Demand for Elderly Food Development: Relation to Oral and Overall Health-Focused on the Elderly Who Are Using Senior Welfare Centers in Seoul-

摘要

Oral health is a critical factor for diagnosing overall health, as poor oral health has a negative impact on food intake and results in deterioration of nutritional status. The purpose of this study was to research the needs for food developments forthe elderly based on their oral and overall health status. Oral status was significantly associated with self-reported health status, and dry mouth (lack of saliva) especially showed a significant relationship with negative self-perception of both oral and overall health. For both elderly men and women, fish and leafy vegetables were the most preferred side dishes. Bread, rice cake, and beverage-type foods were also preferred for snack development. Disease status of the elderly was significantly relatedwith their preference for food development. For instance, those with diabetes were more likely to ask for anti-diabetic diets. The most important factor for the elderly in choosing food was nutritional balance, and less than 3,000 won was cited as an affordable price. The results could be utilized as basic data to develop foods for the elderly.