BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES@#This study was conducted to examine disparities in
food and
nutrient intakes based on
family types identified among 1,856 participants
who were the Korean
elderly people in the 6th
Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHNES) excluding those
who were currently practicing the
diet therapy . @*SUBJECTS/
METHODS @#We
separated the subjects into two groups
living alone (LA, n = 638) and living with a
spouse (LS, n = 1,218). We also examined the disparities of dietary quantity and quality of those two groups using complex sampling design general
linear regression analyses (CS GLM). @*RESULTS@#In the LA group, there was a higher percentage of
females and average age in LA group was higher than the participants in the LS group.
Household income and
education level were significantly lower in LA compared to those of LS. The frequencies of skipping
meals were higher in LA. LA's
food and
nutrient intakes showed lower
consumption of
vegetables ,
fruits , seaweeds, and of most
nutrients . Even after adjusting for the confounding factors, the
consumption of
vegetables , seaweeds,
carbohydrates ,
potassium ,
riboflavin , and
vitamin C showed lower in LA than LS. Moreover, LA's
nutrient intake ratios compared to the KDRIs were lower which turned out to be
similar to their
nutrient intakes . @*CONCLUSIONS@#These results show that dietary
behavior and
food intake of the
elderly are associated with
family types. Frequently skipping
meals and less dietary variety are more common with
elderly persons who were
living alone . Therefore, it is necessary to integrate the supplementary
food programs and
nutrition education programs for the
elderly living alone .