The purpose of this study was to evaluate the nutritional adequacy of senior-friendly foods sold in Korea, focusing on protein and sodium. This study examined the nutritional content of 170 products with nutritional labels that were sold in online stores in Korea and categorized the products into 93 staple foods (cooked rice, porridge, and mousse) and 77 side-dish and snack foods (braized·steam·roast products, broth, sauces, and snacks). Then, the adequacy of the nutritional content of these foods, focusing on protein and sodium, was evaluated according to product type. The 93 staple products and 77 side-dish products had average serving sizes of 163.27 g and 127.92 g, prices of $3.25 and $2.72, and energy contents of 295.25 kcal and 141.95 kcal, respectively. For staple foods, the energy content was significantly greater in cooked rice, but the protein content and index of nutrition quality (INQ) were significantly greater in mousse. There were no significant differences in sodium content or contribution to adequate intake (AI) by product type, but the sodium INQ was significantly greater in the mousse and porridge. For side-dish foods and snack products, the protein content, contribution to the recommended intake, and INQ were all significantly greater for the braized·steam·roast products. Sauces and braized·steam·roast products were significantly higher in sodium content and contribution to the AI, while broth was significantly higher in sodium INQ. These findings can be used to guide proper product selection and nutritional management that considers the health characteristics of health-vulnerable and elderly people.
As the proportion of the elderly population increases rapidly, interest in musculoskeletal health is also emerging. Here, we investigated how antioxidant vitamin intake and musculoskeletal health are related. Adults aged 50 to 80 years with a body mass index (BMI) of 18.5 to 27.0 kg/m2 were included. Bone mineral density (BMD), lean mass (LM), appendicular skeletal muscle mass index (ASMI) were measured using dual-energy X-ray absorptiometry (DXA), and the grip strength and knee extension using hand dynamometer. Nutrient intakes were measured using a 24-hour recall questionnaire. A total of 153 adults (44 men and 109 women) participated in this study. A partial correlation analysis showed a significant positive relationship between vitamin E and BMD and between vitamin C and LM/Height. Participants were classified into three groups according to whether their vitamin E and C intake met the recommended intake for Dietary Reference Intakes for Koreans (KDRIs). The prevalence of having low T-score (< −1.0) and low ASMI (< 7.0 for men and < 5.4 for women) was 51.3% and 15.4% in the group with vitamins C and E intakes below KDRIs. After adjusting for sex, smoking status and energy, protein, vitamin D, and calcium intake, the group with vitamins C and E both below the KDRIs displayed a significantly lower BMD at all test sites and LM/Height compared with vitamin C and/or E intake above the KDRIs groups. We conclude that sufficient intake of vitamin E and C is important for maintaining BMD and lean mass in Korean adults over 50 years of age.
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