Diet Quality and Food Patterns of Obese Adult Women from Low Income Classes: Based on 2005 KNHANES / 대한지역사회영양학회지

ABSTRACT

This study aims to identify the dietary patterns relevant to obesity of Korean women among low income classes. Adults 20-64 years were used as study subjects from the data of 2005 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. We compared obese and normal-weight women in terms of their nutrients intake, diet quality and food patterns. Diet quality was assessed by using the Nutritional Adequacy Ratio (NAR) and Index of Nutritional Quality (INQ). Our results showed higher prevalence of obesity among lower socioeconomic status women. In men, there were no significant associations with socioeconomic status and prevalence of obesity. Higher risk of nutritional inadequacy was observed among obese women compared to normal weight women. Obese women showed significantly lower INQ for nutrients such as Ca, Fe, Vitamin A, Thiamin, Riboflavin and Vitamin C compared to other women. They consumed significantly higher amount of rice (p < 0.05) and lower amount of vegetables (p < 0.01). By contrast, obese men from low income classes showed higher intake of those nutrients. Obese men also consumed significantly higher amount of meats than normal weight men. Therefore, this study suggests that genderspecific approaches based on economic situation should be considered in developing the intervention program for managing obesity for low income classes.