared to dietary reference intake for Koreans. Data are presented as the ratio of actual intake and estimated average requirement (EAR) for each nutrient. The result showed that the average nutrient intakes including total energy and protein met EAR in total patients. However, the deficiencies in mineral and vitamin intakes were found. Moreover, the proportion of subjects with lower intake than EAR was substantial. The results showed that the proportion of male HF patients with inferior intakes to EAR in calcium, potassium (compared to adequate intake: AI), folate and vitamin B12 were 38%, 79%, 38%, and 65%, respectively. Also, the proportion of female HF patients with inferior intakes to EAR in calcium, potassium (compared to AI), folate and vitamin B12 were 35%, 88%, 38% and 40%, respectively. In particular, the elderly with HF (> or = 70 yrs, n = 28) showed more serious deficiencies in calcium, potassium (compared to AI), folate and vitamin B12. In summary, the intakes of potassium, calcium, folate, and vitamin B12 were not sufficient to meet EAR in HF patients. Furthermore, the proportions of subjects with lower intake than EAR in these nutrients were substantial, raising the possibility that these micronutrients may be involved in the pathogenesis of HF. Practical dietary guideline for HF patients is needed to improve prognosis of HF.