Abstract

This study was carried out to assess the food habit index of the long-lived elderly who were aged over 85 years living in Ganghwa-gun. A survey was conducted during December 2003. Dietary nutrient intake data was obtained through the 24-hr recall method. The subjects were 96 (32 males, 64 females) aged people and divided into three groups based on food habit index scores. Such as group A: good 16~20, group B: fair 11~15, and group C: poor 5~10. The three groups of the subjects were 90.7 years of age and 21.3 kg/m2 of BMI on average. Healthy eating index scores of the subjects were 9.4% in group A, 54.2% in group B and 36.5% in group C. Their level of education were lower and their levels of living standards tended to have been middle and lower of the middle class. The percentage of living together with their families or spouses in all groups were over 60.0% and the rates of the subjects who have responsibility for their meal preparations were also very high in all groups. Most subjects tended not to drirk nor smoke, and spend 8~10 hours for their sleep. The percent of number of diseases in group A was lower than in groups B and C. Their dietary habits such as taking three meals a day regularly have shown that they have good eating habit in general. There was a positive correlation between the eating behaviors and nutrient intakes. The protein, animal protein, fat, PUFA, vitamin E, vitamin B2, niacin, P and K intaks in group A were significantly higher than that of the groups B and C. For group A of good food habits aged had no sufficient intake of Ca and vitamin A than the Korean RDA and long-lived elderly of group C in Ganghwa areas had worse nutrients intakes, especially Ca, vitamin A, vitamin B2 and vitamin E. According to this research having a good eating habits could be considered as increasing of the health and nutritional status.

• Keywords: food habit score; the long-lived elderly; 24-hr dietary recall