Suriah A R, Chong T J, Yeoh B Y
Department of Food Science & Nutrition, Faculty of Life Science, Universiti Kebangsaan Malaysia, Malaysia.
Singapore Med J. 1998 Aug;39(8):348-52.
To evaluate the anthropometric measurements and dietary intake of the free-living elderly in a Chinese community.
A survey was carried out on 48 male and female subjects aged 60 to 96 years using anthropometric, dietary intake and questionnaire techniques.
The study indicated female subjects to have more health problems, like pain at the joints (33%), hypertension (17%) and diabetes (27%) as compared to the male subjects. Dietary intake analysis showed the Chinese male subjects to have a higher energy intake (1,623 kcal) compared to the females (1,197 kcal) even though they did not fulfill the recommended dietary intake. The intake for energy, fats and carbohydrates, was found to be significantly different (p < 0.05) between both sexes. Anthropometric measurements indicated male elderly subjects to be significantly heavier (p < 0.05, 55.4 kg) and taller (161.8 cm) than female elderly subjects (49.5 kg; 146.2 cm respectively). About half of the elderly were normal in their BMI (male 55.6%; female 50%) and only 6.6% of the female subjects were obese. More male subjects were found to be underweight (33%) compared to female subjects (17%). Waist hip ratio was 0.92 for male and 0.87 for female.
Our study showed that female elderly subjects had more health problems compared to male elderly subjects. On the whole, the elderly did not fulfill the recommended amount for energy intake while the percentage for carbohydrates, fats and protein from the total calorie intake were not in accordance with the healthy diet guidelines. Anthropometrically, male subjects were heavier and taller than female subjects. Looking at body mass index, most of the male elderly subjects were in the normal to underweight range. With these results, more research is warranted to give a clearer picture of the Chinese elderly in the country.
评估中国社区中自由生活的老年人的人体测量指标和饮食摄入情况。
采用人体测量、饮食摄入和问卷调查技术，对48名年龄在60至96岁的男性和女性受试者进行了一项调查。
研究表明，与男性受试者相比，女性受试者有更多的健康问题，如关节疼痛（33%）、高血压（17%）和糖尿病（27%）。饮食摄入分析显示，中国男性受试者的能量摄入量（1623千卡）高于女性（1197千卡），尽管他们未达到推荐的饮食摄入量。发现两性之间的能量、脂肪和碳水化合物摄入量存在显著差异（p<0.05）。人体测量指标表明，老年男性受试者比老年女性受试者明显更重（p<0.05，55.4千克）、更高（161.8厘米）（女性分别为49.5千克；146.2厘米）。约一半的老年人BMI正常（男性为55.6%；女性为50%），只有6.6%的女性受试者肥胖。与女性受试者（17%）相比，发现更多男性受试者体重过轻（33%）。男性的腰臀比为0.92，女性为0.87。
我们的研究表明，与老年男性受试者相比，老年女性受试者有更多的健康问题。总体而言，老年人未达到推荐的能量摄入量，而碳水化合物、脂肪和蛋白质占总热量摄入的百分比不符合健康饮食指南。从人体测量学角度来看，男性受试者比女性受试者更重、更高。从体重指数来看，大多数老年男性受试者处于正常至体重过轻范围内。基于这些结果，有必要进行更多研究，以更清楚地了解该国中国老年人的情况。
