An Evaluation of Chronic Disease Risk Based on the Percentage of Energy from Carbohydrates and the Frequency of Vegetable Intake in the Korean Elderly: Using the 2007-2009 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: Korean elderly people are known to consume diets high in carbohydrates low in vegetables compared to other age groups. This study evaluated the chronic disease risks and nutritional status in this group based on the percentage of energy from carbohydrates and the frequency of vegetable intake. METHODS: Using the 2007~2009 Korean National Health Nutrition Examination Survey data, except those who were undergoing treatment for chronic disease, final 1,487 subjects aged 65 and older were divided into 4 groups: moderate carbohydrate energy ratio of 55~70% and low frequency of vegetable intake defined as less than 5 times per day (MCLV), moderate carbohydrate ratio and high frequency of vegetable intake more than 5 times (MCHV), high carbohydrate energy ratio above 70% and low frequency of vegetable intake less than 5 times (HCLV), and high carbohydrate ratio and high frequency of vegetable intake more than 5 times (HCHV). All data were analyzed after the application of weighted value, using a general linear model or logistic regression. RESULTS: More than half of Korean elderly consumed diets with HCLV, and this group showed poor nutritional status and lower frequency of intake of most food items, but with no risk of chronic disease such as diabetes, obesity, hypertension, cardiovascular disease or anemia probably due to low intake of energy. On the contrary, MCHV group with a high percentage of energy from fat and protein showed the highest intake of energy and most nutrients, the highest frequency of intake of most of food items and a tendency of high risk of abdominal obesity, being followed by the MCLV group. Meanwhile, HCHV group showed a tendency of high risk of hypertension, followed by HCLV group with low frequency of intake of vegetables compared with the two moderate carbohydrate groups. CONCLUSIONS: The results suggested that the percentage of energy from carbohydrate and the frequency of vegetable intake affected the nutritional status, but not significantly affected the risk of chronic disease in Korean elderly. Further studies using more detailed category of % energy from carbohydrates and of type and amount of vegetables with consideration of individual energy intake level, excessive or deficient, are needed to confirm the results.

Dietary Intake Assessment by the Number of Chronic Diseases and the Season for Elderly Living in Rural Area

Korea's aging population has been remarkably increased. They want to have not only extension of life expectancy but also improving quality of life. To maintain the quality of life, it is essential to have good nutrition. However, nutritional status of elderly in Korea has problems qualitatively and quantitatively. Risk factors for poor nutrition are advanced age, woman, living alone and low economic status. Another risk factor in rural area is season because seasonal changes can affect food intake of elderly. Thus this study surveyed the health status and dietary intakes of elderly by season in rural area. In this study, the elderly were grouped as group 1 {elderly who have one risk factor for chronic diseases (obesity, hypertension, dyslipidemia, diabetes)} and group 2 (elderly who have more than 2 risk factors). Can-Pro 3.0 was used for dietary data analysis and SPSS 12.0 program was used for statistical analysis. Obesity had the highest percentage 62%, followed by hypertension 59.5%, dyslipidemia 21.5% and diabetes 11.6%. Obesity, hypertension, and dyslipidemia were high in winter and WHR, diabetes and anemia were high in summer. Mean intakes of energy and nutrients were less than RI. Nutrients which were changed most by season were vitamin A and Vitamin C. Intakes of calcium and folic acid were less than recommended in summer. The ratio of CPF for carbohydrate was higher and fat was lower than recommended. In conclusion, the nutrient intake of Group 2 was better in quality but Group 1 was better in quantity. Nutrient intakes were poor in summer. In rural area, more careful nutritional assesment and management are needed for aged population, especially in summer.