• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.2 no.1
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• pp.8-12
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• 2008

The objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and clinical characteristics of anemia and to define the risk factors for anemia in older Koreans in Asan. From January to February 2002, five hundred sixty two community-dwelling older adults aged over 60 years were selected from a cross sectional study. All subjects underwent laboratory tests, which included a complete blood cell count, reticulocyte, liver and renal functional tests, lipid profiles and iron status tests. The median age was 68.6 years (range, 60-92 years). The mean levels of hemoglobin were $14.4{\pm}1.3\;g/dL$ in men and $12.9{\pm}1.0\;g/dL$ in women, and the overall prevalence of anemia was 12.5% in all subjects, 10.8% in men and 13.6% in women. The prevalence of anemia was the lowest among age group of 60-69 (10.0%) followed by 70-79 (15.5%), and the highest among age over 80 (20.7%), but the difference was significant only for men. The age difference was more distinct in men than in women (p<0.05). The mean hemoglobin level was significantly lower in the subjects aged over 80 y than those in the 60-69 y group (p<0.05). According to a logistic regression analysis, lower albumin and higher creatinine levels were identified as independent risk factors of anemia among older adults in Asan. In conclusion, the overall prevalence of anemia in our study group was 12.5% and the highest (20.7%) among those aged over 80 y.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.99-109
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• 2014

The purpose of this study was to estimate the prevalence of osteoarthritis as well as assess the risk factors associated with osteoarthritis in Koreans over 65 years using data from the Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES V), 2010~2012. Of the participants from KNHANES V, a total of 3,479 subjects were analyzed using SPSS statistics complex samples (Windows ver. 21.0). Osteoarthritis was more frequently found in female (32.5%) or rural (26.8%) groups than male (9.3%) or urban (20.3%) groups. Mean age of the osteoarthritis group was significantly higher than that of the normal group. Mean values of BMI and waist circumference were significantly higher in the osteoarthritis group than in the normal group, whereas height, fasting blood glucose, total cholesterol, LDL-cholesterol, HDL-cholesterol, triglyceride, hemoglobin, and hematocrit levels were not. Health-related quality of life (EQ-5D) was significantly higher in the normal group than in the osteoarthritis group. The results of multiple logistic regression showed that obesity and vitamin A/riboflavin intakes were significantly related to the prevalence of osteoarthritis, whereas smoking, alcohol intake, physical activity, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, hypertriglyceridemia, anemia, and diabetes were not. This study suggests that obesity and nutrient intakes were associated with osteoarthritis, whereas chronic diseases such as hyper-lipidemia, anemia, and diabetes as well as health habits were not. Prospective research of long-term control is needed to establish the effects of those factors on the osteoarthritis.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Rural Health Nursing
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.102-110
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• 2007

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate health behavior, life satisfaction and stress in elderly people living in a rural community. Methods: The participants in this study were 198 elders from Y-county. Data were collected using a self-report questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Pearson's correlation, t-test, ANOVA and Cronbach's ${\alpha}$. Results: There were statistically significant differences in stress according to the residential area. There were statistically significant differences in the health status of the elders according to age, education level, marital status, and presence of spouse. There were statistically significant differences in life satisfaction according to sex, marital status, education level, use of meeting facilities for elders and presence of spouse. The health status of the elders was also positively related to life satisfaction and negatively related to stress. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that health status is a core factor determining the quality of life for elders. Therefore, a priority for gerontological nursing has to be a focus on improving the psychological and physical health for elders.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.48 no.1
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• pp.38-47
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• 2015

Objectives: Controlling blood pressure is a key step in reducing cardiovascular mortality in older adults. Gender differences in patients' attitudes after disease diagnosis and their management of the disease have been identified. However, it is unclear whether gender differences exist in hypertension management among older adults. We hypothesized that gender differences would exist among factors associated with hypertension diagnosis and control among community-dwelling, older adults. Methods: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from 653 Koreans aged ${\geq}60years$ who participated in the Korean Social Life, Health, and Aging Project. Multiple logistic regression was used to compare several variables between undiagnosed and diagnosed hypertension, and between uncontrolled and controlled hypertension. Results: Diabetes was more prevalent in men and women who had uncontrolled hypertension than those with controlled hypertension or undiagnosed hypertension. High body mass index was significantly associated with uncontrolled hypertension only in men. Multiple logistic regression analysis indicated that in women, awareness of one's blood pressure level (odds ratio [OR], 2.86; p=0.003) and the number of blood pressure checkups over the previous year (OR, 1.06; p=0.011) might influence the likelihood of being diagnosed with hypertension. More highly educated women were more likely to have controlled hypertension than non-educated women (OR, 5.23; p=0.013). Conclusions: This study suggests that gender differences exist among factors associated with hypertension diagnosis and control in the study population of community-dwelling, older adults. Education-based health promotion strategies for hypertension control might be more effective in elderly women than in elderly men. Gender-specific approaches may be required to effectively control hypertension among older adults.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.463-478
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• 2012

This study investigated the health and nutritional characteristics according to household income level and obesity in Koreans aged over 50 years based on the 2005 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Subjects were classified into 3 groups by average household income with reference to the minimum monthly living expenses (MLE): low (n = 319, < 100% MLE), middle (n = 222, < 200% MLE), high (n = 411, ${\geq}$ 200% MLE) and each group was compared by BMI index. With increasing income level, the prevalence of systolic hypertension and hyperlipidemia was increased. In the low income group, serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, and fasting glucose were higher in the obese compared with the normal. In the middle and high income groups, the prevalence of hyperlipidemia and diastolic hypertension were higher in the obese. Subjects had nutritional imbalance, such as inadequate intake of calcium and potassium. With increasing income level, the percentages of protein and fat to total calorie were increased in addition to the intakes and density of nutrients. The obese in the low income group had higher intakes of energy, protein, phosphorus and higher consumption frequency of cereals and potatoes compared with the normal. It was shown that the obese of the middle and high income groups tended to have lower consumption frequency of Korean cabbage and higher frequency of fruits. The obese of high income group also had binge drinking habit. Therefore, this study suggests that specific approaches based on economic status should be considered in developing nutrition education program for the elderly.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.485-497
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• 2010

The purpose of this study was to investigate effects of the developed nutrition education program focused on individual daily energy requirements and food exchange units using Food Exchange System for diabetes mellitus at a community health center. Developed the nutrition education program, four weeks' nutrition education including provided twice individual meal as diet therapy (2 hour/lesson/week, 4 week), was provided to 20 diabetic elderly (12 male, 8 female, 50-75 yrs): 1st lesson "Introduction: management of diabetes mellitus", 2nd lesson "6 Food groups and sources of 6 food groups", 3rd lesson "Individual daily energy requirements and food exchange units", and 4th lesson "Food choice for diabetes mellitus". For effects' analysis of the developed program, we assessed the changes in anthropometric characteristics; biochemical characteristics and nutrient intakes using 24 hr recall method. Effects of the developed nutrition education program were as follows: weight was significantly decreased, blood urea nitrogen (BUN) and glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c) were significantly decreased, and distribution of subjects in BUN and HbA1c was significantly changed. In protein : fat : carbohydrate (PFC) ratio, it was significantly changed from 15.98 : 16.30 : 66.69 to 17.51 : 18.94 : 64.10. In evaluation of nutrient intakes by Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRI), protein, fiber, fat, vitamin E, niacin, folic acid, calcium and zinc were shown significantly positive changes in distribution of subjects according to intake level. The index of nutrition quality (INQ), nutrition adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean nutrition adequacy ratio (MAR) were significantly increased. In conclusion, the developed 4 weeks' nutrition education program focused on individual daily energy requirements and food exchange units using Food Exchange System for diabetes mellitus at community health center may improve the symptom of diabetes mellitus.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.831-845
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• 2009

Hypertension and obesity are important modifiable risk factors for cardiovascular disease, the leading cause of death in Korea. Therefore, we assessed the association between dietary pattern and obesity in hypertensive patients to formulate health promotion strategies for the older population. Dietary information was collected from hypertensive patients visiting community health education and information center by using 24 hour recall method. The 2005 DRIs for Koreans was used to evaluate the dietary adequacy. When subjects were categorized by body mass index (BMI) as normal, overweight and obese, no significant difference in energy intake was found among groups. Dietary intakes of folate, and vitamin C in obese hypertensive patients were significantly lower than in normal weight patients (p < 0.05). When we compare the nutritional status by waist circumferences, dietary intakes of zinc, vitamin A, thiamin, vitamin C and folate were significantly lower in the obese group. Vegetable intake was significantly lower in the obese group according to BMI as well as waist circumference. Energy intake from carbohydrate was significantly higher in obese hypertensive patients (p < 0.05). Obese hypertensive patients had a higher risk of nutritional inadequacy compared to normal weight patients. Our results indicated the need for developing interventions that encourage greater consumption of vegetables while cutting down salt intake with wise selection of staple foods, for obese hypertensive patients.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.51
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• pp.141-156
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• 2002

The relation among social support, depressive symptoms, and living arrangements were examined in a non-random sample of 175 adults age 60 and older. A convenience sample was obtained through a personal interview. A structural equation modeling approach was used to explore the role of social support in the relation between the living arrangements of elderly Koreans and their level of depressive symptoms. These results are consistent with previous analyses suggesting that social support plays a significant role in moderating depressive symptoms, in relation to negative living arrangements among older Korean populations (the buffering-effect hypothesis).

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.25 no.4
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• pp.237-256
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• 2019

The purpose of this study was to verify whether Mediterranean diet, which proved to have a significant effect on preventing dementia for people aged 65 or older, could be well modified to be a Korean-style Mediterranean diet. This study was performed as a randomized-controlled trial for 6 weeks. Functional physical changes, cognitive scores, depression scores and dietary changes were all assessed. The walking speed (P<0.001) and the cognitive scores were statistically improved in only the experimental group (P<0.001), and the depression scores were also significantly improved in only the experimental group (P<0.01). The dietary intake showed a 30% improvement for consuming more than 7 cups per day of vegetables and fruits. When the participants were contacted four months after the end of the study, 90% of them said that the Korean-style Mediterranean diet was feasible and 100% said the nutrition interventions helped them maintain the diet during their daily lives. The results suggest that although the Mediterranean diet can be difficult to apply, any limitations of this healthy diet can be overcome.

• Nutrition Research and Practice
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.32-40
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• 2019

BACKGOUND/OBJECTIVES: This study investigated nutritional status of the elderly with dementia in a care facility with the aim of improving the meal quality of the facility. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data were collected from 30 dementia patients aged more than 65 years in a long-term care facility in Hongseong. The data were obtained from questionnaires and medical records. The food intake data was obtained using food photographs and the nutrient intakes were calculated using the CAN-Pro 5.0. The data were compared with the dietary reference intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). The nutrient density, diet quality such as nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR), mean adequacy ratio (MAR), and index of nutritional quality (INQ), as well as dietary diversity score (DDS) were evaluated. The data were analyzed using SPSS statistical programs. RESULTS: The average daily energy intakes for men and women were much lower than the estimated energy requirements of the KDRIs. The average intakes of energy and most nutrients in the general diet group were significantly higher than those of the other two groups. Significant differences in diet quality and diet diversity were observed according to the meal type groups. The NARs of some minerals (calcium, iron, and zinc) and vitamins (vitamin $B_6$ and folic acid) were less than 0.5 in all study groups. The NARs of protein, iron and MAR of the general diet group were significantly higher than those of the liquid diet group. The DDS scores of meats, fruits and diary food group were very low in all meal type groups, meaning that the diet qualities of the study subjects were not appropriate in all meal type groups. CONCLUSIONS: The food intakes of the study groups showed some limitations by a direct comparison with KDRIs because of the very low physical activities of the study subjects. The diet quality and diet diversity indices suggest the need for improvements in the nutritional quality in all types of diet. Overall, new intervention strategies targeting facility residents with dementia in Korea are needed as soon as possible.