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

ABSTRACT

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.