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] Malnutrition Risk in Community-Dwelling Older Adults with Dual Sensory Declines: Focusing on Social Determinants of Health: Ha Na Jeong; Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2024;35(4):325-338. Published online December 30, 2024; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2024.00675

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Purpose
As the number of older adults with dual sensory declines is increasing, they face a higher risk of malnutrition compared to those without these declines. Although social determinants of health can influence malnutrition, there has been limited research on this population. This study aimed to explore the association between malnutrition risk and social determinants of health among older adults with dual sensory declines.
Methods
The study is a cross-sectional analysis using data from the 2020 National Survey of Older Koreans. Binomial logistic regression analysis was conducted to examine the association between malnutrition risk and social determinants of health. These determinants include structural determinants, social capital, and intermediary determinants among older adults with dual sensory declines.
Results
1,771 with dual sensory declines were included in the analysis. Among the structural determinants, women (odds ratio [OR]=1.75, 95% confidential interval [CI] 1.19~2.57) and national basic livelihood security system recipients (OR=1.87, 95% CI 1.13~3.07) were significantly associated with malnutrition risk. In social capital, social non-participation (OR=1.33, 95% CI 1.03~1.73) and social network size (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.92~0.98), Among intermediary determinants, living dissatisfaction (OR=1.61, 95% CI 1.16~2.23), environmental satisfaction (OR=0.95, 95% CI 0.92~0.99), household debt (OR=1.59, 95% CI 1.02~2.49) and comorbidity (OR=3.85, 95% CI 2.98~4.97) were significantly related to malnutrition risk.
Conclusion
These findings highlight the critical need to address key social determinants of health to enhance nutritional outcomes for older adults with dual sensory declines.

Citations

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Disability Acceptance as a Mediator Between Social Network Size and Disaster Response Capacity in Adults With Physical Disabilities in South Korea: Findings From the National Survey
Ha Na Jeong, Sun Ju Chang, Gi Won Choi
Journal of Contingencies and Crisis Management.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

[English] Factors Affecting the Risk of Cardiovascular Disease in Postmenopausal Women: A Postmenopausal Period-Stratified Analysis: Jui Kim, Choi Hyoungshim; Res Community Public Health Nurs. 2023;34(1):72-82. Published online March 31, 2023; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/rcphn.2022.00297

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Abstract PDF

Purpose
This study aimed to investigate the factors affecting the risk of cardiovascular disease among postmenopausal Korean women. Methods: This postmenopausal period-stratified analysis used secondary data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2016 to 2018. We selected 1,465 participants with all the relevant data for analysis. The Chi-square test and multiple logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Results: Age, subjective health status, body mass index, and triglyceride level were the factors that influenced the risk of cardiovascular disease for women with a postmenopausal period ≤5 years, whereas age, subjective health status, household income, body mass index, and triglyceride level were the factors that influenced the risk of cardiovascular disease for women with a postmenopausal period >5 years and ≤10 years. Conclusion: Planning health promotion strategies to lower the risk of cardiovascular disease in women must consider the differences among women according to the menopausal status and postmenopausal period.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Exploring the relationship between reproductive aging, arterial stiffness, and cardiorespiratory fitness in women after menopause
Luís Ferreira, Catarina Abrantes, Maria Emília Alves, Lucimere Bohn, Helena Moreira
Physiological Reports.2026;[Epub] CrossRef
Perceived cardiovascular disease risk among multi-ethnic postmenopausal women residing in Korea: a Q-methodological study
Kyu Ho Lee, Sun Jung Park, Byung Jun Park
Women's Health Nursing.2026; 32(1): 40. CrossRef
Prevalence of dyslipidemia and associated factors among premenopausal and post-menopausal women: a community-based comparative cross-sectional study in Debre Markos city, Northwest, Ethiopia, 2024
Yonatan Kindie, Getnet Fetene, Abebaw Worede, Arega Zenaw, Mastewal Yechale
BMC Endocrine Disorders.2025;[Epub] CrossRef

[English] Effects of a Self-Care Reinforcement Program for Socially Vulnerable Elderly Women with Metabolic Syndrome in Korea: Mi Kyung Park, Ki Wol Sung; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2019;30(3):271-280. Published online September 30, 2019; DOI: https://doi.org/10.12799/jkachn.2019.30.3.271

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5 Citations

Abstract PDF

PURPOSE
This study evaluates the efficacy of a Self-Care Reinforcement Program (SCRP) based on the Selection Optimization Compensation (SOC) model, in socially vulnerable elderly women with metabolic syndrome.
METHODS
This study adopts a pretest-posttest nonequivalent control group design. The participants were 64 socially vulnerable elderly Korean women with metabolic syndrome (experimental group: 31, control group: 33). Participants' body composition analysis, nutrient intake, risk factors of metabolic syndrome, depressive symptoms, and social network were measured. Data were analyzed with an independent t-test; statistical significance levels were set at p<.05. The SCRP, including metabolic syndrome education, nutritional education, exercise, and social network, was performed three times a week for 8 weeks.
RESULTS
There were statistically significant differences between the experimental and control groups in terms of systolic blood pressure, diastolic pressure, fasting blood sugar, triglycerides, sodium intake, depressive symptoms, and social networks.
CONCLUSION
The SCRP is effective and can be recommended as a community health nursing intervention for socially vulnerable elderly women with metabolic syndrome.

Citations

Citations to this article as recorded by

Evaluation of a health promotion program based on Community-based Participatory Research for older adults at risk for metabolic syndrome: a mixed methods study
Juhyeon Yang, Bohyun Park
BMC Public Health.2025;[Epub] CrossRef
The Effects of Health Literacy, Social Support, and Health-Promoting Behaviors on Metabolic Syndrome Among Middle-Aged and Older Women Living in Rural Areas of Republic of Korea
Eun-Kyung Lee, Yong-Sook Eo
Healthcare.2025; 13(24): 3279. CrossRef
Analysis of energy intakes, physical activities and metabolic syndrome according to the income level in Korean elderly people: Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2016‒2018
Eun-Sook Sung, Sijin Lee, Youngjun Lee, Seunghee Lee, Jonghoon Park
Physical Activity and Nutrition.2022; 26(2): 028. CrossRef
Phytochemical Investigation of Marker Compounds from Indigenous Korean Salix Species and Their Antimicrobial Effects
Yoon Seo Jang, Da Eun Lee, Joo-Hyun Hong, Kyung Ah Kim, Bora Kim, Yeo Rang Cho, Moon-Jin Ra, Sang-Mi Jung, Jeong-Nam Yu, Seongpil An, Ki Hyun Kim
Plants.2022; 12(1): 104. CrossRef
Effects of the Participatory Action Research on Reducing the Risk of Metabolic Syndrome in Adult Women
Yong-Sook Eo
International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2021; 18(21): 11103. CrossRef

[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.

[English] A Study on Nutrition and Health Evaluation of Osteoarthritis Elderly in Community: Sook Ja Yang; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2006;17(2):186-194. Published online June 30, 2006

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Abstract PDF: No abstract available.

[English] Nutritional Risk and Its Contributing Factors in the Low-income Elderly in Urban Areas: Sook Ja Yang; J Korean Acad Community Health Nurs. 2005;16(4):392-403. Published online December 31, 2005

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Abstract PDF: PURPOSE
This study was to evaluate the nutritional status of low-income elders in urban areas and factors affecting their nutritional risk.
METHODS
A cross-sectional analysis was conducted. The subjects were 300 elders selected from home visiting clients of DongJack Public Health Center. Data were collected using a questionnaire containing questions on socio-demographic characteristics. health behavior and disease. dietary pattern. Nutritional Screening Initiative. Geriatric Depression Scale and Barthel Index for ADL. Collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistics. chi2-test and multiple regression analysis using SPSS.
RESULTS
Of the subjects, 63% had high nutritional risk, 21.3% moderate nutritional risk, and 15.7% good nutritional risk. NSI score was significantly different according to economic status, subjective health condition, medication, dental health, depression. regularity of diet and meal with family. Multiple regression analysis revealed that depression, subjective health condition, dental health and regularity of diet and meal with family explain 38.1% of nutritional risk.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to evaluate nutrition status and to control nutritional risk factors such as depression, dental health, regularity of diet and meal with family for improving the health of the low-income elderly.

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