A Survey of Food Habits of the Elderly Over Sixty Years of Age in Seoul

60세 이후 노년층의 식습관조사

This study was carried out to know the food habits of 200 persons, 89 males and 111 females, aged 60 years and over from June 13 to July 2, 1977 in Seoul. The results are summarized as follows: 1. Changes of the food preferences The preferences about foods after 60 years of age showed in lower scores of dislikes than those before and, however, were not significantly changed. Beef was the item which 75% of the subjects liked and was the highest in desire to eat, Likes for hot, salty, and sour taste except sweet were diminished but they generally liked hot or sweet food rather than sour or salty one and also warm dish rather than cold one. A majority of them wanted to have their meals cook more soft and tender. 2. Intakes of foods The average consumptions of the basic food groups per capita per day were 475.5g of males .and 431.8g of females for cereals and grains, 119.6g and 103.6g for meats add legumes, 221.7g and 216. lg for fruits and vegetables, 52.6g and 39.4g for milk and small fishes, and 5.0g and 4.7g for fats and oils. 3. Intakes of calorie and nutrients The percentage contributions of three nutrients, carbohydrate, protein, and fats to the total amounts of calories were 75.9, 12.4, and 11.7% of mates and 75.6, 12.4, and 12.0% of females. Women had a slightly higher percentage of caloric intake to RDA than men who didn't satisfy RDA. The subjects revealed an insufficient protein intake as well as calcium. Therefore, many older people have to be convinced of the importance of milk for both nutrients. The mean ratios for iron, niacin, and thiamin intake were higher than RDA and on the contrary. those for riboflavin, vitamin A, and ascorbic acid intake were below RDA. It seems necessary, for the aged to maintain good state of health, to promote their appetite, and to take regular mealtime because difficulty of teeth, illness, irregular mealtime, and loss of appetite had influence on less intakes of calorie and nutrients.