Comparative Evaluation of Meal Variety in Korean Adults by Age Groups

한국 일부 성인의 연령별 식사 다양성 비교 평가

The purpose of this study was to compare the nutritional meal variety of self-selected diet in Korean adults with different age groups. Subjects were recruited and divided info three groups according to the age, which included 20$\sim$49 yrs group(n=129), 50$\sim$64 yrs group(n=134), and $\geq$65 yrs group(n핀8). Subjects were interviewed using a general questionnaire and 24-hour recall method for dietary intake. The average age of the subjects were 40.8 years for 20$\sim$49 yrs group, 57.1 years for 50$\sim$64 yrs group, and 70.7 years for $\geq$65 yrs group. The daily food, energy and nutrient intakes ere decreased with increment of age. The intakes of vitamin B2, folate, vitamin C, and calcium were under the 75% of RIs, respectively. The numbers of food items in diet of 20$\sim$49 yrs group, 50$\sim$64 yrs group and $\geq$65 yrs group were 14.2, 17.0, 13.2 for breakfast, 16.3, 15.4, 13.5 for lunch, 13.1, 15.1, 13.9 for dinner, respectively. And the numbers of dish items in these groups were 4.0, 4.6, 3.8 for breakfast, 4.4, 4.2, 3.9 for lunch, 4.0, 4.0, 3.6 for dinner, respectively. The KDDS of 20$\sim$49 yrs group, 50$\sim$64 yrs group and $\geq$65 yrs group were 3.9, 3.6 and 3.4 respectively and there was significant difference(p<0.001). According to these results, it could be suggested aged group take a undesirable meal in the right of insufficient nutrient intake to DRIs and lower food and dish items, and therefore showing a strong need of proper dietary management for them.