Effects of Eating Behaviors on Health-related Parameters in the Elderly Living in Seongnam City (Korean Longitudinal Study on Health and Aging study)

Background: With global trends in population aging, healthy aging has become a most important matter. Thus, many researchers are developing and implementing healthy aging methods to promote quality of life in the elderly. Methods: This cross-sectional study was designed to assess health-related factors associated with nutritional risks in the older population. 880 subjects (411 males, 469 females) living in Seongnam City, all over 65 yrs, were interviewed about their eating behaviors by well-trained nurses. Tests included anthropometric measurements, biochemistry, and visceral and subcutaneous fat measurements from abdominal CT scans. Results: Mean BMI was 23.7+3.2 kg/m(2) in men and 24.2+3.4 kg/m(2) in women. The prevalence of diabetes mellitus and hypertension was 36.0% and 67.6%, respectively, for males and 31.3% and 72.7%, respectively, for females. Seen in this study, several aspects of human eating behavior may be relevant in identifying effective measures to prevent or treat metabolic risks. Increased subcutaneous fat was associated with overeating and irregular meals. Increased visceral fat was associated with overeating and having hurried meals (less than 20 minutes). BMI was influenced by frequent eating out, rapid food ingestion, and favoring spicy foods. Conclusion: Factors such as food choice and eating behavior affect the risk of obesity and cardiovascular accidents. Clinicians should recognize the importance between nutrition and health in the elderly. Our data suggest that good eating behavior reduces metabolic risks in the older population.