• 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.