Trends and Dietary Assessment According to Fruit and Vegetable Intake in Korean Elderly People: Analysis Based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 1998, 2008, and 2018

The study aimed to examine the 20-year trends in fruit and non-starch/unsalted vegetable intake among the Korean elderly aged 65 years or older based on the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) data. A total of 3722 elderly citizens aged 65 years or older who participated in the dietary survey (24-h recall of dietary intake) of the 1998, 2008, and 2018 NHANES were selected as the subjects of this study. Fruit and non-starchy/unsalted vegetable intake increased by approximately 86.53 g over the past 20 years, from 268.27 g in 1998 to 355.8 g in 2018. In particular, 65–74-year-olds had an increased intake by approximately 130.38 g over the past 20 years, from 277.34 g in 1998 to 407.72 g in 2018. In addition, snacks intake significantly increased over the past 20 years (p for trend < 0.001). Intake according to daily meal cooking location increased by approximately 130 g over the past 20 years, from 64.50 g in 1998 to 123.39 g in 2008, and to 198.01 g in 2018. The annual proportion of the total elderly population who meet the amount of vegetable food intake recommended by the World Health Organization (WHO)/World Cancer Research Fund (WCRF) (400 g or more fruits and non-starchy vegetables) increased by approximately 11.28%p (percentage points) over the past 20 years, from 21.78% in 1998 to 24.63% in 2008, and to 33.06% in 2018. The results of this study suggest that more fundamental measures are required to increase the fruit and non-starchy vegetable intake among the elderly. Furthermore, it is thought that the results of this study can be used as basic data in establishing dietary policy. In addition, it is thought that it can be used in developing nutrition education and dietary guidelines for enhancing fruit and vegetable intake.