Dietary quality of lunches in senior leisure service facilities in South Korea: analysis of data from the 2013–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: This study analyzed the quality of lunches provided in senior leisure service (SLS) facilities and compared institutional foodservice (IF) and non-institutional foodservice (non-IF). SUBJECTS/METHODS: Data of 390 adults aged 65 years or older who ate lunches in SLS facilities were analyzed using the information from the 2013–2017 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. The participants were classified into IF (n = 129) and non-IF (n = 261) groups according to meal type provided. The intake of major food groups, energy and nutrients, and nutrient adequacy ratio (NAR) and mean adequacy ratio (MAR) were analyzed. The diversity of meals was evaluated by food group patterns, dietary diversity score (DDS) and dietary variety score (DVS). Energy intake was adjusted in model 1, while energy and sex were adjusted in model 2. All confounding variables were adjusted in model 3. RESULTS: The intake of seafoods (P < 0.001 in models 1, 2, and 3), seaweeds (P < 0.01 in models 1 and 2), and dairy products (P < 0.05 in models 1, 2, and 3) was significantly higher in the IF group. No significant difference existed in energy intake; however, the intake of all nutrients except carbohydrate and vitamin C was significantly higher in the IF group. NAR of all nutrients, excluding vitamin C, was higher in the IF group, and MAR was also higher in the IF group (P < 0.001 in models 1, 2, and 3). The IF group had significantly higher DDS and DVS than the non-IF group (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The lunches provided in SLS facilities were better in terms of quantity and quality when provided through IF than through non-IF. More systematic foodservice programs should be implemented in SLS facilities, especially in facilities wherein users prepare their own meals.