• Journal of Family Resource Management and Policy Review
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.1-13
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• 2021

Using structural equation modeling, this study sought to examine the structural causality between elderly age norms, social activities, and life satisfaction and to determine the moderating effect of death preparation activities. The analysis was conducted using data for 6,288 people over 65 years old, plus their spouses and children, taken from the '2017 National Survey of Older Koreans.' The study found, first, that the more positive the age norms to which the older person subscribes, the more their social activities increase. Second, as these social activities increase, the level of life satisfaction also increases. Third, the more positive the age norms to which the older person subscribes, the more the level of life satisfaction increases. Fourth, there is a significant positive mediating effect of social activity in the relationship between the age norms of the older person and life satisfaction. Fifth, there is a significant moderating effect of death preparation activities in the structural relationship between age norms, social activities, and life satisfaction that specifically impacts the age norm-life satisfaction relationship. Based on these results, practical plans to improve elderly people's life satisfaction are recommended.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.27 no.3
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• pp.133-148
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• 2021

This study was undertaken to identify dietary patterns of Korean elderly people living alone, and to compare the quality of diet consumed. Data of 821 elderly people aged 65 years or older who were living alone, was obtained from the 2016~2018 National Health and Nutrition Survey. The percentage energy intake from 24 food groups was calculated, and a cluster analysis was applied to identify dietary patterns. General characteristics, energy and nutrient intake, nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ) were analyzed. Dietary variety score (DVS) and dietary diversity score (DDS) were subsequently calculated. The rice-centered diet group and mixed diet group were characterized as consuming higher intake of rice and a wider variety of food groups, respectively. The mean age and percentage of participants living in rural areas were higher, whereas education level and monthly income were lower, in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). Intakes of energy and all other nutrients (except carbohydrate and thiamine) were lower in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). The NAR for all nutrients (except thiamine), MAR, and INQs (except thiamine and iron) were significantly lower in the rice-centered diet group (P<0.001 for all). The rice-centered diet group had significantly lower DVS (P<0.001) and DDS (P<0.001), as compared with the mixed diet group (P<0.001). Due to the insufficient energy and nutrient intake in the rice-centered diet group, it is necessary to develop nutritional monitoring and customized nutrition policies for these individuals.

• Research in Community and Public Health Nursing
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.164-174
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• 2022

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to examine the effects of the rural elderly suicide literacy level upon suicide stigma and coping advice with suicidal crises (recommending professional help for a suicidal person). In particular, this study investigates the role of cultural norms (perceived social expectations for the experience of negative emotions) on suicide stigma and coping ability. Methods: A survey was conducted addressing elderly people (N=119) living in rural areas. Regression analysis using SPSS PROCESS macro was used to examine the relationships among the key variables. Results: Participants with higher suicide literacy showed lower suicide stigma, and this perception had a significant effect on enhancing their coping advice with suicidal crises. Also, perceived social expectations significantly influenced the relationship between suicide stigma and coping advice. With lower levels of social expectations, the mediating effect of suicide stigma on the relationship between suicide literacy and recommending professional help did not exist whereas the indirect effect was significant when it pertained to high levels of social expectations. Conclusion: This result signifies that suicide stigma serves as a barrier deterring Koreans from reaching out for professional help regarding their mental health. Moreover, these findings underscore the importance of cultural psychological factors such as perceived social expectations in terms of developing suicide prevention strategies.

• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.19 no.10
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• pp.559-568
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• 2018

This study examined the factors affecting abdominal obesity by sex among the Korean elderly focusing on health and health behavior related factors. The data utilized in this study were derived from the Sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-3) conducted from January to December 2015 by the Korea Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. The subjects of this study were 599 men and 793 women over the age of 65 for whom their waist circumference was known. The data were analyzed by a complex sampling design method applying weights using the SPSS 23.0 program. Korean elderly showed significant differences in demographic factors, health-related factors, and health behaviors according to gender. The abdominal obesity rate of elderly males was 38.3%, while that of elderly females was 50.5%. Among the factors related to health and health behavior, frequency of binge drinking among elderly male and subjective health status of elderly females were significant factors influencing abdominal obesity. Therefore, programs for abdominal obesity management of elderly Koreans should be planned with consideration of differences in health related factors and health behavior and influencing factors by sex.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.21 no.4
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• pp.334-340
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• 1992

This study was intended to investigated the relationship between habitual physical activity, nutrients intakes and urinary riboflavin excretion of elderly women and to compare riboflavin biochemical status of urban elderly women with rural elderly women. While average daily riboflavin intake of elderly women subjects was below Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans, riboflavin biochemical status was adequate in terms of average urinary riboflavin excretion. Urinary riboflavin excretion did not show significant correlation with energy expenditure, physical activity level and riboflavin intake. Nutrients intakes of urban and rural elderly women were not significantly different. However, energy expenditure and physical activity level were significantly higher, urinary riboflavin excretion was significantly lower in rural than in urban elderly women. It is suggested that riboflavin biochemical status was influenced by physical activity.

• Health Policy and Management
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• v.33 no.2
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• pp.141-156
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• 2023

Background: As the population rapidly ages, older adults are increasingly likely to experience mobility problems. This study aims to explore the characteristics related to an elderly person's willingness to live in a nursing home if they have mobility problems Methods: This study analyzed data from 9,917 older adults (5,976 young-old and 3,941 old-old) obtained from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. The dependent variable was the intended place of residence for older adults with mobility problems. Independent variables included various characteristics: (1) sociodemographic and social support, (2) health and functional status, and (3) residential environment. Rao-Scott chi-square tests and survey logistic regression analyses were performed for the young-old and old-old, respectively. Results: The intention to live in a nursing home was significantly different between the young-old (30.4%) and the old-old (34.7%) (p=0.009). According to fully adjusted multivariable analyses, for the young-old, the odds ratio of intending to live in a nursing home was significantly higher in social security benefit recipients (1.45; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.06-1.97) compared to other individuals. The odds ratio was higher in unmarried (divorced, separated, widowed, or never-married) individuals for both young-old (1.41; 95% CI, 1.22-1.63) and old-old (1.34; 95% CI, 1.09-1.65) age groups, compared to their respective married counterparts. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that in an aging society, health and social policies should be designed considering the different characteristics of the elderly to improve their health, function, and quality of life.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.15 no.2
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• pp.199-215
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• 1998

The health care environment exerts tremendous influence on community health practices. Here the author mention several major factors that will influence the future plan for health service and health education; that is, economic problem, the issues of decrement of infectious disease, increment of chronic degenerative disease due to natural increase of the elderly, increased frequency of traffic and industrial accidents and the issues of medical-technological advances etc. Therefore, special efforts by health personnel should be made to develop health education and health promotion strategies on a community-wide basis. Accordingly, the flexible accessibility, convenient availability, guaranteed medical service, sufficient supply of health information, and rapidly available medicaid service for special population such as the elderly, the handicapped, the disabled and the poor are considered. Also, the financial support from the central government and local self-government and active participation of health consumer to health service are needed in Korea, The role of the health personnel is to elicit, facilitate and maintain health promoting behavior with his and her assurance for health consumers being competent and supported in the voluntary choice of their health promoting activities. The health promoting activities such as the above mentioned will be produce escalation of their life Quality among Koreans.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.36 no.3
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• pp.287-297
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• 2003

This intervention study was performed to assess the effect of spirulina on lipid metabolism, antioxidant capacity, and immune function in elderly Koreans. The subjects were 6 male and 6 female people between the ages of 60 and 75, who were given spirulina supplements of 7.5 g/day for 24 weeks. Dietary intake, anthropometric measurements and biochemical assessment for plasma lipid levels, antioxidant status and immune function were measured before and throughout the intervention period. Before entering the study, the subjects were in relatively good health. Their nutrient intake was satisfactory, and anthropometric indices and plasma nutrient levels were within the normal range. Spirulina supplementation for 24 weeks did not affect dietary intake and anthropometric parameters. However, considerable changes were observed in blood lipid profiles, antioxidant capacity, and immune indices. The plasma concentrations of triglycerides, total- and LDL-cholesterol decreased from 4 weeks of the supplementation period. The antioxidant capacity improved, as shown in increasing TAS and decreasing TBARS after supplementation. Improved immune function was also observed as the PBL lymphocyte proliferation rate and plasma C3 levels increased. The above effects of spirulina supplementation did not differ between mild hypercholesterolemic (cholesterol $\geq$ 200mg/d1) and normochole-sterolemic (cholesterol < 200 mg/dl) subjects. This study provided evidence that spirulina could be used as dietary supplementation in nutritionally vulnerable groups to improve nutritional and health status and to prevent chronic disease such as hyperlipidemia or oxidation-prone diseases. further studies in this area with various population groups are warranted.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.4
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• pp.297-308
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the effects of physical activity on musculoskeletal outcomes in older Koreans. Methods: Experimental studies were retrieved from the search engines (PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cochrane, RISS, KISS, and KoreaMed). The selected studies for analysis were 27 articles of musculoskeletal outcomes (gait, muscle strength, flexibility, balance, grip strength, endurance, body fat, and weight) from 515 articles. Results: The most common type of physical activity was a resistance exercise. There were significant improvements in gait (71.4%), muscle strength (86.7%), flexibility (63.6%), balance (72.2%), grip strength (71.4%), endurance (71.4%), body fat (57.1%), and weight (28.6%). The activity programs that apply over 150 minutes a week showed greater improvement of 69.5% than 65.0% from those did not meet the guidelines totally. Conclusion: Based on the review, we conclude that regular physical activity in the elderly may improve the musculoskeletal outcomes. To be more effective programs, it is necessary to meet the guidelines of 150 minutes a week or 30 minutes of moderate-intensity activities on 5 days per week for the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.329-337
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• 2007

Purpose: Increasing numbers of Koreans have immigrated to the United States since the late 1960s. The first generation of Korean immigrants or their parents become old and institutionalized in American nursing home setting. Although the Korean elders would experience many cultural differences in the nursing home, no study to date has investigated their everyday lives on how they live through their later lives within a different cultural environment from their own. Methods: Using ethnographic methodology, the purpose of this paper was to illustrate Korean residents' experiences and daily lives in a nursing home located in an east coastal city in the U.S. Participant observation, filed notes, semi-structured interviews were utilized by means of data collection. Eighteen Korean residents were observed, and five of them and two nurses participated in informal qualitative interviews. Results: The overriding theme from the findings is "thrown in a different world." Three sub-themes include "constant struggles in making themselves understood", "dealing with culturally inappropriate nursing care," and "maintaining their own ways of life". Conclusions: The discovered themes reflect culturally isolated lives of the participants and open a venue for designing a culturally congruent nursing care for Korean elders living in the U.S. nursing homes.