양평지역 노인의 식품보장 및 식품다양성에 미치는 요인에 관한 질적연구

Abstract

This study was a qualitative investigation into the food security and food variety among the rural elderly. For thequalitative data collection, nineteen elderly people who lived in Yangpyeong-gun were interviewed individually. Foodsecurity and variety was evaluated based on accessibility and affordability. The participants seemed to have difficultypreparing their own meals and eating with their families or others. The frequency of vegetable intake was found to be high,as vegetables were available through cultivation. However, in terms of diversity, the intake of meat and milk, which aresources of protein and calcium, was found to be significantly low. This has to do with very poor physical accessibility. A lackof nutrition education was identified as the biggest reason for not following dietary therapy despite having a pre-existingdisease condition. Therefore, for the elderly in Yangpyeong-gun, it is suggested that a basic nutrition policy for food supplythat can increase their actual intake is more essential than education on cooking and nutrients. Moreover, periodic nutritioneducation or a regular counseling system for dietary therapy through local public health centers may help improve the healthof the elderly.