Assessment of Nutritional Status by Estimation of Nutrients and Food Intakes of Korean Elderly Women Living in Residential Homes

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional status of elderly women living in residential homes by estimating nutrients and food intakes. Food consumption survey was conducted by 3-day 24hr recall method with 99 elderly women aged 65 to 90 years from three residential homes in Seoul, Choonchun and Chunan and 46 free-living elderly women aged 65 to 88 years from Chunan as control group. Food intake data was converted into nutrient intake using computer aided nutritional analysis program. Mean energy intake and percentage of recommended daily allowance (RDA) of residential home residents were 1696㎉ and 101% of RDA while those of control were estimated as 1939㎉ and 119% of RDA. On average, absolute amount of nutrient intakes of residential home residents were slightly higher than control group. Subjects in control group showed significantly lower carbohydrate and vitamin A intake, while vitamin C intake was higher. However, nutrient intake quality determined by INQ (Index of nutritional quality) was significantly higher among control subjects in most nutrients except vitamin A than residential home residents. Intakes of calcium, vitamin A and riboflavin of all subjects in this study were less than 75% RDA meaning that nutritional status of calcium, vitamin A and riboflavin was insufficient and could possibly result in nutritional deficient. Some food groups such as milk or other dairy products must be strongly suggested to improve nutritional status of elderly women in this study. According to the results of this study, meal plans of residential homes are quite adequate in quantity of micronutrients, but need to be improved in both quantity and quality of micronutrients.