Depression Symptom, Anthropometric Assessment, and Nutrient Intake of Elderly Females Who Eat Congregate Meals at Lunch in Rural Area

일부 농촌 지역에서 회합 급식을 하는 여자 노인의 우울 정도, 신체계측 및 영양섭취실태 조사

This study was carried out to determine the depression symptoms and nutritional status of elderly females that ate congregate meals at lunch in rural Pocheon. The subjects were 18 elderly females aged over 65 ($75.7{\pm}4.6$ years) and information on smoking, subjective health status, depression symptoms and malnutrition risk were collected using a questionnaire administered with the help of trained research assistants. Measurements included mid-arm circumference and calf circumference. Food consumption for 3 days during breakfast and supper were determined by 24-hour recall and food consumption at lunch was determined as the difference between the amounts served and the plate waste. All data were compared between two age groups (${\leq}75$ and > 75). The subjects had the lowest nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) for vitamin $B_6$ (0.523), followed by calcium and niacin and the lowest index of nutrient quality (INQ) for calcium (0.738). The older elderly had significantly lower NAR for vitamin $B_1$, vitamin $B_2$, vitamin $B_6$ and niacin as well as significantly lower mean adequacy ratio (MAR) compared to the young elderly. They also had significantly lower INQ for vitamin $B_1$ and vitamin C and significantly thinner arm circumference (28.3 cm vs. 31.3 cm). They consumed more than 40% of their daily intake for each nutrient at lunch. Higher proportions of nutrient intake from lunch provided evidence of the importance of congregate meals, suggesting that the government and society should support congregate meals to improve nutritional status.