• Journal of the East Asian Society of Dietary Life
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• v.25 no.1
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• pp.39-48
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• 2015

This study aimed to compare and evaluate nutritive conditions of the female elderly (2,893 people) based on a national health nutrition survey and health-related factors influencing nutritional intake. The results are as follows.- Average age of all subjects was $72.12{\pm}5.2$ old. BMI ($24.48{\pm}3.3kg/m^2$) and waist size ($83.9{\pm}9.5cm$) of urban elderly was larger ($23.74{\pm}3.3kg/m^2$, $82.28{\pm}9.9cm$) than that of rural elderly. MAR[4] and MAR[10] were also higher in urban elderly than rural elderly. The results of multiple regression analysis showed that factors influencing poor nutrition of elderly subjects were increasing age, smoking, and self-rated health. Old-old and current smokers were associated with a higher likelihood of poor nutrition (OR 1.82, 95%CI 1.43~2.30) and (OR 3.40, 95%CI 2.17~5.33) elderly female subjects in urban areas. Smoking (OR 2.29, 95%CI 1.33~3.95), poor self-rated health (OR 1.55, 95%CI 1.11~2.16), over nine hours of sleep per nighting (OR 1.72, 95%CI 1.17~2.53) and stress (OR 1.46, 95%CI 1.10~1.92) of elderly female subjects in rural areas were associated with higher likelihood of a poor nutrition. In conclusion, rural elderly are more influenced by poor health practice behaviors (self-rated health, sleeping stress) and psychological factors. Nutrition status of the rural elderly is worse than that of the urban elderly. To reduce nutritional risk of Korean elderly, especially rural elderly, active nutrition arbitration should include psychological environmental factors.

• Nutritional Sciences
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• v.5 no.1
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• pp.26-33
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• 2002

This study was conducted to provide insight into the management and care of the elderly in nursing homes. Eighty-six elderly subjects over 65 years old (38 male, 48 female) in 3 non-fee-paying nursing homes, located in Daejeon and Chungchong areas, were studied. Subjects'dietary intakes by estimated food intake records, and self-perceived health conditions, were studied using questionnaires from July 21 to August 1, 1997. Twenty-one % of the male subjects and 42% of the female subjects were over 80 years. Their predominant past occupation was farming. While 8.3% of the female and no male residents showed a BMI (Body Mass Index) of 27 and above, about 30% of the subjects were underweight and in poor health status in seeing, joint pains, lumbago and shoulder pains. Regarding overall health status, 72.1% of the subjects considered them to be in poor health, and female and male subjects suffered more difficulties from cloudy eyes, joint pains and lumbago and shoulder pains than any other. Neuralgia was the predominant chronic complaint and followed by hypertension in both sexes. Overall, female subjects felt worse off than the male subjects in terms of their health status, that can be attributed to higher average age of the female subjects compared to the male subjects. The elderly were eating a very low fat (about 15 g : 6% of total calorie) diet with low vitamin A and E. Intakes of calories, protein and iron slightly exceeded RDA. The phosphorus intake was more than double the RDA although calcium intake was close to the RDA. From these results, it seems important to doubling the fat intake of the elderly residents in the form of vegetable fat with the object of raising of vitamin E, antioxidant vitamin, and essential fatty acids for the elderly. It is also recommended that the elderly residents should be given adequate calcium and exercise for bone health.

• The Korean Journal of Community Living Science
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.417-431
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• 2007

This study investigates the differences among residental areas in the health, standard of living, and social relationships of female elderly living alone. The total of 501 subjects(185 from rural areas, 159 from fishing communities, 77 from the islands, and 80 from urban areas) were questioned from May to July, 2006. The research area was confined to Chungcheong Province. The female elderly living alone of this study were an average of seventy-three years old, had a low cost of living, and received little formal school education. Over sixty percent(60.3) of them lived on less than thirty dollars a month which was the recognized Korean poverty level in 2006. The female elderly living alone were evaluated as being in good health, but they themselves perceived their health as being poor. Observed by residential areas, the subjects in urban areas were lower in ADL, and both the urban dwellers and the islanders appeared to be higher in their satisfaction with medical services as compared to those in rural areas and fishing communities. The fishing villagers showed the lowest standard of living for female elderly living alone. The analysis of social relationships as seen in the different residental areas revealed that the female elderly living alone g in urban areas tended to be receiving social supports rather than providing for others, and subjects living in fishing areas and the islands proved to be relatively higher in the exchange of social supports. In relation to offspring, the female elderly living alone in urban areas had a lower frequency of meeting with their children and also a lesser degree of intimacy with them because they lived at a distance. On the other hand, subjects living in rural areas and fishing communities had a higher frequency of meeting with their children and a greater degree of intimacy with them even if they lived at a distance. The study also showed that the female elderly living alone in the islands had a higher frequency of once meeting per three week with their offspring and a higher degree of intimacy with them because they all live in the same islands. In conclusion, the subject living in urban areas appeared to be isolated from their offspring as compared to the other seniors in the study. The female elderly living alone in urban areas suffered from an insufficient network of relatives and neighbors, and they experienced a poor quality of relationships to their offspring. Almost all of the lone seniors in the study had a low score in social activities; however, the female elderly living alone in urban areas revealed a higher level of participation in volunteer activities, group activities, and educational activities. Nevertheless, the lone seniors living in urban areas were not satisfied with their participation in social activities. The subjects living in rural in fishing communities and the islands showed more participation in money-making activities. This study suggests that the policies for female elderly living alone should reflect the differences of regional characteristics.

• Korean Journal of Social Welfare
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• v.62 no.4
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• pp.325-347
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• 2010

To provide a satisfactory life for the elderly females who are the most impoverished among the elderly social strata, this study is geared towards, and focused on, the exploration on their attitudes towards death. For the purpose of this study, in-depth interviews with females aged 65 and over, who are officially classified as the beneficiary of national fundamental livelihood security, have been conducted. Then, the results from these interviews have been compiled and analyzed through qualitative research methods. As a result of this research, the attitudes of the destitute elderly females towards death are categorized into several themes, such as 'Feeling close to the death through a hard life', 'Positive acceptance of the death', 'Relying on funeral services from government and religious organization', 'Hoping for a death with dignity'. The attitudes of death means to them that 'they can get out of a hard life', and elderly female beneficiaries were positive in their acceptance of this meaning. Those who could obtain funeral services as a part of assistance from government and a religious organization did not feel stressful about their funeral arrangements. However, there were individuals who didn't know if their funeral services would be covered by the government. They were unsure if a funeral service would be held for them, or they would have nobody to hold a funeral for them. Accordingly, they were worried about that. The poor elderly females were unhealthy and indigent, and so, they had death anxiety. Therefore, based on the study results above, some ideas regarding elderly welfare are proposed to enable poor elderly females to face their deaths with dignity.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.709-716
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of the study is to investigate the health and oral health factors related to hypertension in Korean elderly. Methods: The study subjects were 1,527 elderly people${\geq}65$ years old who underwent physical examination and completed the health survey questionnaire of KNHANES 2014. Results: The risk of hypertension was higher in nonsmoking female elderly having poor subjective health status and low body mass index (BMI). The risk of hypertension was also higher in the elderly having poor subjective oral health status and no oral examination in the previous year. Conclusions: Health risk factors for hypertension and oral health factors may be useful measures to manage hypertension and enhance quality of life in the elderly.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.37 no.3
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• pp.223-235
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• 2004

A functional ability and adequate nutritional status are the major determinants of health status, Self-rated health (SRH) is a worldwide method to assess health status and it is recognized as a predictor of morbidity and mortality in the elderly, This study was designed to evaluate the functional ability and nutritional risk according to SRH in the elderly. Four hundred nine free-living elderly people (118 male, 291 female), aged $\geq$ 65 years were interviewed by trained interviewers using structured questionnaires including demographic information, SRH, anthropometric measurements, functional ability, general health status, and nutritional risk. SRH was divided into three status such as “Good”, “Moderate” and “Poor” status. And all the data were analyzed by oneway ANOVA, spearman correlation, and x$^2$ analysis using SPSS 9.0 version at p 〈 0.05. Of all the subjects, 48.9％ perceived their health status as “poor”, and their functional abilities (activities of daily living, instrumental activities of daily living) were more impaired than their counterparts (“good” and “moderate”). Poor self-rated health was also related to: a higher prevalence of illnesses (p 〈 0,001) especially in hypertension, arthritis. Self-rated health was significantly related to food security (p 〈 0.001), food enjoyment (p 〈 0.001) ,and nutritional knowledge (p = 0.0 13). Also NSI checklist total score was the highest in “poor” health status (p 〈 0.001). Better self-rated health was related to better food security, and better food enjoyment. However, smoking, alcoholic intake, exercise, eating behaviors, and demographic characteristics were not significantly different among the three SRH status. SRH was closely related to chronic diseases, functional ability, and nutritional risk in the elderly. Therefore, public health strategies for the elderly should be focused on the elderly who are “poor” in SRH, to improve nutritional status and functional ability, and to reduce risk factors of chronic diseases.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.285-293
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• 2016

Objectives: The aim of the study was to investigate the association of self-perceived oral health and depression in the Korean elderly. Methods: The subjects were 1,329 elderly in Korea from the sixth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (the 6th KNHANES). The dependent variable was depression that continued more than two weeks. Model I for the impacts of depression on self-reported oral health, Model II for the impacts of depression on chewing problem, Model III for the impacts of depression on speaking problem was evaluated. PASW Statistics 18.0 version was used for frequency analysis, chi-square test and logistic regression analysis. Results: Female elderly were much more prone to depression than male. Female had lower monthly compensation, less medicaid, chewing problem, speaking problem, and less education. For these reasons, they tended to have more depression than male (p<0.001). Self-perceived oral health impacts on depression included poor self-reported oral health(p<0.01), poor chewing problem(p<0.01) and poor speaking problem(p<0.05). On the other hand, male did not show a statistically significant association. Conclusions: The study showed the self-perceived oral health related quality of life had a significant influence on depression in the elderly. The continuing lifelong oral health care can prevent depression in the later life because oral health care improvement can enhance the self-perceived oral health status.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.931-941
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• 2016

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to examine the association between depression and poor oral health in Korean elderly using Korean version of the Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) for assessment of depressive symptoms. Methods: This study used the data from Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES VI-2). The study included 1,454 elderly Korean aged over 65. Variables included demographic characteristics (gender, age), socioeconomic factor (income, education), systemic diseases, oral health related factor (tooth brush, dental products), health related factor (alcohol drinking, smoking), and depression. Logistic regression analysis was used as sequential models. Effects were quantified as odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI). Results: From frequency analysis, being female, primary school or less, non-alcohol drinking, poor oral health were significantly related to depression. In the multiple logistic regression model, depression was significantly associated with poor oral health (OR=1.96, CI=1.15-3.53) after adjustment for other covariates including demographic characteristics, socioeconomic factor, systemic diseases, oral health related factor, and health related factor (OR=1.91, CI=1.13-3.27). Conclusions: Depression had an influence on the poor oral health after adjustment as confounding variable in the elderly. It should be focused on the health promotion for the elderly vulnerable to depression and poor oral health. The development of the mental health and oral health should be established.

• Journal of the Korean Society of Food Science and Nutrition
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• v.15 no.4
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• pp.72-80
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• 1986

The purpose of this study was to investigate the dietary-intake and that of health by mean of questionarie and interview for male and female old persons living in Seoul area. The contents of study included general aspects, physical status and health, nutrient intake, and food intake frequency. The results from the above survey are summarized as follows ; 1. The age group in the range of 60 to 79 years old was 71%, and the average number of family was 4.9. The educational level was 56% of elderly persons were elementary or middle school graduates . 42.8% of elderly persons had an average monthly income of \490,000 to 300,000. 2. The aged average height, weight, and physical index were 164.9cm, 55.8kg and 20.4 in male, 152.7cm, 46.0kg and 20.3 in female which were lower than the Korean average standard. (male; 167.0cm, 61.0kg, female; 156.0cm, 55.0kg) In the degree of health self-consciousness, percentage distribution of poor and very poor was 29% in male, 59% in female. Among the condition of disease, neuralgia was 23.8%, hypertension was 17.2%, diabetes was 5.4%. 3. Average daily calorie intake was $63.9{\sim}70.4%$ for male and $76.4{\sim}83.9%$ for female which were lower than the Recommended Dietary Allowances for Koreans. Protein intake was $42.9{\sim}57.3g$ (which was $72.8{\sim}82.6%$ RDA) for elderly person, the proportion of animal protein to total protein intake were $24.3{\sim}28.2%$($12.9{\sim}16.2g$). Iron, Vitamin $B_1$, $B_2$ Niacin intake exceeded the RDA, but the intake of Calcium, Vitamin C were far less than that of RDA. 4. In the correlations between nutritional intakes and environmental factors and health, economic living situations and educational level as the factors which might influence the condition of nutritional intake was significant(P<0.01). 5. Food intake frequency of meats, fishes, eggs, for average of $1{\sim}2$ days per week were $44.8{\sim}50.5%$, that of milk and milk products for scarecely week were 42.9.% Correlation of food intake frequency was divided three levels-good, fair, poor. Food intake frequency as the factors which might influence the condition of nutritional intake was significant(P<0.01). The results of the survey reveal that many of elderly show evidence of general nutrient intake deficiency, it requires first of all importance of nutrition to improve nutritional level through to promotion of elderly health.

• Journal of the Korean Home Economics Association
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• v.36 no.4
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• pp.199-215
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• 1998

The purposes of the study were to investingate selected living conditions of the elderly I Inchon and to examine if they can be disaggregated according to their socio-demographic characteristics in terms of living conditions. Four living areas were examined in the study : health and food habit, housing, economic status, and family relationships. Data were collected by questionaires. The sample consisted of 202 elderly. It was found in general that the living conditions were relatively poor for the elderly who were female, older and less educated, and had higher household income and no spouse.