Needs for development of taurine-containing elderly-friendly home meal replacement for prevention of dementia in Korean adults over age forty and elderly

초록

Background: It was reported that taurine intake in the past may have a positive effect on present cognitive function in the elderly. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to investigate needs for development of taurine-containing elderly-friendly home meal replacement (HMR) for prevention of dementia in Korean adults over age forty and elderly by age. Methods: Subjects were 481 adults in 40-49 years, 319 adults in 50-64 years, and 181 elderly in 65-84 years residing in the Seoul and its metropolitan areas, Korea. Data were collected using self-administered questionnaires. Statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 18.0 program, and the one-way ANOVA and chi-square test were performed for determination of significant differences among three groups. Results: Degree of need for elderly-friendly HMR was very significantly higher in 40-49 years group (3.9 scores) and 50-64 years group (3.8 scores) compared to 65-84 years group (3.6 scores) (p < 0.001). As for the important points in development of elderly-friendly HMR, in 40-49 years group, balanced nutrition, taste, and fresh food ingredients (2.19, 0.89, and 0.74 points) were in order. In 50-64 years group, balanced nutrition, fresh food ingredients, and taste (2.13, 0.92, and 0.83 points) were in order, and in 65-84 years group, balanced nutrition, taste, and fresh food ingredients (1.72, 1.12, and 0.89 points) were in order. As for preferable taste in elderly-friendly HMR, needs for less salty (p < 0.01) and less sweet (p < 0.001) foods were significantly higher in 40-49 years group (4.4 and 4.3 scores) compared to 65-84 years group (4.2 and 3.9 scores). Degree of need for taurine-containing elderly-friendly HMR was significantly lower in 40-49 years group (4.0 scores) and 50-64 years group (3.9 scores) compared to 65-84 years group (4.2 scores) (p < 0.01). If taurine-containing elderly-friendly HMR for prevention of dementia was developed, willingness to buy it was significantly higher in 65-84 years