• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.35 no.3
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• pp.332-351
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate effect of living condition and aging on food intake in Korea. 98 free-meal receivers and 81 members in well-being center for the aged were asked about their food frequency and food consumption and their socioeconomic status by a questionnaire. All data were analyzed by SPSS (Statistical Packages for the Social Sciences) 10.0 program. There were statistical differences of living condition, marital status, former job and teeth status between free-meal receivers and people with stable lives. Moreover, all age groups of free-meal receivers had lower income, living expenses, educational period and frequency of physical activity than those of people with stable lives. But smoking and drinking was much higher in free-meal receivers. Arthritis was the most prevalent disease in both groups. And free-meal receivers had higher blood pressure and lower Body Mass Index than people with stable lives. Food consumption of free-meal receivers was definitely lower than that of people with stable lives in terms of food frequency and standard amount of food eaten. But noodles, bean sprouts and eggs were very important foods for free-meal receives. Food consumption of the aged was affected by age, educational period, income, blood pressure, duration after retirement, frequency of physical activity and Body Mass Index. Therefore, as various socioeconomic status affects on food intakes of the aged, more effective and practical nutritional programs which consider the receivers'socioeconomic status are needed for the nutritionally at-risk groups like the aging free-meal receivers.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Culture
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• v.17 no.3
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• pp.275-288
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• 2002

The purpose of this study was to investigate the cognitive differences among the aged who have different living conditions. 91 free-meal receivers and 86 people with stable lives were asked about their living conditions and cognitive function by using K-MMSE. All data were analyzed by SPSS 10.0 package. Free meal receivers had poorer socioeconomic status than the subjects who had stable lives. Cognitive function of free meal receivers was lower than the people with stable lives in the most cognitive factors. Especially age of 50 to 64, pre-aged group, who had been receiving free meals, showed lowest cognitive level than the other age groups. Among 7 cognitive factors, there was the greatest difference in attention and calculation between 2 groups. Percentage of 'conclusive dementia' among the free meal receivers was statistically higher than the people with stable lives and that of 'conclusively normal' was statistically lower in free meal receivers comparing with the people with stable lives. Moreover, socioeconomic factors like income, former job, marital status, housing and education, blood pressure and physical activity were significantly related to the subject's cognitive function.

• Journal of the Korean Dietetic Association
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.298-308
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• 2013

The elderly population in Korea is rapidly growing. As the population ages, meals become a greater concern, as physical and psychological health problems are directly affected by dietary life, especially for the lower-income elderly. Although the government provides support through a free congregate meal service, there is a lack of systematic management of this meal service. This study investigates the experience of the elderly, especially the symbolic meaning and issues regarding the congregate meal service in their dietary life, to establish strategies for improving congregate meal services. Qualitative data was collected from ten elderly receivers of meal services through in-depth interviews and data was analyzed using Colaizzi's phenomenological research methods. Overall, 90 significant statements, 13 formulated meanings, and five theme clusters were deduced. The five theme clusters for the importance of meal services to the elderly included the followings: "a real meal", "enjoyment of living", "maintenance of regular life", "place for social life" and "meal of silence". We found that the elderly regarded the congregate free meal service not only as meals to appreciate but also as a form of social life. Furthermore, the elderly did not typically express any complaints regarding congregate meal services because they are free. The results showed that it might be difficult to evaluate the quality of meal services based on the opinions of the service receivers. This study suggests it is necessary to develop multilateral evaluation methods to reflect the needs of the elderly and to improve the congregate meal services at elderly welfare centers.