Research in Community and Public Health Nursing

Original Articles

[English] How Many Older Koreans Are at Risk? National Estimates of Food Insecurity and Sarcopenia Risk Based on ESPEN Guidelines: Dasom Kim; Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2026;37(1):61-70. Published online February 26, 2026; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2025.01270

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Abstract PDF: Purpose
Food insecurity and inadequate nutrient intake are major public health concerns in aging populations. Sarcopenia is influenced by nutrition and socioeconomic status. This study aimed to estimate the prevalence of food insecurity and sarcopenia risk among Korean older adults and examine associations with socioeconomic and lifestyle factors.
Methods
A cross-sectional analysis of the 2019 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) was conducted using a complex sample design. A total of 1,365 adults aged ≥65 years were included. Food insecurity, nutrient adequacy per European Society for Clinical Nutrition and Metabolism (ESPEN) guidelines, and sarcopenia risk (defined by low handgrip strength) were assessed. Logistic regression determined associations with socioeconomic status, diet, and exercise.
Results
Food insecurity affected 15.7% of older adults (weighted percentage). An estimated 40.9% had inadequate nutrient intake, and 24.6% were at risk of sarcopenia. Lower income was significantly associated with sarcopenia risk; compared to the lowest quintile, those in the second quintile had lower odds (OR = 0.61, 95% CI: 0.43–0.87). Lower education also increased risk, with high school graduates showing lower odds (OR = 0.45, 95% CI: 0.26–0.78) compared to those with elementary education or less. Notably, nutrient adequacy based on ESPEN guidelines was not significantly associated with sarcopenia risk. Resistance exercise ≥3 days/week was protective (OR = 0.48, 95% CI: 0.28–0.82).
Conclusions
Socioeconomic disadvantage and physical inactivity are primary determinants of sarcopenia risk in Korean older adults. The lack of association between ESPEN-based nutrient adequacy and sarcopenia risk highlights the need to address structural socioeconomic determinants beyond simple nutrient supplementation.

[English] The Influences of Physical Health, Cognitive Symptom and Nutritional Status on the Depression of the Elderly Dwelling in a Big City: Ji Sook Kang, Yeo Sook Chung; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2008;19(3):378-387. Published online September 30, 2008

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Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
The purposes of this study were to investigate factors related to the depression of the elderly dwelling in a big city, and to explore the influence of physical health, cognitive symptom and nutritional status on the elders' depression.
METHODS
After the approval of the Institutional Review Board (IRB) and obtaining the participants' consent form, a face-to-face and private interview was conducted with each participant from May, 2007 to Aug, 2007 by trained graduate level students. A total of 201 elders aged over 65 years participated in the study. The questionnaire consisted of K-GDS, PHQ-15 and Nutritional Screening Initiative (NSI). Collected data were analyzed with the SPSS 13.0 program, which was used for frequency, percentage, mean, standard deviation, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression.
RESULTS
The major findings of this study were as follows. 1) 28.4% of the subjects belonged to the depression group, 78.1% had one or more diseases, 85.6% had experienced somatic symptoms, and 49.7% belonged to the nutritional risk group. 2) Older age, lower educational level, more pocket money, a larger number of diseases, more severe cognitive symptoms and poorer nutritional status were significantly related to a higher depression score. 3) Significant factors influencing depression were nutritional status, cognitive symptoms and the number of diseases, which explained 38.1% of the variance of elderly depression, and nutritional status was the most influencing factor.
CONCLUSION
The finding of this study gives useful information for developing assessment tools and interventions for elders' depression.

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