Abstract

This study was conducted to assess biochemical nutritional status and health status of 53 men and 130 women aged over 65 years and residing in low-income areas in Seoul. Nutritional status and health status were determined by hematological analysis, incidence of disease, and clinical symptoms. Mean serum cholesterol levels were 159.7mg/dl in men and 182.4mg/dl in women and triglyceride levels were 124.6mg/dl in men and 130.6mg/dl in women. The serum lipid levels were higher in women than in men, and 88% of the subjects belonged to normal range and 12% belonged to hyper lipid. The mean hematological indices.; Hb, Hct, RBC, MCH, serum iron belonged to normal ranges. The proportion of anemic state were 16~18% in men and 20~25% in women. Mean serum Ca, Cu and Zn levels were 9.4mg/dl, $84.2\mu\textrm{g}/dl$ and $75.8\mu\textrm{g}/dl$ for male and $9.5\mu\textrm{g}/dl$, $88.3\mu\textrm{g}/dl$ and $75.6\mu\textrm{g}/dl$ for female, respectively. However, proportion of low Ca, Cu and Zn status were 8~20%, 77~84% and 12~34%, respectively. The biochemical indices were not significantly different according to age, BMI, obesity rate. Cholesterol, RBC, MCH and serum iron levels were significantly different between men and women. (Korean J Community Nutrition 1(2) : 215-227, 1996)

Keywords

• elderly;
• biochemical status;
• health status.