Park HA, et al. J Korean Med Assoc. 2015 May;58(5):373-384. http://dx.doi.org/10.5124/jkma.2015.58.5.373

Yim HJ, et al. Korean J Fam Med. 2012 Nov;33(6):390-397. http://dx.doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2012.33.6.390

Protein intake in South Korea is generally considered to be adequate; however, there is concern that it may be inadequate among the elderly. This study evaluated the adequacy of protein intake, the source of protein, and the distribution of protein intake in daily meals in the Korean elderly population. Data were obtained from 1,484 men and 2,028 women aged 60 years or older who had participated in the nutrition survey of the 2013-2014 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. One-day (24-hour) recall data were used to estimate the daily protein intake. The mean protein intake was 65.3±1.0 g/d (13.1%±0.1% of energy) and 49.7±0.7 g/d (12.6%±0.1% of energy) for men and women, respectively. The protein intake was less than the estimated average requirement in 30.8%±1.4% of men and 42.6%±1.3% of women, and 47.9%±1.6% and 60.1%±1.4%, respectively, consumed less than the recommended daily allowance. The protein intake was relatively evenly distributed among meals; however, the absolute amount of protein consumption per meal was very low. Only one-third of the protein intake came from animal sources. The quantity and quality of protein intake were inadequate in the elderly Korean population.

Kim HJ, et al. Korean J Fam Med. 2011 Mar;32(3):173-181. http://dx.doi.org/10.4082/kjfm.2011.32.3.173

Yoon JY, et al. J Korean Med Sci. 2012 May;27(5):512-517. http://dx.doi.org/10.3346/jkms.2012.27.5.512

Controversy exists on whether animal and plant proteins influence obesity differently. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the association between total, animal, and plant protein intake with the body mass index (BMI), waist circumference (WC), and renal function in the Korean elderly. Study participants included Korean adults aged 60 years or older from the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey in 2013–2014. Height, weight, and waist circumference were measured and the body mass index was calculated. One-day 24-hour recall data were used to estimate daily total, animal, and plant protein intake. Glomerular filtration rate (GFR) was calculated by using the Modification of Diet in Renal Disease (MDRD) equation. General linear modellings were used to assess the relationships between protein intake, BMI and WC. The mean age was 69.2 ± 0.2 years and 44.2% were male. The total daily protein intake was 1.1 ± 0.02 g/kg/day and 0.9 ± 0.02 g/kg/day for males and females, respectively. Only one third of protein intake was from animal sources. In males, BMI (regression coefficient (95% CI); −1.30 (−1.55, −1.06), p < 0.001; −0.29 (−0.52, −0.05), p = 0.016; −1.30 (−1.8, −1.02), p < 0.001, respectively) and WC (−3.87 (−4.58, −3.16), p < 0.001; −0.90 (−1.58, −0.22), p = 0.010; −3.88 (−4.68, −3.08), p < 0.001, respectively) decreased as daily intake of plant protein (g/kg/day), animal protein (g/kg/day) and total protein (g/kg/day) increased. Similar associations were shown in Korean females. GFR was not associated with protein intake regardless of protein source in both sexes. In Korean adults aged 60 years or older, the protein intake was associated with a favorable obesity index without decrease in renal function. The effect was similar in both males and females, with both animal and plant proteins.