This study aimed to identify food environment factors in the local community that could affect the levels of nutritional status and frailty in 372 older adults (at least 65 years old) experiencing food insecurity and enrolled in the integrated Community Health Promotion Program (CHPP) in two districts of Seoul. The local food environment was assessed using perceived food store accessibility questionnaires. In order to quantify nutrient intake, the 24-h recall method was applied. Malnutrition was measured using the Mini Nutritional Assessment tool, while frailty was assessed using the Frailty Measurement Questionnaire developed for the CHPP. Malnourished or frail elderly adults commonly had a lower intake of cereals and potatoes, meats, and vegetables than those who were not, and their resulting intake levels of energy, protein, iron, and vitamin groups were also significantly lower (all p-values < 0.05). Among the local community food store environment factors, the sufficiency of food stores (odds ratio (OR) = 1.988, 95% confidence interval (CI] = 1.211–3.262), freshness of foods (OR = 1.767, 95% CI = 1.075–2.886), and variety in foods (OR = 1.961, 95% CI = 1.197–3.212) were significant factors affecting the risk of malnutrition. For frailty, the freshness of foods (OR = 1.997, 95% CI = 1.053–3.788), variety in foods (OR = 2.440, 95% CI = 1.277–4.661), and small purchase of foods (OR = 2.645, 95% CI = 1.362–5.139) were significant environmental factors. In conclusion, we found that the perceived food store environment in the local community can influence the occurrence of malnutrition and frailty in vulnerable, urban older adults.

Yang N, et al. Korean J Community Nutr. 2020 Apr;25(2):137-149. https://doi.org/10.5720/kjcn.2020.25.2.137

이예연, et al. J Nutr Health. 2020 Aug;53(4):416-430. https://doi.org/10.4163/jnh.2020.53.4.416

Hong JY, et al. Nutr Res Pract. 2024 Apr;18(2):165-179. https://doi.org/10.4162/nrp.2024.18.2.165

Background: Few investigations have studied the relationship between home and school food environments, fruit intakes, and prevalence of overweight in children and adolescents from disadvantaged backgrounds. This study aimed to determine whether food environments for fruit intake at household and school levels affect fruit intakes and risk of overweight among children and adolescents with low household income. Methods: Students (n = 3148) in Seoul, Korea completed questionnaires pertaining to select aspects of their food environments, frequency of fruit intakes, and weight status. Chi-square tests and logistic regressions evaluated associations between the aforementioned variables. Results: Participants consumed fruit an average of 0.77 times per day, though its frequency increased when fruit accessibility was perceived positively. The percentage of overweight participants was 23.5% for boys and 22.8% for girls. Generally, fruit intake frequency was linked to a lower prevalence of overweight. Regular provision of fruit in school lunches was associated with a reduced risk of overweight among elementary school girls (odds ratio (OR): 0.52, 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.30–0.92), and having someone at home to prepare fruit was associated with a reduced risk of overweight in elementary school boys (OR: 0.64, 95% CI: 0.43–0.94) and girls (OR: 0.63, 95% CI: 0.43–0.93). Conclusions: The frequency of fruit intake was low among disadvantaged youth. Increasing access to fruit in their food environments appears to enhance consumption and lower the risk of overweight, especially for elementary school girls.