Effect of Food Commodity Supplementary Program for Low Income Elderly People

This study was performed to evaluate the effectiveness of food commodity supplementary program for low-income, living alone elderly people. The subjects were 57 low income aged females who lived alone in Bucheon city. The food commodity supplementary program lasted for 6 months, supplying one meal per day consisting with grains, meat, vegetables, dairy and fruit. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements, and blood profiles were assessed. After 6 months of food commodity supplemented period, dietary intakes of protein(p<0.05), calcium(p<0.05), iron(p<0.05) and vitamin B(p<0.001) were significantly increased. The mean weight(p<0.05) and BMI(p<0.05) were increased, and the frequency of BMI over 25kg/m$^2$ was also raised from 54.4% to 59.7%. Serum concentrations of total protein(p<0.001) and albumin(p<0.001) were significantly increased, indicating improvement of protein status. The frequency of anemia was decreased from 45.6% to 26.3%. However, the proportion of dyslipidemia was increased. In general the stable food commodity supplementary program was effective to improve general nutritional status of the poor aged who lived alone, however, nutrient intakes still did not meet RDA for the elderly and the rates of obesity and dyslipidemia were increased. Therefore, local government should provide more active food support program and the selection of food items for commodity should be evaluated at regular intervals.

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