Associations between Cooking at Home and Nutrient and Food Group Intake among Female University Students: A Cross-Sectional Analysis on Living Arrangements.

This cross-sectional study examined the association between cooking frequency and nutrient and food group intake among female university students with different living arrangements in Japan. Nutrient and food group intakes were assessed using a validated, brief, self-administered diet history questionnaire. Cooking frequency was measured using a single question on a five-point scale. The questionnaire also asked about living arrangements. Of the 91 respondents, 75 females were analyzed. Regarding cooking frequency, cooking at least 1-2 days a week was classified as cooking, and the "cooking yet living with families" group was compared with the "not cooking and living with families" and "cooking and living alone" groups. Based on the intakes of the "cooking yet living with families" group, the "not cooking and living with families" group consumed more total fat (29.5% energy vs. 33.0% energy, p = 0.010) and fewer cereals (224.8 g/1000 kcal vs. 179.6 g/1000 kcal, p = 0.007), and the "cooking and living alone" group consumed more confectionaries (21.0 g/1000 kcal vs. 34.5 g/1000 kcal, p = 0.023). This study showed that female university students who cook at least once a week and live with their families may have better diet quality than those who do not cook and live with their families and those who cook and live alone.

Comparison Analysis of Dietary Behavior and Nutrient Intakes of the Elderly according to Their Family Status: The Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2013–2016 / 대한지역사회영양학회지

OBJECTIVES: This study was undertaken to compare dietary life of the elderly living alone and in a family, and to compare differences based on gender, for the 2013-2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES). METHODS: The subjects included 2,612 elderly people aged over 65 years who participated in the health survey, health examination and nutrition survey. Subjects on a diet therapy were excluded. This study analyzed the general characteristics, dietary habits, daily energy and nutrient intakes, CPF ratio, estimated average requirement (EAR), nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR), index of nutrient quality (INQ), and food consumption of the elderly living alone and in a family. We also compared the differences based on gender. RESULTS: Daily intake of food, water, dietary fiber, potassium, retinol, and riboflavin were low in the male elderly subjects living alone. The elderly living with family revealed higher NAR and MAR as compared to the elderly living alone. Although all MAR values were <1, the elderly living alone had lower values. Considering the intake of food, the consumption of seaweed, fish and shellfish, and oils (animal) was higher in elderly men living with families, whereas women living with families consumed more vegetables, fruits, seaweeds and seafood, as compared to their counterparts living alone. Furthermore, analyzing the foods consumed by the elderly people living alone, female subjects consumed more seaweed, milk and animal oil as compared to male subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The results of this study indicate that the elderly living alone have poor nutrient intake as compared to the elderly living with families. Based on this research data, we recommend that it is necessary to improve the health and nutritional status of the elderly living alone.