• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.5
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• pp.249-256
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• 2015

Objectives: Epidemiological studies have reported that vitamin D deficiency is associated with inflammatory disease. Smoking is a well-known risk factor for inflammation. However, few studies have investigated the interactive effect of vitamin D deficiency and smoking on inflammation. This study aims to investigate the interaction of vitamin D and smoking with inflammatory markers in the urban elderly. Methods: We used data from the Korean Elderly Environmental Panel Study, which began in August 2008 and ended in August 2010, and included 560 Koreans ${\geq}60$ years old living in Seoul. Data was collected via questionnaires that included items about smoking status at the first visit. Vitamin D levels, high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hs-CRP), and white blood cell (WBC) counts were repeatedly measured up to three times. Results: The association of vitamin D and hs-CRP was significant after adjusting for known confounders (${\beta}=-0.080$, p=0.041). After separate analysis by smoking status, the association of vitamin D deficiency and hs-CRP in smokers was stronger than that in nonsmokers (smokers: ${\beta}=-0.375$, p=0.013; non-smokers: ${\beta}=-0.060$, p=0.150). Smoking status was an effect modifier that changed the association between vitamin D deficiency and hs-CRP (interaction estimate: ${\beta}=-0.254$, p=0.032). Vitamin D was not significantly associated with WBC count (${\beta}=0.003$, p=0.805). Conclusions: Vitamin D deficiency was associated with hs-CRP in the urban elderly. Smoking status was an effect modifier of this association. Vitamin D deficiency was not significantly associated with WBC count.

• The Korean Journal of Food And Nutrition
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.495-506
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• 2014

This study was conducted to measure the effect of a community-based nutritional intervention program on dietary behaviors and nutrient intakes of low-income elderly women in Korea. The subject of the study was a group of 88 elderly women using the free meal service in Dong-gu, Gwangju city in Korea. The study was carried out from April to July 2009, and the pretest, application of nutrition education, and post-test were applied in each stage. This community-based nutrition intervention program consisted of snack supplement and nutrition education provided three times a week and 36 times in total. The nutrition education was led by the nutritionists and professionals using various educational media. Snack supplement included were milk, soymilk, carrot juice, bread, yogurt, and bananas. The result of pretest showed that the nutrient intakes of the subjects were much below the Recommended Nutrient Intake (RNI) level of Dietary Reference Intake for Koreans. Comparison of the dietary behavior score and nutrient intakes before and after the nutritional intervention program indicated that the food behavior score increased from 3.1 to 5.6 (P<0.001) and intake of energy, protein, carbohydrate, thiamin, niacin, vitamin C, iron, and potassium of the subjects all increased significantly (P<0.05). Mean Adequacy Ratio (MAR) of their nutrient intakes was also improved from 0.53 to 0.64 (P<0.01). These results indicated that the nutrition intervention program conducted in this study was effective in improving dietary behavior and nutrient intakes of elderly women in local community.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.14-24
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of hypertension, and to assess the risk factors associated with hypertension in elderly (over 65 years old) Koreans, using data from the 4th Korean National Health & Nutrition Examination Survey (the 4th KNHANES), 2007~2009. A total of 1,887 participants were analyzed for assessing the risk factors after excluding those who took hypertension medicines or underwent diet therapy (hypertension perceivers). On the other hand, in analyzing prevalence, a total of 3,526 people were analyzed, including hypertension perceivers. Hypertension was more frequently found in female (64.1%) and urban (62.0%) groups compared to male (55.6%) and rural (57.4%) groups. The mean age of the hypertensive group was significantly higher than that of normal group. The mean values of total cholesterol levels were also significantly higher in the hypertensive group, while body weight, waist circumference, fasting blood glucose, hemoglobin, hematocrit, LDL-cholesterol, and HDL-cholesterol were not. Multiple logistic regression showed that smoking was significantly related to the prevalence of hypertension, but alcohol drinking, stress, obesity, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, diabetes, anemia, and nutrient intakes were not. The results of this study does not support clear relations of hypertension with chronic diseases including obesity, hyperlipidemia, anemia, and diabetes as well as nutrient intakes among a Korean elderly population. A prospective long-term research study is needed to establish the effects of these factors on hypertension.

• Journal of Korea Association of Health Promotion
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.187-197
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• 2004

Owing to continuous economic growth, an increased standard of living, and improvements to health care in Korea, the life expectancy of Koreans rose from 69.0 years in 1985 to 71.3years in 1990. It continued to rise throughout the 1990s, and, by 2002, had reached 76.5years for the general population and 80.0 years for Korean females. Similarly, the percentage of the Korean population that is 65 years of age or older increased from 3.1 in 1970 to 7.1in 2000, and is expected to reach approximately 14,0 in 2019. Thus, according to this estimate, Korea will have evolved from an "aging society" to an "aged society" in only 19years. In the case of other countries, this same transformation has generally taken 2 to 5times longer. One of the major issues related to Korea's rapidly aging population relates to the health problems of the elderly. According to the 2002 National Health Survey Report, 87,6 percent of the elderly were reported to Have at least one chronic disease. In other words, almost 9out of every 10 elderly persons in Korea were suffering from a chronic illness, This, clearly, places a significant economic burden on Korean society in the form of increased health care Costs. This paper examines the increasing prevalence of chronic diseases within Korea's rapidlv aging population and offers some possible short- and long-term solutions to cope with the increased burden being placed on Korea's health care system. These include the basic services at local health centers for the elderly and the national life-long health promotion programs that aim to correct unhealthy behavior, such as smoking, the excessive use of alcohol, and poor eating and exercise habits.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.7 no.4
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• pp.539-547
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate whether the health status as determined by a self-assessment checklist was related to the nutritional status of elderly Korean women. We interviewed 59 female subjects living in the Daegu area aged over 55 years. Information on their dietary intake on two consecutive days was collected by the 24-hour Recall Method. Their body compositions were measured using a Bio-electrical Impedence Fatness Analyzer. Their zinc status was evaluated according to their dietary zinc intake and urinary zinc excretion in urine samples collected for 24 hours. Their heath status was determined by a NSI Checklist. While 50.9% of the total subjects belonged to a moderate nutritional risk group,23.7% of the subjects were at a high nutritional risk. It appeared that only 25.4% of the subjects were evaluated as being healthy. Therefore, the overall nutritional health status of the elderly females belonged to the moderate nutritional risk group. Except for vitamin C, the average daily nutrient intake of the subjects was below the level of the recommended dietary allowances (RDA) for Koreans. The lower the nutritional health score, the better was their dietary intake of energy (p<.05), protein (p<.001), and zinc (p<.01). A positive relationship between their nutritional health score and body fat ratio was also observed (p<.05). Therefore, we suggest that the NSI Checklist could be used as a practical screening tool at the beginning of nutritional surveillance of the elderly in the community.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.67-75
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• 2018

Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore the prevalence of major chronic diseases related to daily oral water intake and to identify the physiological parameters related to dehydration in Korean elderly. Methods: The data were collected from the sixth Korea Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KHANES), which was a nationwide and cross-sectional survey in 2015. We analyzed 1,392 participants using t-test and logistic regression. All participants were divided into the adequate water intake (AWI) group and the non-adequate water intake (NAWI) group based on the dietary reference intakes for Koreans. Results: There was a significant difference in the water intake between the AWI (6.8 cups in a day) and NAWI (2.8 cups) groups (p< .001). There was no statistically significant association between the level of water intake and any of the major chronic diseases. Blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and BUN/Creatinine (Cr) ratio were significantly higher in the NAWI group. Especially, BUN/Cr ratio shows that the NAWI group reached dehydration status. Older age (adjusted odd ratio, OR= 1.07, 95% confidence interval, CI [1.04-1.10]), female gender (adjusted OR= 1.56, 95% CI [1.05-2.33]), lower body mass index (BMI) (adjusted OR = 1.00, 95% CI [0.92-1.00]), higher BUN (adjusted OR = 1.04, 95% CI [1.01-1.08]), and higher urine specific gravity (USG) (adjusted OR= 1.56, 95% CI [1.19-2.05]) were factors associated with the NAWI group. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the level of water intake needs to be considered in relation to age, gender, BMI, BUN, and USG. These are sensitive physiological parameters used for predicting dehydration of the elderly according to their daily oral water intake. It would be helpful to develop strategies to prevent dehydration in elderly individuals and enhance their water intake.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.404-414
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• 2005

Objectives: The present study proposed to evaluate 1st-month and 3rd-month health status, depression, self-efficacy and medical expenses of a community-based health promotive self-management program for old Koreans. Method: Participants in the CDSMP were selected from elders in a community health center through convenient sampling. The program included a 3-hour session per week for 14 weeks. Outcomes of evaluation in the 1st month and the 3rd month included modified Self-rated Health Status Scale, Center for Epidemiologic Studies Short Depression Scale, Self-Efficacy for Managing Chronic Disease 6-item Scale, and 1-item Medical Expenses Scale. Results: Self-rate health scores increased significantly just after the intervention (16.22), in the 1st month (17.57) and in the 3rd month (19.04) (x2=32.06. p=.000); Depression scores (reversed) also increased significantly just after the intervention (6.04), in the 1st month (7.75) and in the 3rd month (8.39) ( $x^2=29.92$. p=.000); Self-efficacy score increased significantly just after intervention (12.87) but it decreased in the 1st month (12.73) and in the 3rd month (12.04). But all of the three scores were still higher than those before the intervention (8.65) ($x^2=32.42$. p=.000): Medical expense score decreased at the end of the intervention (1.57) but the cost score increased in the 1st month (2.48) and in the 3rd month (2.39) ($x^2$=7.81. p=.050). Conclusion: CDSMP is effective in increasing self-rate health and self-efficacy and in decreasing depression in the Korean elderly. However, no significant effect of the program was observed in decreasing the medical cost of the Korean elderly.

• Journal of the Korean housing association
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.41-50
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• 2010

In recent study, we are referencing the necessity by examining the environment for housing policies for elderly Koreans. In reality, Japan, who is ahead of our country, has already experienced and is currently in progress for the aging society. They have developed a profound housing policy under all circumstances with the change of aging society. There forth, we are in progress of examining the series of helpful characteristics being presented by Japan, and how they have expanded and improved their housing support services. Our country must clearly ensure a resolution for investigating a new direction in housing policy and housing support services by learning through the development process of Japan's housing support services for the aging society. For instance, Japan have provided housing policy in both housing and welfare for senior citizens. Recently, the reason they are well adjusted for housing and welfare linked with special care and supportive living services and being skillfully focused on the maintenance policy is because they have great implications on how to successively organize housing policies for the aged society. Recent studies show preferred living arrangement and housing policy of the elderly for stabilization in the aging society. First, must be aware of the leading factors for housing in later life, organize dwelling patterns for diverse characteristics and give consideration for future life plans. Second, must continuously maintain an accessible environment in all community levels without changing the required services in their livelihood by adjusting to diverse changes for the aged. In addition, must organize flexibility in choice following these housing-support services for the elderly's desire and self reliance which raises profound questions on cultural policy.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.18 no.1
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• pp.65-76
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• 2013

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of a nutrition education and personalized lunch service program in a senior welfare center. A total of 30 elderly (14 males, 16 females) aged 62~89 years participated in this study. Nutrition education lessons (2 hour/lesson/week) were provided for 4 weeks. Also, ten weeks from week 3rd to week 12th, personalized lunch providing 1/3 personal needed energy was served 5 times for a week. After the nutrition intervention program, we compared anthropometric characteristics, blood biochemical characteristics, nutrition knowledge, dietary attitude and dietary intake using 24 hr recall with those before the intervention. The body weight (p < 0.001) and body mass index (BMI) (p < 0.001) were decreased. There were significant increases in score of nutrition knowledge (p < 0.01) and consumption of milk & milk products for snacks. There was a positive effect on fasting blood sugar (FBS) showing significant decreases in portion of impaired fasting glucose and diabetes mellitus (p < 0.05). Also, serum triglyceride (TG) was significantly decreased (p < 0.05). In evaluation of nutrient intake by Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs), riboflavin (p < 0.01), vitamin C (p < 0.001), calcium (p < 0.05) were positively improved. The index of nutritional quality (INQ) and intakes of vitamin C (p < 0.001), riboflavin (p < 0.05), Ca (p < 0.01) and Fe (p < 0.05) were increased. In conclusion, this nutrition education and lunch service program providing 1/3 personal needed energy can be used to develop and implement a tailored nutritional intervention programs in the setting of a community senior welfare center to improve health and nutritional status of Korean elderly.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.11 no.4
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• pp.290-299
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• 2017

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: Spirulina is a known a functional food related to lipid profiles, immune functions, and antioxidant capacity. Circulating monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) level is associated with inflammation markers. Single nucleotide polymorphism in the MCP-1 promoter region -2518 have been identified and shown to affect gene transcription. Gene variation may also impact functional food supplementary effects. The current study investigated the interaction of MCP-1 -2518 polymorphism with spirulina supplements on anti-inflammatory capacity in Korean elderly. SUBJECTS/METHODS: After genotyping, healthy elderly subjects (n = 78) were included in a randomized, double blind, and placebo controlled study. Baseline characteristic, body composition, and dietary intake were measured twice (baseline vs. week 16). For 16 weeks, subjects consumed 8 g either spirulina or placebo daily. Plasma MCP-1, interleukin (IL) -2, IL-6, tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-${\alpha}$, complement (C) 3, immunoglobulin (Ig) G, and Ig A concentrations and lymphocyte proliferation rate (LPR) were analyzed as inflammatory markers. RESULTS: In the placebo group with A/A genotype, MCP-1 level was significantly increased, but the spirulina group with A/A genotype was unchanged. IL-2 was significantly increased only in subjects with spirulina supplementation. TNF-${\alpha}$ was significantly reduced in subjects with the G carrier. C3 was significantly increased in the placebo group, particularly when A/A increased more than G, but not when spirulina was ingested. LPR was significantly different only in subjects with A/A genotype; there was a significant increase in phytohemagglutinin and lipopolysaccharide induced LPR in the spirulina group. CONCLUSION: In healthy Korean elderly, spirulina supplementation may influence different inflammatory markers by the MCP-1 genotype. These results may be useful for customized dietary guidelines to improve immune function in Koreans.